New member with a question.

[Voodoo95]

Hi all. As the title states, I am new to the forum so please excuse me if my question is misplaced. I am 19 years of age and I am interested in keeping myself safe. As such I would like information on any self defense weapons that are available to me. I do not believe that I can get a CHL at my age which is unfortunate. I would greatly appreciate if anyone could help me out. Thanks everyone!

[The Annoyed Man]

Unless you are active duty military, you can't get a CHL until you are 21. You cannot buy a handgun at age 19, however, you can buy a long gun at your age. You may also have a pistol in your possession (home/vehicle) if you're over 18, but in my opinion, I think that it is probably a bad idea.......NOT because you're not trustworthy with it or because you're breaking the law, but rather because a police officer might not be very understanding if he finds it in your car for some reason. That's just my 2¢, and I'm sure that others may not agree with me.

[Voodoo95]

I do own a shotgun already and I'm very responsible with it. I'm having to learn everything about firearms by myself because my family has been anti gun until very recently. Also just to put anyone's fears to rest, I've never had any trouble with the law. My only problem with my gun is that, well I can't really carry it anywhere.

[The Annoyed Man]

I do own a shotgun already and I'm very responsible with it. I'm having to learn everything about firearms by myself because my family has been anti gun until very recently. Also just to put anyone's fears to rest, I've never had any trouble with the law. My only problem with my gun is that, well I can't really carry it anywhere.

Well, I know 2 years must seem like forever from your standpoint, but all you can do is be patient. My son was the same way. I gave him and his fiancé (now wife) their CHL class for Christmas a few years ago. It will come.

BTW, you can legally carry your shotgun around, it's just a REALLY bad idea. You are allowed to carry a loaded long gun in Texas, but you are NOT allowed to carry it in a manner intended to "cause alarm". The trouble is, with all the antigun knuckleheads running around, you HAVE to know that one of them will be alarmed if he sees it, even if that is not your intent. So, best to not carry it around openly unless you intend to use it. If you've been following the news lately with some of the chowder-heads in the open carry protests and all the bad press they have generated, we don't really need a lot more of that going on until AFTER the legislature has finished this year's meeting.

[Voodoo95]

Yeah I've been following that. I don't want to cause any one alarm. I just want to protect myself. I live in San Antonio and now that I've been able to actually go out and experience the world, I've noticed that my city has quite a bit of gang violence and just violence in general. I try to avoid trouble as much as possible but already I've been in situations where I've had knives pulled on me and been ganged up on. Is it possible and wise to find a way to let's say keep my gun on a sling and covered up by a jacket? It'll be hellish during the summer, but my discomfort is a small price to pay for my life.

[Voodoo95]

These incidents occurred while I had been in school(I've since graduated) or while I was walking downtown. So unless you consider these places "stupid", I hope you reconsider your statements.

[Voodoo95]

Wind your little ego in, kid, because I'm giving you the best advice you'll ever get. If you're going to get torqued-up and bent out of shape at a simple comment, you darn well have no business carrying a gun.

Excuse me, but I don't quite understand what you are meaning by my ego. I'm just trying to be polite and get some information. I apologize if I'm coming across as egotistical. However, I'd also appreciate if you would not become hostile towards me as you seem to be. I posted that comment before you amended your comment.

[jmra]

Yeah I've been following that. I don't want to cause any one alarm. I just want to protect myself. I live in San Antonio and now that I've been able to actually go out and experience the world, I've noticed that my city has quite a bit of gang violence and just violence in general. I try to avoid trouble as much as possible but already I've been in situations where I've had knives pulled on me and been ganged up on. Is it possible and wise to find a way to let's say keep my gun on a sling and covered up by a jacket? It'll be hellish during the summer, but my discomfort is a small price to pay for my life.

Some suggestions/advice:
1. Take some type of defensive courses (those that teach self discipline along with defensive maneuvers are best).
2. Learn how to use and carry non lethal defensive materials.
3. Choose your friends wisely.
4. Stay away from alcohol and places that serve it.
5. Nothing good happens at 2:00am.
6. Don't do or say anything you wouldn't do if your Momma was standing next you.

If you live by the six items above the likelihood that you will survive the next two years with the ability to still get a CHL will be extremely high. Not many 19 year olds today are mature enough to accept the above advice. Hopefully you are.

[The_Busy_Mom]

Yeah I've been following that. I don't want to cause any one alarm. I just want to protect myself. I live in San Antonio and now that I've been able to actually go out and experience the world, I've noticed that my city has quite a bit of gang violence and just violence in general. I try to avoid trouble as much as possible but already I've been in situations where I've had knives pulled on me and been ganged up on. Is it possible and wise to find a way to let's say keep my gun on a sling and covered up by a jacket? It'll be hellish during the summer, but my discomfort is a small price to pay for my life.

Your statement above is asking us to condone unlawful behavior. You cannot carry a concealed handgun until you are properly licensed, and that cannot lawfully occur until you are 21. Unlawful carry will not be condoned on this forum.

[Jumping Frog]

Don't go stupid places.

My children range in age from 18 to 21.

I have taught them consistently the phrase "avoid the Iron Triangle of Trouble", which is don't be in stupid places, doing stupid things, with stupid people. Alternatively phrased as avoiding bad places with bad people doing bad things.

Downtown leaving a bar or nightspot when it closes? Check.
Hanging out with some guys that are drunk and aggressive, looking for a fight? Check.
Walking through a city park at 5:00 in the afternoon. No problem. Walk through the same park at 10:30 pm? Check.
In a car with some buddies and one of them thinks it makes sense to drive away without paying for gas? Check.

The actions we choose to take -- or avoid -- have a major impact on the likelihood of experiencing trouble.

[Jumping Frog]

1. Take some type of defensive courses (those that teach self discipline along with defensive ma

Here is a post the OP may find of use: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=69992&p=899273#p898779" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[b322da]

Yeah I've been following that. I don't want to cause any one alarm. I just want to protect myself. I live in San Antonio and now that I've been able to actually go out and experience the world, I've noticed that my city has quite a bit of gang violence and just violence in general. I try to avoid trouble as much as possible but already I've been in situations where I've had knives pulled on me and been ganged up on. Is it possible and wise to find a way to let's say keep my gun on a sling and covered up by a jacket? It'll be hellish during the summer, but my discomfort is a small price to pay for my life.

Some suggestions/advice:
1. Take some type of defensive courses (those that teach self discipline along with defensive maneuvers are best).
2. Learn how to use and carry non lethal defensive materials.
3. Choose your friends wisely.
4. Stay away from alcohol and places that serve it.
5. Nothing good happens at 2:00am.
6. Don't do or say anything you wouldn't do if your Momma was standing next you.

If you live by the six items above the likelihood that you will survive the next two years with the ability to still get a CHL will be extremely high. Not many 19 year olds today are mature enough to accept the above advice. Hopefully you are.

I might add one more at the top of the list:

Join the Army. And your problem is solved.

Jim