To CHL or not to CHL

[dfws4]

I've been shooting all forms of firearms for about 15 years now. I've always had an interest in obtaining my CHL, but just haven't ever "pulled the trigger". I have the opportunity to take the course this Saturday; I'm having second thoughts now on if I want to spend the money to proceed. Have any of you gone through the same back-and-forth?

I don't work in a "bad" area and my job doesn't come with the need to carry. I've always just had the desire to exercise this right as a Texas citizen I guess. Not even sure I'll carry on my person that often; mostly in the vehicle(s). Is it worth the money if I'm not going to carry that often? I'm a pretty slim guy and wear fitted (tailored) clothing so I'm concerned about printing as well.

Any advice for a first-time poster?

Thanks in advance.

[Crossfire]

Take the class, then decide. It will be a day well spent and a good education.

Taking the class does not make you obligated to get the license.

Getting the license does not obligate you to carry.

Carrying a firearm does not obligate you to draw or fire in self-defense, or defense of another.

But, if you don't take the class, you have no choices. Take the class, then decide.

[dfws4]

Thanks for your reply. I will take the class this Saturday and then carry when I feel up to it (and comfortable).

[longtooth]

Excellent advice & excellent decision.

[CompVest]

Also, the more people with their CHL the more show of support there is for the right to carry and the harder it is to have that right infringed or taken away. It is a way to stand up and be counted.

Thank you for your decision. Well said llwatson!

[bdickens]

Go for it! Make sure to read In the Gravest Extreme, too.

[seamusTX]

I had the same lack of urgency. I have lived my entire life without needing to shoot anybody, and half of it in a tough neighborhood. But look at it this way: The initial $250 or so for the class and application fee works out to about 14 cents a day over five years. After that, the cost is cut in half. Is that too much of a tax to pay for your right to bear arms?

- Jim

[The Annoyed Man]

I think you'll find that a significant percentage (including me) of the members of this board don't live/work in "bad" areas, and don't work in jobs that require us to carry a firearm. What llwatson said about choice is spot on. Like you, I've been an avid shooter for a number of years, but had not felt a real need to carry a firearm. And since a lot of that time was lived in California, where legal CCW is but a distant memory, it just wasn't something that was at the forefront of my mind. Moving to Texas put that squarely into the realm of the possible, and I began to consider whether or not it was something I would like to pursue.

Here in Texas, unlike California, there still exists a reasonably healthy respect for the RKBA. Rights are not something you are required to exercise if you don't choose to do so. You are not required to speak up or to practice a religion. You are not required to keep and bear arms. You are not required to vote. However, if you do want to exercise your right to vote, you do have to register yourself as a voter. And lots of people (sadly) register to vote and then don't follow through. For better or for worse, if you should decide that you want to exercise that part of your right to bear arms outside the home and concealed, then you have to get a CHL. It is easier to get one now to get one than it used to be in the past, or than it might be in the future. Strike while you can. You can always choose not to exercise the rights/privileges given to you by that license. But there may come a day when you wish you had it, and you don't. The consequences of that might be more painful than you are willing to bear.

I never leave the house without a good pocket knife. Not since I was a teenager. There are a hundred uses for a good pocket knife, from dividing your sandwich to share with a friend, to opening a box, or heaven forbid, to defend yourself. I never leave the house thinking "I'm going to need my pocket knife today," but on the odd occasion where the need arises, I am sure glad that I habitually keep one in my pocket. Perhaps a half dozen times in the last 10 years, I've forgotten my knife at home - and felt naked without it.

Since I got my CHL, fairly recently as a matter of fact, I've never left home without carrying a pistol. And now I feel naked without it. I never leave the house thinking, "I'm going to have to shoot somebody today;" but God forbid the occasion should ever arise where I need it, I will sure be glad that I developed the habit of never leaving home without it.

BTW, there are lots of ways to conceal a weapon, even for a slim person wearing fitted tailored clothing.

Sorry for the long answer. I'm a little windy today.

[bdickens]

That's why I finally started carrying a pocket knife. I got tired of hunting around for a knife and wishing I had one at hand.

[fm2]

...; I'm having second thoughts now on if I want to spend the money to proceed. Have any of you gone through the same back-and-forth? .....Is it worth the money if I'm not going to carry that often?.....

The knowledge gained about use of force issues is worth the money spent on the class. Remember the bad guy chooses who, where, and when.
That means they just have to see you,(or girlfriend, wife, elderly mother, teenager with driver's license) & follow to where the good stuff is kept. If they are property criminals, they are interested in your stuff, but they may want to get rid of witnesses. If they are criminals that are interested in taking people, once they have the privacy they are comfortable with, they are only limited by their imagination.


Tom GIvens tells a story about catching a theif in a very nice neighborhood ( $500K homes). Tom asks, what are you doing in this neighborhood. BG says, "Fool, there ain't nothing worth stealing where I live."

[flintknapper]

Take the class, then decide. It will be a day well spent and a good education.

Taking the class does not make you obligated to get the license.

Getting the license does not obligate you to carry.

Carrying a firearm does not obligate you to draw or fire in self-defense, or defense of another.

But, if you don't take the class, you have no choices. Take the class, then decide.

Succinctly Put!

[dfws4]

Thank you, kindly. I've been reading this forum now for 2 days and can already tell I came to the right place. Nice, friendly members, sound advice and a willingness to help answer the questions of the now "soon to be CHL holder". I'm increasingly excited to take my class on Saturday - not so that I can find a bad guy to nail; but, for the many reasons already stated -it's my right as a citizen of this great state, and I'm choosing to exercise that right.

Much appreciated.

[Turfspanker]

I'm increasingly excited to take my class on Saturday - not so that I can find a bad guy to nail;
.

I live in a very nice part of town and even carry to the Country Club when having dinner. I work in a nice business park. The daily grind is relatively clean.

However, how often do you find yourself in "uncomfortable" parts of town or between towns? Ever been lost looking for a new restaurant or part for your car? Low on gas in an unfamiliar area? I'm not overly paranoid and have been able to handle myself well over the years without a weapon when the need has arose, but I've been fortunate. I've never been carjacked, burglarized, or experienced any other violent crime in my life and I've been in the worst places you can imagine including the heart of East LA gang territory.

I will defend my life, my loved ones and the innocent if the need ever arises. I can't rely on the State of Texas or City Law Enforcement to be there at the very moment I need self protection. That is the responsibility you will be empowered to possess; To defend when an obvious threat against a human life emerges.

I've never been a victim and intend to keep it that way.

TS

[agbullet2k1]

When I was in Tennessee, I took the class one week after turning 21. It definitely wasn't because I felt like I visited a lot of bad areas. I personally felt that maybe, somewhere in Nashville, some on-the-fence lawmakers were paying attention to the number of permits and thinking to themselves "this is important to people, so I'm going to stick up for them."

I'm glad I did get it though. I travelled a lot in college and was glad to have the security on long stretches of highway at night. My point being, it's a good thing to have, and you don't want to wait 60 days if you might need it for something unforseen a few weeks off.

After moving to Texas, I put the new license up there with "get utilities set up" and "find the nearest grocery store" on the move checklist.

[M9FAN]

Go for it! Make sure to read In the Gravest Extreme, too.

+1

The Concealed Handgun Manual, by Chris Bird, is also a good read...