If you’ve ever been concerned about your safety, getting a concealed carry license is a great way to protect yourself and your environment. 

You want to put your safety in your hands. You may have taken the necessary steps to feel safe when just by yourself. You may be skilled in Krav Magaw, judo, or just a more-than-decent wrestler. One thing you know for sure, you do not want to be another “wrong place wrong time” statistic. If this sounds like you, chances are that you are a gun owner, or are at least thinking about becoming one. If you fall among the latter, knowing the steps to obtain a CCW license beforehand will go a long way in making the process as efficient as possible. CCW (Carrying a Concealed Weapon) simply refers to having a concealed weapon in public.

While some aspects of the application process may vary from state to state, the ability to carry a firearm in some capacity stays consistent. While most people applying for a carrying license may be first-time gun owners, those already carrying without a license should do so as soon as possible. So how do you go about it? Whether you are concerned for your safety or in it for the enjoyment, here are the steps to take when exercising your right to get a concealed weapon:

5 STEPS TO GETTING A CONCEALED CARRY LICENSE

1. ENSURE YOU MEET THE REQUIREMENTS

As is the case with everything else, make sure you meet the basic (and any other) requirements. Regardless of state, three requirements hold:

• You should be over the age of 21
• You should have no DUIs
• You should have no felony record

Other requirements depend on which state you are applying for the license in. States will require proof of residency, requiring that you have been a resident for a specific amount of time. 

2. RESEARCH DIFFERENCES IN CONCEALED CARRY PERMITS

Once you establish that you are eligible to apply for a concealed carry permit in your state, it is important to know what kind of license your state gives. Different states have different approval processes.

• A Shall Issue approval means that your state will approve your application if you meet all the requirements it has set out. This is the case with most states.
• A May Issue approval is more stringent. Even if you meet all the requirements, the state may still deny the license as it is on a case-by-case basis. Several states go this route.
• Finally, there is a Right Denied (or No-Issue ) state response in states where concealed carry is not allowed.

It is very important to know what approval (or denial) response your state gives before applying. It is also worth noting that concealed carry on US Military sites is highly restrictive and rests with the base commander.

3. GET A BACKGROUND CHECK

This is a necessary and significant step. Thankfully, getting a background check won’t take up more than 20 minutes of your time. All you are required to do is send your fingerprints to the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). You can get your fingerprints done at your local law enforcement with an appointment.

*Please note that there is a cost associated with this step and the cost may vary*

4. CONCEALED CARRY TRAINING AND/OR HANDGUN QUALIFICATION

Depending on where you live, this could be your first step. Some states require proof of training as part of the license application requirements. Different states will require different types and/or levels of training. A list of instructors will probably be provided by the state.

Most of these courses are just gun safety basics and proof of the training is the certificate given to you by the instructor on completion.

For some states, a written exam, handgun qualification, or both may be a required addition to the concealed carry training.

5. FILL OUT AND SUBMIT YOUR STATE’S FORMS

With all the preparation you did in the first step, this should be pretty straightforward. By this point, you should know all about your state’s application process. Have all the necessary documents at hand. After submission, wait for your permit and start focusing on your surroundings. You never know when you could be the one to protect people from a potentially dangerous situation. 

With the CCW license and your gun with you, the next thing is to figure out what concealment method works best for you. That also means the perfect concealment carry clothes . Want to know more? Talk to us below and sign up for our newsletter!