TexasCHLforum.com

I'm a strong advocate of sharing your chl status with close friends and family. Afterall, that's what got me to get a CHL. One of my buddies who had been carrying for a while started talking to me about it. Eventually I saw his wisdom. I'd like to repay the favor in kind to my other friends. I now have my wife with packet in hand and going to class in Feb, i've since bought my mom a 9mm (at her request) and she's thinking about getting a CHL as well. It has also afforded me the opportunity to take a few friends shooting that have never been. All of them have found that they really liked the experience.

I have only had one such negative incident (which was discussed at great length on this board) due to my policy of sharing with friends/family. I was specifically asked NOT to carry at a dinner party for a good friend of mine after I had already accepted the invitation. I ended up declining the invite because the way the topic was approached made me uncomfortable and generally offended my principles on the issue. Those friends and I have since come to a very nice understanding on the subject. We share invitations for public events that are not in their home, but they know not to invite me to their home with the stipulation that I not carry as I feel strongly about this topic and it puts me in an awkward position. That has turned out to be a happy medium for us.

ALL other incidents relating to friends and family has been very positive, even those that generally don't like firearms.

I DO CAUTION ABOUT SHARING WITH PEOPLE AT WORK though. This can be a touchy area and can actually get some heat on you. I personally DO share this information with co-workers that I have reason to think are of like mind or would be approachable about the idea. You must be much more calculating about this though and very much realize that for every one person you tell at work they will likely tell 2-3 others and you should be ok with that.

I have never had a negative incident at work (crossing fingers) due to sharing my beliefs, but I have been approached by several co-workers asking general questions about CHL and how to get one and the conversations have allowed me to purchase OC/CS spray for 3-4 ladies at work which is something I generally do by request anyway.

I believe in the right environment that sharing this information with co-workers can be productive and can bring about some positive change. Your mileage may vary though as all work environments are not created equally. Use caution and common sense.