Most Common Beginner Conceal Carry Permit Questions 

 

Concealed carry specifics by state here

WHAT DOES CONCEALED CARRY MEAN?

Lets define conceal meaning: the dictionary’s simple meaning of conceal is to keep from sight or hide. Carry Definition: moving or transporting an object.

Put it together to Define CCW (concealed carry weapon): When we put concealed carry together we are now refereeing to a concealed carry weapon or CCW. Conceal carry means a concealed weapon, such as a handgun or other weapon, which you are carrying in public but is kept hidden on your person or in close proximity while under your control.

Remember the definition of conceal is to hide so even if you are doing so by accident you may still need a permit. An example would be if you put your pistol in a backpack or luggage-you are now hiding it or conceal carrying it.  Maybe you simply set your pistol in the door of the car thinking that its still visible, this is still considered concealment. I know of people who have done this very thing and now cannot own any guns as a result of criminal charges. As a gun owner you need to know the laws of your state and states you intend to visit with your firearms and how to legally transport them.

The following is a state law defining a concealed weapon:

Chapter 62.1-04-01 North Dakota Century Code-Definition of Concealed.  A firearm or dangerous weapon is concealed if it is carried in such a manner as to not be discernible by the ordinary observation of a passerby.  There is no requirement that there be absolute invisibility of the firearm or dangerous weapon, merely that it not be ordinarily discernible  A firearm or dangerous weapon is considered concealed if it is not secured, and is worn under clothing or carried in a bundle that is held or carried by the individual, or transported in a vehicle under the individual’s control or direction and available to the individual, including beneath the seat or in a glove compartment.

A firearm or dangerous weapon is not considered concealed if it is:

• Carried in a belt holster which is wholly or substantially visible or carried in a case designed for carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon and which is wholly or substantially visible.
• Locked in a closed trunk or luggage compartment of a motor vehicle.
• Carried in the field while lawfully engaged in hunting, trapping, or target shooting, whether visible or not.
• Carried by any person permitted by law to possess a handgun unloaded and in a secure wrapper from the place of purchase to that person’s home or place of business, or to a place of repair, or back from those locations.
• A bow and arrow, an unloaded rifle or shotgun, or an unloaded weapon that will expel, or is readily capable of expelling, a projectile by the action of a spring, compressed air, or compressed gas including any such weapon commonly referred to as a BB gun, air rifle, or CO2 gun, while carried in a motor vehicle.

ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO KNOW AND FOLLOW THE LAW OF THE STATE YOU ARE IN.

What does a Conceal Carry Permit or license allow?

By having a Concealled carry Permit you are allowed to carry your handgun loaded or unloaded in a hidden way. This does not mean that your weapon has to be completely invisible. There are still areas that you are not allowed to carry such as bars, banks, and schools depending on your state. Check your state specifics here for the details.

 CAN YOU GET A CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT ONLINE?

Can you just get on the internet, apply for and then be issued a concealed weapons permit?  That’s not quite how it works.   Any concealed weapons permit requires a waiting period.  Some states require a training course to be taken and also you need to be fingerprinted.  They do have online training courses which can be taken and then you can apply to that state for your resident or non-resident permit. Some states will allow you to mail in your training certificate and your fingerprints.  Again this all takes time.  Be sure to check your states requirements.

How long is a concealed carry permit good for? 

Concealed carry Permit Renewal Times ?

This depends on the state you live in. You can find Specifics here: Conceal Carry by State