Protect Yourself: Travel Safety
by William Desy, CFE, CFS (reprinted with permission)
Criminals like easy targets. A nice new Motor home with out-of-State plates, some friendly retired folks on vacation, out of their normal environment, sounds like an easy target?
Have you ever considered what you would do if you were traveling in a remote, unpopulated, unfamiliar area and your vehicle broke down or you had a tire blow out? For some reason that new cell phone plan with excellent coverage has a dead zone exactly where you are now stranded? What if the wrong person stopped to help you? He or she may look innocent enough, and seem very nice and friendly, but could actually be a serious criminal predator, searching for stranded motorists in need of assistance. Is this an easy target and willing victim? No!
The tide has turned, and common everyday Americans in 38 States now have “Right to Carry” laws on their side, or they allow their legal residents to carry without the need for a permit.
That 72 year old grandmother no longer seems like an easy target, because she “might” have a Concealed Firearm in her purse. She is legally allowed to carry that firearm for personal protection due to the popularity of “Right to Carry” Laws across the Country, and she has received training in Firearm Safety, Gun Handling, and Use of Force Laws. “Right to Carry” legislation makes criminals think twice before they commit violent criminal acts. John R. Lott, Jr., author of More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws, reveals that States with the largest increases in gun ownership also have the largest decreases in violent crimes.
Thirty-eight states now have such laws—called “Shall-Issue” or “Right to Carry” laws. These laws allow adults the right to carry concealed handguns if they do not have a criminal record or a history of significant mental illness. Lott also points out that States with the most restrictive Gun Laws, such as California, New York, and Washington D.C., also have some of the highest violent crime rates in the Nation.
Safety Strategy
A personal safety strategy and the “Mindset” to implement it, is still the most critical element to an individual’s safety. Situational Awareness, Self Defense Courses, Personal Alarms, Pepper Sprays, and Electronic “Stun Guns” may all be viable options to enhance your safety strategy. Now you can add firearms to that list of personal protection devices in many States. What about those of us that do not live in “Right to Carry” States?
There is a simple solution. Both Utah and Florida will issue a Concealed Firearm Permit to Non-Residents. These Permits are valid in over half of the United States. This is a great benefit for all law-abiding residents, including Military Personnel, that are stationed out-of-State or frequently travel across Country.
If you travel to, or through thirty different States, these “Multi-State” CCW Permits are valid through Reciprocity Agreements or Recognition via State Laws. Because Utah and Florida are Shall Issue, “Right to Carry” States, you do not need to articulate a valid Reason, nor do you have to prove that you are valuable enough to need protection.
Your natural instinct for self-preservation and the desire for a viable means to defend yourself from a violent criminal attack are simply understood as the most basic of your human rights.
Where Can I Carry?
Any law-abiding citizen with a valid Utah CCW Permit, even a Non-Resident of Utah, may legally carry a Concealed Firearm in the following Twenty-nine States:
- Alabama,
- Alaska,
- Arizona,
- Arkansas,
- Delaware,
- Georgia,
- Idaho,
- Indiana,
- Kentucky,
- Louisiana,
- Minnesota,
- Mississippi,
- Missouri,
- Montana,
- New Mexico,
Nevada,- North Carolina,
- North Dakota,
- Ohio,
- Oklahoma,
- Pennsylvania,
- South Dakota,
- Tennessee,
- Texas,
- Utah,
- Vermont,
- Virginia,
- Washington, and
- Wyoming.
While some States have [formal] Reciprocal Agreements, others will honor out-of-State CCW Permits based on their own Concealed Firearms Laws.
How to Apply
The Utah Department of Public Safety – BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification) oversees the application and issuance process for Utah Concealed Firearm Permits. They have done an excellent job of making the application process very simple and user friendly. Like most States, Utah requires that you submit an application and pass a thorough criminal background check.
You must attend an approved training course offered by a Utah Certified Concealed Firearms Instructor, usually four or more hours in length. The course covers basic firearm safety, weapon handling, concealment methods, firearms and use of force laws. Several Utah Certified Instructors in various States advertise their Multi-State CCW Courses on the Internet. You can also obtain a listing of all Certified Instructors in your area from the Utah BCI website at http://bci.utah.gov/CFP/insoutstate.pdf
Along with the self-explanatory one-page application, you submit one recent color passport quality photograph (2X2 inches), a photocopy of your valid Drivers License, one blue FBI “Applicant” fingerprint card, and then the application must be notarized. The State application fee is only $65.25 ($35.00 is for application and permit processing, $30.25 goes to the FBI for fingerprint processing). The Utah Concealed Firearm Permit is valid for five years. Renewal every five years is only $10.00. The entire application process can be handled through the mail. Unlike some other States, Utah Concealed Firearm Permit information is not a public record.
Selecting a Training Course
The cost of a Utah CCW Training Course can range anywhere from $50.00 to over $300.00, depending on the facility, location, and what the Instructor is providing. Some Utah Certified Instructors will provide everything you need from your application, taking your photograph, photocopying your Drivers License, taking your fingerprints, and providing a pre-addressed envelope for your application. Several courses currently offered in Southern California provide a Notary Public at the class to notarize your applications.
The total cost of obtaining a Utah CCW Permit is between $100.00 and $365.00 for the initial five-year permit. Thereafter, renewal is only $10.00 every five-years. There is no renewal class or re-qualification required, everything is handled through the mail, as long as you keep your address current with Utah BCI. The cost of obtaining a Utah “Multi-State” CCW Permit is not out of reach for the common resident. When compared to almost any other State it is understandable why so many people are interested in obtaining their Utah Concealed Firearm Permit.
Due to an increase in demand, the average processing time for Utah CCW Permit applications is approximately three to four months.
Do I Need a Florida Permit?
The Florida CCW application process is almost identical to Utah’s. The Flo
ri
da Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services handle the application and processing of Florida Concealed Weapon Permits. With Florida you either qualify in an exempt category (Prior Law Enforcement Training, Military Training, Prior Firearms Experience, etc.) or you can attend any National Rifle Association or State Certified Firearms Course that includes weapon manipulation and live-fire range exercises. The main differences with Florida’s application process are that your fingerprints must be taken by a Law Enforcement Agency, and the cost of the permit is $117.00 for seven years. Florida renewals are $107.00 every seven-years. Although this is almost twice the cost of a Utah CCW Permit, it’s still only about $16.00 per year. How can you put a price on something that could one day save your life or the life of a loved one? Florida CCW Permits are not a public record.
To apply for a Florida Non-Resident Concealed Weapon Permit, complete Florida’s one-page application, send in one color photograph, one Florida fingerprint card (Completed by a Law Enforcement Agency), and have the application notarized. 60 to 90 days is the standard turn-around time for Florida CCW Permits, but they could take longer due to current demand.
A Florida CCW Permit will allow you to carry a concealed weapon in most of the same States as Utah, with the addition of Florida. With only Two State-issued Permits, you can legally carry a concealed firearm in 30 different States. This is great news for anyone that travels cross-country for business or leisure. An additional benefit of the Florida Permit is that Florida, like Utah, is constantly seeking Reciprocity with other States. Both Utah and Florida are likely to gain additional States of Recognition or Reciprocity as more and more States become “Right to Carry” or States with “Right to Carry” Laws make adjustments in their Permit issuance requirements, that allow Reciprocity with either Utah or Florida.
Although Utah and Florida Permits are recognized in many other States, California does not currently recognize either Permit at this time. Utah and Florida State Laws indicate that it is the responsibility of the individual Permit-Holder to comply with all local and federal laws when traveling to those States granting Reciprocity or Recognition.
More Information
A great source of information regarding State Firearms and CCW Laws is the Travelers Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States by J. Scott Kappas, Esq. available from www.gunlawguide.com. Another extremely valuable website that provides a great deal of useful information regarding Concealed Carry Permits in any of the 50 States is www.packing.org, where you will find a summary of each States statutes, current and pending Reciprocity Agreements, access to each States issuing Authority, and links to individual State websites that can help answer any of your more specific questions.
About the Author
William Desy, CFE, CFS, is a State Licensed Private Investigator, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Fraud Specialist, Personal Security Consultant, and State Certified Firearms Instructor in California and Utah.
Mr. Desy is a NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor and has been a Certified Firearms Instructor since 1992. For more information regarding Concealed Weapon Permit Courses, please contact Mr. Desy through his website www.CCWUSA.com