If you’ve been following American Concealed for long at all you know that safety and training are the two things we emphasize above all else when it comes to responsible gun ownership. We’re following news reports that Missouri is considering a bill to eliminate the requirements to get a permit for concealed carry.
Currently, permit applicants must complete a gun safety training class and pass a criminal background check. Governor Jay Nixon is looking at a bill that would eliminate the requirement for the permit. The bill would also implement a stand-your-ground law allowing a person to use lethal force without first retreating if they feel their life is in danger.
Just because you bought a car doesn’t mean you know how to drive it. This list outlines the reasons why carrying concealed without training is not a good idea. And here’s a post discussing how much concealed carry training you actually need.
You may not know what to do.
With no training requirement, people will not learn how to properly use the weapon. Without training, in the event of an emergency an armed person may simply not know what to do.
You may be more reluctant to pull out your firearm.
Without proper training, you may not reach for your weapon when the situation calls for it because you may simply not feel confident enough in your reactions. How should you stand? Will you keep your balance? What happens if the target moves or someone or something gets in the way? These are debilitating thoughts you don’t want to have in a life-or-death situation.
You may be too hasty to pull out your weapon.
On the other hand, without training in proper use and mental preparedness, you may pull out your gun too quickly. This haste to use a weapon is called “gun courage.” If the situation doesn’t really warrant that level of response, you could end up having the gun used against you or escalating a conflict which would not originally have been that serious.
You won’t develop more skills.
Physical skill with guns is not a natural ability. It must be cultivated. Continued and regular training helps you develop confidence in both how your gun performs and your ability to handle it. You won’t get better at aiming or recovery without practice.
You’ll be more a effective protector if you’re trained.
Responding to a threat with a gun is a serious responsibility. The mental preparedness it takes to recognize a threat, access your concealed weapon quickly, take aim, and neutralize the threat is one that takes practice and a calm mind.
When your family or your home or vehicle is threatened, responding with a hot head or one that is confused or unsure is not an effective way to handle a situation like that. You’ll be better able to defend yourself and those you love with ongoing training.
You may not know the laws.
It is your duty to know the gun laws of the state in which you live. Not requiring training could place some people in a situation where they are not as informed as they should be.
Being in a life-and-death situation can change your life. We believe that when you have a solid base of training to draw from that you periodically update and refresh is the best way to safely do your duty as a gun owner.
