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With my last article I had a lot of response from people that are very anxious
to get conceal carry in this state. At the present time we are standing in
stagnate water waiting for this right. There is a way though for you to carry
concealed in many other states, be it vacations or business trips. Thirty states
recognize Utah’s CCW permit.
Gat Guns in Dundee, Il. on Rte 25 about a half mile north of I-90 holds classes
for this permit. They have held many during the summer. There is a class
scheduled for November 13th & 14th. The class fills fast, so if you are
interested I would book now. If you live near enough to attend, you may want to!
You can check the calendar on the ISRA website as to
where classes may be held in your area for the same permit.
It’s a four hour class that you must attend. I personally took the class in May.
The cost of the class alone is $125.00 if it hasn’t changed. It costs $15.00
over the cost of the class to have your picture taken and get fingerprinted. It
really is worth it, instead of you going through the process, because a lot of
local police will not take your prints when they know what it’s for. The prints
go to the FBI to make sure you have no record etc. The picture is for the permit
itself.
The class is given by a NRA certified instructor. Gat Guns just provides the
facilities for the class. I learned a lot at the class. It teaches you when you
should and should not brandish a firearm. It also makes you think of whether a
revolver or semi-auto is better for you. Another thought is whether you should
depend on a laser or not. Should your wife maybe also get a permit? There is a
lot to absorb and some good points are presented on a lot of different
situations you may encounter while carrying a firearm and how you should think,
before you act. I found it very informative and educational. It amounts to not
going out there and being Roy Rogers looking to bring peace to your area! The
instructor provides some questions to make you think what you should do, but
also provides some of the answers.
Once you have completed the class you send the entire paper work to the state of
Utah. They have 60 days to process your permit. If all is well you will receive
your permit around 8—9 weeks after the class. Here is the nice part. With that
permit you can carry in 30 other states, including Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky,
Minnesota and so on. Those states honor Utah’s permit. I personally called
Indiana to check it out. I told the state police that if I am a resident of
Illinois and have a Utah permit can I carry in your state? The reply was—yes!
Indiana has open & conceal carry, but the police said they would prefer if you
carry concealed.
The reason is they get calls —man with a gun- then they have to waste their time
to come out and only find out you have a permit to carry. You are doing the
police a favor and not wasting their time. They have better things to do! You
are responsible to learn the laws of each state you carry in—they vary! There is
a website you can go to check each state’s laws:
www.handgunlaw.us , but I would also
Google the state law itself to look it over.
Common sense replaces a lot of written law. It may say you can’t carry in the
“secure” area of an airport or hospital. People, be smart—don’t carry in an
airport period! The same applies to hospitals. You learn a lot in the class and
you can also ask questions. Your best bet is avoiding all situations where you
may encounter trouble. You don’t want to draw a weapon unless absolutely
necessary!
Some states you have to announce to the officer immediately upon being stopped
for any traffic altercation that you are a permit carrier and you are carrying.
Some you don’t have to! Always keep your hands at 10 & 2 o’clock while talking
to the officer! AGAIN YOU ARE RESPOSIBLE FOR KNOWING THE LAW IN EACH STATE THAT
YOU CARRY!
The license itself costs $65 for 5 years with a $10 renewable fee. If you want
to include Florida’s permit, it will cost you $25 extra for the class and you do
have to bring a handgun with you for some range work.
Michigan and Colorado are states that honor Utah’s permit—BUT—only if you are a
resident of Utah. Iowa does not, but I heard Jan 1st that they will. More states
recognize Utah’s permit than Florida’s.
It’s a way of having personal protection while you travel out of state on trips.
It’s your decision! I am just offering the information for those who are
interested and would like to receive a permit. I hope I have helped.
This article is the opinion of the author and not the official position of the
ISRA.
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