Carry Concealed Weapons Permit, best way to go about it.

2014-05-23T10:47:31-04:00

I've considered for years getting a CCW. I'm just not sure what my best avenue if approach is. Do I want to try and get one from my state of residency or do I want to get one from the state I'm stationed in? I know that not every state accepts out of state permits but, as luck would have it where I am PCSing to does accept permits from my home state.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 23 at 2014 11:12 AM

2014-05-23T11:12:22-04:00

Sounds as if you have already checked into what reciprocity agreements exist between the states, that would definitely have to be factored in. If you intent to eventually return to your home state I would recommend you go with that (since the reciprocity exists). Otherwise I'd go with where you live.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 23 at 2014 11:56 AM

2014-05-23T11:56:36-04:00

As a gun nut, I could go on for days on this topic.... (I am a fan of the Utah one for reciprocity).

I would suggest, as a minimum, get one from BOTH your HOR state and the state you are going to be stationed in. My reasoning is as follows: When Johnny Law is talking to you and the topic of your firearm comes up, you want that conversation to go as smoothly as possible. You don't want to rely on his/her actually KNOWING the details of gun laws in any detail. And you don't want to be educating them on the side or the road or at 4AM. Anything that you can do to fit the profile of the "average law-abiding CCW carrier in [wherever]" will make your life easier.

There are some great philosophical arguments for doing otherwise, making a point/statement, driving change, etc. However, my rule of thumb is "never be the test case." Additionally, while I have a dim view of the professionalism of a lot of law enforcement personnel, I am very aware that they have an overarching desire to end their shift alive and with all their parts, which will color their actions.

(NOTE: Research "duty to disclose" at whatever location you carry, in some jurisdictions, you have a positive REQUIREMENT to immediately tell law enforcement you are interacting with that you are armed)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 1:27 PM

2014-05-23T13:27:40-04:00

The majority of states out there treat resident / non-resident CHLs the same. Only recently have some AGs within certain states (for political reasons usually) made the distinction. If a LEO pulls you over, as long as you are licensed to carry, whether it is your home state, or another state, so long as it is LAWFUL, it doesn't matter which state it is. As far as permits I recommend, the FL non-resident permit is pretty easy to get, and has good reciprocity nationally. Even for those states requiring training, most will waive the requirement for military personnel. There is nothing wrong with getting multiple CHLs...it gives you the flexibility to visit more states if you want to carry concealed. Just keep an eye on reciprocity agreements between states. These agreements can sometimes change out of the blue, although this is generally a rare occasion.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2014 1:29 PM

2014-05-24T13:29:12-04:00

Just picked mine up in Ohio this week. Once you take in the application they ask if you want to pick it up or have it mailed. I would recommend that if you have you drivers license in OH get you CCW there too.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2014 1:34 PM

2014-05-24T13:34:02-04:00

Utah/Ohio and Florida. 2 classes will cover most states.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made May 24 at 2014 2:42 PM

2014-05-24T14:42:05-04:00

As a Police Firearms Instructor, I can tell you that New York DOES NOT RECOGNIZE any CWL's from any other state. there are 35 states that have reciprocal agreements to honor their permits. Some of the states, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Virgina only recognize the Enhanced CWL's.

The states that don't recognize any but their own are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. All others are good for Basic CWL.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Sep 25 at 2017 9:24 AM

2017-09-25T09:24:32-04:00

North Carolina would not allow you to obtain a Concealed Carry Handgun permit if you didn't live there, but there is an exception. If you were there on orders, then in addition to the other documents, like the completed Concealed Carry handgun course you would simply show a copy of those orders. Once you left the state at the completion of orders your permit would expire, and you would have to get another one wherever you were going to go. IF you own property in the state where you want to obtain one then it would probably be easier to do, but you would still have to contact that state and make sure their process aligned with what you want to do.