Carry Law Changes

This came across my Facebook and I thought it was worth sharing.  Interesting to see the changes in carry lows over the past 20+ years.

From http://gun-nuttery.com/rtc.php

Concealed Carry Comparison

As I was looking at the KY laws for concealed carry, I got to wondering about other states, both for reciprocal carry and their requirements.  Kentucky recognizes any permit from another state.  Most are fairly similar, written test, class, shooting requirement.  But within that framework there is a fair bit of variation.  I wanted to talk about this variation, but there is not feasible way for e to look at all 50 states.  So, I opted for the states my family lives in, where I've lived previously, and a couple places I travel to regularly.

Map of States that do and do not honor a KY CCDW permit

CCDW After-action Report

I completed the requirements for my KY CCDW license this past weekend.  All that's left now is paperwork and waiting.  I thought I'd briefly go over what the course covered.

I got really lucky and we did a small class in my living room with a good friends who is an instructor and two other friends as class-mates.  Paul had taken the CCDW course years ago and opted not to re-do it with me (Can't blame him for that, it's a little tedious!).

First up we all set our guns down on the table, mags out and chambers open, ammo in the other room.  Our instructor, John, checked and flagged them all while we were watching the law video.  After introductions and basics all around, we sat down for the two-hour video produced by the Kentucky DOJ, Criminal Justice Training Department. (According to Paul this was a 4-hour video when he took the class!)  This was the worst part of the course.  Two hours of lawyers reading you the laws.  Minimal explanation.  John pointed out that they can't explain things as this could be taken as legal advice and they don't want to do that and have it come back on them later.  But, the two hour video as pat of the course is the best way to ensure that we have all actually 'read' and are familiar with the laws.  Sigh...

 After the video things got more interesting.  We did the required basic handgun safety, going through the 60 page CCDW handbook.  This included parts of the gun, stance, grip, aiming, etc.  We also talked about the variety of ways to carry concealed and differences in  holster styles.  After discussing how to clean weapons and showing that we knew hot to disassemble and put back together our pistols, it was test time.  The written test was 25 mutliple choice questions, and really, fairly simple.  We all mamanged to get 100%.   Woot!  Then, off to the range!  Range time went just as well as the written test.  All 3 of us passed with flying colors.  No misses in all 60 rounds. 

I'm glad to have taken the course in a relaxed setting with friends, there was lots of chatting, laughter, and jokes.  All in all, not a bad way to spend a Saturday, and in 3-5 months after everything is processed, I'll be able to carry concealed.  If I so choose.  Not that I think I will right now...but the option will be there.  

CCDW Requirements

Kentucky’s license to carry concealed deadly weapons law became effective October 1, 1996 and is contained in KRS 237.110 through 237.136.  The licenses are issued and renewed by The Kentucky State Police.

The laws are wordy and tedious to read, so I'll summarize.  Granted, these rules really only affect those of us following them, and not criminals who are going to do what they want regardless of a license or law.  

The law itself is in plain text, my comments are in italics.

The applicant for a carry concealed deadly weapon (CCDW) license must:

• Meet one of the following residence requirements:
  
  1. United States citizen who has been a resident of Kentucky for six (6) months or longer;
  2. US citizen in on active duty in the Armed Forces, assigned to a posting in the Commonwealth for six (6) months or longer;
  3. Is lawfully admitted to the United States, is permitted by federal law to purchase a firearm, and has been a resident of this Commonwealth for six (6) months or longer;
  4. Is lawfully admitted to the United States, is permitted by federal law to purchase a firearm, is, assigned to a military posting in the Commonwealth for six (6) months or longer
• Not under indictment for, or convicted of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year;
• Not a fugitive from justice; wouldn't this be a great way to get found?
• Not an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; are you going to admit to your addiction?
• Not adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution;
• Not dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces;
• Not be subject to a domestic violence order or emergency protective order or convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; good, this keeps more women safe!
• Not be prohibited from the purchase, receipt or possession of firearms and/or ammunition under federal or state law;
• Not committed to a state or federal facility for abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance or convicted of a misdemeanor relating to a controlled substance within the previous three years;
• Not have two or more convictions for operating motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol within the last three years;
• Not owe a child support which equals or greater than one year of nonpayment;
• Have complied with any subpoena or warrant relating to child support or paternity proceedings;
• Have convicted of a violation of assault in the fourth degree or terroristic threatening in the third degree in the previous three years;
• Demonstrate competence with a firearm by successful completion of a firearms safety or training course offered or approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Training.

The State Police Website also makes it very clear that if you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence you are not only ineligible to possess a CCDW license; federal law prohibits you from possessing a firearm.

So Excited!

Tomorrow I'm taking my KY CCDW course.  I don't know that I'll ever want to carry concealed, but it's nice to have the option.  I'll be taking it from a good friend John, along with another friend and one of my husband's Kung-Fu students.  As usual I'll be the only girl, but I never let that stop me!

To prepare I've been looking up the Kentucky laws and requirements online.  I'll summarize those for you tomorrow.  I also made one last trip to the range to make sure I'll pass on Saturday.  Kentucky requires 11 our of 20 rounds to hit the torso of the target at 7yards.  I don't think I'll have any problems with that, but I'd really rather have all 20 in!  I plan to use our Glock 21 as it's the gun I'm most comfortable with right now. 

In Kentucky,the CCDW course is fairly simply compared to many of the other sates that I've looked at.  There is 6 hours of classroom instruction which covers the relevant laws, safety, and other basics.  The shooting requirement is what I described above.  Other than that, it's all paperwork and a background check, which takes 3-4 months apparently.  

After passing and getting my CCDW liscence I'll be allowed to carry quite a list of items:

• A weapon of mass destruction;
• Any weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged;
• Any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife;
• Billy, nightstick, or club;
• Blackjack or slapjack;
• Nunchaku karate sticks;
• Shuriken or death star; or
• Artificial knuckles made from metal, plastic, or other similar hard material

I'm not exactly sure how one conceals some of those things.  Weapon of mass destruction!?!? 
I'm sure there will be pictures and stories and info and everything else all next week. Stay tuned!