If you are in a vehicle and stopped by a law enforcement officer, you should put both hands on the steering wheel, announce you are in possession of a concealed handgun and state where you have it concealed, and that you are in possession of a permit. Do not remove your hands from the wheel until instructed to do so by the officer. 

Obtaining Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) Permits

NOTE: On August 11th, 2004, the Governor signed into law that citizens with a CCW (Concealed Carry Weapons Permit) can purchase handguns through dealers, using their CCW. It is no longer necessary for these citizens, who have already been approved to carry a concealed weapon and have been fingerprinted, to come to the Sheriff's Office to obtain a Pistol Purchase Permit. 

THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF CARRYING A CONCEALED HANDGUN:

• Your permit to carry a concealed handgun must be carried along with valid identification whenever the handgun is being carried concealed about your person or vehicle.

• When approached or addressed by any officer, you must disclose the fact that you have a valid concealed handgun permit and inform the officer that you are in possession of a concealed handgun. You should not attempt to draw or display either your weapon or your permit to the officer unless and until the officer directs you to do so. Your hands are to be kept in plain view and you should not make any sudden movements.

• Upon the request of any law enforcement officer, you must display both the permit and valid identification.

• You may not, with or without a permit, carry a concealed weapon while consuming alcohol or while alcohol or any controlled substances are in your blood unless the controlled substance was obtained legally and taken in therapeutically appropriate amounts.

• You must notify the Sheriff who issued the permit of any address change within thirty days of the change of address.

• If the permit is lost or destroyed, you must notify the Sheriff who issued the permit and apply for a duplicate permit by submitting a notarized statement to that effect along with the required fee. Do not carry a handgun without it.

• Even with a permit, you may not carry a concealed handgun in the following areas:

  • Any law enforcement or correctional facility;

  • Any space occupied by state or federal employees;

  • A financial institution;

  • Any premises where the carrying of a concealed handgun is prohibited by the posting of a statement by the controller of the premises;

  • Educational property;

  • Areas of assemblies, parades, funerals, or demonstrations;

  • Places where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed;

  • State occupied property;

  • Any state or federal courthouse;

  • In any area prohibited by federal law;

  • - Any local government building if the local government has adopted an ordinance and posted signs prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons.