concealed carry...loaded or unloaded?

[joeyd71]

Just picked up my LTCF a few days ago, with the main purpose to be able to transport guns in my vehicle. If/when I decide to go with concealed carry, does the firearm need to be unloaded with ammo in your pocket or neadby or can it be loaded and ready to go? It seems to me that it would be stupid to be able to carry but not have it loaded, but I just want to make sure before I go out on the street and find out for myself.

[streaker69]

You may carry it loaded with one in the chamber.

[joeyd71]

that seems pretty cut and dry. and I'm glad you mentioned having one in the chamber...I forgot to ask. Thanks a lot.

[angus]

Welcome. Congrats on getting your LTCF.

There is a lot of information about firearms laws in the stickies posted at the top of the pages. They make for great reading and can give you a lot of fundamental information.

[Cruiser]

always loaded and depending on the weapon of choice sometimes cocked and locked..

I have enough issues with nerve damage in my hands,, I have no problem working the weapon,, but stressed having to load and rack would just add lots of hurdles..

[SAB215]

I'm headed down to Temple in the fall. Thus being living off of Broad St. was what first prompted the idea of me getting my LTCF.

Several of my friends down there have mentioned muggings and break-ins, and while nothing serious happened, I'm not going to take the chance.
"Better to have it and not need it."

Especially since my plans at Temple involve me taking night classes, walking to and from campus alone. Yeah, fun stuff.

[joeyd71]

To answer your poll question, I voted yes. Most people (not all) are responsible when it comes to conceal their carry. Unfortantely that's not always the case. But when I was in college (PSU Main) and if I happened to notice another student carrying wouldn't bother me at all. If I see a person carrying anywhere I usually have a very small concern just because I don't know what their intentions are for carrying, it's either self defense or to commit a crime. You just hope it's the former and not the latter.

That's funny, because that's where I go to school right now. I know it's terrible to think about, but I always envision something bad going down in the Forum building.

[CHEMICAL]

Carry it loaded or leave it at home and carry a brick. Same thing.

[Gun]

Like Chemical stated, empty gun, carry a brick! (but you would need to order a custom holster for the brick!)

As far as your poll, seriously, what's the difference if you are in the classroom, the grocery store, the laundromat, the movie theatre, etc., etc., ....

If you don't feel safe there, then don't put yourself there!

Carrying a firearm should not make you feel safer. Someone can step out of the shadows with a gun already drawn on you, and that firearm, still stuck in your IWB holster, is making you feel safe?!!?

A firearm is just a means to protect yourself, when your life is threaten, if you can access it before bad things happen to you.

Being safe is being AWARE of your surroundings!

And yes, your encounter with the out of the shadows character is more probable than some deranged idiot with a death wish that tries to take out as many as possible.

[streaker69]

Being safe is being AWARE of your surroundings!

This will keep you more safe than carrying a gun will. Being aware of what's around you and being ready to react in the most appropriate manner is always the best idea.