Texas CHL Forum, Inc. -- Education & Advocacy

[Charles L. Cotton]

Count me in. This will be one pro gun organization that won't be actively working against my political party. One thingto keep in mind with an organization is who their target group is.

Every one seems to notice at the CHL classes that the students are typically a bunch of old white guys. Who are typically very conservative, and has a little more disposable cash than most. Us middle aged, conservative white guys have a pretty decent handle on the issues.

We need to reach out to the leftist. These are the folks that who feel they are the protectors of our rights. The ACLU proved it could be a great ally in our cause in the last legislative session. They were great in helping educate the general public. As I said we aleady have the right, we need to make inroads to the left. Its all about numbers.

We need more ladys. Its really the women who need the protection of a CHL more than us guys. Yet so few women even understand the reasoning of needing a CHL.

Minorities.. Many of these folks believe that guns are only for the gangbangers and drug dealers. Yet these are the true victims of being unarmed. Even here I have noticed comments and anti-Black-Mexican rhetoric. These are the exact people that need the protection of a CHL. I believe that the process of getting and maintaining a CHL is more likely to give us the feeling of belonging to the law abiding. Reaching out to these people will not only serves to protect them, but might serve in a small way to bringing some of them in to our culture.

Will membership get us a cheapo card or a real genuine badge that we can wear publicly and proudly.

I agree. As I said, this will be an outreach organization and the people we have to reach are those who are not currently CHLs or perhaps even gun owners. The demographics you mentioned absolutely need to hear the message. So I guess I'd say the target groups for membership would be CHLs, gun owners, and Second Amendment supporters, but the target group to hear the message is comprised primarily of people who are not CHLs and/or not gun owners.

Chas.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Great idea. How do we join?

I have to make sure I'm not making any mistakes that could have an impact on the ability to take part in elections and legislation down the road, then I'll post information about how to join. From what I've learned from the experts, the FEC and the State Ethics Committee can "look back" to see if anything has been done that would prohibit the organization from being active in the political arena. As I said, the primary activity at first will be education, but advocacy (legal and political) will also be a part of our function and I need to make sure I don't do anything to mess that up unknowingly. Hopefully, I'll be ready to go by the end of the month.

I've already formed the corporation.

Chas.

[Charles L. Cotton]

This Far West Texas gal would like more info as well!

And while I understand and agree with "no glossy magazines" I think this new effort could model a few fund raisers after the TSRA example - an online store where one could purchase T-shirts, ball caps, key fobs, and/or cloisonne pins et al with a recognizable logo. May I suggest that the already established, rectangular Texas Flag logo in the upper left corner of this page, with the .com removed and only "Texas CHL Forum" across the center, would be ideal to start with?

That definitely will be done. Hopefully, a lot of the other gun boards will promote it as well and I intend to run ads, when revenue permits.

Chas.

[ScubaSigGuy]

Great idea Charles! I would defintiely like to be involved those efforts.

[Skiprr]

Charles, you have my complete support. And you have my offer to volunteer services.

[Venus Pax]

Please post it when it is time for us to sign up.

[chewy555]

I would also like to know when we can sign up. And I would also like to offer my help in anyway that I might be able to.

[M9FAN]

You can count on my support!

[linman]

I have an idea for this shiny new organization. The best mechanism i am aware of that educates the public about CHLs is a talk show host who does on air endorsements CHL classes at a gun range.

Jon David Wels does this on 570 AM KLIF in Dallas.


Count me in.

[nitrogen]

If you need someone for Liberal outreach, gimme a call, I speak Liberalese.

[TraCoun]

Me, too!

TraCoun

[Doug]

Count me in!

[Abraham]

I just happened upon this thread while casually looking.

I had no idea such a thing is in the works or I hope it is, considering the date of the last post.

Is there an update on the status of things, as I too would like to join?

[Charles L. Cotton]

I just happened upon this thread while casually looking.

I had no idea such a thing is in the works or I hope it is, considering the date of the last post.

Is there an update on the status of things, as I too would like to join?

Unfortunately, there won't be any activity until after this legislative session ends in June.

Chas.