MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

If you stop a driver with a loaded pistol and they lack a valid CPL, what charge applies?

1. Assault

2. CCW (Carrying a Concealed Weapon)

3. Illegal possession of a firearm

4. Public intoxication

The correct answer is: CCW (Carrying a Concealed Weapon)

The appropriate charge in this scenario is Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW). In many jurisdictions, a person is required to hold a valid Concealed Pistol License (CPL) to legally carry a concealed firearm. When a driver is found carrying a loaded pistol without a valid CPL, it directly violates the laws governing the carrying of concealed weapons. This specific situation involves the unlawful act of carrying a concealed firearm without the necessary permit, which is distinctly classified under CCW. It is important to emphasize that the violation stems from the failure to obtain the proper licensing required by law for carrying a concealed weapon. The absence of this license is what classifies the act as CCW, leading to the corresponding legal implications. In contrast, while other charges such as assault or illegal possession of a firearm could arise in different contexts, they do not specifically address the violation of the concealed carry laws as directly as the CCW charge does. Public intoxication is also unrelated to the act of carrying a firearm and is a separate offense. Thus, CCW is the most applicable charge in this scenario.