Me love WV
Yes, I’ve enjoyed my life in West Virginia. My state income tax withholding dropped $150/month just by moving across the Potomac River. Registration, insurance and licensing for our driving privileges have all dropped substantially – by hundreds of dollars per year. My property taxes are a percentage of what you’re paying.
But here’s the frosting on the cake. I walked into a local gun shop the other day and walked out with my new Rock Island Arsenal M1911 a half hour later – the first time I’ve owned a handgun since I moved to DC (where I really needed it). Later today I’m applying for my CCL, but in the meantime, I’ll have to be content to open carry the .45 caliber semi-auto pistol.
Funny how little need there is, however, to carry a hand gun in a State where everyone carries a gun. I’m just stepping up to carry my weight.
Category: Gun Grabbing Fascists
Me likee!
West Virginia and Virginia have a reciprocity agreement, so your CCL will be honored in VA, but not in DC. I hope you enjoy your new firearm. Regards.
Congratulations, Jonn! Be careful OC’ing, though, many cops and citizens don’t know the law and you can expect to be questioned by police or asked to leave a business. I used to OC all the time in VA; the last time I got hassled by police I went straight to the gun store and bought a police trade-in shotgun. Opencarry.org has a decent forum which I occasionally post in, though I no longer carry open.
As for the concealed carry license, it is a great idea. The more paranoid among us gun owners are convinced that applying for a license is a bad thing (gun owner registrations and the like) but most of us realize that it is a CYA move, not to mention a means to legally have an “ace in the hole”. My Kentucky CDWL expired, so now I only have my VA permit. Fortunately, all the southeastern states except SC honor both of those (and probably WV too). I’ll be honest, though, I’ve gotten lay and usually keep the .357 in a paddle holster in the truck unless I go somewhere potentially dangerous. I need to order a spring for my Kel-Tec; that is great for dropping in a pocket and forgetting until you need it, but the hammer spring broke when I first moved to LA. In fact, I think I’ll order that right now…
We won’t live in any state that doesn’t allow some type of carry, either open or concealed. The laws here allow for both, but the locals are so liberal that open carry anywhere is a guaranteed visit with the local “folks in blue”; somebody always drops the “man with a gun” BS and the poor cops get scrambled from all directions… they’re pretty good about it, though. My husband wants to have some fun and go down to the local Starbucks (which is a major local lib hangout) with both of us sporting our 1911’s, but I told him I don’t want my face on the local evening news…
Now you understand why I moved from CA to NH, Jonn. Yeah, it’s a bit more of an “across the river” move, but while I initially made about $2/hr less than the job I left in CA, consider what I DIDN’T have to pay in NH:
–Sales tax
–Income tax
–About 4-5 times the house for the money (think going from $700K for a 1500 sq. ft. house on a 45X70 lot to $240K for a 2000 sq. ft. house on over an acre.) Granted the PERCENTAGE of property taxes is higher in NH, but the actual AMOUNT paid to the state ends up being far less.
–Lower energy costs–even in winters that get to -25 F. Between electric and oil I average about $175/mo. In CA my electric and gas bills averaged about double that. Gas is about 25-30 cents a gallon cheaper here.
–Car insurance for the exact same vehicle and same exact coverage was less than half the cost of CA.
–Vehicle registration is still high here, but less than CA.
–No deductions from my paycheck for unemployment or workman’s comp (CA’s was highest in the nation.)
–CCW? Show up, fill out the form, get 3 references, pay $10, pick up your CCW in a week. Good for 4 years. CA? It’s a “may issue” state–meaning good fucking luck getting one.
–Bottom line, my takehome pay was MORE in NH, right off the bat. I more than made up the dollar difference between jobs in the first year, and now make about $25K/year more than I did in CA. And when you consider how much further those dollars go here? Fughedaboutit!
Now if I can just set some landmines along I-95 and I-93 to keep the Massholes and other assorted flatlanders out.
After Obama took office, like many others, I figured he would push for gun control, so I went to a gun shop and asked how long the waiting period was. He asked me if I had a Pennsylvania driver’s license. I told him I do. That is all you need here. They also have conceal carry permits.
NHSparky said: Now if I can just set some landmines along I-95 and I-93 to keep the Massholes and other assorted flatlanders out.
We still call that type carpetbaggers here in WV. Although not quite the derogatory term it once was it still fits. We have Jay Rockefeller to point to, among others. The panhandle where Jonn lives is full of ’em. [grin]
VA accepts military service as proof of competency with a firearm, civilians must take an NRA handgun safety course (unless it’s changed); KY required me to attend a class, mostly covering laws. Both states require minimal range time as part of their courses. I wanted to get a LA permit, but from what I have found, I need a LA license. No way, I’m keeping my VA license and vehicle registration for the time being. All three are “shall-issue” states, though, and all it takes to get a permit is to complete the required course (unless waived), have a clean criminal history and submit the required application and fee to the court.
My biggest bitch when it comes to CCW is state reciprocity. Currently, it is, to put it bluntly, a goatfuck. The only state in New England that recognizes a NH CCW license is Vermont, which has NO CCW licensing requirement. Then you have to go to PA, and after that, only when you hit NC going south, or out to the Mississippi River Valley states before you find someone with reciprocity.
Arizona, OTOH, takes just about everybody. I wish the states AG’s would get off their dead asses and simply state, if you’re in a “Shall-Issue” state, your license is good in every other Shall Issue state, etc.
I know what you are saying about reciprocity; when I got my KY license in 2004 26 or so states honored it, making it one of the most useful licenses, but some other states with “shall-issue” laws did not. As I stated previously, SC seems to honor few permits, making trips down south or back home (for me), a potential PITA.
I’ll keep the above intact (did my homework before hitting submit): it seems as though a few things have changed since the last time I checked reciprocity agreements. SC now honors VA permits, while MS, AL and GA don’t. LA, on the other hand, seems to be honored by 35 or so states. Of course, the site could be wrong, but I will check the state police or other respective websites when I have time. http://apps.carryconcealed.net/legal/southcarolina-ccw-state-laws.php
Love my TN HCP (we don’t have CCW here, just a handgun carry permit; open or concealed doesn’t matter, but no knives, batons, etc.). Here are the states I try to avoid, as they prefer to deny my right to bear:
•California
•Connecticut
•Hawaii
•Illinois
•Iowa
•Maine
•Maryland
•Massachusetts
•New Jersey
•New York
•Oregon
•Rhode Island
•Washington
•Wisconsin
No surprises there.
Enjoy the Rock, John. By all accounts, they’re the best value for an entry-level 1911 out there, and very reliable.
Entry level, huh? It’s the first non-Colt 1911 I’ve owned (the forth overall) not including the Remingtons and Singers the arms room issued me.
It’s just that I’m rearming myself and since home defense is my first priority, a quarter ounce of lead flying down the hallway at 900 fps seems to be the best choice. And if I can’t kill them, or run them off with eight rounds, I don’t deserve to live.
Born and raised in Vermont. Many times I walked into a gun shop and bought a new handgun, holster and ammo, strapped it on and walked out. No “registration or permit” required.
In VERMONT? I’d never have guessed that!
Vermont doesn’t even require a license for CCW. Even the libtards can’t or won’t change that. Right now, VT, AK, and AZ are the only states which have no restrictions to obtain a CCW permit if you’re a resident of their state or in VT’s case no permit of any kind is required. However, since there is no CCW permit, there is no reciprocity with VT. AZ and AK, OTOH, accepts everybody’s, resident or (to my knowledge) non-resident permits.
I’ve found this website particularly useful, and they keep it very up to date.
http://www.handgunlaw.us/
Oh, and Jonn–I love my S&W 1911 .45. And got it at a damn good price in Kittery. They just put it in their car, took it across the border to NH, and dropped it in my happy little hands. No sales tax, no wait period (instant check). I love New Hampshire.
At least once a month I wonder if the cost of riding the train to DC from WV would be more or less then what my cost of living adjustment would be from leaving NOVA.
That and the whole ‘owning a house’ thing.
1911…..Old Tanker having fond memories 🙂 ….of getting slapped in the ribs every time I jumped off the tank…
Yeah Old Tanker fond memories, geting slapped in ribs. Catching shoulder holster on every lever ,handle ,nut and bolt. Twisting to get out of gunners seat, crawling over breach ,getting thrid of way out of loaders hatch only to get slammed back into turret. Yeah much fun, wouldn’t trade in for anything. ARMOR UP!
The only “1911” I have owned to date is full of modern day innovations, like a double stack magazine and a light double action. My Para-Ordnance Tac-Four looks and feels like a Commander sized M1911A1, though. Just with 13+1 rounds of .45ACP and a spurless hammer that won’t cock.
Oh yeah, and I ordered the hammer spring for the Kel-Tec yesterday. I thought it was $12, but it ended up being $4 including shipping. I had contacted Kel-Tec a few months ago and it is covered under warranty, but the shipping expense would cost more than the part. On another note, it appears as though I can rebuild my P-32 for well probably about $50, not counting barrel, slide assembly and frame insert. When I have the funds I might invest in the OD frame for $29.
While Minnesota is rather liberal (just look at who our senators are) we have a quite liberal carry law. You have to attend a class, which costs about $125, then apply for your permit at $100, but is good for 5 years and that is then used as your permit to purchase handguns and “assault weapons”. The carry permit let’s you either conceal or open carry, although most don’t open carry for the same reasons others have mentioned, and you can also open carry your AR with your permit. I don’t know of anyone who has done so, but it is legal.
As for what I carry…..I really like my Springfield XDM .40, with 16 in the mag and one in the pipe of 180 grain jacketed hollow point nuggets of love.
I’ve left the weapons choices alone here. It’s one of those things akin to picking a truck or a wife.
And yet I just have to say something. A .22 is perfectly fine home defense weapon. I had a friend who thought just racking the slide on a 12 gauge pump gun would do the job. When I suggested that the noise would make him a target he got it.
I suspect that some confuse house clearing with self/home defense. A shot in the eye (or balls) with a .22 will stop a home invader. There’s less concern about over-penetration as well.
Practice, practice, practice…
I do love the .45 for any and all situations (have an oddly sick affection for the Glock 21), BUT I’m not so sure it’s the primo home defense weapon.
YMMV
Personally, I prefer my Daisy Buck BB gun for home defense. I keep it in the garage to drive away unruly beer cans and the like. 🙂
I am sure most of us here have different opinions as to the optimum choice for defense. As for me, my first rule is “have a gun” (or at least a weapon). The Winchester 1200 Riot sits next to the bed, sometimes the Model 19 is under the pillow and in a pinch I can go to the trusty safe and grab whatever is up front. I can’t blame you for leaving weapons choice alone, though, ponsdorf. Gun owners are a passionate bunch and I’ve been derided on countless forums for carrying a 9mm or …gasp… a mousegun. Most .22s can put a bunch of small holes in someone fast and, unlike their centerfire relatives such as the AR-15, it is hard for even the most overzealous prosecutor to claim you were a Rambo type hoping for the opportunity to shoot someone (I am assuming you don’t have a 10/22 with one of those funky stock kits).
fm2176 in #23 noted: I am sure most of us here have different opinions as to the optimum choice for defense.
My point is sound though… the BB gun references aside. I’ve talked to folks (as I noted) who seem to have a distorted view of what ‘home defense’ entails.
You keep whatever hand cannon you like next to your bed. [grin] If I’m awakened by a home intruder I have options.
Not to be dismissive here. I think ‘mouse gun’ stirred me to respond.
I had more to say, but realized every situation is different.
Hence why I didn’t bring this up while to subject was heated.
I apologize if my statements were taken out of context. By “mouse gun” I meant the P-32 I mentioned previously. Until it went out of commission, it was my carry piece of choice. Eight rounds of .32ACP goodness, plus two or three spare magazines. The big bore and magnum aficionados loved it when I’d talk of carrying that. Granted, I have both a .45 and a .357 (and 9mm, .40, .380, etc) but when I carry nowadays I am usually lazy. Dropping the P-32 or even the P-11 in a pocket is preferable to strapping on the Para, S&W, Beretta, or other larger handgun.
I’m like you; I prefer options. Honestly, whether or not my first choice is a firearm would depend on the situation. I also have a machete and e-tool in my room along with blunt instruments and keep pepper spray in the garage (along with my tools). That said, I am most vulnerable while at work. USAREC sees fit to prohibit the carry of most weapons, even less-lethal ones, on duty. We had a Recruiter in my company get robbed last week; two assailants held him at gunpoint while they took his government laptop and cell phone along with personal items. To me, this uniform should carry a “don’t mess with me” message, but I guess that not all of us project ourselves in such a manner. Fortunately, the regulation does not prohibit us from using our personal vehicles instead of the GOVs.
Hmmm, well I’ll admit to skipping comments as soon as it went to ‘he said’ vs ‘he said’. For THAT I will also apologize. And that I assumed the ‘mouse gun’ referred to my mentioning the .22.
Aside, when the comments here start piling up quickly I tend to skim them. This particular case is of interest so I decided to weigh in after the dust had settled some, and I did focus on the home defense element.
Your cited case is of some note, and a can of worms I should leave untouched.
Well, there was a guy in my class that was kinda dismissive of .22s, he referred to them as “girl guns”. The instructor said “would you like to be shot by one of them “girl guns”? That ended the reference to “girl guns”. A .22 loaded with CCI Stingers will take care of business. Point is this: Whatever works for you and you have good control of is what you need. It doesn’t matter if it’s a .22 or .50 Desert Eagle, if you are comfortable firing it and have good control, then it’s going to do the job. Train often, because there’s no replacement for competence. I try to get out at least once a month, twice a month if I can.
Old Trooper said:Train often, because there’s no replacement for competence. I try to get out at least once a month, twice a month if I can.
There it is! If you don’t hit what you aim at any hand cannon will do.
Get shot in the eye with a .22 (just maybe suppressed) and keep coming?
We are talking zombies… all bets are off.
How hard is it to OWN a suppressor?
My Glock won’t take one, that I know of, but, I’d like to get a .22 and a nice .9 (sub-sonics) to have suppressed; maybe an H&K as well. I prefer suppressed, even tho it usually requires sub-sonic rounds to be really effective.
When homes are invaded, why tell the bad guy’s partner you just killed his bud? Let him come try to find him…
Wolf
That’s why I like a nice, slow, big .45 round. 9 mm is a lot faster, but a lot more likely to go through without imparting a whole lot of energy to the target. Hit someone center of mass with 200 grains of .45 P+, (muzzle energy of 520 ft-lbs) and they STAY down. About the only way you’re going to get that kind of energy out of a 9mm is by using a 115 grain jacketed hollow point which kicks up the muzzle velocity to 1400fps.
Love 1911’s but the one I owned was a malfunction queen, so I traded it for a Sig 220. Still a .45 and uber reliable.
The next “gun purchase” will be the .22 conversion kit so it’s cheaper to practice with.
Georgia is pretty good about reciprocity, but some states won’t recognize a GA weapon license because of the lack of a training requirement… and if you don’t honor ours, we don’t honor yours….so THERE! Nyahhh.
Mr. Wolf asked: “How hard is it to OWN a suppressor?”
It depends on what state you live in. Many states allow you to own suppressors, many don’t. I live in a state where you can’t.
That’s nice to know, I was born in WVa, still have a lot of kin folk there. I think that CCL’s should have US wide reciprocity agreement.