Should I CCW?

[Timothy]

I didn't know ANY other states honored Ma.

Honor MA permits.....Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan (MA resident only), Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont

Permits that MA honors...bupkiss.....

I'm driving to OH in July and trying to get permits to make the trip without having to safe my firearm when I cross certain state lines.  Just can't get out of here without driving through New York...it sucks....

[Big Frank]

If I ever get my CPL for Michigan I'll be covered in 2/3 of the other states too. I didn't know it covered THAT many.

[DrFlsGood]

CCW is like using a seat belt...hope you don't need it.    However you never know when it could save your life.

[Overload]

I'd like to add one other question.  Should you get a CCW if you I don't think you're going to carry?  Owning a gun is an awesome responsibility, and you must be prepared mentally to use it against another person if you carry or have it for defensive use.  I'd hope some part of CCW training is about more than how to handle your gun safely and how to shoot it, more than drawing and accuracy.  If you hear a noise in your house, do you investigate it or barricade yourself in a defensive position hoping the noise doesn't try and break in on you?

I'm glad The Best Defense had an episode on the aftermath of a shooting.  Many of the episodes talked about avoiding the need to use a gun, by not being in a dangerous situation.  But, there was nothing about the mindset of carrying a gun (so far).  I can't remember, but during Convenience Store Robbery, where was the option of letting the armed robber take the money and leave the store?  I'll take it a step further: he shoots the clerk after getting the money.  That's still not a green light to shoot him, especially if he's then leaving and posing no risk to you.  Even more so than cops, it isn't our job to play the hero, right?  Our job is to protect ourselves and our family, PERIOD, correct?

(sorry if this reply is evolving the topic too far in a different direction.  My stream of consciousness wanders, often)

[fightingquaker13]

Actually, the TX CPL course spent most of its time on this. At least where I took it, MacBrides Guns in Austin. I really did not anticipate a Tx. gun store owner spending a lot of time on the touchy feely stuff, but thats what we did. We went over the law, thoroughly, spent a cursory amount of time on "how to", as you were expected to pass a pratical exam the next day and either you would or you wouldn't pass. Where we spent most of the 4 hour course was going over shoot, don't shoot scenarios, anger management and SD tactics that focused on deescalating a confrontation before a weapon was required. Verbal Judo, the instructor termed it, and it was solid advice. The basic idea was that you win a gun fight by never having to draw your gun. Walk away humiliated, but you still walk away, you win. It was darn good advice for a 25 year old guy, and worth the $75 I spent for that alone.
FQ13

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