"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote. ''


-- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.''
-- THOMAS JEFFERSON


FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to bring my own gun?
No. We provide everything you need. However, you are welcome to bring your own firearms. You are required to show proficiency with both a revolver (10 rounds min.) and an automatic (10 rounds min.). If you choose to bring your own weapons, you'll also need to bring a total of 50 rounds of ammunition if your firearms are anything other than .22 caliber.

I live in Missouri. Do I have to get a Missouri permit?
No. Missouri recognize all states permits, regardless of your residency. It is perfectly legal to be a Missouri resident, yet hold a CCW permit from another state. For many Missourian's, an out-of-state permit is much more economical, and they are available by mail.

But isn't it better to have a Missouri permit if you're a Missouri resident?
No. Any permit is legal in Missouri.

I live in Illinois. Can I get a Missouri permit?
No, but you are eligible for several out-of-state permits. Utah, Florida, Maine and Pennsylvania are available by mail and we will provide the required forms.

Is there a permit that is recognized by every state in the nation?
No! Each state makes reciprocity agreements with other states that are agreeable. Check the permits and link pages for more information.

Can I carry more than one state's permits?
Yes.

I am new to shooting. Will I pass the qualification test?
Yes, if you follow Duaine's orders safely. In order to qualify you must place 15 out of 20 shots inside a human size silhouette target from a distance of 21 feet. Duaine will provide you with instruction and guidance to ensure you pass your qualification test.

How old do I have to be to take this course?
If you are at least 18, you are eligible for a Maine permit. If you are at least 21, you are eligible for a Maine, Utah or Florida permit. You must be at least 23 to qualify for the Missouri permit.

How long does it take to get my permit after I attend the course?
That depends on which permit you choose. The Missouri permit will take approximately 45 days from the time you make application with your Sheriff. The out-of-state permits usually take no more than 60 days.

Are all CCW courses the same?
NO! If you want a choice, make sure your instructor teaches to Missouri State standards but is also a certified Utah instructor. If your instructor is only certified to teach Missouri, or only certified to teach Utah, you won't have a choice of permits. Make certain you get the most for your money, which includes a choice of which permit you eventually acquire.

As a permit holder, exactly where can I carry or not carry a handgun?
The concealed firearm permit only exempts the permit holder from two laws: carrying a concealed and loaded firearm in a vehicle and carrying a concealed firearm on your person. All other state and federal laws still apply. Such as, you may not carry a firearm in secured areas of an airport and you may not carry a firearm in secure federal buildings. These areas should always be posted. But please be aware of these restrictions in case they are not posted.

What about private businesses? Can they post signs prohibiting someone from carrying a gun into their business even though the person has a concealed firearms permit?
Naturally, private property owners may apply whatever restrictions they want. Whether or not these restrictions violate one's constitutional rights is for the civil courts to decide. But the only statutory restrictions on a permit holder are secured areas such as airports and federal buildings.

If I feel someone MAY be a threat to me, can I show them that I have a gun to scare them off?
Any action you take with a gun must be in direct self-defense; otherwise, it is considered threatening with a dangerous weapon and you will be labeled as the aggressor. You may be criminally charged and you will most likely have your permit to carry a concealed firearm revoked. Carrying a firearm is very serious business. There is no room for mistakes. If you pull a firearm on someone or even display the weapon, then it must be in self defense or it is not justified.

Is there any way that I can check to see if my criminal history will prevent me from obtaining a concealed firearm permit BEFORE I go through the whole process of applying?
Only locally, you can obtain a personal printout from the records room at your sheriff's office. They will charge about $3.00 for this service. This will not reflect what might be on file at the state or FBI offices.


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