# Got my carry permit today! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 10, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607 "2009-09-10T21:02:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/1 "2009-09-10T21:02:16Z")
“Now ah can go attend town hall meetins! YEE-HAW!” Seriously, a milestone that I’m pretty proud of if I do say so myself. I don’t anticipate carrying in the foreseeable future; but if I ever have occasion to change my mind about needing to, it’s done. If nothing else it means I don’t have to do the whole “gun must be transported in a locked case inaccessable from the passenger area of the car” deal. Plus here in MN it doubles as a standing Permit to Purchase, which again I probably won’t need but the thought is nice. ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/2 "2009-09-10T21:35:35Z")
Way to go **Lumpy**. Now you will remember to keep your skills with a little range time now and then? So, whatcha carrying? What kind of holster, and how are you planning on handling the Minnesota winters? - **trupa** , who can only sit enviously on this side of the 49th… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/3 "2009-09-10T21:38:45Z")
Cool. What did you have to do to obtain it? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/4 "2009-09-10T23:50:36Z")
Congrats. I got mine so I could open carry in my car. 🙂 I open carry 95% of the time. I can’t stand concealed carry. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/5 "2009-09-11T00:22:55Z")
My gun is a Beretta 92 in .40 caliber. The holster is a level-One retention “pancake” type with three loops for if I want to wear it gun hand side or crossdraw. The mechanics of concealment and dealing with winter coats I still have to work out The requirements were actually not as strict as I had imagined. I had to attend an accredited carry course taught by a certified instructor. The six-hour course confirmed that we (a). had basic knowledge of handguns, (b). were decent shots and knew range safety and gun handling rules, and ©. knew the fundamentals of Minnesota carry law and the rules of when using force is justifiable. Once I got a certificate and paperwork that I had passed the course, I submitted copies and a filing fee to the county sheriff’s office for them to run a background check on me. Since Minnesota has “shall issue” state preemption, and I was not otherwise disqualified, my carry permit was issued about a week after I filed. Now for some tactical training and a home defense course. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/6 "2009-09-11T00:33:19Z")
I have an older Beretta 92F in 9mm that I love. Thousands of rounds through it with zero malfunctions. It’s my “house on fire and you can only grab one” gun. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/7 "2009-09-11T00:45:25Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Now for some tactical training and a home defense course. [Matt Helm]Point at the center of the chest. Pull the long, skinny thing that comes out of the bottom until it stops making noise.[/Matt Helm] ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/8 "2009-09-11T00:47:43Z")
Welcome to the ranks of MN CCW holders. Remember, guns have a point and click interface. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/9 "2009-09-11T03:13:12Z")
Welcome to the world, Lumpy! I’m a dinosaur and prefer wheelguns but whatever you are good with and practice with often is a fantastic choice. If your permit is not on the firearm but you (some states you have an additional fee for each gun you “may” happen to have on you) consider some day looking at the over-under derringers in .45 Long Colt. Many will also function with .410 shotshells and they make good close-in “surprises” for bad guys. I have a wallet that doubles as the holster - if needed I can take my wallet out to hand over, cock, and shoot right through it. At which point I would probably drop it and go for the .38 but --------- nasty tricks in nasty times. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/10 "2009-09-11T04:09:06Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Welcome to the ranks of MN CCW holders. > > Remember, guns have a point and **click** interface. Hopefully, not click. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/11 "2009-09-12T14:24:10Z")
How in the hell do you conceal something as large as a Beretta 92 on your body? My Glock 26 is too large to conceal anywhere except possibly in an ankle holster (no chance of that happening), so it goes in my handbag. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/12 "2009-09-12T14:28:46Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > How in the hell do you conceal something as large as a Beretta 92 on your body? My Glock 26 is too large to conceal anywhere except possibly in an ankle holster (no chance of that happening), so it goes in my handbag. Well he did say he was [“Lumpy”.](http://blogs.app.com/saywhat/2009/08/06/obese-inmate-hides-gun-in-fat-folds/) ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/13 "2009-09-12T15:38:19Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > How in the hell do you conceal something as large as a Beretta 92 on your body? My Glock 26 is too large to conceal anywhere except possibly in an ankle holster (no chance of that happening), so it goes in my handbag. I’ve done it, just to see if it was practical. Of course I’d prefer something smaller if I was doing it all the time, but it wasn’t that bad. I used a slide holster, the kind that that holds the gun pretty high relative to the belt, at 8 o’clock (I’m left handed), and wearing a jacket or long sweatshirt. This is in NH, where there’s no legal need to avoid printing. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/14 "2009-09-12T15:39:41Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I have a wallet that doubles as the holster - if needed I can take my wallet out to hand over, cock, and shoot right through it. Don’t those have to be registered as a AOW? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/15 "2009-09-12T16:07:57Z")
> [@PatriotGrrrl](#): > > This is in NH, where there’s no legal need to avoid printing. What is “printing”? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/16 "2009-09-12T16:14:07Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > What is “printing”? “Printing” is a slang term for “allowing your concealed carry weapon to be partially visible, or else to have its outline visible, under your clothing.” Depending upon the jurisdiction, it may or may not be a violation to do this. But what’s most important is whether the police interpret “printing” to be “disturbing the peace” or some other trumped-up charge, even if it’s purely accidental or incidental. In my city, the police (led by a Chief who pulled every string possible to defeat CCW, but failed) will very happily write out “disturbing the peace” citations, or worse, to someone who “prints.” My understanding is every one of these has been overturned in court, but still, who wants to take the time, get a lawyer, and spend possibly thousands of dollars for nothing? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/17 "2009-09-12T16:54:00Z")
This has always been my question. I’m a big guy. And I live in an environment where wearing some type of coat does not really stand out. And it would not be too uncomfortable. I’m not against CCW at all but it sounds like it would be a giant pain in the ass. How do you do it? I would maybe consider carrying a .380 or a LadySmith .38sp. But a full sized 9 or 40 or 45? Yow. I know that the larger calibers come in smaller packages but it still seems like a lot to conceal. I am really missing something here. How in the heck do you comfortably carry a pistol concealed? I’m all for the 2nd amendment. And so is my Wife. Unfortunately, even with training, she is perhaps the worst marksman that has ever pulled a trigger. She is afraid of guns. She was taught to be afraid of guns. It’s pretty much ingrained in her. My Wife on a camping trip (before I knew her) asked if she would like to shoot a .44mag. And she tried. After the big build up and how ‘this it the biggest handgun in the world’ campfire BS, she fired it. On an empty cylinder. The gun was empty. Ha Ha. Fuckers. From here on out she has an underlying feeling that guns are not trustworthy. ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/18 "2009-09-12T17:45:13Z")
I’m in the process of getting my CCW, which is rather challenging in California. I will be carrying one of two .45s, but I rarely intend to carry on my body. I will use a purse or a toolbelt rig or carry in my truck. Printing as explained by my instructor can be interpreted here as brandishing, which will get your permit yanked. Enipla, the empty cylinder thing is standard training practice, although I can see that it may have been used a little early on your wife. It teaches the student to always check the condition of the gun. You can also use it yourself to see if you’re flinching when you’re pulling the trigger. When I do that, I have my husband load for me so it’s truly blind (although I can tell by the weight.) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Krebbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@Mr.Krebbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Krebbs)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/19 "2009-09-12T21:03:29Z")
I’m not able to comment on the 92, but I can tell you a government-size 1911 (.45acp, single-stack mags) conceals quite well even under a T-shirt IWB at 3:30-4 o’clock. However, you do have to be careful when you bend to pick something up when so dressed. My recommendation to the OP would be to get a j-frame .38 (preferably with a bobbed hammer or DAO w/o an external hammer) and pocket carry all the time. If the wheelgun is too big, then step down to a Kel-Tec P3AT or Ruger LCP. With continuous concealed carry, one can almost forget such a small gun is there. Having a permit and not using it to its full legal ability doesn’t make much sense to me. Carrying a gun is a minor inconvenience, especially when viewed in light of the potential consequences for not doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607/20 "2009-09-13T01:49:58Z")
MN carry law is that concealed is ok but not required. And yeah a Beretta 92 (actually, the newer TWO) is a full-sized handgun that no one’s going to call a “pocket” gun. I was thinking of doing what **PatriotGrrrl** and **enipla** suggested: wear some sort of light jacket that allows access to the holster. The holster isn’t going to be invisible but covered enough that I hopefully won’t look like a Wyatt Earp wannabe. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-carry-permit-today/509607.md?page=2)