Preparing for and getting my concealed carry weapon (CCW) license has been an exciting and empowering experience. I encourage all my fellow travelers to take a pistol safety course, or at least some kind of self-defense class. Hopefully, as you follow my journey, you will understand the importance of why you should conceal carry.
Your right and your safety
The Second Amendment reads, “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Basic firearm safety
- Treat the gun as if it is always loaded
- Never point the gun at something you are not prepared to kill
- Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target
I cannot emphasize safety enough. As well as safety, know the laws. Just because you do not know the law is not an excuse.
Traveling and carrying can be tricky but it can be done. Please follow all laws when on the road and when camping. (For example, www.usacarry.com lists the laws for each state)
Reasons why you should consider a conceal carry permit
- It is your constitutional right.
- To protect yourself, your loved ones and those around you.
- It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
- You will learn gun safety — training is an asset to have.
- Heightened awareness of your surroundings — your mind is sharper, and you are on alert for danger.
- You will be less of a target — a criminal will be less likely to mess with an armed person versus someone unable to defend themselves.
Let’s face it whether you are a snowbird, part-time traveler, or a full-time RVer you meet a lot of people on the road; some good and some not so good. Like I stated in No. 3, it is better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it.
In our travels, there was a scary situation we encountered once. Our RV broke down. We had a truck and a pull behind. We discovered the issue while at a gas station.
Due to the part needed, we had to leave the RV and drive the truck to a local parts store. We got permission from the gas station owner to drop the trailer long enough to drive and buy the part. When we first arrived at the gas station there were three suspicious looking characters.
We had no choice but to do what we had to do and that was get to the store, get the part, fix the RV and hit the road. We unhitched and drove to the parts store.
When we returned those same three people were still at the gas station. My husband replaced the 30-cent nut while our children stayed inside the truck. I stood at the side of the truck staying aware of the situation.
My husband was alert to his surroundings as well. Just as he had replaced the nut he walked to the front of the truck on the driver’s side. It was then that the three people, a woman and two men came at me.
One had a chain and the other man had brass knuckles. My husband saw them approaching me and he came around to my side of the truck. He was smart enough to remove one dollar from his wallet and when they approached he threw the money at them and we jumped into the truck and drove off.
I also recently heard about the scientist who was shot and killed while tent camping with his two daughters at Malibu Creek State Park.
Like it or not, fugitives like to blend in at campgrounds. The U.S. Marshals’ Fugitive Task Force took a 40-year-old murder suspect into custody at Cass County Campground in Indiana in July.
Important points to remember
- Having a conceal carry permit does not make you a police officer
- It does NOT give you the automatic right to use deadly force
- Deadly force should always be your last option
- Know the laws
- Safety, safety, safety
