Even though my wife is anti-gun and I own zero guns, we both have CHL's. Why? Because if you ever need one, it will take months to get one as the wait is atrocious. Mine took 9 months! Most take at least a month. For example, if you're being stalked, do you really want to wait 9 months before you can protect you and your kids? We both think of a CHL as an insurance policy. We hope that we'll never have to use it, but if necessary, it's comforting to know that it's there.
I invite you to read below for the responses to your comments.
It is very easy to learn. If you don't want to practice a lot, then just buy a low caliber gun and put a laser on it. All you have to do is put the red dot on what you want to shoot. Lower caliber guns have zero recoil and are easy to shoot. All you have to do is practice trigger control and you can do that with snap caps (rubber bullets that don't fire) at home. No need to go to the range. Just practice pulling the trigger without jiggling the red laser dot.Hoi Polloi wrote:I was reading the CHL forum on my husband's account and went through every one of the 17 or so pages of responses and didn't see one that came close to speaking for me so I joined in order to respond. I've had several close run-ins and am happy to be here to tell about it, but I'd like to be able to protect myself when it is just me and the kids. The reasons I haven't pursued a CHL:
1. I don't know how to shoot a pistol and don't want any condescension or teasing in trying to learn.
Just get a heavy, yet low caliber gun. Such as a .22 caliber 1911 pistol. Yes, I know, 22 is not a very good defensive caliber, but this is a beginner's gun. You may get something else later in life when you have more time to practice. Besides, any gun is better than no gun in a self-defense situation. Most rapists and other perps will usually run away if they hear that "bang". A perp is not going to say, "hey, the hole at the end of the muzzle of your gun looks like a 22. I think I'll continue victimizing you."Hoi Polloi wrote:2. I'm scared of the recoil and don't trust others to be honest with me about how much recoil there will be. They laugh and say it is no big deal like the joke's going to be on me when they see me knock a front tooth out, which they apparently will find hilarious or will act like I'm being a baby. It doesn't make me want to try it out.
If you're thoughtless, then buy a Smart Gun. It is a kit that you can put on your 1911 pistol that will make your gun inoperable if you are not holding it in your hand. The secret is the gold wedding band. A special ring will make it work. As long as you're wearing the ring, the gun will work. If you're one of those people who wear a wedding band everywhere and you're forgetful with your gun, then the smart gun may be fore you. You should also teach your kids firearms safety. Just because you don't have a gun doesn't mean that other kids that they play with won't have guns at home. Teach your kids that guns are not toys and to leave and get an adult if they see a gun or realistic "toy" gun. Have them take an NRA "Eddy the Eagle" course. http://www.smartlock.com/smartgun_detail.htmHoi Polloi wrote:3. I am concerned about gun safety around children. I've read the corned cat website and like her. It will either be on me or locked up. However, I don't feel comfortable enough with that whole transition and I'm a little too thoughtless when it comes to keys and purse and want to make sure I'm going to be diligent and safe and that I know all my options and am comfortable with using them.
Like I mentioned before, just get a low caliber weapon with a laser and practice trigger control with snap caps at home. This will cost you 5 minutes a month.Hoi Polloi wrote:4. If I have a loaded weapon I don't know how to use, I'm going to be more of a threat to myself and others than if I didn't have it. If I carry, I'm going to have to practice regularly and stay aware of laws that affect me. This poses two problems. I'm a mom and one of my kids has high medical needs. I am grateful to get 2 minutes back to back in which I can go to the bathroom without interruption. Committing to that much time shooting and reading when I'm not very motivated to go shooting (due in large part to points 1 and 2) makes me think of all the other things I could do with that time instead. Like sleep more than 4-6 hours a night once in a while.
Don't tell your family. Concealed is concealed. Hey, you don't tell your family what color underwear you're wearing, do you? Guns are like underwear because they're both concealed.Hoi Polloi wrote:5. I am not one who wants to stand out or make political statements. While I have strong political opinions, I don't discuss them. I act on them, I vote on them, I live my life and make my choices based on them, but I don't want to make a statement or be a statistic or make my voice heard or protect the second amendment. While all worthy causes, I just want to protect my family and don't want to be connected to the politics of it. I really don't want to hear why I should want to, either, and am in all honesty put off from any participation because I am bracing myself for the onslaught of why I have a God-given responsibility to protect a constitutional right... yada yada. Most women I know would not identify with this. Men are the primary protectors. I'm a nurturer. This reasoning does not speak to that at all.
Get a CHL now. You can get a gun next month. Next year, you can buy a pretty pearl handle for that gun. You don't have to buy everything all at once, you know.Hoi Polloi wrote:6. The cute guns cost too much. I don't want a pink plastic block that looks like a kid's toy. I want a pretty gun. One with a mother of pearl handle, maybe... Have you seen the prices on those things?! And the whole new wardrobe that will accommodate concealed carry is gonna be expensive, too. I'm still wearing shoes from 10 years ago. Women tend to take care of themselves last. How am I going to justify a whole new wardrobe when the kids need new shoes? I can't.
Get leather holster installed in all your purses. Just sew it into your designer purses on the inside (careful!). Gun purses are ugly and women sometimes wear tight clothes that are impossible to conceal any guns.Hoi Polloi wrote:7. I don't know where to start. How to get a CHL is easy. What gun and holster to choose for my hand, my height, my daily life, my price range; holding and handling a wide diversity of guns (without much cost--still a budget minded mom!) to figure out what I like; how to hold that particular gun and how to stand; the amount of practice I need... it is a little overwhelming to sit down and figure out when I have a daily to-do list that never gets done.
Again, don't tell your family.Hoi Polloi wrote:8. My family will think I've really gone off the deep end. They already think that and I'm not so much worried about what they'll think, but how it will negatively affect the kids. They'll hear about it and I'll have to limit their visits with family even more, which I don't want to do. And I'm in regular contact with a profession that is diametrically opposed to all guns and they could make some serious complications for our family life if they knew I was always carrying. Yes, that's really circumspect and no one would most likely guess what I'm referring to, but it is true and it is a real threat to my family. It shouldn't be because carrying is perfectly legal, but I don't want my family to be the ones to wage that war. (Someone before said his girlfriend is concerned about her teacher friends or administrators finding out as a reason for not getting a CHL and he suspected that was a cover for a deeper issue. I'd say that very well might be the issue. If she hears enough peer pressure and casual comments about gun owners at school, she might be justifiably concerned about her job stability, especially when teachers are being laid off en masse right now. It might be enough to keep her from even considering it.)
Join a club. Google can help you find one.Hoi Polloi wrote:9. I'm a talker. A social person. And a complete newbie. I don't want to go to the range by myself. But who could I go with on a regular basis where I'd be able to be social and to practice and to not feel bad or stupid? I don't know of any opportunities in my area. The people I know to go with explain points 1 and 2 above. My husband isn't condescending, but he's not really social, either. It would be easier if I had some shooting girl friends. At least 4 of my mom friends have or want to have their CHL, but they don't have time for regular get-togethers at the range with the girls any more than I do.
Treat guns like underwear. Both should not be talked about in public. Don't make friends with people who talk about your underwear (and guns) in public.Hoi Polloi wrote:10. If I get it, those aforementioned other gun-friendly moms will make it known within our circles that I am in their group. They'll post gun-friendly stuff on my facebook wall or invite me to the range or whatever and then the moms who are scared of guns won't let their kids come over to our house or hang out with us. I don't want to be an example. But how can I reconcile points 9 and 10? It seems like a catch-22 and I'll have to choose my priorities. On the one hand, the moms I know most likely won't have time to do anything so there's no point in telling them. On the other hand, that leaves me with no community to share it with. I don't know what I can do about that.
Hoi Polloi wrote:That's my top ten reasons for why I haven't pursued a CHL yet. I hope it speaks for some of the other women in my shoes who don't frequent these boards.