I completed my Conceal/Carry class today!
 

I managed to get a perfect score on the shooting "field test", and scored my firearm conceal/carry training certificate. In a month or so, I should be legally able to carry a firearm in Minnesota and any other state that recognizes the MN carry permit. Three cheers for "shall issue" laws!

Good work!
I feel safer...

cool, cool.

Re: I completed my Conceal/Carry class today!
 

Hey, thats great. I can see why one would need to carry a concealed firearm in Minnesota.

Seriously, though. Congratulations. Don't shoot off your typing hand. :D

Thats awesome! If only I was 21, I would be there with ya...

congrats!!!!

Be careful out there...

Oh just wonderful. Another gun out on the streets.

The world just got a little worse.

I don't want to spoil your happy day, but I think you can all guess what I'd say anyway!

congrats bro....i got mine about a year and a half ago.....maybe one of these days ill get around to getting a gun

Congrats man!

I just picked up my own paper work to turn in. Now to fill it out and submit it ;)

congrats on the license, use it wisely ;-)

Congrats. What are the MN requirements for a concealed carry.

I think it's great that MN makes you actually take a test. My indiana CC permit required nothing but a background check, a notary, and two cashiers checks. I got mine at 22 - but the scary thing is that even though you must be 21 to purchase a handgun through a dealer, you only need to be 18 to get a CC permit.

Re: I completed my Conceal/Carry class today!
 

Yes! True "gun control". Congrats!

Here are the basics for the Oklahoma CCW:

You must be 23 years old.
You must take a training class (stupidest class I have ever taken).
You must fire your weapon at a target (no scoring involved, instructor discression).

If you use a derringer, the only thing you can carry is a derringer. If you use a revolver, you can carry a revolver or darringer. If you use a semi-automatic pistol, you can carry all 3.

I used a .22 semi-auto pistol for the test but carry either a .380 or a .45.

I have seen the requirements for the Texas CCP. Talk about a PITA, I don't think many people could pass this. If it were me, I'd get an Oklahoma address, get the Oklahoma one and move back to Texas. Gotta love reciprosity. :)

ummm no, guns kill.

When did it become illegal to be a racist?

lol cool

hrdwareguy: There is a large list of requirements (most of which are common sense, but I will list them for others' benefit as well), but once you meet the requirements you are able to carry any legal firearm, and it is strongly suggested that you keep it concealed whenever possible. While it is technically not required to keep the firearm concealed at all times, we were explained the risks of not doing so (including possibly being arrested if anyone felt that they were threatened by the presence of a firearm, thanks to a police force that hates guns).

+ You must be 21
+ complete an authorized training course (the AACFI course that I took covers "safe use of a pistol", "fundamentals of pistol use", "fundamental legal aspects of pistol posession carry and use, including self-defense and the restrictions on the use of deadly force", "requires a 30 round shooting exercise". For the shooting exercise, you have to get 70% of points from 15 rounds at 15ft and 15 rounds at 21ft).
+ not be committed as mentally ill/mentally retarded/ever found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental ilness
+ not be committed as chemically dependent
+ not be a peace officer informally admitted to treatment facilities for chemical dependency
+ not be a fugitive from justice (that one is a shocker!)
+ not an illegal alien
+ not dishonorably discharged from the armed forces
+ have not renounced their U.S. citizenship
+ have not ever been convicted of a felony-level crime in any state. This includes murder, manslaughter, assault, simple or aggravated robbery, criminal sexual conduct, neglect or endangerment of a child, arson, terroristic threats, rioting, harassment/stalking, or violation of controlled substance laws.

Even after proving that you are a law-abiding citizen who has been trained in the use of a firearm and how to carry one (preferably concealed), you cannot carry them in the following places:

+ correctional facilities or state hospitals
+ county jails
+ elementary and secondary school grounds except when stored in a motor vehicle
+ facilities under exclusive temporary control of a school, school association, or district (arenas, for example)
+ courthouse complexes, unless the sheriff is notified in advance
+ the capitol area, unless the commissioner of public safety is notified in advance
+ afield while hunting big game by archery, except bear
+ federal court or other federal facilities

One of the things which is repeated several times by the instructor during the training class is that "defending yourself with a gun does not change the situation, it just makes you a different kind of victim". It can save your life, but you still will need to deal with the physiological effects of discharging a firearm at another human being, and of being victimized.

Re: Re: I completed my Conceal/Carry class today!
 

Yes, the populace needs protection from Jesse Ventura. ;)

As for injuries, I got a minor cut from extracting a crappy shell casing which split apart while I shot. Kiss the boo-boo? :(

Congrats hope you never need it.
Spend alot time at the range, muscle memory will save you.
If you need it and have to think you are screwed.
Find a range that has tactical range where you can practice"real life" conditions.
Even better go to Thunder Ranch.
Good luck and best wishes

Yea Bones, I agree, people never see the good side to guns, because our media fucking sucks. We get reports on the guns most used in violent crimes and such, but never a report on the gun most used to protect ones self, or stop a crime....

Its fucking beat.

I have had mine for 18 months. I carry a Bersa 380 semi and it is perfect for me. As a single woman, living alone in a world where reality can be a death sentence, I feel it is important for me to be able to defend myself if need be. I pray I never have to use it. But should I need it, I am glad I have it and the training and accuracy I need.

I hope that people who go the extra step to get a CC also take the extra step to be familiar with their weapon. I practice so much with mine that it is nearly second nature to me. Snap caps can be your best friend when you can't get to the range but you want to keep up your ability to take all of the steps neccessary to use your weapon quickly and effectively.

I'm interested in getting a firearm as a form of recreation; purely for target shooting (supposedly it's very relaxing). Where could I learn more about the proper way to be trained and to get the right firearm?

.
relaxing?
when you do, let me know if that's true.
.

Assuming that you live in Maryland, go over here:

http://www.mdgunsafety.com

It appears that Maryland requires you to pass a firearm safety course (very good idea, anyhow) before purchasing a firearm. I suggest starting out by taking this course, since you sort of have to. :)

Getting a concealed carry in Maryland is tough. I failed. In Maryland you must be:

- An active judge
- An active prosecuting attorney
- An active police officer
- Someone that carries large sums of money around
- A retired judge, attorney or cop that can prove someone wants you dead.

I'm none of the above. So it looks like I don't qual for a concealed carrt, unfortunately.

Guns have saved us all if you count most of the wars we've fought over the past few hundred wars =D

The gold standard for gun safety training:

NRA Safety Page

There you find all sorts of information on courses, ranges and general gun safety.

Most state CCW laws will require the NRA basic hand gun safety class or the equivalent for all applicants.

By the way, in the state of Maryland you must complete their firearm safety class in order to be able to legally purchase a firearm. Unfortunately, while the NRA safety class is advisable, it is not a substitute for the Maryland-sponsored training.

I forgot to mention the shooting distances for Oklahoma. 15 rounds at 3 feet, and 15 rounds at 6 feet and no scoring is involved.

Wow. Here in Canada (Ontario specifically) to own and operate a handgun is a huge hassle. Background checks, hours of classes and probationary periods. When you finally apease the gun gods and are able to carry a handgun you must call the local police and inform them that you intend to transport your gun to and from an accredited gun club, what time you intend to leave and how long you'll be there. You guys who carry down there should appreciate the freedom cause what happened here could easlily happen there too. Damn liberal freaks

Amen Cujo!

People who don't use guns don't understand them. I think the problem is exacerbated by the mis-representation of guns in general by the liberal media and the movie/tv industry. Yeah guns can kill, but they are not the deadly magic weapon they are made out to be.

How anyone can honestly believe that all weapons can be removed from the hands of criminals. Let alone do this by restricting/preventing legal means of acquiring them is beyond my understanding. There's a lot of people living in a peter pan fantasy world where the government will protect them in all ways and absolve them of personal responsibility. Bullshit.

Congrats on on the CW!

Glad to hear that there's another person out there who will help to give firearm owners a good name. I hope you never have to point it at anything but a target.

Thank you for showing that the 2nd amendment exists! My grandma and grandpa have one too, I think it's a good thing.

Update!

My father and I took the class and submitted applications together,and we just received our official permits on Monday! Unfortunately, however, the county I live in appears to be selling permit registration information as I have gotten half a dozen "criminal justice program" brochures from tech colleges in the last day or so.

I am in contact with a trainer out here in colorado and once I get the cash Ill be in the truck on my way. I was gonna do it in arizona but the class out there is too long. Out here I can get it done in a day and just wait a month for it to come in the mail.

I think we liberals are just a tad troubled about the notion of a child blowing another child away after discovering the bedside firearm.

Yes, yes, I know none of you will be so careless, but as you pointed out, there are exceptions to this each day as per the *liberal media.*

I believe not only should you take tests of firearm skill, but that you must pass rigorous psychological testing before being allowed to own a gun and carry it freely.
Let us not forget how handy a gun can be in the heat of an argument
Crime of passion, anyone?

I know someone mentioned Texas concealed gun laws being tough, but you have to remember, it is Texas after all. Carrying a shotgun in your back window isn't necessarily running rampant, but I've seen stranger things ;) Everyone down here would carry a concealed weapon if we could :p so we have to be able to separate those who should from those who would somehow. When I hit the big 21 in a year, I plan on going through a concealed class and then purchasing my first firearm. More than likely going to be a 9mm as .45 would be a little much and .22 rimfire doesn't have that much stopping power.

I laughed so hard at this it nearly made me cry. If anyone thinks the media is liberal now, I challenge them to look at it 10-20 years ago. The current media has been riding a vast wave of relative conservatism for the past 3-5 years, and anyone that thinks otherwise hasn't really been paying attention. Besides, we all know liberals aren't demons...well, not dangerous demons ;) (j/k)

It may not have much stopping power, but it is one of the deadliest calibers around. The punch isn't there, but once inside your body it bounces off the bones rather well and once it splits it's like multiball on your internal organs.

The .22 is one of only a few calibers that can penetrate kevlar as well.

According to Accuracy in Media, "All the major media surveys for the past 20 years have shown that 80 to 90 percent of the mainstream media consistently vote for Democrats."

Actually both my wife and I have a handgun in our nightstands. If you are going to own a gun, it is your responsibility to teach your kids about it and teach them it is not a toy.

Children will be in danger regardless, whether guns are in the household or drain cleaner or pointy sticks or railings with vertical posts too far apart. The key, in my opinion, is to encourage local schools to teach children of the danger of firearms and to stay away from them just as they would fire or chemicals with skull-and-crossbones stickers on them. Education, common sense, and good parenting are the best ways to save lives.

In Minnesota, you cannot carry if you have ever been committed as mentally ill/mentally retarded/ever found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental ilness. If this occurrs after your permit is issued, it will become void.

Learning the basics of self-defense and the restrictions on the use of deadly force is part of the AACFI course which I participated in. To use deadly force in the heat of an argument when you have not taken steps to remove yourself from it is illegal and you will be prosecuted for murder. Removing the weapon would not change the demeanor of the person, simply cause them to use a broken bottle, crowbar, etc.

and all democrats being liberal, i can see why that matters [/sarcasm]

such a shame that the terms liberal and democrat seem to be interchangeable. Go watch half the shows on Fox News Network, most notably the O'Reilly Factor, and tell me that guy is a liberal, hell even tell me he supports the Democrats.

I also said relatively conservative. They're far more conservative now than they have been in the 20 years of my lifetime.

Well, yes. Democrats tend to be more "liberal", and Republicans more "conservative", though the definitions have changed through the years.

Soo.. because one cable network is not blatantly liberal, the claim that 80-90% of the media is, is somehow refuted? What? That logic is about on par with claiming that because there are conservative AM radio talk shows (far less available than local network TV), the media is somehow balanced.

I'm shocked that citizens are allowed to carry concealed firearms in USA. Things sure are different on the other side of the ocean. In Norway no one owns a gun, not even the police carries firearms.

I suppose I live in a peter pan fantasy world, and I'm pretty damn glad I do. The Economist states in an editorial that when people can get guns more easily there are more deaths which are caused by guns. There is a research result in 1996 about murders with guns. According to this research, there were two murders in New Zealand, fifteen in Japan, 30 in United Kingdom, 106 in Canada, 211 in Germany. On the other hand, in the USA, there were 9,390 gun related murders (America, 1998). This is a plain fact. Though there is a difference in population between each countries, it seems that there are too many gun related murders in the USA. Firearms-related incidents are taking place even in countries that it is illegal to possess guns. Therefore, it is needless to say that more gun related incidents would be occurring if the government permits gun ownership.

Not all citizens, only those who complete a training course and meet all of the specifications which I outlined on page one.

First off, the US is not Norway or New Zealand or Japan or the UK. Take a look at Switzerland if you want to compare gun-friendly countries of relative size to your own country.

Cigarette smoking kills more people each year, as do automobile accidents, than gun violence does. States which have "shall issue" conceal/carry laws actually experience less gun violence than states which do not. In the United States the police force is not reasonably capable of protecting citizens from crime, they merely investigate and file reports after a crime has been committed. So, without a means of protecting themselves, the public are ripe targets for criminals. When properly trained (licensed), a woman can stand a chance at stopping an attempted rapist dead in his tracks and not just becoming a statistic.

Suggesting that allowing citizens to carry firearms will increase the murder rate is flawed -- in Minnesota zero people permitted to carry a handgun have used it to murder someone not in self-defense. Permit holders do not routinely get into drunken brawls at pubs and shoot it out with other permit holders.

The population was taken into the maths and the numbers doesn't speak in US's favour.


We're suddenly talking about causes of death?.. I thought we were discussing the necessity of normal citizens to carry a concealed gun. You can bagatalize everything by putting it into a bigger picture.

Anyway, I do not wish to discuss this further as we're not going anywhere. I have one opinion, you have another. I just wanted to know the pro-gun arguments as I can't figure out too many on my own ;) Just wanted you guys to know that there is societies that works without guns.

I wonder, how many deaths are the people who actually go through the hassle of getting a liscense for their gun responsible for? I imagine it's not as many as the people who don't. Besides, even if you take guns out of the picture people are still going to murder each other, guns just make it easier. That said, I would prefer responsible adults carrying legal firearms rather then taking them out of the picture entirely.

I'm talking accesability of weapons. They are aperantly everywhere. If someone feel they need a gun to kill someone it would be abit too easy to steal one.

And the risk that someone with a license will use their guns to kill someone in a moment of rage.

That's funny, considering that you conveniently ignored the parts of my reply which dealt with benefits of "normal citizens" (that is technically inaccurate, since people who carry are trained) carrying firearms. If you don't want to discuss it, and instead just lay down some "we don't need guns"-elitist line, suggest that Americans are mindless war-mongering savages, and ignore any sort of rebuttal, you may want to consider whether you should bother posting on this thread in the first place.

The facts are that in the long run availability of guns for personal protection to trained and certified law-abiding citizens lowers the violent crime rate in any given state where it has been tried. On the other hand, Washington D.C. was the murder capitol of the US while also having the most strict gun control laws in place in the country. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that in the US flimsy gun control laws simply do not work to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals, and in fact only put law-abiding citizens in even more danger of being brutally victimized with little chance of protecting themselves.

I believe in the second amendment. I also think that CC permits are a good idea if a good class that teaches firearm safety and has you demonstrate you know how to use the firearm safely and you can hit what you are aiming at

okay once more into the breach- and I will try to remain objective-

First- despite eddie izzard's assertions, guns are objects- while I can shoot someone with a gun, I can also bash them over the head with a brick- a gun is a tool that makes killing things more easy- this is not a question of whether guns are bad, it is a question of whether you trust a citizen to have one--

Second- last time I checked it was the law in Switzerland that EVERYONE (all adults) had to have an assault rifle and 24 Rounds of ammo in the house at all times. I recently read in, i think it was in national geographic, that every yoear the swiss cantons all have a "shooting fest " where a huge percent of the populace between the age of 10 and 80 spends a good week competing in shooting events! the pictures showed people hanging their rifles on coatracks in Restraunts! they have incredibly low gun crime, so it is obviously not the guns that are at fault--- In switzerland, military service and firearms proficiency is mandatory- and the mindset is such that the gun is viewed as what it is, a dangerous tool that must be treated with respect... that , I believe is the key, RESPONSIBILITY

three- on the issue of responsibility there seems to be a push, world wide to mitigate responsibility and protect people from themselves- drugs are dangerous, so the U.S. gov criminalizes them and fights a loosing war on drugs for 20 years killing who knows how many people on both sides and making it hugely proffitable. guns are dangerous so they start adding restrictions to them "to protect people" bullshit- the "bad guys" still take the drugs, and still have the guns, while honest citizens do not- law enforcement is reactive- it cannot be everywhere- so the question is, do you rely on them to protect you, mitigating your responsibility, or do you take responsibility for your own protection? Personaly- I feel that you should be able to own and carry any gun you want if you are responsible and law abiding, BUT THE KEY IS THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS- if you O.D. on heroin, well that is your fault, if you shoot someone you go to prison to await execution, if you have kids and Guns in the same house YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EDUCATING THEM.

Re: I completed my Conceal/Carry class today!
 

sigh....

wouldn't it be nice if there was a ferderal licence then you could travel the country. Someday man someday.

Congrats on passing the test.

You must feel much less afraid now.

Nice spin but not true. Members of the Swiss military are required to keep their weapons at home.

Even all those weapons at the ready didn't stop a gunman from going on a shooting spree killing 14 people in Zug, Switzerland.

Yes, having a gun will give you a nice, albeit false, sense of security.

Good show. I've had mine for some time here in Texas. For those of you who don't own firearms. I suggest that you get with a friend who is either x-military or grew up with them and go shooting a few times. The cert. class is good, but it's not going to give you enough familiarity with a semi-auto to feel comfortable using it. Particularly under pressure. I have also seen many seemingly experienced semi-auto owners who were at a loss when the weapon jammed. These are things you should know, and practice responding to. There is nothing wrong with a revolver. Maybe they don't look as cool, but they will not fail you.

The 9mm you mentioned is a good choice. My advice is buy the smallest frame model you can. My full size 9mm sig. is mostly my truck gun. Too big to carry in a pocket. My pocket gun is a Kel-Tec 32 cal. Really small, and gives 7 rounds, very accurate. No, not as much knockdown, but it fits in a jean's pocket, and it's a lot more powerful than the lint that would normally be in there while my 9mm sits in the truck lockbox. A good compromise between the two is a 380 auto which is essentially a 9mm short. As far as 45 cal goes, there is nothing more wonderfull to shoot. I have a nice gov. model colt, and when I want to scalp 'em at the range out she comes. There is not a lot of difference between the practicallity of the 9mm and the 45 when it comes to daily carry. Go to a gun show, don't be shy, ask questions. The people there are really nice, and love to be helpful. They will respect you for stepping up, and know a lot.

Don't pay any attention to those who criticize you for taking advantage of your constitutional right. You do make their community safer. That is proven in study after study.

Conceal/Carry class? shit in PA all you needs is like 30 dollars and a background check that takes about ten days. Granted I/ve been shooting and hunting my whole life so I feel I am qualified but dam some people have no idea how to handle a gun and they can get on ass easy as i did.

Damn, PA is loose on their requirements. I checked the sheriff's web page and all you need is an operators license and $20.

Out of state applicants also have to include a copy of their states CCP.

" the right of the people to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT be infringed"
Bill of Rights 2nd Amendment *not negotiable*
it's not about deer hunting !!
Gun control is about disarming law abiding citizens.

try this test: www.a-human-right.com

ps: congrats on your CCW

This is not true. If you didn't have a gun, only the police and military would have a gun. Therefore there would be less black market guns that had been stolen from gun owner’s houses. Therefore less guns in the hands of bad guys. You think most guns in the hands of "bad guys" are brought from overseas or something? No, they are stolen out of your house.

The reason you don't hear about all the good things that happen with guns like thieves getting shot is because it doesn't happen that much. Most thieves don't break into a house when people are there. They wait until you are on vacation and go steal your guns, sell them on the black market, and then that weapon is used to commit crimes.

I also do not see where your government is trying to take away your guns. All they are doing is trying to make it harder to get a gun. If you should have a gun and are a good person it isn't hard at all to get a gun. Show me where someone is trying to take your gun away. I would like to see it.

I saw a 20/20 once where some scientists did a study by having gun owners with children who have been taught gun safety put them in a room with a gun on the table. 9 of 10 children picked up the gun and pointed it at a sibling while unsupervised. Some pulling the trigger.

Here is what I have found.


http://www.texansforgunsafety.org/suicide/risks.htm

http://www.texansforgunsafety.org/ar...ves/crimes.htm


http://www.texansforgunsafety.org/ar...es/childrn.htm

I think these speak for themselves.

Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

The second ammendment only deals with the right to bear arms in the context of a regulated militia, not individual ownership.

Re: Re: I completed my Conceal/Carry class today!
 

Only three states with carry laws (shall-issue or not) have more strict guidelines than Minnesota. So, it's pretty safe to say that anywhere that anyone can carry, someone with a Minnesota carry license can carry.

You are absolutely wrong. It was determined by the Supreme Court that the Second Amendment applied to individuals, NOT to an organized militia like the National Guard.

Try reading and participating in the "Gun Control" thread on politics before you start throwing around nonsensical statements or "facts".

No, I'm pretty much right.

Oh, and I'll post where it's appropriate. I didn't start this discussion, and I'm not going to sit quietly by and watch the "facts" get abused by you or anyone else.

"Since the Second Amendment. . . applies only to the right of the State to maintain a militia and not to the individual's right to bear arms, there can be no serious claim to any express constitutional right to possess a firearm."
U.S. v. Warin (6th Circuit, 1976)

The 1939 case U.S. v. Miller is the only modern case in which the Supreme Court has addressed this issue. A unanimous Court ruled that the Second Amendment must be interpreted as intending to guarantee the states' rights to maintain and train a militia.

The other thread
 

Well, since this thread has been hijacked and since we have a perfectly good thread on gun control over here in weapons this thread is now closed. No sense in anyone repeating themselves in 2 places.

Please continue in the other thread.