What would happen if...

[UrbanTactics]

Say for some reason I was carrying my XD concealed without a permit, and had to use it. Would that automatically void the shoot to the point I could get charged with a murder even if justified in shooting and not just charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit which is a misdemeanor first offense? The thing of it is, in GA, due to the silly war on people who choose to use drugs, I can never get a GHL to carry a concealed weapon. I have a misdemeanor marijuauna charge from when I was 17, and that disqualifies me. The reason I ask this, is because I am pretty much convinced that if properly concealed the chances of getting caught are very slim. The only time I could see it being a problem is if I had to use my weapon, and in a life or death situation I am more concerned with me and my family walking away than me having to deal with the legality of the event. Im sure most would not advise that I do this, but put yourself in my position. Would you rather go unarmed due to a small mistake you made as a teenager, and end up paying for it with your life, or would you rather save the lives of you and yours if threatened, and have to pay for it with a legal headache?

[BBunin]

Have your Juvenile record sealed.
That should take care of it.

[MtnCamper]

Originally Posted by UrbanTactics

if I had to use my weapon, and in a life or death situation I am more concerned with me and my family walking away than me having to deal with the legality of the event.

If it ever came to where you really needed it, for life or death, does the ticket really matter?

[crazyelece]

"I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6"

That being said If I were you I'd contact a good lawyer, there may be ways to get a license legally.

[bigun]

That depends on weather you were smart enough to quit using illegal substances or not. Quite frankly if you are carying while under the influence of alcohol or drugs I dont care if the president himself gave you a permit you get a free ride in the squad car. If it was just experimentation with pot I dont see why you couldnt get your record sealed. As long as you werent charged as a adult that is. If you are caught carying illegaly you are in for trouble. Just my .02

[KyXD40]

You did not mention how old you are at the moment....and that could play into your cause....

If you have sufficient mileage under your belt since your encounter with the law at 17, you have a track record to support looking into getting the charge and any ajudication EXPUNGED, which in most cases is preferable to having something SEALED. In many places a conviction at age 17 can be an adult record which would be somewhat more problematic unless you have several years of good living after the fact.

Hire a good lawyer and see if he can work on your behalf to get the record changed in your benefit.

***Stepping on soapbox** This being said.....I am a hard nose when it comes to folks that "just want to do what suits them regardless of laws, etc".....I don't care how wonderful a person can be, if they do not qualify for a CCW/CHL then they should not be carrying...PERIOD.

To do so, and then to be subsequently involved in a shooting (NO MATTER HOW JUSTIFIED) is to lend ammunition to the anti-gun crowds and can affect legitimately licensed CCW/CHL holders long after you are gone. The folks in each state with carry laws worked tirelessly to gain the right for each of us to carry legally, and I do not condone a person who does not have a CCW, or cannot attain a CCW due to their past, "justifying" their own decision to carry illegally.

**stepping off soapbox** Do it the right way dude.....try to get the record expunged and then start over with the process. If not, then perhaps if you want to carry badly enough you could look into moving to a state with more liberal interpretations of the law and personal past history. Kentucky sets a time limit from date of last conviction for example.

[UrbanTactics]

Im sure I was charged as an adult. In alot of states it seems they like to give 17 year olds the same punishments adults get with none of the privileges (not in anyway am I saying 17 year olds should have the same rights as adults, but if they are too immature to have the same rights then why give the same punishments?).

Im 25 now, so there may be someway around it but really I would hate to pay a lawyer. I dont use alcohol at all, and occasionally marijuana if its around, but I wont deal with drug dealers and cops to get it. Its too much of a risk.

I understand the point about the anti-gun crowd, but Im part of the pro-life crowd. That means I dont want to die anytime soon. So its kind of a moot point to die so someone else can a carry gun. Sorry if that sounds harsh. Its just the reality of the situation. The last thing I would want to be thinking in a life/death situation is "Gee, If I defend myself abunch of soccer moms might protest." .

I guess I will just have to get a good holster and only open carry inside my car while being very careful if I feel like I should carry concealed when
I go somewhere where a possibility of an incendent is heightened. But I hate to say that because anything can happen anywhere.

[tx4x491]

I dont use alcohol at all, and occasionally marijuana if its around,

What happens if you just happen to "have some marijuana around" when you get pulled over and an LEO searches you're vehicle while you're carrying without a permit?

The courts are gonna have a field day with you....

[DNM]

If you want my opinion, which is going to be given anyway, I don't think age should play a factor. What I mean by that is that you could be 22, like myself, and carry legally and be at a different maturity level then someone 25? If this post comes across as harsh I apologize ahead of time but some things rubbed me the wrong way about your last post. Your last 2 paragraphs were just like sandpaper for me. The pro-life paragraph about the soccer moms and whatnot... gah. If only it were that easy. I know you didn't literally mean that demographic but I gather you misunderstand the true liability of carrying a firearm. As tx said, what if your lifestyle creates an incident. Either with the cops or other "occasional" smokers? The "pro-life" comment(s), no one wants to die soon or young but does that mean you should carry? Legally carrying is a burden let alone illegally carrying, occasionally smoking, and having previous convictions barring you from being able to obtain a permit. Another point... I understand **** can happen at anytime and we all want to be able to protect ourselves, loved ones, etc. but how is having a misdemeanor firearm possesion charge going to help you on your path to carrying legally? From what I gathered from the first post you made to start this topic... that was the POINT, right? You say you don't want to contact/pay for a lawyer... but what is a few dollars when it comes to serious legal issues/imprisonment. I'm going to +1 the people who suggested contacting a lawyer. Who knows... all of this could be a quick fix.

I know this may come across as spiteful towards those who don't have a permit and carry illegally but my biggest point is that you started this post to find out if you can legally carry. You are given some ideas, mainly contact a good lawyer, and you just seem to brush it off because you feel that paying for help isn't worth it. Which makes me think that maybe you shouldn't be carrying. Sorry to say it but that's how I feel.

[DeerForce1]

"I dont use alcohol at all, and occasionally marijuana if its around, but I wont deal with drug dealers and cops to get it. Its too much of a risk."

If you get caught with a firearm while in the possesion of ANY illegal drug it won't matter if you have a CHP or not. You will most likely be going away for a long time. Do the rest of us a favor & don't carry until you decide that pot is to big of a risk just because it is illegal.


"I guess I will just have to get a good holster and only open carry inside my car while being very careful if I feel like I should carry concealed when I go somewhere where a possibility of an incendent is heightened."


I try to avoid going any place that i feel there is a significantly higher risk of trouble. It's easier to avoid these places than it is to try to explain the the police why you were there in the first place especially if you are packing illegally. Also check to be sure you can legally open carry with a misdemenor drug conviction.


Now just to prove that i'm not just being hard on you & i'm willing to provide information that may be helpful go to the following link. http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?F...riminal+record It has links to alot of information about sealing records & expungments. Most convictions have a time frame that must be met before the process can begin. One of the links has a form you can fill out & it will tell you if you meet the qualifications to have you record expunged.

You can also go talk to the General Attorney in the county or city where the conviction took place & talk to him directly. This is who you will eventually see about it anyways.

Hope this helps but above all be sure your legal when you pack or be prepared for trouble that will come...................................DF1