Glossary of Terms

How does one migrate through the acronyms and arcane jargon?  If you are new to the topic of Conceal and Carry you just might find the lingo list a bit confusing.  To try and help we have put together a glossary of terms.  This list is not gospel or all inclusive.  You’re welcome to message us if you have ideas or would like to suggest other terms.

What are those 3-letter license/permit identity cards in those 2-letter states?

  • CCDW – Carry of Concealed Deadly Weapon License
  • CCL – Concealed Carry License
  • CCP – Concealed Carry Permit
    • AK
  • CCW – Carrying a Concealed Weapon
  • CDWL – Concealed Deadly/Defensive Weapon License
  • CFP – Concealed Firearm Permit
    • UT
  • CHL – Concealed Handgun License
  • CHP – Concealed Handgun Permit
  • CPL – Concealed Pistol License
  • CWL – Concealed Weapon License
  • CWP – Concealed Weapon Permit
    • AZ
  • LTC – License to Carry
  • LTCF – License to Carry Firearms
    • PA

 

Other lingo to be organized later:

ACP – Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) denotes various John Browning cartridge designs primarily used in Colt and Fabrique Nationale de Herstal pistols. All of these cartridges appear similar with straight sides. The .25 ACP, .32 ACP and .38 ACP are semi-rimmed and headspace on the rim, while the rimless .380 ACP and .45 ACP headspace on the mouth of the case.

BCI – Bureau of Criminal Identification

BTR – Basic Training Record (Military)

DPS – Department of Public Safety

DD214 – DD 214, is a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty issued by the United States Department of Defense, issued upon a military service member’s retirement, separation or discharge from active-duty military.

Gun Free Zones – A designated area where no law abiding citizen can legally possess a firearm.  For more information, refer to our Overview page.

May-Issue Policy – May-Issue Policies refer to jurisdictions who MAY elect to issue a concealed carry permit once an applicant meets the requirements.  Often additional conditions are imposed – such as showing a legitimate need for the permit, or requiring additional training.  Read more about May-Issue Policies on our Overview page.

No-Issue Policy – No-Issue Policies refer to jurisdictions who do not issue a concealed carry permits.  Read more about No-Issue Policies on our Overview page.

Open Carry – Open carry is shorthand for “openly carrying a firearm in public”, in contrast to concealed carry, where weapons cannot be seen by the casual observer.

Opt-Out Zones – (See Also “Gun Free Zones”)  A designated area where no law abiding citizen can legally possess a firearm.  For more information, refer to our Overview page.

Reciprocity – A bilateral agreement between two states that agree to honor each others concealed carry permits

Shall-Issue Policy – Shall-Issue Policies refer to jurisdictions that issue a concealed carry permit to ANY applicant who meets the requirements.  In these jurisdictions officials do not have the discretion to deny an applicant who meets the requirements.  Read more about May-Issue Policies on our Overview page.

Unrestricted Policy – An Unrestricted jurisdiction is one in which no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.  This sometimes called Constitutional carry.  Read more about May-Issue Policies on our Overview page.