I received my concealed weapon permit in the mail yesterday. I had thought about getting one for years, since here in Florida it is relatively easy, and a couple of months ago I finally decided to do it. I thought I would share a few thoughts with anyone else considering it. If you are thinking about it, time is running short to get it by the end of the year....

Advantages

Well, the obvious one..... self defense (provided you are competent in using a gun)

If you carry a gun in your car (legal with conditions without a permit in FL) having the license can insure that some over enthusiastic cop doean't haul you to jail on weapons charges during a routine traffic stop.

If Y2K causes chaos short of anarchy, it can serve as proof to the police and/or National Guard should they be unable to conduct a computer check, that you are not a felon.

Disadvantages

The fact that you have a CWP is a matter of public record (at least here in FL). Anyone can go to the state capitol and look up all CWP holders.

While the government says that they do not keep a record of gun buyers through the background check when a gun is purchased, they most certainly do keep records of CWP holders.

Having a weapon on you may make you overconfident, and you may expose yourself to unnecessary risks.

You could go to jail if you make a poor decision on using your weapon. Check out this brochure that the state sent me along with my license. It has examples of people who made poor decisions, and are now in jail. Knowing when, and more importantly when not to use your weapon is the single most important thing you need to know.

You could go to jail if you get careless on where you go with a concealed weapon. Here in Florida, it's illegal to carry in

any police, sheriff or highway patrol station

any detention facility, prison or jail

any courthouse or courtroom

any polling place

any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district

any meeting of the legislature or a committee thereof

any school, college or profesional athletic event not related to firearms

any school administration building

any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such a purpose

any elementary or secondary school facility

any area vocational-technical center

any college or university facility

inside the passenger terminal or sterile area of any airport (unless checking it in as baggage)

This may seem like a no brainer, but wasn't it Barry Switzer who brought a loaded gun in his briefcase to the metal detector while he was coach of the Cowboys? He forgot he had it in his briefcase! Barry may not be the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but I can see how someone could space out and do just that. Do you notice something missing from the list? How about banks, drug stores and liquor stores? Yup, perfectly legal.

I had given this a lot of thought before I sent in my application, but it wasn't until I actually received the permit, that the enormity of the responsibility hit me. If you are going to get a license, make sure you understand the laws, are proficient in use, and above all think before using it!

-- Bob (bob@bob.bob), August 19, 1999

Answers

Excellent post Bob!

-- Kristi (securxsys@cs.com), August 19, 1999.

What you point out bob is the basic mind set of any sane, individual, how understands the power that has just been issuied to him/her. In my state of Massachusetts they put you threw hell, depending some what on which town you live, when trying to get a permit to carry. But when I look back at that hell, studing laws, taking coarses, joining gun club, it help to instill in me all of what you just said and more. Its well worth it, and you will be amazed at how many things that will go threw your head, as you reach for the gun, before you reach the point of no turning back.. In closing Im also glad I put up with the bullshit, so I can adleast face Y2K with having that addional secret option....Good Luck

-- Les (yoyo@tolate.com), August 19, 1999.

Ahh heck, they solved *all* these problems here in NJ. Unless you are a police officer or working in some area like banking security, you can't get a permit to carry. Notice, I said permit to carry, never mind concealed carry. Nope. Only the bad guys can carry concealed weapons here, not the good guys.

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), August 19, 1999.

Gee, so Florida allows you to carry in public, but not on (essentially) any government facility (schools are certainly government facilities -- indoctrination centers for children). Wonder what they're afraid of? Maybe if they get their laws out of people's throats and asses, they might not have so much reason to fear the citizenry.

-- A (A@AisA.com), August 19, 1999.

Well, maybe it's like the days of the Old West where you had to leave your weapon at the door. They didn't have *any* kind of permits, but they did know that there were some places that it was best not to be armed. I think most of bars and honky-tonks had people going in and out with their guns on. But I also saw some pretty heated arguments there too, if the movies are to be believed. :-) Also, for those who are wondering, wearing a gun in plain site (holster visible to all) is considered "carry". Having it hidden under your coat or in your pocket is "concealed carry". The better states allow concealed carry after you have passed their checkout. Statistic now coming in seem to show that concealed-carry states are having a reduction in street crime.

-- Gordon (gpconnolly@aol.com), August 19, 1999.

Thanks for your post Bob. I too live in FL and have been considering for a long time now what to do about a carry permit. I decided against it. Please tell me if you think I'm being too paranoid: First, with all this gun control/martial law talk going on the last thing I want to do is get on a govt. list that will be red flagged. Perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe the permit holders will be the last, or the only ones not targeted. My weapons are older than the computer registry. Records exist somewhere in a 3 ring binder, only. (I've since moved).If y2k is bad enough for martial law I think weapons will be confiscated anyway, if it is with you, off your property. If y2k is a GaryNorth meltdown senario, with marshall law unable to be enforced, then no one will care anyway if you carry. I am planning not to leave my rural property in 2000 for the first six months for sure. Longer if possible. What do you think? Thanks, Nancy 8/20/99

-- Nancy Kurtz (feathersfly@mindspring.com), August 20, 1999.