Perhaps one (everyone) has different physical, intellectual, emotional, and practical needs surrounding firearms ownership, carrying, and use which one (everyone) needs to address in one (everyone's) own time. Shouldn't one (everyone) be welcome here to discuss those areas which are not problematic as such and to safely work through those areas that are problematic as such without others (everyone) questioning one's (everyone's) presence so long as one (everyone) does not misrepresent one's (everyone's) self or break forum rules?Oldgringo wrote:If one (everyone) is going to "talk the talk", shouldn't one (everyone) "walk the walk"? Just askin'...
Search found 2 matches
Return to “Poll: Reasons you have not gotten a CHL?”
- Mon Dec 13, 2010 1:12 am
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: Poll: Reasons you have not gotten a CHL?
- Replies: 273
- Views: 62262
Re: Poll: Reasons you have not gotten a CHL?
- Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:59 am
- Forum: General Texas CHL Discussion
- Topic: Poll: Reasons you have not gotten a CHL?
- Replies: 273
- Views: 62262
Re: Poll: Reasons you have not gotten a CHL?
I was reading the CHL forum on my husband's account and went through every one of the 17 or so pages of responses and didn't see one that came close to speaking for me so I joined in order to respond. I've had several close run-ins and am happy to be here to tell about it, but I'd like to be able to protect myself when it is just me and the kids. The reasons I haven't pursued a CHL:
1. I don't know how to shoot a pistol and don't want any condescension or teasing in trying to learn.
2. I'm scared of the recoil and don't trust others to be honest with me about how much recoil there will be. They laugh and say it is no big deal like the joke's going to be on me when they see me knock a front tooth out, which they apparently will find hilarious or will act like I'm being a baby. It doesn't make me want to try it out.
3. I am concerned about gun safety around children. I've read the corned cat website and like her. It will either be on me or locked up. However, I don't feel comfortable enough with that whole transition and I'm a little too thoughtless when it comes to keys and purse and want to make sure I'm going to be diligent and safe and that I know all my options and am comfortable with using them.
4. If I have a loaded weapon I don't know how to use, I'm going to be more of a threat to myself and others than if I didn't have it. If I carry, I'm going to have to practice regularly and stay aware of laws that affect me. This poses two problems. I'm a mom and one of my kids has high medical needs. I am grateful to get 2 minutes back to back in which I can go to the bathroom without interruption. Committing to that much time shooting and reading when I'm not very motivated to go shooting (due in large part to points 1 and 2) makes me think of all the other things I could do with that time instead. Like sleep more than 4-6 hours a night once in a while.
5. I am not one who wants to stand out or make political statements. While I have strong political opinions, I don't discuss them. I act on them, I vote on them, I live my life and make my choices based on them, but I don't want to make a statement or be a statistic or make my voice heard or protect the second amendment. While all worthy causes, I just want to protect my family and don't want to be connected to the politics of it. I really don't want to hear why I should want to, either, and am in all honesty put off from any participation because I am bracing myself for the onslaught of why I have a God-given responsibility to protect a constitutional right... yada yada. Most women I know would not identify with this. Men are the primary protectors. I'm a nurturer. This reasoning does not speak to that at all.
6. The cute guns cost too much. I don't want a pink plastic block that looks like a kid's toy. I want a pretty gun. One with a mother of pearl handle, maybe... Have you seen the prices on those things?! And the whole new wardrobe that will accommodate concealed carry is gonna be expensive, too. I'm still wearing shoes from 10 years ago. Women tend to take care of themselves last. How am I going to justify a whole new wardrobe when the kids need new shoes? I can't.
7. I don't know where to start. How to get a CHL is easy. What gun and holster to choose for my hand, my height, my daily life, my price range; holding and handling a wide diversity of guns (without much cost--still a budget minded mom!) to figure out what I like; how to hold that particular gun and how to stand; the amount of practice I need... it is a little overwhelming to sit down and figure out when I have a daily to-do list that never gets done.
8. My family will think I've really gone off the deep end. They already think that and I'm not so much worried about what they'll think, but how it will negatively affect the kids. They'll hear about it and I'll have to limit their visits with family even more, which I don't want to do. And I'm in regular contact with a profession that is diametrically opposed to all guns and they could make some serious complications for our family life if they knew I was always carrying. Yes, that's really circumspect and no one would most likely guess what I'm referring to, but it is true and it is a real threat to my family. It shouldn't be because carrying is perfectly legal, but I don't want my family to be the ones to wage that war. (Someone before said his girlfriend is concerned about her teacher friends or administrators finding out as a reason for not getting a CHL and he suspected that was a cover for a deeper issue. I'd say that very well might be the issue. If she hears enough peer pressure and casual comments about gun owners at school, she might be justifiably concerned about her job stability, especially when teachers are being laid off en masse right now. It might be enough to keep her from even considering it.)
9. I'm a talker. A social person. And a complete newbie. I don't want to go to the range by myself. But who could I go with on a regular basis where I'd be able to be social and to practice and to not feel bad or stupid? I don't know of any opportunities in my area. The people I know to go with explain points 1 and 2 above. My husband isn't condescending, but he's not really social, either. It would be easier if I had some shooting girl friends. At least 4 of my mom friends have or want to have their CHL, but they don't have time for regular get-togethers at the range with the girls any more than I do.
10. If I get it, those aforementioned other gun-friendly moms will make it known within our circles that I am in their group. They'll post gun-friendly stuff on my facebook wall or invite me to the range or whatever and then the moms who are scared of guns won't let their kids come over to our house or hang out with us. I don't want to be an example. But how can I reconcile points 9 and 10? It seems like a catch-22 and I'll have to choose my priorities. On the one hand, the moms I know most likely won't have time to do anything so there's no point in telling them. On the other hand, that leaves me with no community to share it with. I don't know what I can do about that.
That's my top ten reasons for why I haven't pursued a CHL yet. I hope it speaks for some of the other women in my shoes who don't frequent these boards.
1. I don't know how to shoot a pistol and don't want any condescension or teasing in trying to learn.
2. I'm scared of the recoil and don't trust others to be honest with me about how much recoil there will be. They laugh and say it is no big deal like the joke's going to be on me when they see me knock a front tooth out, which they apparently will find hilarious or will act like I'm being a baby. It doesn't make me want to try it out.
3. I am concerned about gun safety around children. I've read the corned cat website and like her. It will either be on me or locked up. However, I don't feel comfortable enough with that whole transition and I'm a little too thoughtless when it comes to keys and purse and want to make sure I'm going to be diligent and safe and that I know all my options and am comfortable with using them.
4. If I have a loaded weapon I don't know how to use, I'm going to be more of a threat to myself and others than if I didn't have it. If I carry, I'm going to have to practice regularly and stay aware of laws that affect me. This poses two problems. I'm a mom and one of my kids has high medical needs. I am grateful to get 2 minutes back to back in which I can go to the bathroom without interruption. Committing to that much time shooting and reading when I'm not very motivated to go shooting (due in large part to points 1 and 2) makes me think of all the other things I could do with that time instead. Like sleep more than 4-6 hours a night once in a while.
5. I am not one who wants to stand out or make political statements. While I have strong political opinions, I don't discuss them. I act on them, I vote on them, I live my life and make my choices based on them, but I don't want to make a statement or be a statistic or make my voice heard or protect the second amendment. While all worthy causes, I just want to protect my family and don't want to be connected to the politics of it. I really don't want to hear why I should want to, either, and am in all honesty put off from any participation because I am bracing myself for the onslaught of why I have a God-given responsibility to protect a constitutional right... yada yada. Most women I know would not identify with this. Men are the primary protectors. I'm a nurturer. This reasoning does not speak to that at all.
6. The cute guns cost too much. I don't want a pink plastic block that looks like a kid's toy. I want a pretty gun. One with a mother of pearl handle, maybe... Have you seen the prices on those things?! And the whole new wardrobe that will accommodate concealed carry is gonna be expensive, too. I'm still wearing shoes from 10 years ago. Women tend to take care of themselves last. How am I going to justify a whole new wardrobe when the kids need new shoes? I can't.
7. I don't know where to start. How to get a CHL is easy. What gun and holster to choose for my hand, my height, my daily life, my price range; holding and handling a wide diversity of guns (without much cost--still a budget minded mom!) to figure out what I like; how to hold that particular gun and how to stand; the amount of practice I need... it is a little overwhelming to sit down and figure out when I have a daily to-do list that never gets done.
8. My family will think I've really gone off the deep end. They already think that and I'm not so much worried about what they'll think, but how it will negatively affect the kids. They'll hear about it and I'll have to limit their visits with family even more, which I don't want to do. And I'm in regular contact with a profession that is diametrically opposed to all guns and they could make some serious complications for our family life if they knew I was always carrying. Yes, that's really circumspect and no one would most likely guess what I'm referring to, but it is true and it is a real threat to my family. It shouldn't be because carrying is perfectly legal, but I don't want my family to be the ones to wage that war. (Someone before said his girlfriend is concerned about her teacher friends or administrators finding out as a reason for not getting a CHL and he suspected that was a cover for a deeper issue. I'd say that very well might be the issue. If she hears enough peer pressure and casual comments about gun owners at school, she might be justifiably concerned about her job stability, especially when teachers are being laid off en masse right now. It might be enough to keep her from even considering it.)
9. I'm a talker. A social person. And a complete newbie. I don't want to go to the range by myself. But who could I go with on a regular basis where I'd be able to be social and to practice and to not feel bad or stupid? I don't know of any opportunities in my area. The people I know to go with explain points 1 and 2 above. My husband isn't condescending, but he's not really social, either. It would be easier if I had some shooting girl friends. At least 4 of my mom friends have or want to have their CHL, but they don't have time for regular get-togethers at the range with the girls any more than I do.
10. If I get it, those aforementioned other gun-friendly moms will make it known within our circles that I am in their group. They'll post gun-friendly stuff on my facebook wall or invite me to the range or whatever and then the moms who are scared of guns won't let their kids come over to our house or hang out with us. I don't want to be an example. But how can I reconcile points 9 and 10? It seems like a catch-22 and I'll have to choose my priorities. On the one hand, the moms I know most likely won't have time to do anything so there's no point in telling them. On the other hand, that leaves me with no community to share it with. I don't know what I can do about that.
That's my top ten reasons for why I haven't pursued a CHL yet. I hope it speaks for some of the other women in my shoes who don't frequent these boards.