Ccw Permits

[MarkinKC]

Concealed carry has been available and legal in MO for over a year now and I have been sitting on the fence wondering if I needed to go thru the hassle of getting fully certified. I have carried, shot, instructed others in the use of, and enjoyed handguns for hunting and target practice since I was 18 and given my first 22 revolver. The first thing I did when I turned 21 was purchase a 357 Smith and Wesson 686 with a 6" barrel. The next purchase was a well worn Colt 1911 Government 45 acp. I reload and shoot handguns every chance I get.

I have carried openly when fishing most streams for as long as I remember. I have used handguns to retrieve lures, repel feral dogs, take a few squirrels, and maybe deter a few attempts from undesireables from harm to my person.

The new law satisfies most of my carry needs, I can carry a legal handgun, loaded, concealed, in my vehicle at any time. I would like to carry it sometimes, concealed, while on certain streams, without drawing attention to the fact that I am carrying. I would also like to be able to carry on streams in Ark. when I fish there too.

Has anyone on here went thru the process to get registered and are there any pros and cons?

How do you use your handgun to retrieve lures? Shoot them out of the tree?

[jdmidwest]

Yes I do. I can usually cut a thumb sized limb with one 10 round mag from my Smith 22 LR.

[Forsythian]

Missouri"s new castle law says you can use deadly force for intruders in your home or vehicle . Before you had to have no escape and feel that your life was in danger before using deadly force. Now someone comes into your home you can fire away without all the if's. Someone breaks into your car in the middle of the night you can shoot them. I know this is getting away from the CCW issue, but I dont think castle law applies when not in your home or vehicle. Just somthing to think about before pulling a gun on somebody in the middle of the woods.

I just took the class a week ago in Taneyville... the instructor was adamant that the castle law applies to your campsite (tent). The other important thing to remember is you may defend yourself from someone who refuses to leave your "castle"... doesn't matter that you originally were "neighborly" to your guest, if he/she then later becomes a threat to you or your companions.

Back to the general subject of CCW... I took it basically as a precaution when navigating those "grey areas" of the law when I have a sidearm packed in camping gear, on the boat/canoe, etc. I figure having the permit may help to ease the mind of LEO's that I am a trained (as it were) and well-meaning citizen. A waste of $200 (for class & permit)? I dunno. It is what it is I reckon.