Hello, Newbie here. I want to vent about some of the things being posted on this website. A little background first: 40+ years CC, certified NRA and MA instructor, Vietnam vet (volunteered infantry), hold permits in MA, FL, NH, ME and PA. I just spent about an hour looking at the various licenses issued (I found 44), and except for three, most of them contained the words firearm/pistol/ revolver or handgun. The three exceptions actually had the word weapon or weapons. In the many years I've been instructing, I've always tired to teach my classes to use "firearm" instead of gun or weapon, because I don't want them to think of their firearm as an agressive instrument. Liberals love to call firearms "guns," as if all we 2nd Ammendment folks are just waiting to shoot everyone. In other words, my mindset is to think of criminals carrying guns, not firearms, which are what honest, law-abiding citizens carry. While I'm at it; I've never heard so many comments about shooting bad guys, then on this site. If someone came into my class with that attitude, I would refuse to sign-off on their LTC. My practice (learned through many years of experience) is to never, ever get into a situation where one would have to resort to a firearm, the utterly ultimate and non-revocable resolution. I stress a complete change of lifestyle. No more road rage. Be polite and cooperative at all cost. Don't put yourself in places or positions where trouble can occur (convenience stores at 3am, neighborhoods with crime, interjecting yourself in squabbles, etc.). I've followed the forums on CarryUSA for years, and it's astounding how many folks here seem to want to put themselves and others in jeopardy! Also, before you remark on a legal subject, research it! It's not fair to new CC folks to mislead them with opinions masquerading as facts. Opinions about firearms laws are okay (most of the laws are foolish), but they should be obeyed. If you don't like them, get them changed by electing those who agree with you. This from a guy in MA, who has only one candidate voted into office in the last twenty years due to our one party system. But I'll keep trying! Okay, I blew off enough steam, now come the "slings of outrageous fortune."