I don't have a permit, but then again I only have rifles and shotguns. I know 5 people that have CCWs, 4 are perfectly normal, and will only carry if they go for long walks, cross country trips or are on their way to the range. the last one is a complete nut who should have never been give a gun since she will draw it at the slightest disturbance and never goes anywhere without it...her husband also carries but I am pretty sure he had his permit taken away...for a similar incident. are you a gun nut? no. so long as you are responsable with it.

I don't really know why you need to carry a gun. In all your 41 years have you ever found yourself in a situation where you thought pulling out a gun would have made the situation better?

I think using one to travel with is a good idea if you're like going on a multi-state road trip or something. WHo knows what type of whackos you'll run into. But other than that... I just think carring a gun does nothing but potentially escalate a bad situation into an even worse situation.

Getting mine as soon as possible. Classes are starting next month. It avoids all hassle of carrying on in the vehicle or on your person. Of course we all hope to never run into the situation of having to use our weapons. But IF it came down to it, wouldn't you like your last thoughts to be, "at least I got the asshole", instead of "Damn, if I had my pistol on me, I might be able to live a little longer for (insert random family moment here)"

I've always said before, I carry at work. I'm the last business on the way out of town. Some jerk walks in and blow me away, he could be in Memphis before anyone even knew I was dead. If they want the money, they get it. But if they say I'm coming with them, or "I'm gonna kill you" well I guess I'm already a dead duck anyways right? I need someone to ride with me to hell. Might make the fare that much cheaper!

I don't plan on carrying it much. I spend a lot of time way out in the country fishing. I would like to have one on me in instances like this. Out of state trips. In 41 years have I ever found myself in a situation where you thought pulling out a gun would have made the situation better? Yes. Many years ago a buddy and I were on top of a mountain. We had gone up there to do some shooting. We had both just bought new AK 47s and we wanted to shoot them. This was a very out of the way place. One lane road most of the way. As we are coming off of the mountain, we notice a truck come up behind us and start riding our bumper. Didn't think too much of it at the time. As we rounded a corner, there was another truck stopped in the middle of the road with two guys sitting on the tailgate. We stopped and I noticed the guy behind us stop and start to get out. My friend hops out and grabs an AK out from the behind the seat and makes sure that everyone involved sees what he is doing. Everyone sorta waves at us and gets back in their vehicles and starts down the mountain. At the first chance, the truck in front finds a pull off and pulls over and we continue on our way. Did having a gun in this situation save us? I don't know. Would they have simply robbed us and send us on our way? Again, I don't know. Was is something completely honest? Maybe but who knows. Needless to say, I never went back there to shoot. I have another example but I think I will save it for a blog. As Automan mentioned, some people do not need to carry a gun. I don't plan on everyday carry but I do want the option when I need it. Carrying a gun is a huge responsibility and using it is an absolute last resort. Am I a gun nut? Far from it. Yes I have a picture on my blog of a gun but other than that, you wouldn't even know I hunt or shoot. Come to my house and there is no sign of guns other than maybe a deer head on the wall in the basement. Rebel flags hanging up? Sorry. I am just a normal guy like the rest of you. I am not one to look for a fight. Never have been. I would rather avoid confrontation. In fact, I will go out of my way to avoid one. Not knocking what you have said because I have the same thoughts in my mind. Do I really need one or not. Hope I never do.

I have my concealed permit and carry when I feel like it. Hope I never need it, but there are times and places where I feel better having it. Just feeling more confident can make you carry yourself differently and I think the bad guys notice that. If you are out in the boonies fishing/hiking and encounter a bear cougar or whatever you are really on your own. I have 3 guns my XD9, a .22 pistol and a WW2 Russian rifle, I really enjoy shooting but don't think that I am a gun nut, but there are plenty of people out there that want to make you think you are just for having one.

I spend a lot of time in bear country fishing. That is one of the reasons I am getting it.

i have a ccw and i think they are a good thing for people with sane and sound minds. and i am also a firm believer in our 2nd amendment rights. but i hope that doesnt make me a gun nut

When I go hiking and such in big game areas I open carry just for ease and it is way more comfortable. It looks like open carry is legal in your state.
http://opencarry.com/opencarry.html
Not for everyone just throwing it out there.

Congrats!

Tank, in my opinion, you are way off base here. I won't get into a right to carry argument, but there is documented proof that a person that is proficient with a firearm will NOT escalate a situation by using it. IN FACT the numbers prove that in such a situation, the perpetrator is much more likely to flee in the face of a handgun, thereby DE-escalating the situation.

You never know when you would possbly need a weapon, but I like to know that I have one in case I do.

H2 - check with your local laws too (I assume that this is part of the class), in my state, even with a permit you cannot carry a weapon into a bar or any government owned building. BUT, we also do not have to have a permit to carry in our cars or in the outdoors, IF you are legally able to own a weapon that is.

Bertt, we can not carry into anywhere that serves alcohol for consumption. We can carry into grocery stores. That law just recently changed.

I got a carry permit late last year, not because I have a need but because I knew I wanted one & figured I should get it done before the government made it impossible to do so. Here in CT, to buy you need a permit which is to carry a concealed firearm.

The main reason was just to be able to target shoot with friends, though the safety class was an awakening in terms of who & how many people are walking around with guns.