Concealed Weapon Permit

I have completed the basic handgun course. I was amazed at the totally normal people in the class. There were senior citizens, young people, and a very nice couple. Tomorrow I will take the course to get my concealed weapon permit. Wow, I can't believe the differences between the California and Arizona laws. In my opinion, California is nuts about all their laws. It is definitely not a gun-owner-friendly state. I had to wait 10 days to purchase a .22 handgun. Then another 10 days when my handgun needed replaced. Arizona is the exact opposite. You can walk in and purchase a gun the same day. Then, I could walk around town with a weapon as long as it is not hidden unless I have a permit. It has freaked me out a little when I see people carrying guns around. I can't even imagine all the people concealing them. Just look for the bulges in their pants or shirts. All it takes is an 8 hour course and $60 paid to the state of Arizona and you too can carry a concealed weapon. That is a bit scary!

Anyway, Mario asked me to take the course even though I don't really plan to tote around a gun (except they really do make some nice, leather concealed weapon purses...might be worth carrying it once in a while so I have an excuse for a new purse). Mario asked his boss for the day off tomorrow to watch the kids while I go to my course. He told his boss where I was going and told him I am taking the course so that I "will be legal now." He insinuated that I carry a weapon now illegally. I thought that was so ridiculous. I have never met anyone from Mario's work, but I can only imagine what they think of me.

My real intention in taking the course is so that I can learn the laws of Arizona and know when I am legally allowed to use my gun. Plus it doesn't hurt to get some practice with the experts and the more I learn about them, the more comfortable I am handling them (remember my blog about my first shooting experience...I locked myself in the truck and didn't want to get out at the range. I was so scared).

I did recently have an experience at church where I was wishing I had a gun. I walked into church and in the foyer was a man wearing a trench coat with non-church clothes underneath it. He had a fanny pack under his shirt. I almost took the kids and walked back outside. But Mario was already inside and so I went to look for him. When I found him, I asked him if he had seen the guy with the trench coat. He said he had and that the guy was really nice and helped set up chairs. I couldn't believe Mario wasn't nervous about this guy. Anyway, turns out he was homeless and was invited by a homeless woman to attend church with her. I felt bad for being so scared of him but I have always had this fear of someone walking into church and shooting up the place. I know, call me crazy! But I would feel safer knowing that some of the men (or women) at church are carrying some concealed weapons to defend us in the event that ever does happen.