Your questions to me are dripping with sarcasm but be that as it may, please read the following and educate yourself.......

A DOZEN THINGS PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CONCEALED WEAPONS LICENSE HOLDERS.


1) We don't carry firearms so that we can ignore other basics of personal safety. Every permit holder that I know realizes that almost all dangerous situations can be avoided by vigilance, alertness and by simply making wise choices about where one goes and what one does. We don't walk down dark alleys. We lock our cars. We don't get intoxicated in public or hang out around people who do. We park our cars in well lighted spots and don't hang out in bad parts of town where we have no business. A gun is our last resort, not our first.
2) We don't think we are cops, spies, or superheros. We aren't hoping that somebody tries to rob the convenience store while we are there so we can shoot a criminal. We don't take it upon ourselves to get involved in situations that are better handled by a 911 call or by simply standing by and being a good witness. We don't believe our guns give us any authority over our fellow citizens. We also aren't here to be your unpaid volunteer bodyguard. We'll be glad to tell you where we trained and point you to some good gun shops if you feel you want to take this kind of responsibility for your personal safety. Except for extraordinary circumstances your business is your business, don't expect us to help you out of situations you could have avoided.
3) We are less likely, not more likely, to be involved in fights or "rage" incidents than the general public. We recognize, better than many unarmed citizens, that we are responsible for our actions. We take the responsibility of carrying a firearm very seriously. We know that loss of temper, getting into fights or angrily confronting someone after a traffic incident could easily escalate into a dangerous situation. We are more likely to go out of our way to avoid these situations. We don't pull our guns to settle arguments or to attempt to threaten people into doing what we want.
4) We are responsible gun owners. We secure our firearms so that children and other unauthorized people cannot access them. Most of us have invested in safes, cases and lock boxes as well as other security measures to keep our firearms secure. Many of us belong to various organizations that promote firearms safety and ownership.
5) Guns are not unsafe or unpredictable. Modern firearms are well-made precision instruments. Pieces do not simply break off causing them to fire. A hot day will not set them off. Most modern firearms will not discharge even if dropped. There is no reason to be afraid of a gun simply laying on a table or in a holster. It is not going to discharge on its own.
6) We do not believe in the concept of "accidental discharges". There are no accidental discharges only negligent discharges or intentional discharges. We take responsibility for our actions and have learned how to safely handle firearms. Any case you have ever heard of about a gun "going off" was the result of negligence on somebody's part. Our recognition of our responsibility and familiarity with firearms makes us among the safest firearms owners in America.
7) Permit holders do their best to keep our concealed weapons exactly that: concealed. However, there are times when an observant fellow citizen may spot our firearm or the outline of our firearm under our clothes. We are very cognizant that concerns about terrorism and crime are in the forefront of the minds of most citizens. We also realize that our society does much to condition our fellow citizens to have sometimes irrational fears about firearms. We would encourage citizens who do happen to spot someone carrying a firearm to use good judgment and clear thinking if they feel the need to take action. Please recognize that it's very uncommon for a criminal to use a holster. However, if you feel the need to report having spotted a firearm we would ask that you please be specific and detailed in your call to the police or in your report to a store manager or private security. Please don't generalize or sensationalize what you observed. Comments like "there's a guy running around in the store with a gun" or even simply "I saw a man with a gun in the store" could possibly cause a misunderstanding as to the true nature of the incident.
8) The fact that we carry a firearm to any given place does not mean that we believe that place to be inherently unsafe. If we believe a place to be unsafe, most of us would avoid that place all together if possible. However, we recognize that trouble could occur at any place and at any time. Criminals do not observe or obey "gun-free zone" laws. If trouble does come, we do not want the only armed persons to be perpetrators. Therefore, we don't usually make a determination about whether or not to carry at any given time based on "how safe" we think a location is.
9) Concealed weapon permit holders are an asset to the public in times of trouble. The fact that most permit holders have the good judgment to stay out of situations better handled by a 911 call or by simply being a careful and vigilant witness does not mean that we would fail to act in situations where the use of deadly force is appropriate to save lives. Review of high profile public shooting incidents shows that when killers are confronted by armed resistance they tend to either break off the attack and flee or choose to end their own life. Lives are saved when resistance engages a violent criminal. Lives are lost when the criminal can do as he pleases.
10) The fact that criminals know that some of the population may be armed at any given time helps to deter violence against all citizens. Permit holders don't believe that every person should necessarily be armed. We recognize that some people may not be temperamentally suited to carry a firearm or simply may wish not to for personal reasons. However we do encourage you to respect our right to arm ourselves. Even if you choose not to carry a firearm yourself please oppose measures to limit the ability of law abiding citizens to be armed. As mentioned before: criminals do not observe "gun free zones". Help by not supporting laws that require citizens to be unarmed victims.


11) Those with concealed carry permits are quite likely the most conspicuously law-abiding people you will encounter. In the majority of states with a permit system, the permit holder has voluntarily submitted himself or herself to a background check involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Most often, fingerprints have also been taken and submitted for examination. You can be assured that we are not criminals carrying under the shield of the law. Multiple levels of government have concurred that we have followed the law. In addition, we have spent a great deal of funds on training, equipment, and the permit process. We are not eager to jeopardize any of that through misconduct - we are well aware that if we misbehave we can lose every last penny of that investment, as well as our very freedom.
12) We would NEVER use our weapons unless it is absolutely necessary in order to save an innocent life

buggy, I decided not to respond to your request for me to back up this claim because it's irrelevant to this discussion. If it makes you feel better then I coincide. All I'll say is I lived in VT for the past 27 years and just about everybody owns a firearm and the bad guys know it, that is what keeps the crime rate low in the entire state. Why don't you stop with the tunnel vision and look at the big picture. Like another poster said, a firearm is nothing but a tool. If some one wants to do you harm there are many tools that will do the job. Look at some motorcycle gangs, they carry ball peen hammers and sharpened screw drivers because they are "legal" and don't require permits. If our second amendment is screwed with then only the bad guys will have firearms. In the United Kingdom, the majority of police officers do not carry firearms. How do you think that would fly over here?

Also if a person with a permit shoots someone in self defense here in the USA they are still in for the legal ride of their life at the cost of about 75K for their defense so you can bet they will think twice before pulling the trigger or at least should. I'll also say that not everyone who owns a firearm is responsible enough to give their firearm the respect it deserves but that also holds true for people who drive a car.

One of the reasons that we are moving from Maryland to Florida is the acceptance of the principles written in the 2nd amendment. Here in the Baltimore metro area violent crime with guns is rampant, but we have some of the strictest gun control laws in the United States.

I don't know if I will get a CCP, but I am secure in that the person, who means me harm, does not know weather I am carrying or not. That is an effective deterrent I can live with.

64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday

To the gentleman who carrys his pistol in an ankle holster. That is the worst place to carry a firearm. Have you every tried to draw it in a hurry? There is no way to get your firearm out in an emergency without bending over, pulling your pants leg up and getting back up to a standing position. If you don't believe me, find a place that does force on force training and try to out draw anyone who carrys it in a holster or pocket. You will never win. But if you feel safe carrying that way it is your choice, but you really need to think about where your are carrying your protection.

An example: You open your door, you are faced with someone who pulls a knife and pushing their way into your home. Now what you have to do, is bend over, lift your pants leg and then try to get your gun out while they are stabbing or beating you. Ain't never gonna happen. An ankle holster is only a good place to carry a back up gun (BUG) when you can open carry.

I want to address some thought to the ladies who might be reading this thread. I encourage you to get your CCW. Not that you have to own a gun or even carry one. Criminals are not the sharpest knifes in the drawer, but they are also not stupid. They look at numbers and if the number of permits to ladies for CCW in Florida is high and the permits in another state are low, where do you think that they will go to commit their crimes against women. My wife will be getting her Florida permit shortly and she never carries. She likes to shoot, knows how to shoot and would protect herself in our home, but she does not feel she needs to carry in public, she has me. LOL

I am also willing to give a class to any group here in the Villages about Protection In The Home that does not include owning or using a firearm. There are lots of things that you can do, but might not have thought of to protect yourself in your home. I will also give the same class for those that own firearms if desired. I will offer my time and expertise for free. Just contact me, I would like to have at least 15 to 20 if not more for these classes.

Jack88,

Excellent post.

I'm in, if I'm there.

Thanks Figmo, I appreciate your concern. As I mentioned earlier I have installed a storm/screen door which is locked morning, day and night just for that reason. It gives me a few seconds to slam the front door shut or at the very least reach for my weapon if the BG tries to break down the door while I am standing there. Chances are if the BG sees the outer door is locked he will move on. I also have an XD Springfield .45 at home which I do not carry. I like the comfort of the ankle carry and also the deep concealment. No chance of printing. I do however practice holstering and re-holstering which is just as important.
Question: Would any of these naysayers answer their doorbell at 11:00pm without the benefit of a barrier between them and the unknown visitor?

PS: Thank you Faithful Frank!

I would not be willing to wager money on that bet. As I think there would be a few that would without thinking twice about it.

I'd never answer the door at that hour. I never open my door to a stranger, just ask them what want.

3) We are less likely, not more likely, to be involved in fights or "rage" incidents than the general public. We recognize, better than many unarmed citizens, that we are responsible for our actions. We take the responsibility of carrying a firearm very seriously. We know that loss of temper, getting into fights or angrily confronting someone after a traffic incident could easily escalate into a dangerous situation. We are more likely to go out of our way to avoid these situations. We don't pull our guns to settle arguments or to attempt to threaten people into doing what we want.


Jack, I am sure that MOST of the gun carry permit holders are "good guys" BUT the two incidents that happened (lady shooting her husband and guy showing his weapon to get a parking space) WERE BOTH gun carry permit holders. One was even former LEO.

Two incidences in a city of 80,000 in how many years? That is your case? LOL

Thank you, Village Golfer. You are right. You proved my point. 2 incidents in a city of 80,000 in 2 years is extremely tiny. The Villages IS the safest place you could live in. There is no need to carry a pistol in The Villages. One of those incidents even happened at their home. Basically, 1 incident in 2 years. There is no need to carry a pistol in The Villages.

I am not saying to ban it from being legal to carry a pistol nor to ban handguns. That is up to each person, of course.

I am saying there is no need to carry a pistol in The Villages.

Not really. People, even evil, not too bright people, know that there are many gun owners here in Florida. They also know that many gun owners live here in the Villages. It is that deterrent that keeps us safe. An armed society is a polite society.

I just wish ammo wasn't so damn expensive or short on supply.

you are constantly saying that there is no "NEED" to carry a pistol in the villages. Please define need?

I've only carried my firearm twice in the villages. Both times it was because I was going outside the villages at night. There is no way that I can get my firearm outside of the villages without carrying in the villages.

Back to what I said before, please define need.



If you don't know your rights you don't have any.

Before you waste a police officer's time you might want to read the concealed carry laws in Florida. You can drink and carry a gun in Florida. No law against it. The law does not allow you to carry in a bar or in the bar area of a restaurant. Says nothing about not drinking. It is perfectly legal to sit down at a table in a resturant and eat and drink. Despite this you would be truly amazed at the very low percentage of gun problems caused by licensed concealed carriers.

Doctors kill over 200,000 people a year compared to 13,000 gun deaths and yet no one wants to ban doctors. The reason is that they save many more lives than they take. The same is true of guns and all it takes is a desire to ferret out the truth to learn that. Your logic also escapes me. No car - no car accidents. Let's ban cars to solve the car accident problem rather then deal with the root causes.

You obviously like your first amendment rights. I also like that amendment and the second one too. Just please do not let your fears infringe on my rights. The new law about accidental showing of your concealed gun was to protect us from overzealous people. The kind one typically finds who turns in their neighbor for putting a single gnome on their lawn. The law is very strict. 3 year mandatory prison term with no parole allowed for showing a concealed carry gun in a rude, careless or angry manner. At least now we are not making felons out of good people due to a gust of wind and an anti gun activist eager to turn them in.

In case you missed them, here are just a few articles I know of about concealed carry holders defending themselves. Nationwide 13 accredited surveys showed that there was between 800,000 and 2.5 million incidents of a civilian using a gun for self defense per year. You never read about that though. Only the accidental, or more properly called, negligent discharges of weapons by people unfamiliar with the basic safety rules for gun handling or mass shootings in schools by bad guys who disregarded all the no gun signs and laws. Unfortunately the victims of these shooters obeyed the laws anti gun people favor and were defenseless to shoot back. By now with so many people with guns you would think schools would at least teach gun safety the same way they teach sex ed, drugs, internet safety, etc. Guns do not just go off. Some has to be careless and squeeze the trigger while loaded and totally ignore all the features that let you know that the gun is loaded. Any way here is just three I know of off the top of my head:

St Petersburg, FL – Retired banker Hall Palmer heard a noise and got up to investigate. As soon as he opened the door, the 70-year-old was face-to-face with a man dressed in all black and armed with a pistol. The suspect ordered Palmer to sit on the bed. He wanted the PIN for a bank card he’d found downstairs. Palmer said the card was expired, but he could give him some money. The suspect bound Palmer’s hands with twine, led him downstairs and found his billfold. The suspect then bound Palmer’s feet, gagged his mouth and went outside. But he’d underestimated his victim. Palmer wriggled free and retrieved his late father’s .38-cal. Colt Army Special revolver. When the suspect returned, Palmer fired a shot, causing him to flee. The suspect had been carrying a pillow; Palmer wonders if it was intended to muffle the sound of his execution. , The Armed Citizen/St. Petersburg Times, 01/20/2011

Lakeland FL – Denard Joe was stopped in his car at an intersection when a man wearing a red bandana tapped on the window and pointed a gun at him. Joe, a Florida concealed weapons permit holder, drew a handgun and opened fire through the window, striking his assailant twice in the chest. The carjacker, who had just been released from prison, ran a short distance and died. – The Armed Citizen/Lakeland Ledger, 04/06/2011

Daytona Beach, FL – Charles Place was walking in a restaurant parking lot when a man snuck up behind him, grabbed him and reached for his wallet. Unfortunately for the suspect, the 83-year-old man was in no mood to become a victim. Police said he resisted and was knocked to the ground. That’s when Place drew his .25-cal. semi-automatic handgun, for which he has a permit to carry. He showed his assailant the gun and demanded to be left alone. The suspect fled but was followed by a witness who helped police make the arrest. The Armed Citizen/Daytona Beach News Journal, 09/26/10

Personally I was surrounded by three drugged out men many years ago with broken bottles and a tire iron in the parking lot of my office building demanding money. A very safe place I thought but I always went armed so I merely showed my gun and they left quickly. Had I not been armed because it was a safe place it would not have turned out well for me as they were high on something that made them mean.

It happens a lot but we just do not read about it much. And remember that good people do not want to kill. It is a difficult thing to do and if you were one of the many brave men who fought in combat you would know this. We carry guns because we refuse to be victims. In this world there are sheep and sheep dogs and I'd rather protect the herd than wait to be slaughtered.

I just carry all the time for the very reason you mentioned. I never know where I will end up. Just the other day we ended up in Orlando unplanned. I carry my gun for the same reason I buckle up to just drive a few blocks.

:sigh:

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

I have two questions.

How do you keep your firearm concealed? I would think it would be difficult wearing light clothing.

Under what circumstances would you use your firearm?

To carry concealed in warm weather, google Tommy Gun packs. They look like fanny packs and come in a varity of colors, sizes and configerations. Besides, what tourist in Florida don't have fanny packs. :a20: I am old, I look like a tourist, what a cover right. Also with some of the pocket pistols that are available today, they fit in your pocket in a pocket holster, leave no print and are easy to get to if needed.

I would only use my firearm to protect myself, my loved one or someone who was being violently attacked in my presense. Otherwise, if I or my family are not in danger, I would back away from the situation, grab that wonderful invention call the cell phone, call 911 and let the professionals handle the situation. Now on the other hand if you are smashing in my door or window at night and attempting to gain entry to my home, you are placing yourself in extreme danger. Besides being ankle chewed by my mini doxie, you would have to face my enraged wife for messing up her window/door and brother, let me tell you that is one thing that you would want to avoid at all costs.

My questions were directed at carrying. Keeping a firearm in the home is another subject.

I had a permit to carry, concealed as well as open, years ago. I never carried when not "working". When the need no longer existed I surrendered my right to carry.

I keep a firearm in my home as I feel it is prudent.

BTW, the closest I have come to using it was when the doorbell rang and my wife yelled "there is a naked man at the door". It was about 8:00 AM on a Saturday. By the time I got to the door a young man, totally nude, was walking away from our front door. Police apprehended him and determined he was stoned and probably thinking he was going for a shower. It wasn't in The Villages but it was a nice neighborhood.

in regards to how to carry think carefully about Fannie Pack carry, take care.
Then he picks a great with the exception that fanny packs designed for guns are usually larger than the standard Fannie pack. The standard Fannie pack is more difficult to access. Another problem with fanny packs is that most of the time police officers and many civilians will know that you're carrying a gun. How you ask? Next time you see somebody with a fanny pack which by the way they are generally a style look for an imprint of a wallet in his back pocket. Think to yourself, why would we have that fanny pack. You would be surprised how common this giveaway is seen.

Myself, I put my Smith & Wesson snubnosed 38 into a purposely designed pocket holster and stick it in my right front pocket. It does not imprint so that people would see it. It works for shorts and slacks. A reminder though no matter where you carry a concealed pistol it should be in a holster designed for that purpose. I have heard of cases where people have carried a pistol in their pocket and got the trigger caught in their car keys. Very embarrassing.

Just some thoughts.

Not to mention painful :a20:

Man, talk about not being able to stay on the op's question. Why doesn't someone start a pro/anti gun thread. For one, I have read these threads on many forums and there is nothing to see, move along.

Then I can get the answer to the original question. I think I have only heard one range mentioned and the rifle is indoor. Is there only one range close and none that are outdoor?

I would think Florida would have a better selection of ranges. I shoot a lot but have my own range at my Wisconsin cabin. If we decide to move there I wna to make sure there are ranges close by. That is one of my missions for our LSV in January.

There are two public indoor ranges near TV and outdoor Public Range at the Ocala national Forest. There are two private clubs with ranges in the area.

Thank you.

The free range in Ocala Forest has only six stations, and they are always full. And it's a long drive up there.

The private club in Eustis may suit your needs and is 40 minutes away.

The indoor closer range I have not been to yet but they said you can only shoot rifles one day a week and no black powder at all.

Who would want to shoot a rifle at an indoor range? Other than a private underground tunnel (100 yds) that we used to test loads for benchrest guns in S. Fla., indoor ranges are way too short for any meaningful shooting.

Hello Shimpy.

I agree.
I think that a rifle range should be out doors and at least 200 meters.
But sometimes you must take what you can get.
That indoor range is the closest.
If we could convince the powers that be to start a range here, I would be a happy fella. Put a Mauser in the ole golf bag and off we go.

Courtyard

Plus you miss the fun of adjusting for windage! I agree with your 200 meters/yards minimum.
My club has 300 yards and a range not far from here in Mississippi has 1000 yards but with lots of yellow flies in the summer! Shot for my DCM there. Anybody got a swamp available? Surely there are some swamps left in Florida!

[IMG][/IMG]I can't deliver the screen shot, but I find it interesting when you look at the crime statistics for The Villages in Lake County versus The Villages in Sumter County. You can go and see for your self. https://www.crimereports.com/
Crime seems to stop at the county line. Weird?!?!?!?!
I guess all the criminals in The Villages live North of 466 and in or around 441!