TexasCHLforum.com

You have a point.

I've written letters to the editor about drug testing and decriminalization that might make someone think I'm a stoner. I haven't knowingly been in the same room with an illegal drug since about 1980.

- Jim

Bill wrote:Jim would it be possible for you to write the letter,...?

Many things are possible.

I thought I had seen a couple of good letters posted here, but they were too specific to the individual's case. So here goes:

Dear Sir or Madam [as the case may be]:

I have been a customer of First Community Credit Union for ____ years and currently have an account balance of $___,___,___,000. I have no complaints about our business relationship.

However, your facility at ___________ is posted with a sign that refers to Texas Penal Code section 30.06, prohibiting persons with a concealed handgun license (CHL) from carrying a concealed weapon there.

The requirements to obtain a CHL are strict. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the law and proficiency with a firearm after passing a course taught by a state-licensed instructor. They must pass state and federal background checks. These standards are similar to those for police officers.

Licenses are not issued to people who have felony or domestic violence convictions or recent misdemeanor convictions, have been treated for mental illness, alcoholism, or drug addiction, have a restraining order against them, or owe delinquent child support.

In the 14 years that CHLs have been available, more than a 300,000 Texans have exercised this right. Analysis of arrest records by the Texas Department of Public Safety shows that CHL holders have far fewer run-ins with the law than the general population (http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... rt2007.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

They do not have guns "go off by accident" or threaten public safety in any way.

In short, CHL holders must be model citizens to begin with and are likely to stay that way.

Furthermore, signs prohibiting licensed CHL holders do nothing to deter criminals.

I am asking you to consider removing these signs.

Please call me at ___-___-___ if you want to discuss this issue further.

I hereby place this letter in the public domain. Anyone can use it verbatim or change it as they please.

I would not threaten in the first communication to close my account. That's just not the way I work. I try the velvet glove before the iron fist.

- Jim

jimlongley wrote:I usually try to couch my letters in terms that expressly do not state that I am a CHL holder,..

I've done that also; but realistically, who else is going to write such a letter?

I had a long essay on CHL confidentiality published in the newspaper, back when the legislature debated it in 2007. That newspaper has a circulation around 30,000; and nobody I know said Boo to me.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... f=7&t=7373" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

Writing up a group letter is a good idea.

Just be aware that you are effectively "outing" yourself as a CHL holder. Some people don't want to do that.

With the amount of money that you're talking about, you might want to look into a cash management account with a broker like Merrill Lynch or Edward Jones (not recommending either, but they are the big names). You can handle transfers electronically and get a better return than the 2% or so that credit unions give nowadays.

I have never seen one of these offices posted, the few times I have gone to them.

- Jim

If you have a balance with six figures to the left of the decimal point, I think you can get their attention and possibly get them to change their policy. Several forum members have posted good letters to various businesses on this subject. You can plagiarize one.

I doubt the media would see this issue in a favorable light. "He wants to take a gun into a bank!"

- Jim