New CHL'er in the Dallas area

[sharp762]

Just thought I'd introduce myself. I've had my license for a few weeks now, and have already tackled the "wally walk". I do still catch myself checking my shirt tail every few minutes when I'm out and about, but am overall pretty comfortable. I carry a Glock 23 IWB at 3-4 o'clock and I'm a small framed guy, so it can be hard to not print somewhat in summer clothes, but nobody ever seems to be the wiser.

Any tips on how I can get the wife to become comfortable with my new accessory?

[USA1]

Any tips on how I can get the wife to become comfortable with my new accessory?

Don't tell her.

Welcome to the forum!

[sharp762]

Don't tell her.

Haha! I don't usually tell her, actually! Typically it's a hug, a bump, a grope, whatever, that transitions into a death stare when she discovers that I'm packing. Funny thing is, she's a gun owner herself. She loves to shoot! She swears up and down that I'll never need it.I certainly hope she's right, but we don't live in the greatest area and I've been in a few situations where I would have been a lot more cozy had I been armed.

[USA1]

Tell her it's like putting on your seat belt every time you get in the car. You hope you never need it but it can save your life if you do.

[AEA]

[Mrcoffee]

Here is how I explained it to my wife. We have 4 kids, ages 5 to 15. So just like you have to always carry cell phone with you so that you dont lay it down and loose it, I carry full time so that I dont lay it down and leave it where a kid might get to it. Plus no one ever left home to go shopping and knew that "Im going to get robbed at dinner, so dont need to carry till then"
U never know where or when. And I never want to have to live life thinking, I could have saved her if I Only HAD MY GUN!!

Im sure she can be reasoned with.... If not... take her to OakCliff after dark, and take a walk..... Ask if she now wants you to carry!!

[sharp762]

All great advice, especially that seat belt analogy!

My parents live in South Dallas off Samuell and I30. It's pretty bad down there. We're no strangers to frightening neighborhoods. Before I knew her, she was assaulted in a rough area.It was pretty bad. For these reasons, I'm surprised she doesn't like me carrying. On the other hand, she lost an uncle who she was VERY close with to a negligent discharge several years ago. I think this is the root of why she's still anti-gun.

[RoyGBiv]

she's a gun owner herself. She loves to shoot!

she's still anti-gun.

Welcome aboard... I can think of a few threads where you'll fit right in...

[speedsix]

...since high school, I'd tell the gal that "found" the bump that she was worth it...and that I told her Dad I'd take care of her and meant it...if it were an issue with my wife, I'd just tell her she's worth the effort...

[sharp762]

she's a gun owner herself. She loves to shoot!

she's still anti-gun.

Welcome aboard... I can think of a few threads where you'll fit right in...

Yeah, some logic. She only bought a gun so she could go to the range with me. Same reason she bought golf clubs.

...since high school, I'd tell the gal that "found" the bump that she was worth it...and that I told her Dad I'd take care of her and meant it...if it were an issue with my wife, I'd just tell her she's worth the effort...

I agree 100%. Whether she, or her mom or dad or whoever likes it or not, my wife is one of the primary reasons I carry.

[SewTexas]

there are several threads around here where we've discussed this in depth, but several of the guys have given you some great advice. Tell her you love her too much NOT to carry. That's what my husband told me, when he started carrying, I once asked him if he was taking his gun or something along those lines he said "You and the kids are coming aren't you? God gave me you guys, and He expects me to protect y'al, so yes, my gun will be with me". That's when I realized how seriously he took it all, and that's when I started taking it seriously, and signed up for a pistol class...

[jdlott74]

All great advice, especially that seat belt analogy!

My parents live in South Dallas off Samuell and I30. It's pretty bad down there. We're no strangers to frightening neighborhoods. Before I knew her, she was assaulted in a rough area.It was pretty bad. For these reasons, I'm surprised she doesn't like me carrying. On the other hand, she lost an uncle who she was VERY close with to a negligent discharge several years ago. I think this is the root of why she's still anti-gun.

LOL, Anywhere in South Dallas is not a good area. Does she realize that if you are carrying, you are protecting her, and what would happen if you weren't carrying and something happened. Have her call Chief Brown and ask him how long it takes his cops to respond to a call and think that she could be injured or worse by the time they get there. With you there and carrying, the violence could be stopped.

As far as the negligent discharge, not sure what to tell you about that. Could be she just needs to be around it for a while you are shooting and trust that you have the training you need NOT to do anything to discharge it in a negligent manner.

[sharp762]

Last night I briefly, but honestly explained to the Mrs. why I carry. It then dawned on me that I've never done that before... I know she's coming to accept it, and maybe even appreciate it a little. Still, I'll forever be referred to as her "cowboy" and she'll continue to roll her eyes when I put my gun on to go return a movie, but I can totally deal with that.

[Bulldog1911]

Typically it's a hug, a bump, a grope,

Carefull, this is a G-rated forum...
But seriously, welcome to Dallas. If she doesn't understand why you carry, just make her watch the news. It actually suprises me that she shoots with you, but doesn't like you to carry. My wife is from the Chicago area, and wasn't to keen on having guns in the house, much less having them on me. But, as I began taking her to the range, and getting her familiar with them, and how safe the are in the right hands, she came around.

[USA1]

I'll forever be referred to as her "cowboy"

Thanks for the mental image. ...



Seriously though, good job. Don't push too hard all at once and over time
she will hopefully understand and accept it....Baby steps.