Thinking about getting a carry gun for protection while fishing and camping out in the boonies. To do things right, I am thinking of getting a concealed weapons permit (I live in King Co.). I'm wondering if this just makes me more prone to getting checked by the police for traffic violations and the like. I am as clean as a whistle, but don't want to create problems where there are none. And, is it a waste of time to register in King Co., when I will most likely be carrying on the east side or in other states where I do most of my fishing?
Pros, cons?

Thanks folks!

Eddy

If you have a CCP,why would that make you more prone to be checked by the police?

Unless you give the police a reason to think your shady,they won't hassle you about it.

If you are stopped are you gonna tell the officer you're packing heat? I think they'll go easier on you if you tell them straight up you have a license to carry a gun and you have one with you,than if you don't tell them and they find it.

As long as you know the laws,and what your rights are you'll be fine.

im registered in pierce county and haven't ran into any problems because of it. i kinda worried about that myself at first but i think it was just in my head (the idea of telling the local gov that i am packing). its valid for the entire state so you have nothnig to worry about when you go to eastern WA.
here is a link for you concerning carry laws in WA...it also lists the states that honor the Washington permit in case you travel out of state:

http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/washington

HBP, you are not required to volunteer the info that you are packing in a traffic stop or other encounter. you do have to show your permit if asked by law enforcement, however. its just a personal decision, not a legal requirement, and i can't see how they could hold that against you since you are complying with the law.

Thanks HBP and Metalhead - just the info I was looking for. As for catching grief from officers, HBP, I have to admit that it wasn't the carrying I was worried about, but the driving.
This is stupid, but I was imagining driving home from a Mariner's game after two or three beers (still legally sober), and getting stopped for speeding. Would their records indicate I had a permit, and if so, would that give them cause to check me a little closer regarding a breathalizer? Meaning, they have more reasons to ask questions and work me a bit... I know - a stupid scenario that can be avoided simply by not drinking and driving, PERIOD.

The more I think about it, the better that sounds. I'm sure I'm guilty of pushing the boundaries a time or two. Again, thanks for the input.

Eddy

p.s. Idaho and montana have reciprocal arrangements - the two states I travel to most.

MM,
I know it's not a requirement to let them know you are carrying a gun. How do you think it's gonna look if you reach for your registration,your jacket opens and they see you have a gun on yor side. You haven't told them about it,you think the officer is gonna appreciate that. I understand it's up to you,whether you tell them or not,I just think it's easier to let them know up front.

Back eddy,
I know it's just a what if,but why would you try to take a gun into an M's game. Having a couple brews isn't a real good idea either. If the time comes you have to shoot somebody,do you want to have to make that desicion without being completlely sober? You'll just be adding fuel to the prosecuter's fire.

I'm not a gun control freak either. It's just that carrying a gun is a BIG responsibilty.

Whoops! Sorry HBP, I gave you the wrong idea. I wasn't suggesting I would take the gun to the M's game - I was merely implying that if I got stopped for speeding and the officer asked if I'd been drinking, the reply would be yes. If he knows I have a CCP, it gives him one one thing to keep asking me about, trying to trip me up, that's all. Again, a stupid scenario totally avoidable if I don't drink and drive.

Eddy

BE,
I don't mean to sound like I'm preaching,but carrying a gun is one of the times you really need to CYA (cover your ass).

Preach away, HBP. You're preaching to the choir here!

I would highly suggest some training, not just shooting, but also the ethics and laws pertaining to packing heat. Better to know than to guess. Check out your local shooting ranges for classes.

I've been doing it for 16 years and have never had an issue. If you are prone to anger or very emotional, don't carry. If you are level headed and easygoing, still think about it.

Learn your weapon, know how to shoot it, and know how to clean it. Invest in a good holster.

In addition to receiving training with respect to shooting and safety, I would highly recommend you visit a website (and read the book), "The Judicial use of Deadly Force". It is a must read for anyone that carries a gun, because let's be honest, we carry in the event that someday we will have to take another human life contrary to our desires, in order to protect ourself or loved ones. The website and book will detail how amazingly small the window of legality allows for use of deadly force with a gun. I had many misconceptions about when it was and was not okay to use deadly force. Basically, if a guy pulls a knife on you, and is ten feet away from you, and is screaming at the top of his lungs that he is going to kill you and your whole family, you cannot shoot him, legally. Now, if and when he begins charging across the room, then and only then can you fire. I know most of us would probably draw, but not shoot anyway until the perp was charging us. But, I know people that think it would be okay to shoot the guy, with a knife, standing across the room threatening them. These same people think it's okay to smoke someone on their way out the family room window with their new DVD player and wife's diamond necklace. No can do. Never shoot a fleeing felon unless you have damn good reason to believe (based on very recent behavior) that they will harm someone in the immediate future. I carry, but I must admit, it is a little scary to know you are choosing to keep within your power the ability to kill someone with the simple twitch of your index finger. You'd better have good self-control. I know of a few guys that don't, but it is their legal right, and they carry anyway. I know that 10 years ago, I was not ready to carry. I was too hot tempered and bothered by the jerks who cut me off in traffic or gave me the bird. Now, I could care less and I go out of my way, even when carrying to avoid confrontation at all costs. So, as one responder put it earlier, if you like to fight, don't carry. It is a last ditch tool for self-defense. Also, I highly recommend looking through the Cabela's catalog at the many fine pistol safes they have available. Mine is a locked box that is controlled by a pattern typed into a keypad with an alarm and tamper sensors. It can hold two pistols and ammo and is safe if you have children or someone is trying to tamper with your guns. It is also portable and can be taken with you wherever you travel. It cost me approximately $150. It was a great investment and I wouldn't consider another way given I have a curious 2 year old. If you feel the need, carry. It is your right by the US constitution. Good luck and be careful.

Wow, thank you all for your thoughtful replies. Brassonbrass, I really appreciate your reply. Very thoughtful and thought-provoking.

I am far from a hot-head and (I like to think) very level-headed. I also believe in things like Karma and drawing energy (good or bad) towards you. Will carrying draw undesirable energy (in the form of people) towards me? I don't know. I just know that there are times camping out or hiking where I think to myself it's sort of stupid not to be protected. When it's me and my buddies, no big deal. If by myself or with a girlfriend, it's a different story. Especially with a girlfriend - I feel it is my OBLIGATION to protect. So, I am leaning towards carrying. I will read the book you suggest.

Perhaps this is another thread, but any suggestions on a good carry gun? I am leaning towards a revolver for durability and carefree operation, in either a .38 or .357. I weigh 180 pounds and am well built, but I wonder if a small frame .357 would be too much? I need to get over to Wade's and do some snoopin'. Maybe this weekend...

Thanks again,

Back Eddy

With hot loads a small frame .357 will be a handfull. I like the .357,but maybe a med frame? I also like the 125gr. hollowpoint loads from the various manufactures.

I have an old .38 Special that I like. A little cleaning now and then would help, but virtually no maintenance. It was my grandfathers, given to him with the purchase of a new Dodge PowerWagon in 1974 or so. Can you believe it? They gave away handguns to anyone who purchased a new truck! Came with a great leather holster and cowboy hat, too! Man, a redneck dream come true.

In all of the training I have taken, about 90 hours, 21 feet was the point of no return for an armed person with a knife. If he is at all moving towards you within this radius, he will most likely stick you before you reduce the threat to zero.

Better check out the website MOJO posted, I don't think you can even have 1 beer & pack a gun. Also if packing in your car the gun has to be on your person. Just cuz you have a permit doesn't mean you can have a gun say under the seat or in the glovebox. But better to get the permit than not to. I like the Ted Nugent saying when you ask him if he has a permit & he sez "Yeah, the 2nd Amendment"

Am with Matt on this one

Matt-

Matt- I can understand your choice not to carry and can even sympathize with your concept that some people that carry are insecure and/or maybe even weak, small weiner-dogs. However, I know this does not apply to all carriers. Many are normal, calm, level headed family men/women, ex military or police, business men, amatuer boxer, school teacher, nurse, doctor, and manual laborer. Some view the world as a terrible, scary place with danger lurking at every dark street corner. Others view the world as a relatively calm, peaceful place to live with little or no threat of having to ever use their weapon in self-defense (me). Most of the guys I know that carry are not looking for someone to blow away because they cut them off in traffic, or because someone glared at them, or even punched them. They are not madmen running around looking for an opportunity to "kill" the metaphorical bully that beat them up and took their lunch money in 6th grade. They carry for two reasons. First, they choose to exercise their given right to carry a firearm as stated by the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution (if you belive in the Constitution, then you must concede that this is a right). Second, because they are realistic and pragmatic and know that having to use their weapon for self preservation is a possibility in our world (albeit a small probability). There is no doubt that there are nuts running around with conceled weapons permits. Are we all nuts? No. Are most of us nuts? No. What are we protecting ourselves from? Violent criminals, bears, cougars?? People that might hurt our loved ones? Maybe. All I know is that nobody, ever, will hurt my family or use deadly force against me, or subject me to a violent crime, without me using my full power to stop their behavior. If I can accomplish that with a stern glare, a kick to the nuts, or a right cross, fine? If not, they will have to either kill me or die trying. I belive it is a citizen's moral obligation to stand up against violence, for oneself, family members, or even strangers. If all citizens carried, ALL the time, habitually, then violent criminals would surely experience much difficult in preying upon the weak, innocent, or common man. I guarantee you would see rape and assault stats decrease radically. Yeah, you're right, I can go through my life and I will probably never have to use my weapon against a violent criminal. But, I am not going to become a crime statistic without doing everything in my power to prevent that. No woman ever expected to be raped. No man ever expected to be mugged or stabbed. I never expected to be assaulted with a club (true story) and I never expected it when the guy in the car next to me pointed a gun out the window at me FOR NO REASON other than to watch me hit the breaks and almost crash. Lucky for him and me he kept going while I stopped. Otherwise, there would have been a gunfight. People have different experiences that shape our perception of the world. To be honest, I haven't had a problem in over 10 years and probably never will again. I must of just had a couple of highly unusual experiences. But they're all unusual. I'm not taking any chances. So, I'll go about my life, being kind to all people, using my head, enjoying my life, living in peace and relaxed almost never even noticing the bulge in my shirt that has become as common as the feel of my wallet in my back pocket. I will play with kids, fish for steelhead, eat ice cream, exercise, go on vacation, and do everything any normal citizen does. And if I have to face that nightmare where killing someone is required for protection, then I will deal with that situation the best I can, and continue living a productive life. I doubt I've convinced you of the need to carry. In fact, I shouldn't have any influence over your opinions. However, maybe I have helped you see the "mentality" behind why people carry guns. I hope I didn't sound like I was ranting. If I did, I apologize in advance. Good luck to you. Brass