Carrying with a CCW permit

[MYellowRose]

I'm curious about carrying a concealed weapon if I get a permit in the future.
Since I don't own a vehicle I ride the bus a lot and they have a sticker on the side indicating no guns and knives are allowed on board. This isn't the legal disclaimer require tp prevent those who legally carry a concealed weapon, just a pictue of a handgun and a knife surrounded by the red circle with the slash through it. To me this indicates that it is legal for me to carry on the bus. Any thoughts from you folks on this matter? If I get the permit do I go ahead and carry when riding the bus or do I leave the weapon at home?

[flatwater]

To be safe ask your local city police. This happened to me before I got my cwp I thought I would try just carrying one not concealed , but I thought I would talk to the local police before I tried it. There answer was sure it's legal but the first person who comes and complains to us we will arrest you for intimidation with a wheapon. Now I know laws very from state to state , county to county and city to city but I could see the handwriting on the wall so I got my CWP
Flatwater

[ozarksnick]

In Missouri and Kansas the gun with red slash sign is the only sign required to restrict folks from carrying even with a permit.

[RangerRick]

As I am a stand-up citizen not in the habit of getting in confrontations with the law I routinely disregard stupid laws as I figure my right to self-preservation out-weighs all else. About the only places I do not carry is in security restricted government buildings. Semper Paratus - Always Ready!

Rick

[MYellowRose]

I don't know the exact wording of the law but I do know that they are supposed to post a sign with the portion of the law that states you aren't allowed to bring a concealed carry weapon into that business. Why I was wondering is I'm not sure if the fact that's it's public transit makes a difference.

[docsoos]

What RangerRick said!

Carrying concealed where you're NOT supposed to, is a purely personal decision. A lot would depend on the laws of your state of residence, and also if the protection factor outweighs the penalities if caught doing so.

I myself, after being badly beaten during an attempted robbery years ago at the tender age of 19, carried concealed illegally for YEARS, because as Ranger Rick stated, my personal survival outweighs all other concerns. The old saying "I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six" is valid ANYwhere. I have had my LEGAL CCDW permit in Kentucky for 11 years now, and have been an instructor for 10 years. I have drawn my weapon twice in 30 years, and both times, the "attempted" bad guys hauled butt. Lucky me. ;D

That being said, I am not advocating you break the law, Yellow Rose, but think about whether or not your own safety is worth the risk of being "discovered". If you do so correctly, and VERY quietly, I'd bet my last dollar that no one will ever know you're packing heat. There are a multitude of very small, and powerful, handguns available for civilian concealed carry license holders. Ammunition for smaller-caliber weapons has made quantum leaps ahead in the past 10 years or so. As long as one doesn't carry on FEDERAL property (the penalties can be QUITE severe there, under Terrorism Statutes), most states may or may not look the other way if a woman was carrying for protection. Depends on the circumstances, the state laws, the cop involved, etc, etc, etc.

The bottom line is, if you HAVE the permit to carry, it illustrates to MOST ANYONE (re: A JURY!) that you are a law-abiding citizen (in most all cases, except where pandering politicians have sold out to anti-gun nuts, and inserted ridiculous restrictions about where one can and can not carry just to appease them and get the legislation passed). If you are an upstanding citizen of good character (and all states that currently issue civilian carry licenses do full background and criminal checks), it would look good in court if all you were doing was carrying on public transit, and just happened to be spotted by some over-zealous cop or nosy citizen. But again, CHECK THE LAWS OF YOUR STATE BEFORE DOING SO. Check with a lawyer, if still unsure. Keep that puppy HIDDEN!

Some states have FELONY convictions for CCDW, ours here in Kentucky are misdemeanors WITHOUT a license, and in most cases of public buildings or transit, if you have a license, all they can do is ask you to leave, and if you don't they can charge you with criminal trespass, BUT NOT CCDW. I love Kentucky's laws..... ;D

I'm sure some law enforcement types or "perfect citizens" will say to NEVER break the law like that, but just remember, the police are packing serious hardware for a living, and as such, most fear no criminal. It's better to have it and NOT need it, than to NEED it and NOT HAVE it.

If you get your CCDW permit, talk to the instructors of your class, and see if they can steer you towards the right people to assist you in purchasing the proper holster (or holster purse, as my wife carries with), the proper self-defense ammunition for your handgun, and in general, fill you in on the nuances of the laws regarding concealed carry in your state of residence. I've never met a CCDW instructor from any state that didn't know his material thoroughly, and had a LOT of experience handling weapons safely.

Best of luck in your quest to fear NO man or beast. It is a uniquely American one, I am proud to say.

DocSoos

[Stinger]

Varies from state-to-state. However, concealed usually means concealed. *

[Mr.B]

I started to think about getting a CCW when one night last week when me and the old lady had to walk down the street to wash some large blankets that wouldnt fit into out houses washer.

While waiting out front of the landro-Mat a bunch of kids. I'm 30 years old so...these people must of been in there late teens early 20's all seemed jacked up on something and kept eye balling me and my woman. Giving us the stare down.

Thinking about our saftey and her's when she walks the dog at night for exersise. I jumped online. To read about CCW's in Vermont

Anyways after a few mintues of searching online. I found out that in Vermont you do not need a Permit to carry a loaded concelled weapon on your person or in your car. I am quite pleased with this and found out that many states want to "Be like Vermont" in this respect.

Thanks!

-Mr.B

[walls0stone]

Good for you B,...I like Vermont, But I'll live in Rutland Pa for now ;D

Last week my wife and I were awoke to the sound of what I thought were footsteps on the front steps. I waited a moment, thinking it would reveal it's self, but it kept up a step, step, step for a min or 2..thinking it WAS a person on my walk, I grabed the semmi 12 gauge and headed out in my PJ's finding it was fireworks 15 miles away and I could hear the echo...

But better safe than sorry.