2010 FAQ: Did you ever use your CH in self-defense?

[Bob in Big D]

I have not had too and hope I never will!!!!

That said a friend of mine, also a CHL, did have a guy come after him with a baseball bat and he pulled is weapon. Never pointed it at the guy, but the BG got the idea and left after a few choice words.

[Fangs]

No, but almost.

I stopped by a Money Box location to cash a sizable check when I needed the money and my bank was closed. I noticed ragged-looking couple who were in there when the teller was counting out my cash following me to my car without conducting any business inside. I was a bit edgy since I knew that they knew I had over $1000 on me at the time, and everything from their looks to their actions just seemed wrong. I put my hand on my pocket carry, turned around, looked the guy straight in the eye and asked him if I could help him with something. That seemed to catch them off guard, and the guy stammered some story about how his life sucked and they had no money, and he just needs to get his wife and baby (no baby in sight, btw) to his brother's place in San Antonio and if I could spare some change for gas. I declined, but offered to give him the number for a church group who would gladly feed them, talk to them about Jesus, and buy him a bus pass. He reluctantly took out an iPhone 4G and took down the number. I got in my car, locked it immediately, and left.

I'm guessing it was more likely a "scam this guy for money" thing than a possible robbery, but everything about them set off alarms in my head.

[Beiruty]

No, but almost.

I stopped by a Money Box location to cash a sizable check when I needed the money and my bank was closed. I noticed ragged-looking couple who were in there when the teller was counting out my cash following me to my car without conducting any business inside. I was a bit edgy since I knew that they knew I had over $1000 on me at the time, and everything from their looks to their actions just seemed wrong. I put my hand on my pocket carry, turned around, looked the guy straight in the eye and asked him if I could help him with something. That seemed to catch them off guard, and the guy stammered some story about how his life sucked and they had no money, and he just needs to get his wife and baby (no baby in sight, btw) to his brother's place in San Antonio and if I could spare some change for gas. I declined, but offered to give him the number for a church group who would gladly feed them, talk to them about Jesus, and buy him a bus pass. He reluctantly took out an iPhone 4G and took down the number. I got in my car, locked it immediately, and left.

I'm guessing it was more likely a "scam this guy for money" thing than a possible robbery, but everything about them set off alarms in my head.

Just shout at them, "STOP and Back off..." Don't get close!

[couzin]

Never - not with a legally carried/licensed weapon - hope to keep it that way.

[hirundo82]

I've never had to use a firearm in self-defense, or even been in a situation where I thought I might need to. I lead a boring life and plan to keep it that way.

[HankB]

I've been in a couple of situations where I was greatly comforted to have a gun handy, but I haven't had to draw it, much less shoot anyone.

And if I had to use it, I wouldn't be much inclined to write about it on a public forum.

[Venus Pax]

No. Never even had to remove it from the holster (other than practice/recreation/chl test).

I lead a fairly low-risk lifestyle, but carry it just in case trouble finds me/my family.

The only think I'm concerned about now is that it takes me awhile to load my daughter in the car now, so I'm in parking lots for a longer period than I would otherwise be. I try to keep my head on the swivel, but I've caught myself being tunnel-visioned while strapping her in.

[bigred90gt]

I've been in a couple of situations where I was greatly comforted to have a gun handy, but I haven't had to draw it, much less shoot anyone.

And if I had to use it, I wouldn't be much inclined to write about it on a public forum.

I can definitely say that if I ever use mine, nothing will be put in writing about my story until at LEAST after the trial (if there was one) was complete. Even then, any description would be very bague.

[J.R.@A&M]

UCR stats don't represent the life an avg CHL'er. Many of the agg assaults are family violence. A good number of our robberies are drug deals gone bad. Many of us don't frequent gas stations or ghettos at the wee hours of the morning.

I'd speculate that we are more likely to lock our cars and valuables. We are more situationally aware, and not soft targets.

The OPs question is good, but I don't think the forum would be a depiction of the statewide averages. Also, many of those members are inactive.

I haven't gone for a gun in an off duty capacity this year. I did arm bar a guy out of a bar in Austin that was wrestling with the bouncer.

Not to hijack the thread, but gigag04's comment is spot on with regard to using average crime stats as a forecast. It goes to what that Gandalf fella kept harping on over in the campus carry discussion... "conditional probabilities". The crime stats suggest an average rate of violent crime for a particular metropolitan area. But the real probability of your being a victim is conditional on your age, your occupation, what parts of town you frequent, what time of the day or night you are out, etc. A 19 year old drug dealer in downtown Bryan after midnight has a much higher-than-average probability of encountering violence, while a middle aged, risk averse home-body like me has a much lower-than-average probability.

[Stupid]

CH no but CHL a few times.

The new CHL looks very similar to DL. One time I was in a bank withdrawing some cash and I handed the teller the CHL by mistake. She went "This is not a driver's license," and I said "what do you mean it's not?" We went back and forth a few times. I didn't realize my mistake until she shoveled it under my nose. :-(

[Target1911]

Once this year.....a guy had his pit bull......YES IT WAS CONFIRMED IT WAS A PIT........attack me. I shot the dog though he did live. Will till more later.
I did have to draw another time but no shots were fired.

In 08 I did have to use my pistol when my office was robbed and employees were _______ at. I did post it here and you can look it up in the DFW papers. use key word tow truck drivers and u should find it

[Skiprr]

UCR stats don't represent the life an avg CHL'er. Many of the agg assaults are family violence. A good number of our robberies are drug deals gone bad. Many of us don't frequent gas stations or ghettos at the wee hours of the morning.

I'd speculate that we are more likely to lock our cars and valuables. We are more situationally aware, and not soft targets.

The OPs question is good, but I don't think the forum would be a depiction of the statewide averages. Also, many of those members are inactive.

Excellent observation and worth repeating.

[aaangel]

nope not this year, but yesterday, I was at a valero atm and some guy was standing way too close behind me.(don't you hate that?) I asked him nicely to give me some room, and he said "oh my bad dude" and he took 3 steps back..... as i left, he even said merry christmas. I said "you too" in a tough voice. lol.
Peace, Joy and a safe holiday everyone!!!

[TexasGal]

Had my hand on it ready to draw back at the end of summer while I evaded a mugger who likely wanted my purse. After I put a little distance between us, we had a stare down. Lucky for us both, he made the right decision and I did not have to reveal what exactly I had my hand on. I hope that is the closest I ever have to get to pulling it. I was determined and ready, but soooo glad I didn't have to.

[Kythas]

Never - not with a legally carried/licensed weapon - hope to keep it that way.

Hmmm....this implies that you HAVE with an illegally carried/unlicensed weapon.....