One thing I'm not clear about.

[steve817]

Let me open by stating that I hate "what if" scenarios. I am not an aggressive person but in my past I have been in situations that somebody for some reason or another has decided that they wanted to fight me. Sometimes I was able to talk the situation down, while others went to blows. This hasn't happened in many many years, but my deepest fear is that it will happen while I am carrying.

The last thing in the world I want is to be rolling around on the ground with a weapon strapped to my waist.

Has anyone ever been in this situation? What do you do?

I have read over the use of force statutes in the penal code and the topics was glossed over in the CHL class, but still not sure.

If I have put this in the wrong forum, please accept my apology.

[The Annoyed Man]

Let me open by stating that I hate "what if" scenarios. I am not an aggressive person but in my past I have been in situations that somebody for some reason or another has decided that they wanted to fight me. Sometimes I was able to talk the situation down, while others went to blows. This hasn't happened in many many years, but my deepest fear is that it will happen while I am carrying.

The last thing in the world I want is to be rolling around on the ground with a weapon strapped to my waist.

Has anyone ever been in this situation? What do you do?

I have read over the use of force statutes in the penal code and the topics was glossed over in the CHL class, but still not sure.

If I have put this in the wrong forum, please accept my apology.

Modify your behavior such that you don't find yourself in these situations — which, if you haven't been in a fight in years, it sounds like you already have. Speaking only for myself, I will not allow anyone close enough to grapple with me, or come to blows with me. For cardiovascular and orthopedic reasons, I am unable to defend myself in such a confrontation anyway, so I am going to treat a threat — and by threat, I don't mean the casual use of words, but an actual attempt to attack — of a whuppin' as if it were a threat to my life. I am under no legal or moral restriction against defending myself if I reasonably believe myself to be threatened with physical harm or death. I will do so by whatever means, which is why I carry a gun.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.

Oh, and we have had a couple of similar threads in the last few months. If you use the search function, you should be able to find them.

[steve817]

Thanks, I gave that a shot but apparently didn't use the right keywords.

[The Annoyed Man]

You're welcome. Try THIS THREAD. I know there are others. It's about 5 or 6 pages long, but there is a lot of good stuff in that addresses your question.

[WildBill]

I have read over the use of force statutes in the penal code and the topics was glossed over in the CHL class, but still not sure.

Welcome to the Forum steve817. As a CHL holder, this is one subject that you should understand well. This forum is a great place to gain knowledge on this subject. You don't say where you live, but keep an eye out for Charles Cotton's seminar on Deadly Force. He generally gives his seminar in the Friendswood/Houston area, but sometimes travels to other locations. He explains in great detail the laws covering this subject. I have attended the seminar four times and I still learn somthing new every time.

I don't think that "what if scenarios" are too useful until one understands the basics of the law. Then you can match the situation to the law.

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=34752" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SecedeTX]

I was a bit of a scrapper in my youth, but having enough grey hair now, it is easier to defuse situations now.

I did have a situation while I was not carrying (I was not licensed at the time) where two youngsters decided to start a fight in the middle of the road in front of my sisters house (nice middle class neighborhood) over a girl. One guy had the upper hand and was about to do potentially serious injury to the other kid. I ran in and pulled him off and got in between him and the kid on the ground. At one point he looked like he was going to try to go after me, but my brother in law probably cured him of that idea.

Had I been armed, I would not of acted any differently, but looking back on it, I would of not drawn at that point. I have enough fighting ability so I do not have to resort to shoot to protect myself. If it would of escalated beyond that, and I felt I was as risk of my life or my family, things would be different.

Both kids left, I got both plate numbers, and both kids (17 year olds) got a visit from the local constables. My sister, as it turns out, knew both of the mothers of the two boys, and filled them in on what happened. The local constables were probably bad enough, but the wrath of the mothers will make them think twice.

Standing toe to toe with a 17 year old football player in a ready fight stance at 40+ years old was an adrenalin producing event, but I knew I could at least get him to the ground and secure him (while probably ending his football aspirations, but hey...not my problem)

Sorry, long answer for a short question

[gigag04]

For cardiovascular and orthopedic reasons, I am unable to defend myself in such a confrontation anyway, so I am going to treat a threat...of a whuppin' as if it were a threat to my life.

I think you're sandbagging....if push comes to shove I bet you could still scrap

You're just downplaying so somebody tries it.

[SecedeTX]

Little to opinionated....in a good way. Probably still has it in him, but will need to run to the Icy-hot afterwords..

I count myself among that crowd.

[fickman]

I won't participate in verbal provocation when carrying a firearm. I'll avoid a fight even if I look like a "punk", "weenie", or "scaredy-cat". There is no pride when it comes to my freedom. I don't have anything to prove to anybody, and since I know the "real" score (the concealed handgun), I can walk away without damage to my ego.

If these tactics fail to work, then the other party has been unprovoked and is quickly escalating his assault. At the point that I feel I cannot escape the situation safely (which would include giving verbal warnings that he was threatening me and should stop), I'd probably be forced to draw. If my family is with me, I might get to that point a little sooner.

I'm not going to win many disparity of force decisions arguments in front of a judge or jury just because of my size - between 6'5" - 6'6" and 258 lbs. (by the way - that's 85 pounds lost since January!). Regardless, I know I won't get any "I thought the mean man was going to hurt me with his fists" sympathy.

[Ropin]

One thing I'm not clear about...is Steve related to Joe817? Same 'last name' and all that...

Sorry...I had to. Back on topic, I agree with the 'walk away' votes. As a CHL holder, I believe you should hold yourself to a higher standard. False bravado to prove you're a bigger man by kicking someone's tail is along the lines of a childish game when you have the tools at hand to take things to a deadly level.

Walking away from a blowhard is what really proves you're the bigger man.

(I don't intend to sound too harshly critical...just trying to get a point across.)