Licensed to Carry
Posted
I first decided that I wanted to start concealed carrying back in the Autumn of 2024. My mental health has been making drastic improvements, I've been getting out a lot more, I've been taking on more responsibilities, and I'm hoping to start going into the world on my own. In other words: I'm finally living my life. And I want to be able to protect that life if anyone dares to attempt to take it away from me. I know I'm responsible enough with firearms to carry, so I knew it was time to become a concealed carrier.
I reached out to my local Socialist Rifle Association chapter to see if they had any resources. As a trans person, I wanted to have a concealed carry class that would be free from any transphobia or hateful rhetoric so that I would be able concentrate on the class instead of having my guard up. The things covered in these classes are important to thoroughly understand and I didn't want to have any unneeded anxiety or stress to distract me. To my surprise they actually had a trainer who offered a class. I gladly took the opportunity even though it was on the other side of the state. The first half of the class was through a virtual meeting and was full of very useful information. I took four full pages of notes, and will have even more once I go over the screenshots I took. Nearly everyone there was queer too, which was great. It was amazing to be around people like me in an otherwise very conservative dominated activity. The range day was great. I was nervous about it because it had been a decade since I last shot a gun but that anxiety was immediately quelled as soon as I fired the first round. Apparently shooting a gun is like riding a bicycle. However, I had never shot in a defensive manner; I always just plinked or did target practice, so the class was important for that. I feel like I now know what and how to practice in the future with my own handgun. At the end of the class I received my certificate of completion and proudly headed home. I'm very thankful for the SRA and the instructors who trained me.
After that, it was time to deal with all the bureaucratic BS. We went to the county courthouse to see the county clerk where I filled out my application, signed it under oath, and paid 100 dollars, which is a lot of money to spend in order to access a constitutionally protected right. In fact, I've had stop some of my gender affirming care in order to pay for all of this. Next we went to the county Sheriff's office where we had appointments to get our fingerprints done. While I was waiting for my turn some guy came in, thinking he had booked the same fingerprinting appointment time as me. But of course this man was incorrect: he booked an appointment for a license to purchase a firearm. This entitled, ego-driven man obviously argued with and yelled at the receptionist before he was convinced to make a new appointment, and then stormed off. I think it was a good reminder of why people like me should be carrying. If there's assholes like that out there carrying, then there should sure as hell be good people like me carrying.
Then, after waiting 30 excruciatingly long days, I got my license in the mail. Next step: buy a handgun and the gear to carry it. I'm very excited to be starting this new aspect of my life, and I'm proud of everything I'm doing in order to achieve it. I don't take this responsibility lightly and I hope to never have to use my firearm.
