Mind set for new CHL

[BigGuy]

I grew up in southeast Arkansas and thought of guns as tools, not terribly different from fishing poles, frog gigs, or pocket knifes. They brought meat from the woods to the freezer. For the first 4 decades of my life I was taught that you don't point a gun at a human being for ANY reason. I just grew up in a world where you left you house unlocked and the keys in your car. The idea of needing to kill a human was just not something we ever experienced. The whole concept of having, and carrying, a gun for the purpose of pointing it at and possibly killing another person is a little tougher than I expected.
Please don't waste your time or mine with the logical reasons. I know them, which is why I'm getting my CHL and will carry. Making a logical, mental decision is easy. Overcoming 40 years of conditioning is a little harder.
I first carried almost 30 years ago. There was a three year period where I deemed it necessary. There was no CHL in those days. I just bought a little .25 ACP and made sure I could pull it and knock over a coke can at 25 yards. The mind set was different from what I gather from most on this and similar boards. It was absolutely a last ditch option. De-escalation, or more likely escape was the first goal. By the time the gun came out, there would already be the strong probability of death or serious injury. It was my hope that the little .25 might make it them rather than me or mine. I was not a lawman. I did not get the gun with the idea of going into a situation, gun blazing dispensing justice.
So, where am I now? Why did I decide to get my CHL?
My wife and I ride motorcycles. I prefer small backroads, puttering along at or even slower than, the speed limit. We used to ride with friends, but for one reason or another, they have all stopped riding. That leaves just me and the missus out on the back roads by ourselves. A quick check of the calendar shows me it's no longer 1970. With all of my former compatriots gone, I decided it might not hurt to have along a friend of a different caliber.
My mindset when I set out on the endeavor was the same as the one I practiced 30 some years ago. just mind my own business, run if possible, shoot only if I absolutely have to. Other people can take care of themselves.
I'm not saying I've changed my philosophy, but lurking around this and a couple of other boards get's me to a least thinking about it.
I'd like to hear from lawyers and police officers. How to you guys see the role of citizen CHL holders?

[Divided Attention]

JMPHO and YMMV, but my philosophy is the same - by the time the gun comes out, I am in dire fear of my life or the lives of my family. I pray every day as I put my holster and side arm on that I will not have to use it. I practice as often as I can so that should the need ever arise I am prepared. My job is to preserve and maintain life, the thought of taking a human life is very sobering, but if it should come down to me, my loved ones or the person threatening our well-being I pray I could make the right choice and act effectively. Wish you the best on your journey.

[The Annoyed Man]

I'd like to hear from lawyers and police officers. How to you guys see the role of citizen CHL holders?

I'm not an LEO or lawyer, but I know that any right thinking cop or lawyer would understand the what words "well-regulated," "militia," "the right of the people," "to keep and bear arms," and "shall not be infringed" mean.

Any cop or lawyer who doesn't understand that has an incomplete understanding.





(EDITED TO ADD THE WORD "WHAT")

[longtooth]

Welcome aboard & you will get some good answers.
I worked as Reserve for about 2 yrs in Marrion County.
We have several LEOs, X's, & a couple of lawyers.

[TexasCajun]

I'm in the process of getting my initial CHL. As I was considering the idea of getting my chl, I lurked on this & a couple of other boards and that time got me to thinking about a lot of the 'what-ifs'. And having just attended the class, my initial impressions were reinforced. The responsibility of carrying a loaded weapon daily is not to be taken lightly, and that someone's father/son or mother/daughter might not come home ever again as the result of a confrontation with me is very real possibility. I weighed all of this very carefully before moving forward & in the end I put the safety of my family and me above the concerns. But the concerns are still there, so I think that part of my responsibility as a future chl'er is to get my mind right for when the plastic does come in. I'm practicing handling myself in situations as if I was already carrying - assessing threat levels of individuals in public, minding my tongue in situations where I would normally smart-off, not flipping off the multitude of idiot drivers on my daily commute, etc. I'm also looking at the possibility of enrolling in one of those legal defense programs - again thinking about my family's well being in the event that I do have to use my weapon. So far I've only seen about 4 programs offered. Does anybody have any direct experience with any of them?

[SQLGeek]

Growing up in California, the only people I knew they carried were cops and that made sense to me. The concept of citizens carrying was a foreign one to me. Guns were always in the house just in case they were needed but taking them out of the home for defense purposes wasn't something I even considered.

Moving to Texas, the CHL and the idea of citizens arming themselves was new to me and I admit seemed a little strange at first blush. I lurked here for a long while before signing up and I came around to the idea. In my opinion, the vast majority here are just the type of people we want carrying. I dare say most pray they don't have to ever clear leather in defense of themselves and would avoid it if possible. But I've also opened my eyes to the fact that there are dangerous people out there that have no value for human life. These are the types that I believe drive us to arm ourselves. I also feel I have a duty to equip myself to protect my family from harm and this is one way to do so.

I thank God I am blessed enough to live in a state that recognizes my right to do so.

[glockstero]

I'm not a lawyer or a law enforcement professional but I can read the newspaper and watch the evening news. I live in Houston Texas and it appears all the bad guys are armed. I would be irresponsible not to arm myself to protect myself and those I care about. If confronted by a criminal and the only thing I could do was fill my skivvies with my last meal or run a bead of warm urine down my leg as I watched my family die I couldn't live with myself if in fact I survived.

[A-R]

What are the #1 and #2 rules of being a law enforcement officer?

1. YOU go home alive at the end of EVERY shift
2. Your partner(s) go home alive at the end of EVERY shift

Yes, I think good LEOs understand well any citizen who wishes to do the same. As long the citizen's means do not cross with rule 1 & 2 of police work (as long as you're NEVER a threat to an officer) then you'll have the understanding (even support) of most.

[RPBrown]

First, I am not LEO or lawyer.

I can tell you that I had the same concerns as you do and then some. I do not take the responsibility lightly nor should anyone else. However, I place the safety of my family and myself far above those concerns. I pray that I never have to be put into a situation where I would have to draw my weapon and point at someone, but, I am ready if that situation ever arises. The old saying that I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6 holds true for me but multiply that by 500 if it were a member of my family being carried by the 6.

This old world is not like it was in the 60's, 70's and even early 80's and we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves and our families. With that mindset, I took my CHL almost 14 years ago and have trained and practiced semi regularly since then. My wife and all of my kids have also realized the times we are in and have gotten theirs as well.

Again, I hope and pray that I nor any of my family, or friends that carry for that matter, never have to use it and there are no guarantees that I would come out of the confrontation, but I am a whole lot better prepaired now than if I were not carrying or had the training that I have had. I would also promise you that I will not go without a fight if the situation does arise.

Think long and hard my friend because it is a huge responsibility.

[HK_USP_45]

I carried a badge for 35 years in Texas, PD and SO. I never had a problem with qualified civilians carrying a concealed weapon.

I don't see the "rules" or consequences being any different for a peace officer than a civilian when it comes to having to use a weapon. A civilian shouldn't be "patroling" looking for bad guys. But, if you are confronted with a situation that puts you in fear of your life or someone elses, you should be prepared to act. What you do about property crimes needs to be considered strongly, especially if it is someone elses property.

I never was in a situation where I had to use deadly force, but I was in many situations where it came very close. You never really know if you are capable of making that decision until you are in a situation that might require it or you actually do. I do know that the emotional consequences of taking a life will stay with you forever (unless you are really messed up to start with). The officers I know who had to stop someone and it ended up as a fatality are changed by the experience. And it stays with them. You need to be prepared to enter that territory.

Carrying a gun is a right but it is also a responsiblity and has obligations. You are obligated to every other CHL holder to use your common sense, know the law, act responsibly and ethically, train and practice. If you don't, you put all in a bad light.