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The more CHL holders I talk to, the more I appreciate my CHL class instructor: Calvin Tidwell. In his class we coverd topics that most other CHL holders tell me were not covered in their classes.

One such topic was when to carry. Mr. Tidwell picked on me a bit. Sitting front-and-center, w/constant eye-contact has had similar results with instructors and leaders my life to date. And in the case of when to carry, I gave him better than average reason to pick on me. My intent in getting a CHL was not really for CCW, but to avoid NICS. My answer to Mr. Tidwell's question: "When do you plan to carry your handgun?" reflected this thinking. His response convinced me that the informed course was to carry every day when/where-ever not prohibitted by statute. And practicing that for a short time gave me my own additional reason: practice helps a lot.

Yep, to me anyway, CHL folks who don't carry daily are kinda like cops who only wear their body armor on days they think they might get shot ...

A lot of folks have, shall we say, unenlightened employers. Thus, statutory contraints are not always the only considerations when making, to carry or not to carry, choices.

antfarmer wrote:A lot of folks have, shall we say, unenlightened employers. Thus, statutory contraints are not always the only considerations when making, to carry or not to carry, choices.

I sympathize. Been there-done that. But I carried to and from whenever possible, and I stopped by my car to put it on when we went for lunch.

I've listened to Susanna Hupp tell the Killeen Luby's story a couple of times. I will not put myself and my family a hundred feet from effective response to a George Hinnard because my gun's in the car.

For anyone applying for or renewing their CHL in NE Texas, I'd recommend going to Marshall. The class is taught every other month by two sheriffs, one retired and the other an active duty sheriff, at the courthouse there. The class is very good, covering everything you'll need to pass the test and more. The cost is $25, they provide all the forms if you don't already have them and do your fingerprints. There's also a photographer who will take your passport photos for $10. The shooting qualification is done by them at the sheriffs gun range and they stay as long as required to make sure you do the best you can (without passing you when you don't earn it). My wife & I both took the CHL class there and were very pleased.

It's tempting not to carry at times, just as it is tempting to not wear the seat belt in your car - the odds that you will need either are not great. The trouble is that when you do need either, you really need it.

Lindy wrote:The trouble is that when you do need either, you really need it.

And it's almost always too late to change your mind.

If I knew when and where, I wouldn't need it, I'd go some where else.
Tomcat

I had Calvin as my CHL instructor as well and I think he did a great job of the less thought of things that a CHL implies.

One thing I wish he would change is to do the photos at the beginning of the day instead of at the end. Maybe I wouldn't look like a zombie on my license if I hadn't been in class for 13 hours prior to having my picture taken...

I went to Tom Estep…He is an outstanding instructor who knows his stuff and keeps you interested.

I have a tendency to carry whenever I am wearing clothes, that includes around the house, and it has gotten to be such a habit that I left for the airport this morning with my gun on, knowing that I was not going to be able to take it with me to OH.

So it's locked in a box in the trunk of the car, but I would have preferred to leave it home under the circumstances. I just put it on without thinking.

George Wiley...27 years Dallas PD...Swat 12 Years... Sr./Weapons Instructor of DPD and Armorer for the Department. Wow!

George was our Instructor 23Mar06...Which mind - set would you like/need....someone with all the experience...LEO.. Military...Been Shot....Has had to shoot...a calling to a higher standard with your CHL....which would you want ...someone with these experiences or ' an pet store salesman from Carl?' He was a great instructor and doesn't like to teach classes any larger than 8-10 max; so that everyone gets time. His classes are in Garland, TX ....just a block north of LBJ FWY.

Want solid, no nonsense answers; support, ideas, etc....give George a call...Classes usually on Saturdays, but will do private classes for a family like ours + couple friends.

I just finished a class with a George Wiley. Outstanding class and seems like a really good guy! He is a Dallas Policeman who has had a lot of experience. Good class and he taught it from a policeman's eyes,ie,what to look for,how to respond,and most importantly,what to say in the aftermath of a shooting incident. Highly,highly recommend him.

Hi James:
Thanks for the report on your class and welcome to the fourm.

Chas.