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Prior to becoming an instructor, the number of people who knew I had my CHL could be counted on one hand, including my wife and me. I was mainly concerned about the unnecessary attention that it might draw from friends, family, coworkers, bosses, etc. My transition came after a group from work expressed interest in doing a CHL course, so I discreetly offered to host the course at our house to those that I knew were serious about obtaining their CHLs. I quickly learned that the vast majority of people in my workplace were interested or already had their CHL. I also got tired of feeling like my hobby/interest/training was taboo, so I made the decision to become an "ambassador" for firearms, rather than hide it.

While I don't shout it from the rooftops or wear a sign, I generally don't hide it. When I became an instructor it's hard to keep "secret" so I just fess right up if someone asks. It works out pretty good.

For me persoanlly, I don't tell anyone who I don't trust with my life. Luckily, my "employer" was my friend long before he was my source of income. The only people who know I have a CHL are my boss, my immediate family, and two close friends. My boss/ friend knows I carry 24/7 and has no problem with it. The rest have expressed sincere support. As far as I'm concerned, nobody else needs to know (besides law enforcement at the appropriate times). If anyone else asks, I say something to the effect of "what is a CHL"?

(I'm still working on getting my father to apply for his CHL)

Bottom line - to each his own. This is a totally personal decision based upon many factors but mostly the relationships you have and the people you trust or don't trust. The law just says the gun is to be concealed. There is nothing that says it is a big secret.

If I think about the subject for any length of time the only logical conclusion is that one should minimize the number of people that know about your CHL.
You never know when you are going to totally alienate a co-worker or have a friend turn their back on you. It happens. When it does, you don't want to give them "ammo" to put the squeeze on you.

To me, a "friend" that would turn their back on me because they happened to know I have a CHL isn't a "friend" I'll miss. I'm not sure why anyone would even ask others what they think, you don't tell anyone...I tell everyone, how would that make a difference to the other. Handle it like ya want, I'm not going to try to sell you on doing it my way and you won't change my mind, so what's the deal?

I'll also say I have a sister who is totally anti-gun...the last time it was brought up I told her fine, when you call me in the middle of the night and someone's breaking in and LE hasn't shown up...I'll return your call the next morning and see how it worked out for ya. End of discussion!

JNMAR wrote:
To me, a "friend" that would turn their back on me because they happened to know I have a CHL isn't a "friend" I'll miss.

I knew that someone would rise to this concern. FWIW, with this statement.

JNMAR wrote:To me, a "friend" that would turn their back on me because they happened to know I have a CHL isn't a "friend" I'll miss. I'm not sure why anyone would even ask others what they think, you don't tell anyone...I tell everyone, how would that make a difference to the other. Handle it like ya want, I'm not going to try to sell you on doing it my way and you won't change my mind, so what's the deal?

I'll also say I have a sister who is totally anti-gun...the last time it was brought up I told her fine, when you call me in the middle of the night and someone's breaking in and LE hasn't shown up...I'll return your call the next morning and see how it worked out for ya. End of discussion!

That is not the point I am trying to make. It has nothing to do with your friend changing their mind when they find out. The point is that someone you confide in can turn around and use it against you at a later date should the relationship (is that the appropriate word?) go south. So my take on this subject is that one should absolutely minimize the number of people that you make aware of it in the first place.

Purplehood wrote:

JNMAR wrote:To me, a "friend" that would turn their back on me because they happened to know I have a CHL isn't a "friend" I'll miss. I'm not sure why anyone would even ask others what they think, you don't tell anyone...I tell everyone, how would that make a difference to the other. Handle it like ya want, I'm not going to try to sell you on doing it my way and you won't change my mind, so what's the deal?

I'll also say I have a sister who is totally anti-gun...the last time it was brought up I told her fine, when you call me in the middle of the night and someone's breaking in and LE hasn't shown up...I'll return your call the next morning and see how it worked out for ya. End of discussion!

That is not the point I am trying to make. It has nothing to do with your friend changing their mind when they find out. The point is that someone you confide in can turn around and use it against you at a later date should the relationship (is that the appropriate word?) go south. So my take on this subject is that one should absolutely minimize the number of people that you make aware of it in the first place.

Purplehood wrote:

JNMAR wrote:To me, a "friend" that would turn their back on me because they happened to know I have a CHL isn't a "friend" I'll miss. I'm not sure why anyone would even ask others what they think, you don't tell anyone...I tell everyone, how would that make a difference to the other. Handle it like ya want, I'm not going to try to sell you on doing it my way and you won't change my mind, so what's the deal?

I'll also say I have a sister who is totally anti-gun...the last time it was brought up I told her fine, when you call me in the middle of the night and someone's breaking in and LE hasn't shown up...I'll return your call the next morning and see how it worked out for ya. End of discussion!

That is not the point I am trying to make. It has nothing to do with your friend changing their mind when they find out. The point is that someone you confide in can turn around and use it against you at a later date should the relationship (is that the appropriate word?) go south. So my take on this subject is that one should absolutely minimize the number of people that you make aware of it in the first place.

Sure, I understand Purplehood. I really wasn't intentionally pointing my comment at you personally, which is why I didn't quote your post. I do understand and respect your and others feelings. What I don't understand is why it would even become a topic of discussion, so I guess it was more in reply to the original post. I'm sure my personality has a lot to do with it, but I really don't care what others think concerning me carrying. My employer carries, we both got our CHL together. I manage a place in the country and we have hundreds of folks come out during the course of the year. When I'm on the ranch, I OC, ocassionally he does as well. As far as I'm concerned, if a guest don't like it, they don't have to come if it's that offensive. I don't do it for show, it's there for business. I'm alone on 350 acres about 20+ days/month in of some of the roughest country of North Texas...snakes, feral hogs, lot's of bobcats, and at least one mountain lion that leaves lot's of tracks up and down the river and has been seen at least 3 times...and who knows what other kinds of trash floating down the Brazos.

So, as has been stated by other posters...a guy or gal has to do what he/she sees fit to do...if a person wants to keep it to themselves, I'm good with that.

KFP wrote:Prior to becoming an instructor, the number of people who knew I had my CHL could be counted on one hand, including my wife and me. I was mainly concerned about the unnecessary attention that it might draw from friends, family, coworkers, bosses, etc. My transition came after a group from work expressed interest in doing a CHL course, so I discreetly offered to host the course at our house to those that I knew were serious about obtaining their CHLs. I quickly learned that the vast majority of people in my workplace were interested or already had their CHL. I also got tired of feeling like my hobby/interest/training was taboo, so I made the decision to become an "ambassador" for firearms, rather than hide it.

Since becoming an instructor, I have kept my CHL a secret from both of my sisters and their husbands, but have no issues with others knowing. I have no interest in getting into a debate with my sisters about the safety of being around their children with a firearm, so I choose to go about my normal routine when they are around, without having to deal with the negative comments/reactions. My wife is not interested in her friends or coworkers knowing, unless they directly ask.

Needless to say, I can understand various aspects involved in the decision. The decision is ultimately an individual one - no person should be faulted for the decision that they choose to make. Although it is intuitive, once you've told someone, it can't be taken back. They also have the ability to tell others that you may not have wanted to know.

I would say that covers the way I feel about it pretty much, and "Ambassador" is a pretty good choice of words. I have three relatives back in California - my mother and my two brothers. My brothers know. My mother doesn't, and I've deliberately kept it that way. Of my two brothers, one would get a permit if he could (LA County Sheriff doesn't issue permits unless you're on the right social list), and the other doesn't really care about guns one way or the other (even though he happens to be a superb shot with a rifle). My mother is so "anti" that she flat out forbids conversation about firearms in her home. So for the sake of family harmony, I have kept the knowledge from her.

As to others around here in Texas, I move in a circle of mostly conservative people, and guns are sometimes a topic of conservation. On occasion, I've offered to take newbies to the range and teach them how to shoot. Invariably, during those range sessions, the conversation about CHL will come up, and I encourage people to get theirs. I've had acquaintances at church, during conversations about hunting and shooting volunteer to me that they are considering getting a CHL. I always encourage them to do so. When the conversation takes that turn, the question will come up, "do you have one?" When asked directly, by someone I know, I always answer truthfully. That always leads to the question, "are you carrying one right now?" Depending on how long I've known the person, I'll either answer, "never leave home without it," or "that's the beauty of concealed carry; you'll never actually know" followed by a wink and smile.

I am considering taking the instructor's course, but I'm pretty sure that I don't want to start a CHL instruction business - at least not at this juncture. I'm too busy trying to build my website design business right now, and I don't need the added distraction of the record keeping, etc. But, I would be open to working with other established instructors in helping to teach classes or stuff like that. But if I do that, then necessarily it will follow that an increasing number of people will know that I hold a CHL, but they will be mostly CHL friendly and it is not such a big issue. And then there's that "ambassador" thing.

I don't think anyone could use my being a CHL holder against me for any reason. Its not illegal, immoral or fattening.....its nothing to be ashamed of. If I had proof an employer fired me or didn't hire me because of having a CHL, that may be cause for legal action, but proving it would be difficult. For me, a total non-issue. My wife outed me once in front of some neighbors as we were having a little get together after the hostess (a single lady, mind you) announced she was considering getting a gun for protection at home and when she travels. Turned the evening completely around...turns out the other couple with us have no problem with guns, either. They both enjoy their .45's......

lonewolf wrote:I don't think anyone could use my being a CHL holder against me for any reason.

Yes they can. Politicians have tried to demonize people for having a gun, let alone carrying one. Just because they shouldn't doesn't mean that they can't or won't.

AndyC wrote:You're referring to those same politicians who carry concealed themselves - right, Bill?

I'm sure we all agree that those types are hypocrites and as such their opinion on concealed-carry - or firearms in general - holds absolutely no water with any of us. Politicians from either side are slime, but hypocrites are the worst of the bunch, IMO.

Umm, well, since none of "US" would hold having a CHL against anybody, your statement is pretty irrelevant. The fact is, those people, and especially those politicians exist, and the politicians are in a position not only to affect the opinions of other less informed people, but they also are in a position to pass laws that are restrictive to "US". So I don't agree that they "hold no water".