TexasCHLforum.com

If you have not read this book, go get it and read it.

Here is the first part of it.

http://www.enotalone.com/article/4555.html

Braden was there, lets look at his words:

"Just to clarify, I did NOT draw the gun, but I did slip my hand in my pocket and grip it. My instincts were telling me something was up and I trust my instincts."

Thats pretty clear.

Texas use of force law clearly allows somone to use the threat of force such as displaying a weapon to prevent or stop the use of force to cause bodily harm to self and others.

Pre-drawing the weapon, but keeping it concealed in the crook of your arm or behind your leg, circumstances permitting, is still concealed. A DPS Trooper, Collin County Sheriff's deputy, and a Gunsite Rangemaster each told me about this.

Given what Braden described, I would have gone to a drawn, but concealed status when the man turned his back thus hiding his hands.

Given my probable location between the car and pumps with no one else around and wearing my heavy leather jacket and in an OWB configuration, this is easily done.

Concealed is concealed and there is nothing in the Law that says the weapon has to be OWB or IWB or anwhere else - just as long as the casual observer cannot see it.

Had the man lunged at me or turned with a weapon, I would have then retreated behind the vehicle or turned and displayed the weapon, telling him to back off. I would have then still been totally within the letter and spirit of the law.

Had he done what he did, I would have reholstered. No harm done. No law broken.

For the record, I am 41, former US Army Sergeant, worked on fishing boats in Alaska, worked in East LA, delivered pizza in LA while in college, former foster parent, former head guide, and run a large ranch. In my fun-filled life, have been shot at, shot, beaten by a gang, robbed, apprehended violent criminals, and been run over by one ton beasts. I will match my life resume against anyone's. I am not a pimply faced kid who has read a few books.

I did not get a CHL to brag to my friends or to feel special, but to defend myself and my loved ones. I hate violence and its the last resort. I hope I never have to use my pistol, but I am determined that if it happens, that I will prevail and that my quality of survival will be high. I know first hand what it feels like to be powerless and totally vulnerable and what its like to be stalked.

If its late a night, a truck parks in an overwatch position, the passenger gets out, walks up to me, stops 20 feet away, turns - thus hiding his hands, I WILL have my pistol in my hand, preferably drawn but concealed.

I seriously doubt that it was a drug drop or a deal given the witnesses - Braden, store clerk, and probable security cameras. The last thing a dealer wants is PC developed off a suspicious call that makes a deputy a hero and lands the man behind bars for the third and final time.

Sure, there are non-lethal ways to deal with things. But that was a tough situation given the second guy in the running vehicle.

Maybe Braden should have invited both guys over to Waffle House after filling up.

Then again, maybe not.

It is what it is - You were going to be robbed.

When he turned away from you by the trashcan he was thinking if he was man enough to go through with it.

The fact that you stared at him and the driver in the truck and showed no fear meant he backed off.

The only thing you did wrong was not to call 911 with the License Plate and description.

If this had occurred to me, when he turned away, I would have turned drawn, then left my hand with the pistol behind my leg. If he had chose poorly and come towards me, I could have pulled the pistol forward but left it down to show him the pistol without having to get a sight picture and possibly alarming anyone else.