Concealed carry reciprocity refers to having one’s concealed carry permit recognized in other states than where the CCW permit holder’s permit was issued. Although different states, counties, cities and towns may have specific requirements for a permit holder there is a degree of commonality in the licensing requirements. When these guidelines are similar, the issuing authority may choose to honor permits from other areas.

For example, this author resides in the State of Nevada where his permit is honored in 22 other states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Vermont. Acquiring a non-resident permit from Utah adds 11 states to the list: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming for a total of 34. A non-resident Florida permit would add Florida and New Mexico to this list bringing the total to 36. This is generally the limit of full reciprocity, but it varies according to the CCW holder’s home state.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. A resident of Colorado or South Carolina with a state issued CCW and non-resident Utah and Florida CCW permits can take this number to 38. Other states can be acquired on a case by case basis such as Maine, New Hampshire and Oregon (although Oregon only issues permits to residents of a bordering state. It is realistically possible to obtain a number of non-resident permits to carry in as many as 43 states.

However, there is a problem with this scenario.

In the United States a driver’s license or a marriage license is valid in all 50 states. If you live in New York you do not need to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license to travel through that state. A CCW should be honored in all 50 states.  The ultimate irony is that a handful of states, counties and cities refuse to issue permits (or make the process extremely difficult by adding “special needs” clauses or exorbitant fees) to their residents and these states, yet those citizens can obtain permits in states where they are not residents that are honored in other states where they do not reside, own property, work or pay taxes.

Concealed carry reciprocity reform is needed desperately in this country so that all citizens can exercise the right to defend themselves, no matter where they live and travel. 

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Those 27 words in the Bill of Rights have generated a lot of controversy over the past 230+ years. The wording had its roots in English Common Law. Yet, the Second Amendment has been described  and interpreted variously as enabling the people (or the states) to organize a militia system, oppose a tyrannical government, repel invasions, suppress insurrection and the guarantee a natural right to self-defense.

The first US Supreme Court ruling on the Second Amendment was handed down via US vs. Miller, concerning possession of a sawed-off shotgun and the recently enacted National Firearms Act which mandated registration of such a firearm with the Federal Government. The opinion of the Court stated: “in the absence of any evidence tending to show that possession or use of a ‘shotgun having a barrel of less than 18 inches in length’ at this time has some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well– regulated militia, we cannot say that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear such an instrument. Certainly it is not within judicial notice that this weapon is any part of the ordinary military equipment or that its use could contribute to the common defense.”

The ruling may have been different had Miller testified before the court, but Miller was found shot to death, before the decision was rendered. However in the landmark case of D.C. vs. Heller, the Court wrote: “Miller stands only for the proposition that the Second Amendment right, whatever its nature, extends only to certain types of weapons. It is particularly wrongheaded to read Miller for more than what it said, because the case did not even purport to be a thorough examination of the Second Amendment.” D.C. vs. Heller was a case challenging the District of Columbia’s ban on the ownership of handguns. The Supreme Court struck down this law in the District by saying: “The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.”

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Second Amendment to the US Constitution protects an individual right to keep and bear arms. In the Majority opinion, the High Court held that the militia clause referred to all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense. This was based on the notion that the founding fathers feared that the Federal Government would disarm the people in order to disable this citizens’ militia, in order to institute a politicized standing army to rule. The purpose of the Second Amendment was to deny Congress the power to abridge the ancient right of individuals to keep and bear arms, so that the ideal of a citizens’ militia would be preserved.

In practice the Second Amendment has little to do with giving the states the right to form a militia or deploy the National Guard and everything with guaranteeing the right of each citizen to bear arms in defense of their lives.

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This question may seem a little outrageous, but consider the following scenario: You are in your office and all of a sudden all hell breaks loose – there is a lot of screaming and shouting, and then a series of shots is being fired. Do you follow the advice given by Homeland Security, namely run, hide, dial 911 and hope for the best? Do you remain hidden while innocent lives are lost and hope you do not get discovered?

This does sound harsh, and it may well seem an unlikely prospect. The reality, however, is that such events are on the increase. So much so, in fact, that both the FBI and recent Homeland Security training videos suggest that business owners should take adequate steps to protect themselves, their staff and customers by raising awareness and providing adequate training, preparation and rehearsal in order to stop an attack and minimize casualties before law enforcement arrives on the scene.

Society is being further and further eroded by a failing economy, and incidents like the one described above are likely to happen with ever increasing frequency. This makes it necessary for companies to take positive steps towards protecting their premises/ those frequenting them. Selecting a small team of trusted staff members and having them take a concealed carry course; supplying them with appropriate firearms and scheduling regular training sessions in which potential scenarios can be rehearsed – allowing plans to deal with such situations in the most effective manner to be devised and practiced - can and will ultimately save lives.

In order to put such a plan into action, it is essential to establish relevant policies and procedures, select the most suitable team of individuals, provide them with the necessary permit to carry course and integrate these procedures into your already existing Emergency Response Plan. In order to be fully effective, it is necessary to train your team in the use of handguns, shotguns and rifles, as well as small unit tactics.

Only by providing this kind of quality training will you be able to ensure that your team will work effectively and cohesively as a security providing team. Scheduling regular training/ rehearsal sessions will ensure they are continually at their best and ready to deal with incidents at all times with tactics that will work not only in a ccw class, but in the real life horror of an attack on your company and those working in/ visiting it.

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Years ago, both the guns as well as the optics were excessively large and would not work well for concealed carry (think Han Solo’s blaster). Now we are beginning to see Red Dot sights become smaller, more reliable, and more durable. This in combination with more effective and durable mounting methods, such as milling into the top of the slide rather than installing a separate mount attached to the frame, allows the optical sight to be lower to the line of bore, and has made optics on every day concealed carry guns more realistic, elegant weapons (for a more civilized age.)

People are beginning to recognize the advantages of optics on handguns. Most notably, the sight picture transitions from a three-point reference system (rear sight, front sight, target) to a two-point sight system (red dot, target.) This simplified sight picture could provide an advantage in speed and accuracy with proper training—and it’s important that we stress that last bit. There is a learning curve to overcome if you’re used to shooting with iron sights, but the advantage could be worth the expenses. Cost will likely be the biggest barrier to entry; the most durable and reliable red dot sights will be expensive. The Trijicon RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) is considered to be the industry standard when it comes to options for handguns. As the name implies, it’s very durable, very compact, but also very pricy. If you’re new to guns, the general rule of thumb is you should spend at least as much on your optics as your gun. And as we always recommend: practice, practice, practice. Don’t depend on your instincts or technology; they won’t replace proper training and muscle memory.

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One technique for concealing and carrying that’s gaining favorability is “Appendix Carry.” Basically, appendix carry is a method of inside the waistband (IWB) carrying in which you wear your gun on the forward part of your waist, rather than the rear half, so your gun sits on your abdomen, rather than behind your hip. There are advantages and disadvantages, and we’ll get to both in a moment.

It’s important to note that we’re not necessarily advocating one system of carry over another. Like choosing a gun, you’ll want to pick a holster and carry method that is best tailored to your personal likes and dislikes, your physique, your daily routine, and any number of other personal variables. No one system will work for everyone all the time. Just as some people prefer the 109° grip angle of a Glock to the 103° of a 1911, some people will prefer this system, and some wont. We advise you use whichever one works best for your needs.

Now, before you decide that your current system is flawless and stop reading, there are a lot of advantages to appendix carry. Comfort, concealability, and speed are all advantages. Depending on your body type and the size of the gun you carry, it’s a lot more comfortable to drive with this setup than the traditional gun behind the waist method. You can also carry a full-sized pistol far more easily. It’s also easier to conceal your gun. Most clothing is made to be baggier in the front, and tighter around the waist, so you’ll find that more garments in more situations will work to conceal just about any-sized pistol—and without worrying if the handle is poking out from behind your hip. You’ll be able to carry in the same place consistently, regardless of the season or the weather. The third factor is speed. Appendix carry positions the gun in front of you, and that means faster draw times. With practice, clearing the concealment garment and presentation can become VERY fast. As you can see in the photos the arms have to move very little to clear the garment and present the gun; it is extremely efficient. You’ll want to spend plenty of time at home with an unloaded gun practicing the motion, but you’ll probably find it’s a very natural, easy, and quick response. When half a second really matters, appendix carry can out-perform traditional IWB.

As you’re probably aware, with every station in life, there is both blessing and curse. Appendix requires greater awareness of safety when you handle your gun, as a misfire during holstering could send hot lead right into your femoral artery. Or other sensitive/vital parts. If your gun uses a hammer or manual safety, the odds of accidental discharge drop substantially in just about any situation. If you’ve got something like a Glock, you’ll want to avoid twirling your gun like Wyatt Earp before slamming it into your holster. In fact you really need to take a few moments and actually think about the process of holstering. The danger is not that this method makes holstering more prone to mishap, but should your gun discharge, the odds of hitting yourself are higher than traditional IWB, and high enough to encourage a respect for safety sufficient to eliminate sloppiness or carelessness. Which we think is all the better. If you are ready to take the next step, consider our conceal and carry or permit to carry courses in Minneapolis Minnesota, or Milwaukee Wisconsin. If you already have your permit to carry a want to learn how to use these or other holster in real world circumstances take an advanced shooting course to hone your skills. 

conceal and carry methods

appendix carry holster

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1. The sign must be a minimum of 187 square inches in surface area. So an 11×17 sheet of paper, at the minimum.

2. The posting must be at all entrances of the building and must be between 4 feet and 6 feet off the ground.

3. The sign must be no more than 4 feet from the entrance.

4. The background and the lettering must be contrasting colors. For example black lettering on a white background. If a business has this stenciled on a window it violates this because a clear window is not a contrasting background for any color. As a Conceal and Carry permit holder in Minnesota this is the one that I see the most.

5. Last but not least, on top of having to meet all the other criteria, the posting must also have lettering that is a minimum of 1.5 inches tall in ARIAL font. That means if it is Times New Roman and meets all the other criteria it is an invalid posting and carries no force of law. 
If a sign doesn’t meet all of those requirements, it is not valid. However, in any case a verbal warning from an employee is binding under trespass law.

Once you have taken your conceal and carry or permit to carry class and begin your lifestyle as a responsible conceal and carry holder, make sure you keep your eye open for these signs.

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Ultimately, the United States of America does not have a “Justice System.” We have a “Legal System.” Justice is a perfected ideal. Laws are created to help achieve some form of justice. You have a natural right to self-defense, but we’ve seen city prosecutors, over-zealous DA’s, and even the major media organs play politics with law-abiding citizens. Even in a clear case of self-defense, the anti-gun members of society will be happy to charge you with any crime they can.

We at Midwest Carry Academy truly hope you never have to use your gun in self-defense. We aim to equip you for that possibility, so that you are prepared. Personally, I’d rather have the gun and not need it, than need the gun and not have it. Your gun is your last line of defense, when you cannot escape a life-threatening situation. And when you’re there in that moment, you’ll be glad you’ve got it. But for the moments after, you’ll be glad you’ve got Self-Defense Insurance from USCCA. We highly recommend self-defense insurance because it is a vital way we can help you prepare to defend yourself. Like the gun, it’s true that you may never need it, but if the time ever comes-you’ll be more than glad you’ve got it.

Entering into the legal system is like sitting at a baccarat table in Monte Carlo. You don’t know the rules, they’re not speaking any language you can understand, and the stakes are incredibly high. You’re going to need a lawyer, and lawyers are expensive.USCCA Self-Defense SHIELD insurance will cover up to $75,000 in criminal court costs and up to $300,000 in civil court costs, as well as up to $75,000 for additional grants, along with providing you an expert witness to testify. There are three levels of insurance, ranging from $127 to $297 annually.

You may spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on your gun, ammo, holster, range time, instruction, and permits to protect you on the streets. You train and prepare yourself for the moments before you pull the trigger. Don’t forget to prepare for what happens afterwards. It could save you a fortune, and most importantly, your freedom. It’s just the wise thing to do.

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Permits from the states of Utah, Florida, and Arizona are known for bring recognized as valid in more than 30 states, and are the most common “Multi-State Permits.” Better yet, all those states issue permits to non-residents! So you can live in Minnesota, complete the training for a Florida permit, and carry in far more states than the Minnesota permit has reciprocity with.

The Utah CCW (Conceal and Carry Weapon) permit costs $65 for a 5-year license and carries a maximum reciprocity of 35 states. The Florida CCW permit is $137 for 7-years and 36 states. Arizona offers the most affordable of the Multi-State Permits and gets you reciprocity with 36 states.

So which Multi-State Conceal and Carry Permit should you apply for? Well, it all comes down to which states you want to carry in. Florida, Utah, and Arizona all offer you similar numbers of states, but the states themselves vary. The best way to find out which permit best suits your needs is to visit www.handgunlaw.us. This website will show you up-to-date reciprocity maps, allowing you to answer this question for your specific situation.

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Part of the responsibility you take on by carrying, or having a firearm for protection is to continue to develop your skill-set, and problem solving capabilities. Our Defensive Handgun courses focus on the advanced tactics and dynamic use of your gun in defensive situations; whether that be inside or out of your home, it is always important to have the training and skills to come out on top. 

Midwest Carry Academy offers 3 advanced courses, Defensive Handgun 1, 2 and 3. These courses build upon each other to empower our students to protect themselves, and their families. Defensive Handgun 1 covers everything from the real world application of the 3 fundamentals to drawing from concealment to shooting from different positions. This is a great place to start for anyone and for a limited time only, classes start at just $99 (regularly $125) when you enter the code “defense” at checkout. Click to sign up today!

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First, there’s the social implications. Let’s say you want to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon taking a walk on the stone arch bridge… while prominently displaying your Dirty Harry .44 Magnum on your hip. Well, it’s not going to take long for the sweet old lady on the park bench to grab her purse, whip out her cell phone and call 911. When the dispatcher hears that there’s a man with a gun in a prominent area with high pedestrian traffic, you can bet more than a few police officers will we sent to contain the situation. You’re not doing anything wrong, but you’re going to be explaining that for a while to about a dozen Law Enforcement Officers who are less than amused with your lack of discretion.

You’re no threat to public safety, but the police will respond to that phone call assuming the worst. And as long as we’re assuming the worst, KARE11 has shown up to find out why SWAT has cordoned off a very public area, and the police scanner is going wild with every unit in a 14-block radius heading straight for you. Today you’ve made no friends for the right to carry. You won’t get in legal trouble for all this, but you have ruined your afternoon, distracted police officers who probably had something better to do, and you’ve been a poor ambassador for gun rights and the second amendment.

In short, it’s just not socially acceptable in Minneapolis (or much of Minnesota) to open carry. And while the above scenario might not happen to you, it just as easily could. Depending on where you go, it’s more a matter of “when,” rather than “if” you’ll have the cops stuck on you.

Reason two: The Tactical Implications. I once talked to a Permit to Carry holder who said that he chose to open carry to get people used to seeing a gun, and demonstrate to them that a legal permit holder exercising his (or her) right to carry is nothing to be afraid of. In our conceal and carry course we aim (pun intended) to teach students how to survive lethal encounters and not how to attempt to change the culture of their state. This is why at Midwest Carry Academy we advocate for concealed carry.

Ultimately we can break it down to this: As a private citizen, guns are for defense, not deterrence. As an armed citizen, you’ve chosen to refuse to be a victim. But there’s a big difference between on-duty FBI Field Agent and armed citizen. Your role is purely a defensive one, so that is what you’re trained for. If you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, chances are your reflexes wont be as fast as an armed criminal dripping with adrenaline. If you’re open carrying, he’s going to see the gun on your hip before you even look up from the vending machine. It’s not easy to catch a professional off-guard, but in this moment, you’re not a professional—and you’re not on your guard. It’ll be too late. It’s better to let the bad guy think you’re no threat until you’re ready (or have no choice) to use your last and most lethal line of defense. You’d much rather catch him off guard in this situation—and give yourself the most options for a safe outcome!

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