You Conceal Carry, But Should You Conceal Your Permit Too?

If you come from a state where you’re required to get your permit to carry concealed, this article is for you.  By the way, congratulations on getting your permit.  It may have been a grueling process and some serious money out of your pocket (I spent over $350 for training, paperwork, finger printing and my permits), but you don’t have to do it again for several years.  Now you have it, what do you do with it?

From here on out, you will need to carry your permit with you all the time.  The only time you would be using it is when you’ll be presenting it to law enforcement.  There should be no other time that you would pull it out of your wallet/purse.  Do you have a backup copy of your driver license and permit?  I keep a photocopy of my drivers license and my permit inside magazine pouch.  It has a small side opening (for credit cards or IDs), just in case it gets lost or my wallet is stolen from me.  I have a backup, just in case I need to show it.  I also enlarged the photocopy of the license and permit so its easier to read when presented.

You should also keep your permit hidden in your wallet and don’t use it as an ID.  The reason why you should keep it hidden is that people are watching your wallet and if they see a concealed carry permit, they know right away that you’re carrying a firearm and now you just made yourself a possible target.  This person looking over your shoulder may want to relieve you of your pistol, start asking you questions about your firearm in front of others, or they may be against people carrying and you’ll get a lecture that you don’t want to be part of.  Anything can happen if someone discovers you carry a firearm.

If you’re carrying concealed, you should also be concealing your permit.  Cashiers see these permits all the time when folks are digging for their credit cards or paying with cash.  It’s a must that you keep it hidden.  There’s no reason to show it to anyone, unless asked by law enforcement or when you’re purchasing a firearm.

So keep it hidden until the time that you must legally display it.

I would also recommend that you put the expiration date of your permit(s) on your calendar (phone or tablet is best), or visit one of the concealed carry websites.  Some of them have an area to set up reminders on your permit, especially if you have multiple.  You will get an alert when it’s about to expire.

On a side note, in my state, I have to notify the sheriff’s office when I change my address and I have to do it within 30 days of moving.  Then I will receive a new permit with my new address on it.  So if you’re moving, you will have to check the laws in your state if you have to re-request another permit to carry.  My other permit (Florida) doesn’t have a physical address so there would be no need to re-request a new permit per Florida’s concealed carry law.  Only time I would renew is when it is about to expire.

So keep it concealed, be the gray ghost and be safe.

Be safe out there, be the responsible firearm owner and always follow the “Concealed Carry Creed”!!!