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A large number of Americans now carry weapons for self-defense. In fact, gun ownership rates in the US have seen significant increases in recent years. Famously protected by the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, the right to bear arms is currently embraced by about 30% of adults and 42% of adults live in a household where someone owns a gun.
What might be shocking, though, is that, according to a Pew Research study, 44% of U.S. adults say they personally know someone who has been shot, either accidentally or intentionally, and about a quarter (23%) say they or someone in their family have been threatened or intimidated by someone using a gun.
American is unfortunately one of the epicenters of gun violence. According to the American Journal of Medicine the US compares especially unfavorably to other high-income countries. The homicide rate in the US is 7x higher when compared to other high-income countries. That figure is driven by the gun homicide rate of the US being 25.2x higher. These are some of the reasons that many states have started to implement stricter gun control policies, including more regulated concealed carry rules. While every state recognizes a citizen’s right to bear arms, they certainly do go about regulating it a bit differently from place to place. In many jurisdictions you’ll need a permit or license to concealed carry. So let’s talk about how to get a concealed carry license.
WHY DO YOU NEED CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT?
That’s something for you to figure out. Concealed carrying isn’t easy and sometimes it’s not comfortable. That being said, many gun owners choose to carry a concealed weapon for self-defense. It’s a personal decision. Make sure you know what you want and what your reasons are.
STEPS TO GETTING A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT
The process for how to become licensed for concealed carrying is fairly simple and standard across most states. There are slight variations to these norms, but they tend to be minor.
Know the Laws for Concealed Carry in Your State
Concealed carrying is generally practiced by those gun owners who wish to have their firearm ready in case of a sudden threat. Concealed carrying comes with many restrictions however, and you’ll need to be aware of all laws pertaining to concealed carrying to effectively pull it off. This will depend on your state laws and in some jurisdictions local laws as well. Below we’ll list some of the common ways concealed carry licenses are categorized:
May Issue
“May Issue” jurisdictions do not grant licenses or permits based solely on meeting criteria. These states require that there be a “good cause” for the applicant to want or need a permit and therefore local officials have a lot of discretion in granting licenses. You can’t fill in that portion of the application with something like “I want to carry a concealed weapon just because I want to” in these states. When learning how to get a license for concealed carry you’ll need to research your local laws to see if you reside in a “May Issue” state so that you can appropriately apply. May Issue states include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. One note is that, in practice, many of these jurisdictions operate as Shall Issue states.
Shall Issue
In “Shall Issue” states you are not required to provide a “good cause” for carrying a concealed handgun. This category describes the vast majority of states and the process is rather simple. You will be issued a permit after meeting the right criteria and submitting the proper documents. Convicted felons are never qualified for concealed carry licenses.
No Issue
In “No Issue” states concealed carrying is not allowed. There exist very few exceptions to these rules such as exceptions for military installations, law enforcement officers, and security guards but for the most part it’s as simple as concealed carrying being illegal. There is not any US state that is currently really a “No Issue” state, although the US territory of American Samoa operates this way.
Attend Classes or Training
Some states will require you to attend some kind of training or class before granting you a permit or license to carry. The type of instruction will vary from state to state. Generally these are short, easy courses and most don’t last more than 8 hours. They are generally taught by dedicated CCW instructors. You can check with your state or local sheriff’s department to learn more about what classes you might need. When learning how to become licensed for concealed carrying take note of the following:
You might already be certified. Check any courses you have taken and see if they will suffice. If it’s been a few years since you last took a course then that coursework may have expired.
Some states allow active or reserve members of the military to skip these training courses.
Some states will require you to attend hunter safety and/or the NRA Basic Pistol course. Hunting courses can take two or three weekends and generally cover gun safety. Make sure the course you choose includes a range portion. The NRA Basic Pistol focuses on handguns and basic handgun shooting. You might be required to take a proficiency exam after finishing your courses.
This exam could be written or could include a shooting portion, such as this Texas exam. State-required qualifications can be very different from course examinations or other shooting tests. No matter what courses you plan on taking, we recommend that you undergo shooting training.
Some states allow those with former police or military work to skip safety courses. If you have that experience it’ll be worth it to check with your state to see if you can get out of repetitive training. Classes are valuable even if you think you know everything you need to know for how to get a license for concealed carry. Reminders and refreshers are important. Gun ownership is a huge responsibility so it’s best to be as prepared as possible. Make sure to get copies of any certificates you receive as you will likely need them for applications.
THE REGISTRATION PROCESS
After acquiring the proper training for how to become licensed for concealed carrying, you’ll now be ready for the registration process. For this you’ll likely be required to submit the following documents:
State-Issued ID
Social Security Card
Background Check
Certificate of Completed Weapon Safety Classes
Documentation Proving “Good Character”
Proof of Residency
Registration Fee
CAN YOU APPLY FOR A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT ONLINE?
Good ol’ modern technology. When thinking about how to get a license for concealed carry, you might be wondering if you can apply for a license online. This will depend on your state. Some states do allow for online applications but others do not. Other restrictions may apply as well. Some states require you to mail in fingerprints while others allow you to transmit them digitally. Fingerprints will likely need to be approved by a law enforcement agency or third-party.
According to our research, states such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Indiana, and Texas allow online applications but training certificates and fingerprints must still be submitted by mail. South Carolina, on the other hand, allows for license renewals to be submitted online but requires that initial applications, training certificates, and fingerprint cards be sent via mail. Due to all the possible variations here, it might be worth it to consult with your state or local sheriff’s department before filing.
WHAT ABOUT CARRY LICENSES FOR NON-RESIDENTS?
When applying for a non-resident license to carry, you will face a few more hurdles in the application process. You’ll need to make sure any courses you take out-of-state will be valid in the state you are applying. You will also probably have to follow special requirements with regard to fingerprints and other parts of the applications. It might be possible to get help from law enforcement agencies to get all of this squared away, but just keep in mind that not everything in one state is valid in another.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PERMIT?
If you’re wondering how to get a license for concealed carry, keep in mind that you will have to wait 30 to 60 days before receiving the physical copy of your license. While waiting, it’s best not to concealed carry your weapon and it may be illegal to do so. If you are asked for your permit by an officer and do not have it with you, you might be in for a headache.
How to become licensed for concealed carrying is a long process so to avoid any problems it’s best to just wait for your permit. You might even receive a rejection letter instead. You won’t know until something arrives. Depending on local practices, you might receive your permit by mail or need to pick it up at a courthouse or sheriff’s office.
TIPS ON CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT
Illegally using a firearm without the necessary permits can have serious repercussions and may jeopardize your ability to get a concealed carry license in the future. Consider the following penalties for irresponsible actions:
Jail – You may serve jail time if you are caught with an illegally concealed firearm. Some jurisdictions are stricter than others.
Fines – Fines for this offense can be in the thousands. Be warned.
Probation – Trust us, you don’t want to be on probation. In some ways it’s like being in jail but on the outside.
YOUR PERMIT HAS ARRIVED, WHAT’S NEXT?
Once your permit has arrived we recommend that you carry it with you at all times. Just plop it into your wallet and forget about it. In some jurisdictions you’ll run into duty to inform laws and will need to inform law enforcers that you are carrying. They will likely then ask you for your permit. This is one reason to keep your permit on you. Of course, if you ever do need to discharge your weapon it’s going to be helpful to have your permit with you as well. Remember, that’s what permits you to have your concealed weapon with you. Don’t be caught without it.
ADVICE WHEN GETTING CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT
When learning how to get a license for concealed carry, keep in mind the following tips –
Make copies of your paperwork. When something goes wrong, you can then refer to your copies.
Laminate your concealed carry permit if it comes on simple card stock paper. This will make it last longer.
Never assume that a concealed carry permit issued in your state will be valid in other states. Check with local and state laws before carrying.
Sometimes websites do not get updated when laws change. For this reason, make sure that you are always getting accurate, up-to-date information.
How to become licensed for concealed carrying is pretty straightforward as long as you follow these tips. Do you have any tips on how to obtain a concealed carry permit? Share your experience with us in the comments section!
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How to Get Licensed for Concealed Carry
The GMW Concealed Carry Gun Pack. Now available now on Amazon.com.
BUY NOW
BUY NOW
A large number of Americans now carry weapons for self-defense. In fact, gun ownership rates in the US have seen significant increases in recent years. Famously protected by the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, the right to bear arms is currently embraced by about 30% of adults and 42% of adults live in a household where someone owns a gun.
What might be shocking, though, is that, according to a Pew Research study, 44% of U.S. adults say they personally know someone who has been shot, either accidentally or intentionally, and about a quarter (23%) say they or someone in their family have been threatened or intimidated by someone using a gun.
American is unfortunately one of the epicenters of gun violence. According to the American Journal of Medicine the US compares especially unfavorably to other high-income countries. The homicide rate in the US is 7x higher when compared to other high-income countries. That figure is driven by the gun homicide rate of the US being 25.2x higher. These are some of the reasons that many states have started to implement stricter gun control policies, including more regulated concealed carry rules. While every state recognizes a citizen’s right to bear arms, they certainly do go about regulating it a bit differently from place to place. In many jurisdictions you’ll need a permit or license to concealed carry. So let’s talk about how to get a concealed carry license.
WHY DO YOU NEED CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT?
That’s something for you to figure out. Concealed carrying isn’t easy and sometimes it’s not comfortable. That being said, many gun owners choose to carry a concealed weapon for self-defense. It’s a personal decision. Make sure you know what you want and what your reasons are.
STEPS TO GETTING A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT
The process for how to become licensed for concealed carrying is fairly simple and standard across most states. There are slight variations to these norms, but they tend to be minor.
Know the Laws for Concealed Carry in Your State
Concealed carrying is generally practiced by those gun owners who wish to have their firearm ready in case of a sudden threat. Concealed carrying comes with many restrictions however, and you’ll need to be aware of all laws pertaining to concealed carrying to effectively pull it off. This will depend on your state laws and in some jurisdictions local laws as well. Below we’ll list some of the common ways concealed carry licenses are categorized:
May Issue
“May Issue” jurisdictions do not grant licenses or permits based solely on meeting criteria. These states require that there be a “good cause” for the applicant to want or need a permit and therefore local officials have a lot of discretion in granting licenses. You can’t fill in that portion of the application with something like “I want to carry a concealed weapon just because I want to” in these states. When learning how to get a license for concealed carry you’ll need to research your local laws to see if you reside in a “May Issue” state so that you can appropriately apply. May Issue states include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. One note is that, in practice, many of these jurisdictions operate as Shall Issue states.
Shall Issue
In “Shall Issue” states you are not required to provide a “good cause” for carrying a concealed handgun. This category describes the vast majority of states and the process is rather simple. You will be issued a permit after meeting the right criteria and submitting the proper documents. Convicted felons are never qualified for concealed carry licenses.
No Issue
In “No Issue” states concealed carrying is not allowed. There exist very few exceptions to these rules such as exceptions for military installations, law enforcement officers, and security guards but for the most part it’s as simple as concealed carrying being illegal. There is not any US state that is currently really a “No Issue” state, although the US territory of American Samoa operates this way.
Attend Classes or Training
Some states will require you to attend some kind of training or class before granting you a permit or license to carry. The type of instruction will vary from state to state. Generally these are short, easy courses and most don’t last more than 8 hours. They are generally taught by dedicated CCW instructors. You can check with your state or local sheriff’s department to learn more about what classes you might need. When learning how to become licensed for concealed carrying take note of the following:
Some states will require you to attend hunter safety and/or the NRA Basic Pistol course. Hunting courses can take two or three weekends and generally cover gun safety. Make sure the course you choose includes a range portion. The NRA Basic Pistol focuses on handguns and basic handgun shooting. You might be required to take a proficiency exam after finishing your courses.
This exam could be written or could include a shooting portion, such as this Texas exam. State-required qualifications can be very different from course examinations or other shooting tests. No matter what courses you plan on taking, we recommend that you undergo shooting training.
Some states allow those with former police or military work to skip safety courses. If you have that experience it’ll be worth it to check with your state to see if you can get out of repetitive training. Classes are valuable even if you think you know everything you need to know for how to get a license for concealed carry. Reminders and refreshers are important. Gun ownership is a huge responsibility so it’s best to be as prepared as possible. Make sure to get copies of any certificates you receive as you will likely need them for applications.
THE REGISTRATION PROCESS
After acquiring the proper training for how to become licensed for concealed carrying, you’ll now be ready for the registration process. For this you’ll likely be required to submit the following documents:
CAN YOU APPLY FOR A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT ONLINE?
Good ol’ modern technology. When thinking about how to get a license for concealed carry, you might be wondering if you can apply for a license online. This will depend on your state. Some states do allow for online applications but others do not. Other restrictions may apply as well. Some states require you to mail in fingerprints while others allow you to transmit them digitally. Fingerprints will likely need to be approved by a law enforcement agency or third-party.
According to our research, states such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Indiana, and Texas allow online applications but training certificates and fingerprints must still be submitted by mail. South Carolina, on the other hand, allows for license renewals to be submitted online but requires that initial applications, training certificates, and fingerprint cards be sent via mail. Due to all the possible variations here, it might be worth it to consult with your state or local sheriff’s department before filing.
WHAT ABOUT CARRY LICENSES FOR NON-RESIDENTS?
When applying for a non-resident license to carry, you will face a few more hurdles in the application process. You’ll need to make sure any courses you take out-of-state will be valid in the state you are applying. You will also probably have to follow special requirements with regard to fingerprints and other parts of the applications. It might be possible to get help from law enforcement agencies to get all of this squared away, but just keep in mind that not everything in one state is valid in another.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PERMIT?
If you’re wondering how to get a license for concealed carry, keep in mind that you will have to wait 30 to 60 days before receiving the physical copy of your license. While waiting, it’s best not to concealed carry your weapon and it may be illegal to do so. If you are asked for your permit by an officer and do not have it with you, you might be in for a headache.
How to become licensed for concealed carrying is a long process so to avoid any problems it’s best to just wait for your permit. You might even receive a rejection letter instead. You won’t know until something arrives. Depending on local practices, you might receive your permit by mail or need to pick it up at a courthouse or sheriff’s office.
TIPS ON CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT
Illegally using a firearm without the necessary permits can have serious repercussions and may jeopardize your ability to get a concealed carry license in the future. Consider the following penalties for irresponsible actions:
YOUR PERMIT HAS ARRIVED, WHAT’S NEXT?
Once your permit has arrived we recommend that you carry it with you at all times. Just plop it into your wallet and forget about it. In some jurisdictions you’ll run into duty to inform laws and will need to inform law enforcers that you are carrying. They will likely then ask you for your permit. This is one reason to keep your permit on you. Of course, if you ever do need to discharge your weapon it’s going to be helpful to have your permit with you as well. Remember, that’s what permits you to have your concealed weapon with you. Don’t be caught without it.
ADVICE WHEN GETTING CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT
When learning how to get a license for concealed carry, keep in mind the following tips –
How to become licensed for concealed carrying is pretty straightforward as long as you follow these tips. Do you have any tips on how to obtain a concealed carry permit? Share your experience with us in the comments section!