6 month after recieving my license ...

[Tamie]

It's a lot longer than six months and I still haven't used the fire extinguisher in my kitchen.

[The Annoyed Man]

Answers to my un-ending list of questions and concerns were coming into light until The Annoyed Man posted and turned on the sun. I could pan that single post a dozen more times and find more gold nuggets each time. Sir, you are some one I'd like to meet. It's like Jack Roush or Jon Moss wading into an on-line Chevy vs Ford debate and spreading words of wisdom. The internet needs more annoyed men ... wait, that didn't come out right ...

Well thanks. Perhaps you could talk to my son for me? He hasn't yet reached that age where he'll some day realize that I am smarter than I used to be.

He's like you, by the way. I bought both him and his fiancé their CHL class last Christmas. They both have had their plastic in hand since about March, and they don't carry every day. They both carry often, but not every day.

[sugar land dave]

Strangely, I've gotten to the point where I feel a little undressed if I am not carrying......

[wharvey]

Strangely, I've gotten to the point where I feel a little undressed if I am not carrying......

For the first few years I had a carry license I didn't often carry either. Now I've reached your point. Just not comfortable without at least one.

[kjolly]

Everyone must find their own comfort levels with the realization that there are two legged predators in our society. I live a low risk life and hopefully will never need a weapon ever yet just as we talk about gun free zones being an invitation to crimminals, so is living a low risk life. Peole like myself that do not go into bars, do not come near drugs, stay away from bad areas of town also can be easy victims because we are not situationaly aware. I carry a gun when I leagaly can because this makes me more aware of my surroundings and keeps me walking with my head up and watching. Small price to pay for the feeling of security and knowing I am there for my wife.

[Zylo_X]

Mitch,
Thanks for sparking some thoughtful discussion. Before I continue, can you please clarify a point? In your scenario of "one chance to get it wrong", are you applying that to "defense of others", outside of immediate family?? I would think that "defense of self or others", with "others" being immediate family would generally be a pretty clear cut scenario. Thanks, Z

Oops, asked and answered already. Sorry. Now that the meds have smoothed out, I'll add a few thoughts. First, having a spare tire (in the trunk not waist), doesn't mean you fear an immanent flat, but most probably don't fear a flat because they do have the spare in the trunk. Second, from what you've already said, you seem to already keep more 'options' "on or about you" than some do. Until I got my CHL, I would only carry in the car on road trips. Even with 2 alarms, I wouldn't want to leave the car parked out of my sight, because I'm more concerned about what could happen with a burglary or some kids looking to joy ride. I feel the safest place for my weapon is on me. Second place is behind the gate, in my home with the alarm and 100 lb dog on guard duty. Third, in regard to "defense of others", as has been said countless times on this forum, "it's NOT a BatMan card". Situational awareness and avoidance are your best first defenses, but should I find myself in a situation, I ask myself 'what would I do if I were not carrying?', and 'would I feel compelled to act?'. I evaluate the situation and try to know what I don't know. For example, if I come upon a male holding a gun on a female holding a knife, whether carrying or not, I would take cover, and call 911, for starters. I don't know enough about the situation to 'engage' a target, so I would just try to safely be a good witness. Chivalry might influence one to 'rescue the damsel', but perhaps she was a knife wielding mugger who chose poorly. If I start by trying to know what I don't know, then I feel I can at least make better decisions. As said before, you shouldn't feel pressured to carry, and if carrying no pressure to use. Just some thoughts for consideration. I hope everybody has a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

[mitchntx]

Thanks for the thoughts Zylo ... I guess my situation boils down to a couple key points that I need to work out ...

First of all ... is there any worldly posession I have worth taking another person's life over. Everything I own is insured, so ...

Second ... will I be able to recognize that my or a loved one's life is being threatened with deadly intent in time for me to draw and shoot with any accuracy and without worry that the 5 year old kid playing in his bedroom 100 yards away won't get hurt because of my inability to properly sense, react and/or act with a reasonable level of confidence.

Until I can answer YES to both of those dilemas without remorse, then I will feel as though an EDC is for me.

Someone said earlier that having a CHL is a commitment. I disagree ... the choice of carrying a deadly weapon and willing to use it, is a commitment.


TAM ... one day my daughter tells me "Dad, if you keep bailing me out of these situations, how am I ever going to learn?" She was overdrawn in her checking account and I moved $100 over and was scolding her over the phone for not being responsible.

I stopped and she is now VERY good with money.

[papasan]

My plastic is in the mail and I intend to carry 24/7 in every place that is legal. I don't frequent bars or other places that are hotbeds of people wanting to assault you. I just want to be around for my wife.

[rp_photo]

My S&W 442 "Airweight" has become as natural an accessory as my keys, wallet, and phone to the point where it's easy to forget that it's a deadly weapon.

[Adraper]

I know this is an old thread. I'm new here and don't have many posts. So what will my 2 cents hurt? I obtained a CHL when I was first available to do so. I was a young guy physically fit and single. 90% of the places I went I couldn't carry. I didn't renew. Years later I was threatened with attack in a place I never would have envisioned. It was a remote difficult to access flooded timber pothole that at the time was great duck hunting. For me it was a place of peace and serenity. I stopped the attacked without firing a shot. Apparently guys armed driftwood with clubs will stop thier charge when faced with an 870 even if it is loaded with steel #4's. If they had been sober enough to realize how loud they were talking as they approached, I may not be typing this. That event plus the fact that I am now married with two small children started a spiral chain of thought. As illustrated by Luby's in 1991, Virginia Tech, and my pothole experience, we can't chose when violence happens. I can run and I can fight (probably ineffectually) but my two year old can't and I cant do it holding her. I have had my new CHL for about six months as well. So has my wife. My wife has absolutely no interest in it. Ask her if she needs a chl and she will say no. I am the polar opposite. To me it is a must. Not that I carry a gun every minute but that I am capable of protecting my family whatever may come.