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:

1. Alabama,
2. Alaska,
3. Arizona,
4. Arkansas,
5. Delaware,
6. Georgia,
7. Idaho,
8. Indiana,
9. Kentucky,
10. Louisiana,
11. Minnesota,
12. Mississippi,
13. Missouri,
14. Montana,
15. New Mexico,
16. Nevada,
17. North Carolina,
18. North Dakota,
19. Ohio,
20. Oklahoma,
21. Pennsylvania,
22. South Dakota,
23. Tennessee,
24. Texas,
25. Utah,
26. Vermont,
27. Virginia,
28. Washington, and
29. 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 Flori
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

No, this isn’t an article about race, or even about how much sun you’ve gotten recently. This post has to do with your levels of awareness and your readiness to defend yourself.

Lieutenant Colonel John Dean "Jeff" Cooper (May 10, 1920 – September 25, 2006) of the U.S. Marine Corps felt that the most important means of surviving a lethal confrontation isn’t a weapon or fighting skills; the primary tool is the combat mindset.

Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.

One chapter in his book, Principles of Personal Defense, Cooper talks about awareness and presents an adaptation of the Marine Corps system to differentiate states of readiness.

This color code has nothing to do with military tactical situations or alertness levels, rather it was all about one’s state of mind. (Based loosely on Wikipedia and the Cooper Color Code.)

Condition White: Unaware and unprepared

If attacked or threatened in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the ineptitude of your attacker – or sheer luck. When confronted by this type of threat your reaction will probably be “Oh no! This can’t be happening to me!”

Condition White is also known as “head in the clouds,” and means you’re generally unaware of what’s going on in your immediate surroundings. This is the worst condition to be in, and the condition that most would-be attackers hope to find their victims in. The element of surprise is on their side in this condition – not yours.

Some have said that the only time you should be in Condition White is when you’re asleep.

Condition Yellow: Relaxed alert

In Condition Yellow there is no specific threat situation. You use your eyes and ears, and every sense available to you to be aware of your surroundings. You are “taking in” surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep.

You are aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that you are prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

Your mindset is that “today could be the day I may have to defend myself.” Further, you are mentally prepared to defend yourself (taser, pepper spray, throwing defensive punches, or even shooting and potentially killing someone).

You can remain in Condition Yellow for long periods of time.

You should always be in Condition Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among unfamiliar people.

If a threat presented itself, what are your avenues of retreat? Where could you take cover? How will you get your spouse and children to safety?

You don’t have to be armed in this state, but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow.

Again, if you are armed with any weapon (including, but not limited to a firearm) you should be in Condition Yellow.

Condition Orange: Specific alert

You feel that something is “not quite right” and has gotten your attention. Your radar has picked up what may be specific alert and you consciously elevate from Condition Yellow to Condition Orange.

There may not be an actual threat, but you’ve picked up on something that warrants more attention and a higher level of alertness.

You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you maintain your 360 degree sweep in case what has alerted you is a distraction). Your mindset shifts to “I may have to shoot him today.”

In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: “If that person does ‘x’, I will need to stop him.” Where “x” could be pulling a weapon and coming at you, etc.

Your weapon should remain holstered in this state.

At this point you should be recalling your training about acceptable and appropriate use of force. Is your life in danger or are you at risk of permanent bodily harm? Is retreat an option? If you do need to draw your weapon, is the area behind your target clear, or will you need to move to another position to do this?

Staying in Condition Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you need to stay in it for as long as you need to.

If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.

If the threat proves to be valid, you shift to Condition Red.

Condition Red: Condition Red is fight

Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. “X” has happened and you have to stop that person or become a victim.

In Condition Red your primary focus turns to the threat, but you still want be aware of your surroundings: this might not be your only threat, if you discharge a weapon who might be in the line of fire, what cover is available. Hopefully you’ve already answered most of those questions in Conditions Yellow and Orange.

As soon as your mental trigger has been tripped you draw and make-ready your defense weapon. At this point you are committed to a course of action that may include taking a human life in defense of your own, or someone else’s.

Once you have presented your defensive weapon the threat may give up, may run away (did they get retreat to obtain reinforcements), or may continue to attack. You should plan for each of these scenarios.

When you are in the moment, higher-thinking stops and instinct kicks in. Replace instinct with training.

Once you have stopped the threat you will likely drop back to Condition Orange or Yellow, depending on the outcome of the confrontation.

Summary

This isn’t a training article, or what to do in specific situations. This article is about being aware of your surroundings and knowing what level of alertness you should exercise in each level.

The old adage “stop and smell the roses” takes on a new meaning in this context.

• Be aware of your surroundings including everything and everyone around you.
• Be ready to investigate further when circumstances dictate.
• Be ready to respond to a threat if the scenario arises.
• Be safe and refuse to be a victim.

Related Quotes

• The police cannot protect the citizen at this stage of our development, and they cannot even protect themselves in many cases. It is up to the private citizen to protect himself and his family, and this is not only acceptable, but mandatory.
• The will to survive is not as important as the will to prevail… the answer to criminal aggression is retaliation.
• Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.
• The purpose of the pistol is to stop a fight that somebody else has started, almost always at very short range.
• Let us reflect upon the fact that a man who covers his face shows reason to be ashamed of what he is doing.