Dreamer,
Sorry, but what is the crime?
I always thought that CCW stood for Concealed Carry Weapon. I have never heard anybody use it to describe a crime.
In many state statutes, and criminal codes, CCW Stands for "Carrying a Concealed Weapon", and is a crime if you don't have a permit or license do do so.
Using "CCW" to describe your carry firearm makes no sense unless you live in TX, SC, FL, OK, IL, NY or AR, where OC is illegal and the only way you CAN carry in public is concealed. (but even in most of these states, you can still OC on your own property legally...)
In CO, where you reside, the card is called a "Concealed Handgun Permit" (CHP). CO is OC-friendly (with a few local restrictions and prohibitions). So I'm assuming that you probably DO occasionally OC the same firearm you CC, which means it's not a CCW. It's a handgun that you sometimes OC and sometimes CC...
I agree with you that it irritates me when people refer to their permit/license as a “CCW”, however different states do call it different by different names, for instance, here in Colorado it is called a “Concealed Weapons Permit” while Florida calls it a “Concealed Weapon or Firearm License”. So, I do refer to my permit as a CWP while I refer to my concealed weapon as a CCW.
So is the firearm you use for CC never used for OC? Is it illegal or functionally impossible for you to carry it OC? If not, then it is NOT a "Concealed Carry Weapon", because you can also carry it openly. Mode of carry DOES NOT define, effect, or regulate the firearm's functionality. ALL guns are potentially a "concealed carry weapon" if you wear the right clothing and have the right holster. ALL firearms are also "Open Carry Weapons" if you have the right rig, and it's legal where you are carrying.
To say that a specific firearm is a "concealed carry weapon" just because you have a permit, and sometimes CC with it is like calling your car a "grocery acquisition vehicle" because you occasionally drive it the store to buy eggs and lunchmeat...
NOWHERE that I know of is there a state statute that defines or regulated something as a "concealed carry weapon" other than to prohibit CCing without a permit, or to delineate what objects constitute "weapons" (knives, blackjacks, batons, handguns, etc) within the scope of a permit or the criminal charge of "CCW".
If you are wealthy enough to have a firearm that you ONLY use for CC, then good on you. Some of us can't afford a whole herd of single-purpose firearms, and use the few we have for many activities and in both modes of carry. I carry my Para S-14.45 OC or CC as clothing, weather, and social situation dictates. I use it for self-defense, recreational shooting, and competition. It is not an "OC gun" or a "CC gun". It is just my main tool for self-defense, and I carry it however I see fit in a particular situation.
As far as I know, no state statute exists saying that if you buy a particular gun, you MUST only use it for CC, nor does any manufacturer recommend such limited use. Therefore there is no such thing as a CCW in your usage.
Permitted/licensed Carrying of a Concealed firearm/handgun/pistol is OK, according to state statutes (local laws may vary).
CCW is a crime, because it it is specifically codified in many state statutes and criminal codes.
Please stop using this term. It is inaccurate, it is a FUD-tool of the anti's, and it makes us look like jargonistic wankers who don't know the real meanings of the words and acronyms we toss around. We don't use "assault rifle" to describe AR-15s or semi-auto AK's or semi-auto FN FALs. We don't use the term "hi-capacity" to describe handguns like Paras or Glocks (if they are DESIGNED to hold 14 or 18 rounds, then that IS their capacity.)
Words have meaning folks, and the "other side" knows this well, and they USE this concept to mold public opinion, twist facts, and brainwash the masses against our causes of Freedom and Individual Responsibility. It's about time we "cowboy up" and start writing and speaking like we have at the very least, a rudimentary grasp of the English Language. Its about time we start using words in our FAVOR, not merely in our defense. If we are to be proactive in this fight, we need to use language in a meaningful, influential, and thoughtful way. And one place to start is to STOP using the legal terminology for a CRIME to describe a legal activity.
PLEASE, stop using "CCW" to describe your permits and/or your preferred CC firearm...
I actually heard Tom Gresham use the term "CCW" for a permit on his GunTalk podcast from a few weeks ago. I was shocked, because he is usually VERY precise in his use of language and legal terminology. He'll be getting a phone call this Sunday...
PLEASE stop using this term. I beg you...