Feeling vulnerable

[tornado]

So after intending to eventually get a CHL for a few years, I finally decided and got WAF (Wife Approval Factor) about a week ago. I'm signed up for the class in a week and half.

Now I find that everywhere I go, I'm wishing I were already carrying.

My situational awareness has gone way up -- watching people, looking for cover or concealment, running over scenarios.

I think this would be a fairly common thing, so I want to ask -- anybody?

[hi-power]

I'd have to say yes to that. I had a CHL from the very beginning up until 2000 and I let it lapse due to a lot of other things going on in my life at that time.

I was OK without it, (not worrying or wishing I had it again), until the fall of last year. So I went out and took the class and got the CHL back.

I had a heightened awareness and was feeling pretty nekkid right after I took the class again. Then I had to wait about 3 months before I could carry anywhere but home. I'm glad that part is over.

You'll be OK. Just use your situational awareness now to keep you safe until to can carry, then keep it up while you're carrying.

[seamusTX]

I've been operating that way since the first time I got mugged, which was about 40 years ago. I identify potential threats all the time, but they rarely escalate to the point where I feel the need to take action.

The last situation I recall was several weeks ago. I was in line at the prescription counter at Kroger. A guy who was obviously mentally ill or on drugs was frantically yelling at a store employee because he couldn't find men's shampoo. I just kept an eye on him and he eventually went in another direction.

The main thing is to build your confidence. The only time you are defenseless is when you are unconscious.

Get yourself a pepper spray or whatever tools you feel confident in using. Keep your eyes open and anticipate how to deal with threats. Know that you can.

I find it satisfying when panhandlers size me up and then decide not to bother. We have more than our fair share of panhandlers here in Galveston.

- Jim

[Sludge]

So after intending to eventually get a CHL for a few years, I finally decided and got WAF (Wife Approval Factor) about a week ago. I'm signed up for the class in a week and half.

Now I find that everywhere I go, I'm wishing I were already carrying.

My situational awareness has gone way up -- watching people, looking for cover or concealment, running over scenarios.

I think this would be a fairly common thing, so I want to ask -- anybody?

I know how you feel...I took my class on 4/25, sent the paper work the next day, now I wait. It has changed me. I know I cant carry yet, but I practice keeping my situational awareness up.

My Wife, her mom, and my parents are taking the class together next weekend.

In the mean time we (wife and I) are shooting weekly to get use to our new tools. We are not new to shooting, just new to shooting what we intend to carry.

[stevie_d_64]

So after intending to eventually get a CHL for a few years, I finally decided and got WAF (Wife Approval Factor) about a week ago. I'm signed up for the class in a week and half.

Now I find that everywhere I go, I'm wishing I were already carrying.

My situational awareness has gone way up -- watching people, looking for cover or concealment, running over scenarios.

I think this would be a fairly common thing, so I want to ask -- anybody?

Hanging around here, reading what I write may raise your BP up a few notches...

Eventually I have found that the more you talk shop with folks, you tend to naturally avoid places and situations that may present an issue to you...But that is never foolproof...

"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, but keep yer head on a swivle."

And the old tried and true...

"Its better to have it and never need it, than to need it and not have it."

Good luck on your class, and hope the wait to get the license is not too long...

Remember, become a student of the law, and practice, practice, practice...

[tornado]

Thanks for the replies & tips.

Maybe "vulnerable" wasn't the right word -- I'm going all the same places I've always gone and avoiding places where trouble's likely.

On second thought, it was the right word. "Feeling" was the wrong word. "More acutely aware of being potentially vulnerable" might capture what I was looking for.

My father is a retired teacher. For a long time he taught kindergarten and worked the 6-midnight shift as an armed guard at a tool company (what a combo!). As a kid, I would go on rounds with him sometimes and talk scenarios. And my uncle used to be a reserve police officer. Both of them have had CHL for years, and I've heard stories and discussed situations with them on many occasions. So I agree that kind of thing is great practice. (If you don't have CHL friends to discuss things with, look for some.)

I've loaded LS-16 on my Palm Treo, and I've been reading it at lunch. (I must be a gun nut!)

And, yeah, I guess a lot of the feeling is from reading here and at PDO.

[RPBrown]

As I tell most that are getting CHL, use the time wisely. You are on a good start with practice shooting and awareness. However, practice your method of carry at home so when the time comes,it won't feel awkward to you.

Another .02. DONT CHECK THE DPS WEBSITE MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK. It will drive you batty. Better off losing you pin number when you ge it.

Oh, by the way, WELCOME TO THE FORUM. It is filled with both wisdom and wit.

[stevie_d_64]

As I tell most that are getting CHL, use the time wisely. You are on a good start with practice shooting and awareness. However, practice your method of carry at home so when the time comes,it won't feel awkward to you.

Another .02. DONT CHECK THE DPS WEBSITE MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK. It will drive you batty. Better off losing you pin number when you ge it.

Oh, by the way, WELCOME TO THE FORUM. It is filled with both wisdom and wit.

I agree...Having that loaded on your PDA is Hardcore! You're going to fit in real nice here...

BTW...Who's "Wit"...I don't know that guy? And don't get me going about that guy "Wisdom"...Dangerous combo there...

[TIN BENDER]

All of these comments were worthy.

seamusTX summed it up perfectly.

I carry All the time and the knowledge

you gain from this forum is beyond compare.

Good Luck and Welcome !