TexasCHLforum.com

Now on to my response to the OP...

I don't overtly promote CHL. If the topic does come up, I will provide factual information regarding the law. If the subject matter warrants it, I will go into more personal opinions on the subject. I do not disclose that I have a CHL or carry unless I am directly asked, and I do not evangelize for the CHL cause. People tend to be pretty opinionated on guns and self defense already, so discussion/argument on the matter generally only results in a negative outcome. Just as in many other aspects of my life, I find that demonstration by example is much more effective in swaying a persons opinion on the subject. When I take people shooting at the range, the subject will inevitably come up because I don't own many guns and I draw and clear my carry gun when we get around to handgun shooting. My demeanor in every day life and at the range serves as a much more powerful testimony of what a person who carries is actually like, and has many times opened the eyes of someone who had preconceived notions about "gun people". I let my character do the talking.

There have been a couple of times when a friend has expressed a possible interest in getting a CHL during the course of conversation about their first trip to the range. In such a situation, I encourage the person to look more into it while emphasizing the responsibilities involved in getting a license. These individuals have been young and still more of a partying type, so specifically I discuss the responsibilities regarding alcohol and carry. To my knowledge, neither have gotten their license, but I believe the discussion does plant a seed of positive affirmation towards responsible behavior.

Mike1951 wrote:

Mike1951 wrote:
And while the NICS bypass is convenient, I really hope no one gets a CHL for that reason.

Liberty wrote:Why not? Is one reason more noble than another?

As far as I'm concerned, yes.

Wanting to take responsibility for the safety and protection of yourself, your family, and your property should be the reason someone gets a CHL.

To speed up a gun purchase is not a valid reason and cheapens the whole process.

Just my opinion.

I am going to disagree with you here, and I will tell you why.

CHL is a licensed right. It means that short of a criminal or psychological background that gives the state cause to deny that right, everyone is entitled to exercise that right. A CHL is simply the affirmation of the right to bear certain arms - one that everyone is entitled to. Regardless of the reason someone gets the CHL, that person is entitled to the license provided they meet the prerequisites in training and background. If someone gets the license solely for the NICS bypass, that does not "cheapen" the right. The CHL simply affirms the right of that person to carry a concealed handgun if he or she so chooses. The "process" required to get the license is a requirement of government oversight, and I don't have some overt reverence to the process itself, so in my eyes there is nothing to "cheapen". Just as this process is to ensure that the licensee has a good understanding of the law regarding the exercise of the license and proper familiarity and demonstrated ability with a firearm, a driver's license ensures that the licensee is familiar with traffic law and proper familiarity and demonstrated ability with a motor vehicle.

To say that getting a CHL without the intention to exercise the benefits of the license except for the NICS bypass cheapens the process of acquiring the license is parallel to saying that a person who does not own a car and does not drive cheapens the process of getting a driver's license solely because he or she wants to be able to drive the fast cars at Malibu Grand Prix. It is neither here nor there because the licensing process is simply a government oversight for the purpose of safety in the expression of that individuals right to free movement, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A CHL is just the same, except it deals with our Second Amendment rights and the rights to life, liberty, and self-preservation.

As seems to be the case with Stupid, getting the CHL simply for the NICS bypass is likely to open the door of understanding about the responsibilities and further expression of the right to carry. I find no offense at that, and if it can open the doors to a heightened awareness of the need for self-defense, I'm all for people getting the license for the less than glorious reason of a NICS bypass.