Young CHL Holders

[Tacomaoffroader]

I've had my CHL since I turned 21 back in late 2003 (actually got my CHL with Ross Bransford as well!) and only my close friends and family know I carry.

I only carry when I know I'm not going to be hanging out with friends (who are spontaneous) and decide to go to a bar later on in the night.

If I know I'm going to a bar I make sure the gun stays at home.

I've never been bowling with my XD service (.45)... must be an Austin thing...???

But then again I don't go bowling much, there have been a few times when I've had to excuse myself and run home to lock up my weapon so I could go hang out with friends.

But all in all I think it's made me more mature and responsible.

-Laurence

[NguyenVanDon]

I'm 22 years old. Took my CHL course in February and received my CHL March. Been Carrying for almost 5 months.

Going out with friends is not a problem. Most of them are pro gun and will be taking their CHL this month. I am the first one in the group of friends to get the CHL.

Going out to bars, I usually disarm myself before heading inside with my friends. I obey the law as much as I can, depending how bad the neighborhood is.

I play basketball a lot. I usually have my backpack with me and I just leave my handgun in my bag where I can have a clear view on it at all times.

So far, the closes for me to pulling out my gun was at 2:30am in the early morning. Someone smashed into my uncles Ford F-150 right in front of the driveway and the alarm went off. They busted the back and driver side windows with a brick. They ripped out my uncle's dvd/mp3 player from the dash board that cost over 1k. By the time we got outside, the BG's have already fled the scene. This happened probably 3 - 4 months ago.

[maximus2161]

darn, and I thought I only needed 1 gun for CHL ;) oh well I guess I'll just have to get another gun

Only ONE gun? Do you only have ONE pair of shoes?

Before long, you will have a dress up gun, a work gun, a casual gun, a just kicking around the house kinda gun, a range gun (or two... or three), etc, etc, etc. You have only just begun! Welcome to our world!

You are exactly right!!!!

[Charles L. Cotton]

Wow, wow, wow.

Great thread!

Yes it is! It's great to see so many young folks getting their CHLs and joining us here at TexasCHLforum.

Chas.

[TexAg08]

Im about to be 22, and am in the waiting period of the CHL. I used to be the party animal type, but have since matured and the only time I really go out is to eat with my friends or something like seeing a movie or bowling. Coming into the hobby of guns has made the biggest difference in how ive matured. I know always check whos behind me in line, im always checking people manurisms to see if anything seems strange, and I never go anywhere where trouble my arise. I plan on carrying 24/7 with the exception of school and work. If my friends want to go to a bar, which I rarely do with them cause they are crazy drunks and I like to just chill and have a beer or two, then ill leave my gun at home. Having a gun around alcohol no matter how much equals bad things with the law. My XD9 Sub is waiting for her first trip to Wally World in about a month.

[Dwight K. Schrute]

I am definitely glad to see so many XD's being carried! I failed to mention my carry gun is an XD-9 Service.

I hope this doesn't sound corny, but the striker-fired/semi-automatic/polymer handgun is sort of "ours". It seems that certain generations have their guns, and as the first Glock (yes, Glock did it first...) was mass produced in the early/mid 1980's, you could say it came around when we did! The look, feel, and additional safety of the XD is steadily making it more popular (IMHO) than the Glock, but I think we have yet to see the full line of polymer pistols in the market. Either way, I'm happy to say I love revolvers and 1911 style arms, but the polymer pistol is the gun-style for me.

[TexAg08]

Dont get me wrong, I love my XD's due to their safety without the use of manual safeties, but I also love the look, feel, and ease of concealment that the 1911 provides. Hell, just today I found a moderately used, custom Springfield 1911 3" BBL with duracote finish, hogue grips, aftermarket trigger, hammer, and beavertail. All of that for $525. Only if I had the $$$.

[NguyenVanDon]

Glock >>>> XD

[TexAg08]

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That is the debate of the gun community. Its like Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge. Pretty soon its gonna be XD vs. Glock vs. M&P.

PS: XD>Glock M&P>Glock XD>M&P (only because of triggers). Sorry had to do it. Lets not change the thread topic.

[Will938]

I got my license when I was 21 and that was a little over a year ago.

So far as my personal habits changing; it really does make you more aware of what is going on around you. Instead of being investigative about stuff I don't really take chances anymore. Definately know a lot more about various sections of Texas law from hanging here. Lots of bull myths evaporated aswell. Merely carrying a gun transforms you into a much more lawful/responsible person.

Being in college you're always on the wire with legal definitions when carrying. I had to get used to all the rules associated with that and bars. If I was going to class I made sure (several times) that I hadn't left a gun in my back pack. If I was going onto campus I had to consider whether I was just walking through or if I might head into a building. I also had to take a loose interpretation of what a "school sponsored event" was. If I was gonna go out with friends to a bar I had to make sure I had somewhere to stay and that my guns would be secure.

I hope this doesn't sound corny, but the striker-fired/semi-automatic/polymer handgun is sort of "ours".

Ah horse hocky, I carry a Sig P228

[RubenZ]

I hate plastic guns ;)

I have never used one that didn't fly out of my hand when sweaty. Then you have to put sleeves over the grip, bike tubes, super glue and all this other crap so they don't slip out.

[Doug.38PR]

I'm 30 and have had my CHL only about 3 years now. I go out to eat, to movies and to parties with friends carrying a gun all the time. Typically I wear a sportcoat (I was even at a party with a sportcoat on and was on the floor of this girl's apartment playing with her kittens and crawling around all while my 4 inch .38 service revolver was on my right hip.
The gun is not as noticable as you think.
If I can't wear a sportcoat, I tuck my shirt in around the IWB holster for my .38 or even my 1911. Sometimes I will just drop my 2 inch Detective Special in my pocket.
As for bowling....I wouldn't want to go bowling with gun on me. For that, I just leave it in the car...unless I'm not bowling and just want to sit and visit with friends.

My biggest regret thus far is that too many people know that I carry a weapon at all times. My recommendation to you is that you TELL NO ONE except your family and closest of friends – and make sure they know that you don’t want anyone else to know! – You don’t want the attention – Trust me.

I agree with that statement. I learned within a few months of my having gotten my CHL to be VERY selective about who I told. I told a client from work one time and the first question out of his mouth was "have you ever shot anybody?"
I laughed a little (thought he was kidding). He was dead serious. A few weeks later, he told my supervisor that I carried and demanded that I not carry on the job or near him again.

[fadlan12]

darn, and I thought I only needed 1 gun for CHL ;) oh well I guess I'll just have to get another gun

Only ONE gun? Do you only have ONE pair of shoes?

Before long, you will have a dress up gun, a work gun, a casual gun, a just kicking around the house kinda gun, a range gun (or two... or three), etc, etc, etc. You have only just begun! Welcome to our world!

You are exactly right!!!!

The disease spreads: not only do I have winter, summer, and causal pistols I also have long range, close range, large caliber, and small caiber rifles.

[tong409]

I'm 21, and i got my CHL back in March, it was kind of shock to my family when i told them i got my CHL. My mother kinda freaked.. but my brother and dad didnt know what to say.. i told them my reasons for getting it because my family owns a few business in town and certain days I'm out there collecting cash out in the open.. after that my family know i carry everywhere i go and dont have a problem with it.. and since then my dad and brother both went to take thier CHL class they both are waiting for thier plastic...

I have never been much of a party person, so getting a CHL didnt effect my life style much.. it's just changes your attitude about where you are at and your surroundings.. i carry a Glock 26 in a C-TAC strong side at 3:30-4:00 everyday when im off work and most of the time i forget its there.. also have a (XD) service model and a kimber .45acp Pro-carry i plan on carrying once i get my holster from Mr. Tucker When i carry i feel proud to know that i am ready to protect my friends and family at any giving time... its just not something i use to feel before i had my CHL..

As for people knowing that i carry.. i only have a small circle of friends and they are perfectly fine with me carrying.. i have told them that it was only for them to know and them only.. as for my family.. only my parents and brother know i carry.. i decided to not tell my sisters about.. nor i think they really need to know.. they haven't notice me while i was carrying so i must be doing a very good job concealing while playing with the kids..

Going out.. most the time i go places when i can carry.. thats no problem.. but on some weekends me and my friends my decide to go out to the club or bar where obiviosly you cant carry.. im fine with that so i just leave the weapon at home or if its my car locked away in the glove box and just have my knife with me.. Bowling while consealing is pretty difficult.. haha i will never do that again...

since then i am looking at a even smaller carry gun to buy.. (nice excuse to make me buy another gun haha ) so i can carry on my ankel or S.O.B

So basicly... At a young age getting a CHL helped me be more mature and responsible... because i know quiet a few of other 21 year olds i wouldnt trust with a gun if my life depended on it...

thankyou for reading my book.. it will be $2.34 cents please ammo is expensive!!!