Well one of my buddies is a Cop and my barber, the one cuts our hair, is a huge gun fanatic. Trader and what not. Well he teaches the concealed weapons permit class. He gave us 50% off the class and gave us the shorter version of the 4 hour class.
I'll I need to do now is get my fingerprints done digitally and send in my form with some $$$ and I'll have the license. I've shot a few guns, but nothing crazy. I don't plan on buying a gun anytime soon. I'd rather have the option to easily buy then too wait, but I also like the option of not buying unless I have to. I don't want to keep a gun around, really, just safer in ways of not tempting to use it and always making sure no one is going to steal it or accidently get hurt with it.
Just wondering if anyone has a CWL.

For those that will ask, my Cop buddy can't go in a gun shop and buy a hand gun even though he is a Cop. He would still have to go through the background check and blah blah blah. Now with the license he can walk in, buy, and walk out.

I don't have a CDWL. I have yet to see a need since in KY open carry is legal as is stashing a handgun in your glove box. If I want to bring a handgun with me somewhere I can, without having to pay the fees and time to obtain a license just to conceal it.

Anyway, you're fears of issues with owning a gun are there because you're just unfamiliar with them. They're very safe, just follow a few failsafes:
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
- Always point in a safe direction.
- Check the chamber each time you pick it up.

Those three things will always keep you out of trouble no matter if you're holding your gun or a buddy hands you one of his.

Temptation offered by a gun is BS, unless you are easily tempted to do other stuff that is wreckless (speed in front of cops, run over pedestrians that tick you off). It's not like they automatically make you want to kill people. BTW, by the time you need a gun, it's too late to say you want to go buy one.

Thanks Jon.
Yah I heard and did all these:
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
- Always point in a safe direction.
- Check the chamber each time you pick it up.
Many times at the class as long as dealt with the guns he supplied for training.

I want to get one. Havent looked into it at all, though.

i have been wanting to get my CHL since i turned 18 but the extra funds still have not presented them selves for me to get my CHL and a handgun.

the only time Ive had to worry about it, I was traveling from GA to LA. The GSP pulled me over, asked why it was that I wasnt moving, told him, they took care of the .45 I HAD. Asked why, in a non-open-carry state was I openly carrying. Told him Im from AZ and I was unfamiliar with GA laws. he allowed it (with MIL ID) and radioed ahead.

The only other time, I was traveling between AZ/NM/TX. Strap that Sig P239 .40S&W to my thigh, and have at. As long as I dont try to walk into the gas station or Wal-Mart, no one even bats an eye. 'Specially when spotted next to the car with wife and kids along with the ride.

True, I do want the CWL, but that just allows more trouble than it's worth.

Won't happen. Since the legal age for purchasing a handgun is 21, no one issues a CHL unless you're 21. Possession is a different matter, with states varying from the federal limit of 18.

If anyone ever needs advice on firearms, I'd be more than willing to offer. Although I'm not up to snuff on the most current of models. I haven't made a gun purchase in a couple years, so I'm a bit out of date with the latest gadgets and wahoos.

If your only interest in obtaining a CWL is to be able speed the process of purchasing a fire arm you should be OK.

If you plan on using the right to carry concealed, something to keep in mind is the fact that if you aren't familiar with the weapon you carry it could easily be used against you. If you can't brandish and open fire in a respectable amount of time it can be taken from you by the offender and used on yourself..... I don't suggest practicing this maneuver unless you are sure it is unloaded as you could shoot yourself in the process. I do suggest being as familiar as possible with the maneuver in order to apply it appropriately if the time ever comes.

Another thing to remember is that CHL's aren't always reciprocal from state to state. If you plan on traveling, your license may not be valid in a nieghboring state.

i looked at getting a handgun... my dad was gonna put his name on it... i wanted a simple 9mm...

I've looked into it. In Arizona you have to attend a month long safety/shooting course that you HAVE to pass with flying colors. After that there is the typical wait and FBI and STATE background checks. Then you get the sticker for your vehicle and your license.

I've thought about getting my concealed weapons license, but I dont feel the need to carry my gun with me. Plus, there really isnt many places you can legally carry a gun in Michigan. I think I could better use the money that I would spend on the class ($100+) and the license app. ($105) on ammo and range time.

GPGTGuy: My recommendation to anyone looking to buy a handgun for personal/vehicle defense is to get a good frame that easily fits your hand, nothing too big or too small.

The caliber of choice is .40/10mm. Those calibers normally have the bullet AND weapon speed of a 9mm with the knock-down and lethality of a .45.

Also, go ahead and spend the money on a good brand-name weapon like Sig, ParaOrdnance, Springfield, Colt, Ruger, Luger, etc. While pretty much all firearms work the same, the difference is reliability. Especially if you keep yourself current on qualifications and such. Simply going ot the range puts wear on springs and slides and such. I had a Firestorm M1911A1 .45 for a few years. After about 3,000 rounds, the recoil spring wasnt worth much anymore, and the rails had some sizable burrs. My Sig P239 .40S&W has about 4,500 rounds, and NO degredation of performance. The Firestorm cost 330 USD, while the Sig cost 630 USD.

More food for thought: while the revolvers dont look quite as sexy as a handgun, they are MUCH more reliable. The tolerances arent quite so tight and there are significantly fewer parts to go bad. Add to all that: revolvers have been around MUCH longer than handguns, which gives them considerably more time for R&D and "perfection".

Moral of the story: be sure to do LOTS of research, know the role of the weapon, become VERY familiar with the weapon, spend the money on a good weapon, and ALWAYS treat the weapon like it's deadly and about to explode.

Only way to get a conceal permit (Class A) in Massachusetts is to be a cop. My friend had an offer letter from the police department and his home town still made his license contigent on his passing the academy.

1911s can be finicky no matter the manufacturer, a lower end model (like a GI) is generally more reliable because there is more slack in the slides like intended. Best to shoot it and find out the reliability of your specimen.

There are cheaper guns out there, but you have to really research which ones are worth it. I have an EAA Witness in 10mm. It's a hair under $400, but it's been great but it's nowhere near compact. It also gets abused by full-power 10mm handloads. I also picked up a RIA 1911 used for under $300 from a local shop. I had read about how owners loved them when I stumbled on it. I don't know how many rounds its had through it, but it's still in tip top shape and has my own custom touches: commander hammer, beavertail.

I'm not going to tell anyone not to buy a 9mm. People still seem to love them and it's by far the cheapest for ammo when practicing. However, bigger is always better. As Rich mentioned, .40cal is a good medium and .45 has been tried and true. In a revolver, it's got to be .357.

Yah, you want something light and compact to car around. If it isn't light, you won't want to carry it around.