Keeping your concealed carry up to date is really important. Forgetting to renew your permit and continuing to carry a weapon can get you in a lot of trouble.

Read on to learn more about how long a concealed carry permit lasts, and what you need to know about keeping it up to date.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T RENEW YOUR PERMIT?

GRACE PERIODS

There is some leeway to how long you can go without renewing your permit after its expiration.

Some states will give you a period between 1 to 3 months to renew it until you have to go through the process as a new applicant again. You are going to want to avoid applying as a new applicant because it’ll be more expensive, take longer, and you might have to retake a firearms course for a new certificate.

Some states like Tennessee, Louisiana, and Indiana offer lifelong permits. But outside of those three, your state will most likely have an expiration.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

If you continue to carry a concealed weapon without a valid permit, they aren’t going to consider the fact you used to have a permit.

Think of this like an expired driver’s license. If you drive around with an expired license, then you will be charged as an unlicensed driver.

It’s important to remember that the laws surrounding concealed carry are constantly changing and renewals are a way for states to make sure their residents can keep up with it. If you go years without renewing your permit and you don’t give yourself the opportunity to learn about changes in the law, then you put yourself at risk of serious legal consequences.

YOU WON’T HAVE IT WHEN YOU NEED IT

Think about the reason you want a concealed carry. For many of us, it’s because we want our tools to be there if or when we need them .

If you neglect to renew your permit and stop carrying because of that, then you will inevitably be more vulnerable. As a responsible gun owner who cares about protection, this can be a major blow.

Many crimes such as assaults and robberies, happen in transitional spaces. This means to and from your car, on sidewalks and roads, or even in gas stations and restaurants. 

Forgetting or neglecting to renew your permit is a really bad reason not to have your gun in a situation you might need it the most. If you are the kind of person who always wants to be prepared , then you should also prepare to renew your permit.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RENEWING YOUR CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT:

Many states will send you a reminder to renew Renewing your Concealed Carry Permit Is Easy

up to three months prior to your expected expiration. But you should still keep up with understanding the necessary dates on your own. You can also check your permit to see when it is supposed to expire.

If you are within the renewal period, then it can be as simple as submitting an application online. This should be done at least 6 months prior to your permit’s expiration.

Processing any kind of application is always going to take some time, so you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to renew it. 

Keep in mind that renewing your permit is always going to be easier than applying as a new applicant, saving you valuable time and money. Just remember to renew and you’ll avoid any of these negative consequences.

SETTING A REMINDER IS A SIMPLE WAY TO TRACK YOUR PERMIT EXPIRATION

 Since permits can last a few years, it can be easy to forget about renewing it. This is why it’s really important to know how long a concealed carry permit lasts. If you have a smartphone, you can add it to your calendar so that it continues to remind you.

If you’ve had your permit for a couple of years now, it’s probably time to check the date on your permit. It’s always better to be overly cautious, especially when your permit is at stake. 

Being a responsible gun owner requires a lot on our part. It means we need to not only know how to properly conceal and care for a firearm, it also means we need to be knowledgeable about the current laws and what our rights are.

“When you need the police in a matter of seconds, they’re only minutes away.”

Gov Mike Huckabee

The most important thing you should consider when you're thinking about your permit expiring is how you don’t want to be another victim. Refusing to renew your permit is a really bad reason to be caught without your gun when you need it the most.

Incidents where you are most likely to use a firearm in a defensive situation, will be unexpected. Any responsible gun owner should know how quickly dangerous situations can escalate. 

Sometimes all it takes is for you to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is where the heart of our 2nd amendment lies. Everyone has the right to protect themselves when their life is on the line.

The reality is that maintaining this right will take a little work on your part. This means staying up to date on new laws and regulations, as well as remembering to renew your permit before it expires. Make it easy, and set a reminder.

PERMITS VALIDATE YOUR CHARACTER

For example, if an officer were to pull you over and notice you had a CCW permit, then they would know offhand you already passed a background check and there is nothing immediately obvious to indicate something about poor character on your part.

An officer is also going to consider the fact that these permits expire and have to be periodically renewed, so it also tells them you haven’t done anything recently to suggest you shouldn’t own a gun.

Having an up to date concealed carry permit shows that you are a responsible, firearm bearing citizen. Staying up to date on your permit is the most responsible way to carry. 

Have additional suggestions on ways to keep your Concealed Carry permit valid? Let us know below!