1. Licenses put police officers at ease

Many firearm owners carry a weapon in their vehicle(s) for protection while on the roadways and around town.  Get pulled over by a police officer and he or she may ask if you have a firearm in your car.  Answer truthfully.  In unrestricted firearm states, the police officer cannot lawfully confiscate the gun from you, but the presence of a firearm can affect the traffic stop because the officer is unaware of your criminal history. Showing the officer a concealed carry permit shows that you have undergone the necessary background checks, and for the state to reasonably believe that you are a law-abiding citizen and are trustworthy enough to carry firearms.  If you are pulled over with a gun in the car and have a concealed license, consider giving the officer both your driver’s license and your concealed carry license together, immediately putting to bed any concern the officer may have over your firearm. Some states require you inform the officer immediately that you have a license and are armed.

2. Licenses help when openly carrying around uninformed people

Many firearm owners openly carry where laws allow for it.  While open carry is a perfectly legitimate way to carry a firearm, it may also arouse suspicion among people who are generally uninformed about firearms and afraid when they see one.  They may call the police and report the fact that you are carrying a weapon, and police departments are obligated to respond to the incident and start asking questions.  So long as the laws allow for open carry and no other laws are being broken, the firearm owner will be okay.  However, displaying a concealed carry license to the officer is an extra level of protection against aggressive law enforcement that may want to give you trouble for openly carrying a weapon.  Effectively, the concealed carry license tells the officer “back off, I’m good.”

3. Licenses allow firearm owners to carry in more public areas

Many states that do not require licenses to own and carry firearms still restrict where owners can carry their firearms – like schools, courthouses, national parks and restaurants.  For example, the state of Arizona allows concealed carry license holders to possess weapons within 1000 feet of schools.  Without a license, however, such possession is unlawful.  Arizona also allows license holders to carry firearms into bars and other restaurants that serve alcohol, so long as the firearm owner is not consuming alcohol.  Unlicensed firearm owners, however, cannot legally possess firearms in these establishments. Consult your local state’s concealed carry laws for specifics on your state’s licensing details.

4. Licenses educate firearm owners on laws that could save their lives

The process to obtain state concealed carry licenses is more than a simple background check and proficiency test (in some states).  Typically, those interested in a license will go to an 8-hour class where experienced instructors will not only teach what licenses provide for state residents, but also the laws of the state and when deadly force can be used.  For example, is shooting at a fleeing carjacker considered “self-defense” in your state and an appropriate situation in which to use deadly force?  In Arizona (and most other states), it isn’t – because the carjacker is no longer threatening your life or property.  Is unholstering your weapon considered “brandishing” and punishable under the law?  The concealed carry license class will teach you what you need to know to keep yourself out of jail if you ever need to use your weapon in a defensive situation.  Know your laws.

5. Licenses make it easier to buy firearms

All states require simple background checks each and every time a weapon is purchased due to the laws and regulations of the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms).  However, several states, including Arizona, wave the background check requirement if the purchaser has a concealed carry license.  States do this because the holder of the license has already undergone the required background check in the process of obtaining the license.  This makes your next trip to the gun store smoother and quicker.  You will still need to fill out some paperwork, but waiting for a background check may no longer be required.  Again, consult your state’s regulations for specific details on how a license affects your next gun purchase in your state.

   The reason I went and got my Conceal Carry Permit has to do with several things I've seen throughout our society. The main and number one reason was it falls on me to protect my family and myself. But also, I feel it is our right, BOUGHT AND PAID FOR IN BLOOD of OUR SOLDIERS...Second reason is, if society failed or the Z-poc were to ever break out, I would not be stuck in some place with others and not be able to defend myself from the hordes of the living trying to steal from me or have no way to defend myself from the undead...

   I recommend this to everyone...My reasoning may not sound like it's based on a solid platform, but trying to put my feelings and thoughts into words is hard...Some of you will know what I am trying to say and understand....Others may look at this and say, this guy is nuts...But once you take the course and become a legit Concealed Carry permit holder, you will understand....

   For those who don't know if they can get one in their state, I'm including a site that allows you to find out....

http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_information.html

   Hope you all find some of this helpful and I don't mind if people who carry comment and add mor info to this post...Because I'm still excited that I passed every aspect of the permit class and can soon carry....