CCW permit "hopefuls"

[Oldtimer]

There seems to be a "trend" of sorts within the ranks of current CCW permitees and those who are "hopeful" of getting a CCW permit. I've seen numerous posts regarding "advanced" training and "liability" aspects. I've also seen numerous "hopefuls" that don't qualify for CCW permits, due to where they live.

Before I go any further, I need to explain that I was a full-time LEO for 31 years, and have been retired for almost 4 years. I can count the number of times that I had contact with LEGAL CCW permittees on one hand....since I worked for the "anti-gun/anti-CCW" LAPD!

I am NOT anti-gun, nor am I anti-CCW....and never have been! However, due to the political clime in SoCal, I was somewhat of a "rebel", for I often spoke of "Pro-gun" topics at community meetings.
I also held numerous one-on-one discussions with CCW permit "hopefuls", begrudgingly having to tell them the "facts of life". If they didn't have a rock-solid reason for a CCW permit, of if they weren't "somebody" (as in a "celebrity"), they could forget about being approved for a CCW permit.

I realize that it's totally different in the "shall issue" states. Unfortunately, I don't believe that California will EVER become a "shall issue" state.

So, in being a Pro-CCW for citizens type of person, I steered countless "hopefuls" toward becoming reserve LEO's. Upon completion of the reserve LEO training, they would (A) have their CCW permit, but in the way of a reserve LEO I.D. card, (B) receive invaluable training in firearms, law, general police work, tactical training, etc., (C) be ISSUED a firearm, uniform, badge, I.D. card, and (D) be performing a service to their community on a part-time basis. I guess that I should throw in (E) they'd work with full-time officers, and maybe find out that the MAJORITY of todays LEO's are honest, hard-working and dedicated to "protecting and serving" the public, and (F) there ARE certain benefits available, such as "police prices" on firearm-related goods.

If a "mere" CCW permitee is involved in a shooting, how do you identify yourself as a "good guy" when the police arrive and see YOU holding a gun? As a reserve LEO, you wouldn't be stretching the truth by yelling "Police Officer"....AND you would have your reserve police badge and I.D. card to verify that fact!

As a reserve LEO, you would be able to receive "advanced" training right along with the full-time officers. There have been COUNTLESS advances in firearms training through the years, so by being a reserve officer, you would benefit from those continual "advanced" training sessions.

Lastly, I have worked with hundreds of reserve police officers over the years. They came from all walks of life. The majority of them wanted to do "something" for their community. Many of them, after having been reserves for awhile, decided to make it a full-time career. One of the reserves that I worked with back in the 1970's eventually went full-time, and is getting ready to retire as a Captain! He told me that he "owed" me a lot for having talked him into at least thinking about becoming a full-time officer.

Think about what I have said, and what you want out of life. If it's just to have a CCW permit for personal reasons, that's fine. On the other hand, do some more thinking about doing a service for your community while having the honor of being a reserve LEO!

 

[MDG1976]

On the other hand, do some more thinking about doing a service for your community while having the honor of being a reserve LEO!

Are you serious? So myself, who works 45 hours a week and goes to grad school should become a reserve LEO instead of getting a CCW? What about a senoir citizen, or a female?

If a "mere" CCW permitee is involved in a shooting, how do you identify yourself as a "good guy" when the police arrive and see YOU holding a gun?

What difference would it make if I were a reserve LEO? I'm still in plain clothes. There have been several high profile cases lately were off duty cops were shot by other policeman.

the MAJORITY of todays LEO's are honest, hard-working and dedicated to "protecting and serving" the public

This is very true, but what do I do in the 5 minutes it takes them to respond to my 911 call?

Think about what I have said, and what you want out of life. If it's just to have a CCW permit for personal reasons, that's fine.

Yes, it is.

 

[fjolnirsson]

Good post.
I used to live in CA, and actually got my level 2 POST cert before I went on to attend a full academy. It's good training, and doesn't really take that long. Seems like it was less than 6 months, 4 hours two nights a week, and some weekends stuff. I got dropped from the full academy with less than 80 hours left to complete. Missed the physical agility requirement by .4 seconds, after I got injured in training. :banghead:
I did see a lot of corruption in the system, and a lot of "anti-citizen" behavior. I also met some fabulous peace officers, and soon to be peace officers. There's good and bad in every group.
I would second what you say, even for people with no interest in becoming LEO, and even people who don't really care for police. If nothing else, it gives you an opportunity to learn the laws, learn how they are applied in the field, and learn what the local cops are being taught. Reserve LEO's recieve the same instructional materials, they just get less training about them.
That said, it's not for everyone. Myself, I'd rather spend the extra time with my daughter. At this point, I'm really glad, for a lot of reasons, that I didn't make it in the academy.

 

[TallPine]

Well, I actually considered applying to be a reserve deputy, but 3 things stopped me:

1) I figured at my age that I couldn't meet the physical requirements

2) I didn't want to have any part of War on Drugs activities

3) The general corruption, good old boy nepotism, and backstabbing of most of the county where I physically reside.

I ended up on the local wildland VFD instead, which is technically part of the county emergency services, but they really don't care about us and generally wish that we would all just pay our taxes and go away.

Sometimes I wonder if one can be a reserve deputy for a county in which you do not technically reside...? (we are two miles from the county line) The 2 full time guys in the county to the west seem friendly, reasonable, and professional. I've worked with them quite a bit since they are fire chiefs as well as LEOs and we do mutual aid between the two counties (sometimes we have fires straddling the county line anyway).

Otherwise, in MT the only place you need a permit to carry concealed is inside city limits.

 

[Pilgrim]

Are you serious? So myself, who works 45 hours a week and goes to grad school should become a reserve LEO instead of getting a CCW? What about a senoir citizen, or a female?

I started my law enforcement career as a Level II reserve while still a serving naval officer and naval aviator. During the Level II academy I had to leave town for a week and investigate an aircraft mishap. I still was able to make up the work and complete the academy.

I'm not saying that it is easy to hold down a full time job, have a family, and become a reserve peace officer, but it can be done.

There are a number of women who become reserve peace officers.

For many, appointment as a reserve peace officer is a stepping stone to employment as a regular full time peace officer. It was for me.

I am sure that a senior citizen volunteer serving in a police department or sheriff's office would find that his application for a CCW would be looked upon favorably.

I'm not saying that this is right, but in view of California's hostility towards CCW it is probably the best way to get a CCW in the urban areas of CA. The other option is to live in a more rural county, like Kern or Kings, where the chief law enforcement officials are more CCW friendly.

Pilgrim

 

[fjolnirsson]

2) I didn't want to have any part of War on Drugs activities

Yep. That's one of my reasons...

 

[Tom Servo]

If a "mere" CCW permitee is involved in a shooting, how do you identify yourself as a "good guy" when the police arrive and see YOU holding a gun?

Actually, I'd reholster as soon as the threat abates. I don't plan on waving a gun around when police respond to a "shots fired" call. Call it self-preservation.

As a reserve LEO, you wouldn't be stretching the truth by yelling "Police Officer"....AND you would have your reserve police badge and I.D. card to verify that fact!

No offense, but if you follow this logic through, it implies that the badge would elevate me above the plebian hordes and give me the veneer of authority not usually attributed to citizens. No thanks. We're talking statism here. I don't think that's what you meant, but it could be construed that way, and then we're back to the "only our trained and appointed government officials get the privelege of bearing arms" mentality.

I shouldn't have to be a government official, reserve or not, to qualify for the rights enumerated under the Constitution.

 

[Old Dog]

I would prefer that concealed carry permits and the idea of working as a reserve in law enforcement not be tied together; these are two entirely separate issues. No one should consider becoming a reserve officer or deputy because it gives them the opportunity to legally CCW and elevates them above a "mere CCW permittee."

I think being a reserve cop is a good thing (I've done it), but someone should do this for the right reasons, without even the consideration that it might allow them legal CCW in non-shall-issue states.

 

[MDG1976]

I shouldn't have to be a government official, reserve or not, to qualify for the rights enumerated under the Constitution.

Well said.

 

[Tomcat1066]

For some of us, being a reserve LEO isn't an option. I'm a cops-kid. I was raised around the local PD, and would love to serve in a reserve capacity (I promised my Dad I wouldn't become a cop. Since I make more than he does, I think it's for the best ). However, my local PD doesn't HAVE reserve officers, at least not that I know of. I'd be happy to do it, but not for the CCW purposes. I'd be happy to help out the department that severly needs the help!

Tom

 

[Bobo]

Good post!

Sounds like a good "work around" if available.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I would prefer that concealed carry permits and the idea of working as a reserve in law enforcement not be tied together; these are two entirely separate issues.

I concur. I'm whole-heartedly in favor of reserve officer programs and CCW, but linking them establishes an aristocratic class with more privileges than commoners. That's the English way, not the American.

 

[AirForceShooter]

ahhh:
so yo get my gun I have to enlist.
That's crap.
Sorry

AFS