Any here have concealed carry permits.

[Armistead]

I got one years ago thinking I would use it all the time, but it became more of a hassle to wear the thing. The only possible time I may have needed it, I didn't have it. My permit ran out last year, so I'm debating it. My wife doe's carry a concealed with her in her purse about everywhere she goes as she travels to lots of dog shows, having to make many stops along the way. Course many states recongize NC laws, some don't....but I doubt she takes it out of her purse when in New York..

Course in NC it's open carry although few do it. Certainly during deer season you'll see a lot of holstered sidearms going into stores or just go to the waffle house at 5 AM during deer season.

Last I carried was a bulky Glock, plan to trade one of my few remaining for something smaller. Main thing is to find a comfortable shoulder or ankle holster...any recommendations?

[GoldenRivet]

it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

over used cliche?

maybe, but surely those are words to live by.

that said, i have never made the time to go and get mine. I'd say if you have one, best to keep it up to date.

[Armistead]

The time I didn't have it bout 9AM once morning, my son and I were out and I stopped at the gas station for my morning coffee. A car pulled up sideways in the spot right in front of the door with a cop on their tail. He pulled on them from his car. I had no doubt they were debating storming the store, I saw guns. I took off my belt and wrapped and tied it around the door as fast as I could and headed for the back. Course several more cops showed up in a minute. All were bad guys, just been on a storm of robbing stores and the cops pulled several assault weapons out. Two were later covicted of murder.

[Rockstar]

Bah, I used to have one now I 'open carry' my TT33.

[Onkel Neal]

Don't have it, thought about it but really, in 40 years I have never seen a single situation where it would help, and I cannot imagine dragging a heavy gun around everywhere I go. I don't even like to keep up with my car keys. But, I do support CC, as long as the requirements are fairly strict and violations are harsh.

[yubba]

Too much responsiblity, stray round and a child dead live with that, in a couple more months of this crap I don't think you need to worry about it, why give name and address to this government to let them know you got a gun.

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Don't have it, thought about it but really, in 40 years I have never seen a single situation where it would help, and I cannot imagine dragging a heavy gun around everywhere I go. I don't even like to keep up with my car keys. But, I do support CC, as long as the requirements are fairly strict and violations are harsh.

Same, I think as long as people with the permit are properly trained, informed and understand responsibility, there is really no problem with this. There is honestly almost 0% chance that someone who is properly trained and screened for licensing will turn out to be a criminal, using the weapon for bad or dangerous activity. I'm skeptical that most of anyone is ever going to be in a situation where they truly need it, but if they feel that way and are willing to jump the appropriate, reasonable hoops - why not?

Even if a stray rounds hit someone it shouldn't have, a person with the permit can't be all "I didn't know" - of course they did. The license is precisely a means to be sure that those given the permit know the risks and responsibilities. It's not a piece of paper to relieve them of responsibility for that risk, but precisely the opposite - a guarantee that they will know and weigh those risks.

The logic of "people should never carry guns" is kind of like "people shouldn't be allowed to fly large airplanes". Both can kill a lot of people if used improperly. But that's why licensing exists, so that proper use can at least be taught and safeguarded.

[CaptainHaplo]

Armistead - first off let me applaud you for actually reading the laws. Few people in NC know that the state allows open carry. Unfortunately, many LE officers don't know it - or choose to ignore it in their misguided attempts to "get guns off the streets". They too often make use of the "going armed to the terror of the public" as an excuse to block legal open carry.

If you ever get told that your "going armed to the terror of the public", ask the office when the 911 call came in. Without a civilian calling in terror - or a civilian willing to testify that they went to a LE officer in person, they lose the ability to make the claim. Yes, they don't like when you point that out either......

Now, depending on what you carry you may or may not want a holster in a specific location. I personally prefer to carry my Makarov in a pancake holster made by Passport for those times WHEN I carry. Because of its design, it makes an excellent hip/back holster, though it can easily be moved to the shoulder.

However, since your in NC, remember what the standards are for open carry here. In many places, having the firearm "reasonably visible" means you could have it outside a t-shirt, but covered by an open hawiian shirt. In NC however, that won't fly. It really needs to be plainly visible at all times - so I'd advise against a ankle holster unless your going out in shorts - and no offense, but that would look tacky.

If your going to carry and want recommendations on what to carry in, give some specifics about the firearm you choose to carry with you.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

Oh, I WISH. Here in Maryland they just don't give concealed weapons permits, essentially. They exist, they just aren't given out!!

I don't think I'd want to live in some parts of Baltimore or perhaps Prince George's County unless I could carry a firearm.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

Armistead - first off let me applaud you for actually reading the laws. Few people in NC know that the state allows open carry. Unfortunately, many LE officers don't know it - or choose to ignore it in their misguided attempts to "get guns off the streets". They too often make use of the "going armed to the terror of the public" as an excuse to block legal open carry.

If you ever get told that your "going armed to the terror of the public", ask the office when the 911 call came in. Without a civilian calling in terror - or a civilian willing to testify that they went to a LE officer in person, they lose the ability to make the claim. Yes, they don't like when you point that out either......

Now, depending on what you carry you may or may not want a holster in a specific location. I personally prefer to carry my Makarov in a pancake holster made by Passport for those times WHEN I carry. Because of its design, it makes an excellent hip/back holster, though it can easily be moved to the shoulder.

However, since your in NC, remember what the standards are for open carry here. In many places, having the firearm "reasonably visible" means you could have it outside a t-shirt, but covered by an open hawiian shirt. In NC however, that won't fly. It really needs to be plainly visible at all times - so I'd advise against a ankle holster unless your going out in shorts - and no offense, but that would look tacky.

If your going to carry and want recommendations on what to carry in, give some specifics about the firearm you choose to carry with you.

Yep, people that open carry often get the law called on them. Not long ago two men went open carry into a gas store, clerk called and they were arrested by a rookie cop. Course they got off and an apology and last I heard one was filing a lawsuit..

No, I wouldn't conceal with an ankle unless I had a permit. Pancakes are comfortable and a good way to carry, I was thinking along those lines.

I don't know if the laws have changed since last I got one. Many businesses have no guns allowed signs. As I understand, you can ignore those signs as they hold no legal status, other than if the owner catches you he could ask you to vacate his property. If you refused that you could be charged armed trepass. Obvious that doesn't apply to the many gov/pub listed properties where you can't carry regardless.

I'll be looking at small guns, course have a few SNS, one 25, other 32, but probably too low of a caliber to be worth it, so looking to trade my 45 for a small 9

[Platapus]

Anyone considering carrying should read

In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection

by Massad F. Ayoob

Or any of his other books on the "realities" of self defense. This man knows of which he speaks.

[TorpX]

Illinois does not permit carry at all, and this is not likely to change.
In fact, the attorney general is planning to make public the names of all FOID card holders. A Firearms Owner IDentification card is needed to merely posses a firearm in this state.

[Sailor Steve]

On the other hand you could move to Vermont, Alaska or Arizona. Those states allow concealed carry with no permit required.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Armistead

so looking to trade my 45 for a small 9

Kahr PM 9 One of the smallest narrowest and lightest 9s you can carry and still have a practical hand gun. Since you will be carrying it far more than using it (hopefully never), go for a piece that is easy and comfortable to carry.

[nikimcbee]

I thought about it. It seems like too much of a hassel.