Armed self-defense: Getting a concealed handgun permit

May 22, 6:29 AMCharlotte Gun Rights ExaminerPaul Valone

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Author practices holster presentation skills necessary for concealed
carry. Photo: Lori D. Roets, LazyRPhotography.com

The third in a five-part series intended to guide the many thousands of new handgun owners created by the Obama administration, “Getting a concealed handgun permit” will discuss laws, equipment, training and legal considerations involved. As with other segments, it will feature Q & A with defensive firearms instructor Tom Iradi of Eagle Rock Training Systems.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMITS

Beginning with Florida in the mid-1980s, a movement began toward “shall issue” concealed handgun laws. Unlike older systems in which issuing authorities could decide whether you “needed” a permit, shall issue or “right-to-carry” laws stipulate that if you meet the required criteria, you cannot be denied.

Approximately 36 states now have non-discretionary permit systems, with “discretionary” concealed carry laws in an additional 11 states, of which the NRA says 3 are “fairly administered” and 8 are “restrictive. In Illinois and Wisconsin, permits are not available. In Vermont and Alaska (one of the “shall issue” states), permits are not required.

Depending on inter-state agreements, your permit may be valid in other states. In North Carolina, for example, my organization, Grass Roots North Carolina, passed a clean concealed handgun reciprocity law which enables North Carolinians to carry firearms for self-protection in 32 other states. Concealed handgun reciprocity information is available at: http://handgunlaw.us/ (Note: This site is independently maintained. Author not responsible for content. For authoritive information, check with state attorneys general.)

DO YOU MEET THE CRITERIA?

State laws vary widely, so check state-maintained websites or seek legal advice. I have lots of friends who are cops and I respect very much what they do. But cops are not lawyers: Occasionally, their advice on gun laws may lead you awry.

If you have a history of felonies, misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence or, in some cases, substance abuse; or if you have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution; or if you are under a restraining order, you may well be a “prohibited person” under state or federal law. Consult a lawyer.

Depending on state law, some misdemeanors (e.g. a previous conviction for carrying a concealed weapon), driving under the influence, and other convictions may also preclude you from getting a permit. Again, consult a lawyer.

REQUIRED COURSES

Training requirements vary widely between states. Most require a course covering firearms safety, laws pertaining to concealed handguns and laws governing the use of deadly force. Many states require a minimal level of live fire qualification. Commercial firing ranges should be able to direct you to required training.

OTHER RESTRICTIONS

States also vary in where you may not carry concealed weapons, often including restaurants with on-premises alcohol consumption permits, state and local government buildings, political demonstrations, and posted businesses. Firearms are prohibited in federal buildings.

You will need to develop strategies for dealing with such places: How easy is it to remove the holstered firearm? Where will you store it? I started by using an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster which required my belt be removed to stow the firearm when going into “no carry” areas. Beyond the inconvenience, I once discovered I had entered a shopping mall with my belt undone. Oops. Now I use a snap-on IWB holster.

EQUIPMENT

Speaking of holsters, most people who regularly carry firearms have a box of failed experiments, and I am no exception. Clearly, different people have different needs. That said, however, here are a few observations:

• The best and safest all-around system involves carrying the gun on the belt on the strong side of the body;
• IWB holsters are a good all-around compromise, but require a concealment garment (jacket, untucked polo or t-shirt);
• Shoulder holsters are generally a poor choice (sorry, Miami Vice wannabes), since they not only require a concealment garment, but can be unsafe in terms of muzzle flashing others during presentation from the holster;
• Belt pack holsters fairly scream “Gun!”;
• Pocket holsters work well for small guns; and
• “Belly band”-type elastic holsters under the shirt work but may be uncomfortable.

Firearm selection criteria were discussed in “Armed self-defense for gun owners, new and old.”

CONSIDERATIONS IN CONCEALED HANDGUN CLASSES

I asked Tom Iradi to elaborate on challenges he has encountered while teaching concealed carry classes. Here is his reply:

Lack of prior experience: Attempting to use their concealed carry training as their basic handgun training. Consider the individual with no prior flying experience finishing their basic ground school training and receiving a commercial pilot’s license on the same day!

 

Safe gun handling skills and some practical experience in shooting is critical. A handgun can be a valuable asset for personal protection but can be as much as a liability if the individual has to think about how to manipulate the gun while under an adrenalin dump. Defensive handgunning needs to be a conditioned reflex. Conditioning only comes through experience (i.e. training).

Training does not mean you have to become a paramilitary and hit the range 3 times a week! Dry fire gun handling (no ammunition...even in the same room) at home, once or twice per month at a shooting range or engaging in shooting sports are great ways of gaining this valuable experience.\

Preconceived notions and misinformation about the law: For example, "If they're in my house, I can shoot 'em” or "If somebody is giving me a hard time on the road I can show them I have a gun” (yikes!), or the ever-popular "what if I fire a warning shot?” Each of these has serious legal ramifications.

The only reliable source for legal advice is a reputable attorney who is well versed in criminal law (Chapter 14 of the NC General Statutes). Even those of us who teach these courses are only qualified to impart information as given to us and authorized by the NC DOJ through instructor training. We can expound and give our opinion or "educated" guess but don't take it to the bank until you hear it from a qualified barrister!

Gun handling: For experienced shooters to undo some less-than-desirable habits developed through Hollywood's depiction of handling handguns or antiquated training from the past (I'm still fighting to undo techniques I learned as a reserve police officer of the late 1970's!). I encourage class participants to watch military videos on the evening news or YouTube videos of IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association), USPSA (U.S. Practical Shooting Association) or PPC (Practical Pistol Combat) matches and demonstration to see what the state-of-the-art is with handgunning. Better yet GO to a local IDPA/USPSA/PPC match...or even better still, COMPETE IN ONE! (Warning! You will get hooked!)

Author’s note: The “Tom” I mentioned in my last segment, “Getting essential training,” was not Tom Iradi, but rather a different individual we were acquainted with in the 1990s. For readers who opined that I should be writing about the Second Amendment rather than defensive handgun training, please see my other columns at either examiner.com or my web site, GunsPoliticsandFreedom.com

The next two segments of “Armed self-defense” deal with actual defensive handgun classes, and the necessary skill sets to defend yourself and your family.
 

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