Hello,
Currently I do not have a CCDW but hope to apply for one sometime next year. Just moved here from NJ (jumping up & down happy!) so we still don't know many people aside from initially meeting the neighbors and attending a neighborhood Halloween party. I'd feel uncomfortable meeting someone once or twice and asking "btw could you fill out this government form allowing me to carry a handgun" as I'm sure they would as well. Hopefully I'll know a few people well enough to ask by springtime. I do intend on taking my CCDW course before then mainly to gain the knowledge from the course but to also have it completed for next year.
I purchased our (sharing with the wife
) 1st handgun about 2 months ago which is a Walther PPS 9mm and really enjoying it at the range. Currently over 500 rounds through it and feeling much more comfortable than I was the first time I fired it. Range target distance is roughly 21 - 30 feet (max HD range I figure) depending on how I feel and my shots are mostly within a 3 1/2" grouping which I think isn't too bad for a new shooter with zero formal training yet. I find the range to be highly addictive!
I think this addictiveness could be fairly dangerous over the next few months in both range time, ammo costs and the fact I just found myself ordering a Mossberg 590A1 12ga for HD and 2 cheap Hi-Point .45 pistols. That darned Ruger 10/22 has also been tempting me lol. The Mossberg has a purpose as would the Ruger (cheap fun) but those Hi-Points.. well we'll see once they arrive. Not out much if I don't like them. If I do they could serve useful stuffed in with the camp gear down the road.
I grew up in Canada where the gun laws are horrendous. Owning a long gun wasn't too bad however owning a handgun was quite rare and difficult from what I remember. I was blown away when I purchased the PSP and it only took about 20 minutes. Still shaking my head over how easily its done here. Canada also has a national gun registry excluding shotguns only though I hear they are thinking of shutting it down. Seems that after spending a few billion on its setup and upkeep they figured out that registered guns don't actually kill people!
A few up front questions... #3 is currently my big question:
1. Does it matter if I take the CCDW course now and then apply next year sometime?
2. Line 1 on the Reference Questionnaire "How long have you known the applicant?". Since we have just moved to the state answers to this would less then 1 year. Would this be cause for denial?
3. Since I cant CC yet I travel to the range with the gun in my MidWay gun bag on the passengers seat, mags empty and ammo on a separate compartment in the same bag. Am I OK doing this? Is this legal and lawful? Is it considered concealed in a gun bag? I read on page 5 & 6 (
http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USRVCarCarry.pdf) that it "Must be Clearly Visible". I unfortunately don't read the law easily.
Many other questions later in other threads but these I wanted to ask right away.
Thanks and since its after midnight.. Happy Turkey Day Everyone!
