Studied, trained, have permit, am I ready?

[nutz4utwo]

I am well on my way in becoming qualified and responsible in my quest to carry a concealed pistol. My question is this: How qualified do I need to be to safely carry a concealed pistol?

I am fairly new to shooting, but here is what I have done in the past 6 months:

-obtained permit
-obtained G19 and supertuck
-learned safe handling and operation
-joined range, practiced often
-studied my State's laws on concealed carry
-studied my State's laws on use of force
-studied (a limited amount) Federal firearm law
-Fired 500 rounds of plinker ammo through my Glock
-Fired 100 rounds of Federal HST (what I intend to carry)

-Thought about and improved my situational awareness and avoidance skills
-Swallowed my ego
-tried to think through scenarios where I might have to draw or fire my pistol
-come to terms with the possibility of shooting or killing someone
-anticipated the effects of adrenaline and stress on my skills
-voraciously studied DefensiveCarry.com!


My shooting skills are not fabulous, but are decent and I am improving. I have been through a few coachings and they have helped greatly. I can reliable print every round on a paper plate at 7 yards or a NRA slow fire pistol target (3 foot square) at 25 yards. I am not going to win any medals for speed, but I am reliable.

I am not looking for anyone's permission or a green light to carry. What I am looking for is any training or info that I have missed or shortcomings in the training I have done.

Any suggestions?

Would you trust me to be sitting next to you in a restaurant?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[pgrass101]

You are doing well and probably start carrying but I would suggest looking for some type of class to go too.

[havegunjoe]

You need to fire at least 501 rounds of plinker ammo and 110 rounds of Federal ammo. (Just kidding) Was any of your "LEARNING" or "STUDYING" from a qualified or certified instructor? What does WA require? If nothing, than I guess you are "QUALIFIED" by their standard. The learning process never stops however.

[ImChad]

Gees, you've got me beat by far. In Indiana you don't have to jump through any hoops at all. I went to the police station, filled out paper work that THEY filled out for me, paid 50.00 and walked out. three weeks later I recieved my permit in the mail. For an extra 50 I could have (and will next time) gotten a LIFETIME permit. With, no training at all. I carry most all of the time and I did all my training by going to the shooting range and asking the old timers questions. then, I spend time at home dry firing. I've lobbed 10,000 rounds in the last year and I'm a great shot. If something should happen where I need to defend myself, I'm more than confident that I'll only hit my target.

Now, as far as a restaurant goes, I don't care what my fellow hoosiers think. I'm not out to defend anyone but my family. I know this is brash, and somewhat bluntly rude to say, but I have no desire to protect anyone but those i'm responsible for. You never know in a split second who the victim and the attacker really is. I may see someone holding a gun out who looks like a criminal but my just be defending thierself. In a restaurant setting, my first action will be to try and flee if something goes wrong. I refuse to protect those who don't feel the need to protect theirself.

[dunndw]

Never stop learning.
I've been carrying for 10+ years and I STILL take classes. Take them from different instructors...everyone teaches differently.
Look for a NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home and Outside the Home classes in your area. Those will help with your situational awareness and help in training you in the basics of shooting from retention, from cover, etc.

Always be a student

[AVIVIII]

I think you are probably more prepared than many. (not many HERE, many in general). But big props for taking the responsibility.

You could stand to put a lot more ammo down range, but its good for now, just keep training as long as you are comfortable and confident with your weapon.

The things that are more difficult to train for are the one that you will experience in real life. Moving targets, people shooting back, distractions. Get someone to throw fire crackers at you or something. If you have your own space to shoot, you can make a fairly simple moving target rig.

I think you're good to go. Have confidence and trust yourself.

[nutz4utwo]

Gees, you've got me beat by far. In Indiana you don't have to jump through any hoops at all.

Well, it's $55.25 here for the permit but there are no training requirements. As far as the State of Washington is concerned I am qualified. This is more for my own standards.

I have taken a basic NRA pistol class. I may sign up for some more classes as time and $ allow.

I plan to keep training, just looking for more suggestions...

[Cupcake]

There is no finish line, but you thus far have the right mindset. Read "In the Gravest Extreme" by Ayoob and/or "The Concealed Carry Handbook" by Byrd.

[jfl]

I don't think we are ever ready; we train, think, train more, read, but it is only when the SHTF that we find out.
I hope to never find out !!!

A required reading for my students is: Principles of Self Defense by Jeff Cooper; it does not discuss techniques but mind-set, which I believe is paramount.

I am not really qualified to give you advice, I'll just quote Andy Stanford of OPS:
-avoidance
-de-escalation
-deterrence

[AZ Husker]

Congratulations on your dedication and realization of the tremendous responsibility of carry. I'd suggest starting to carry right now and forget it's there. Many new guys are continually checking their weapon by feeling, looking in mirrors or windows as they pass, or tugging on their cover garments. Just let the proper concealment tools do their job. Becoming comfortable with the gun on your side is the best thing you can do right now.

[GunnyBunny]

Check out Firearms Academy of Seattle, Inc. 360-978-6100 . After reading about the experiences of others I plan on going there myself when time (and $) allows. One of their guest instructors is Massad Ayoob.

[AllAmerican]

Congratulations on your dedication and realization of the tremendous responsibility of carry. I'd suggest starting to carry right now and forget it's there. Many new guys are continually checking their weapon by feeling, looking in mirrors or windows as they pass, or tugging on their cover garments. Just let the proper concealment tools do their job. Becoming comfortable with the gun on your side is the best thing you can do right now.

I like this advice alot so thanks.

[PointnClick]

Wow, Nutz... this coulda been my post. I have a little experience on you and I've about doubled what you have shot at the range, but otherwise, this is me... I've talked to my wife extensively about this decision, and the more you think about the responsibility, the heavier that pistol really is.

Know what I have learned...? You and I have begun a 21st century martial art... no different than fencing, Roman wrestling, or karate... our art is the same. A thousand years ago, this was the way of the sword. You and I have learned the basic blocks, attacks, and parries of our martial art. Mental discipline, muscle memory, tactics, learning new maneuvers, and further study will be required, and only practice and work will make us Masters...

So let's tighten up the knots on these White Belts of ours and get back out on the mat for some easy throws...

[jualdeaux]

There is a lot of good suggestions listed so far. i especially agree with the "take a defensive handgun class, read some of the books listed and just start to carry and get used to it being there."

My only added suggestion would be to practice at more than just a static range, specifically something like IDPA. I'll never say that it is a replacement for proper training, it isn't, but it does let you practice things like drawing from concealment, shooting in various positions, shooting on the move, etc. It is also much more fun. At least to me.

[detroit9mm]

Nobody knows if they are ready until the moment comes. I would suggest you take as many classes as you can reasonably afford. Choose classes put on by qualified trainers. I always strongly suggest a good force-on-force class that will put you through some scenarios. You will be suprised how differently you react while under stress. You may be a great marksman while standing on the range but things change when you are moving, getting shot at, etc. Never stop training. The day you think you are fully prepared is the day you quit learning.