Young CHL Holders

[SigM4]

In the interest of not getting into an argument, ok, but this is not a hijack, this directly talks about a point you indeed just made, immaturity, which goes hand in hand with young people by definition.

In addition, a forum is about public discussion, remarks and contributions belong in the public viewing space, I did not slam him, nor do I have any idea who he really is. If we take everyting to a PM, then the public forum serves no purpose and nobody else can contribute or share their point of view.

And he's right, there was no slamming or hijacking. For all any of us know he could be talking about walking down the street and playing in the neighbor's driveway, which is a far cry from a public court. Either way, its worth it to remember that along with the privilage (including CHL) comes greater responsibility. Thus we all need to make sure we take appropriate cautions as the situation calls for them.

[Venus Pax]

Does anyone else have a problem with this? Specifically the whole verbiage about anyone placing a firearm within easy reach of a child...?

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.

I don't see how this places the gun within easy reach of the child. If a child under my care were to begin rummaging through another person's backpack, I think I would be so inclined to stop the activity immediately AND have a talk to the child about respecting other people's property, and the fact that we don't touch other people's things without their consent.
I personally don't do this because when I'm involved in some sort of game, my mind is usually on the game and not my bags. Some people are better at paying attn to their belongings than others, however.

[Dwight K. Schrute]

My apologies, I worded my post poorly. I just meant let's keep on topic, but you're right: Maturity/responsibility are part of what this thread is discussing. My bad...

On another note, do any of you fellow young CHLers know any ladies our age who carry? My ex and a good friend both carry, and it never ceases to amaze me. They are both very blond, giggly sorority types, and IMHO, the last two I would ever expect to carry a concealed handgun. What about ya'll?

[BrassMonkey]

I don't suppose they like fat guys do they?

My apologies, I worded my post poorly. I just meant let's keep on topic, but you're right: Maturity/responsibility are part of what this thread is discussing. My bad...

On another note, do any of you fellow young CHLers know any ladies our age who carry? My ex and a good friend both carry, and it never ceases to amaze me. They are both very blond, giggly sorority types, and IMHO, the last two I would ever expect to carry a concealed handgun. What about ya'll?

[NguyenVanDon]

Does anyone else have a problem with this? Specifically the whole verbiage about anyone placing a firearm within easy reach of a child...?

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.

The basketball court we play at is well gated away from the playground. Kids at the park is being watched by parents at all times. The backpack is about 10-15 feet away from where we play. I'm always alert and looking over at my bag every minute when the ball goes out of bounds. Plus, my backpack is surrounded by my friends wallets and cell phones on the floor. If a kid wanted to take anything he would go for the easiest target, which would be a wallet or cell phone. It be really stupid to do something like that, especially when there is 10 guys on the court fully aware of their stuff and they be chasing after you.

BTW, I agree with Venus. Children shouldn't be unattended without a parent.

[BrassMonkey]

And parents NEVER look away from their child to talk to another parent in the "perceived" relatively safe environment of a playground. Good thing the state doesn't recognize an inherent risk of children being "around" firearms, oh, wait.....

[Flatland2D]

The basketball court we play at is well gated away from the playground. Kids at the park is being watched by parents at all times. The backpack is about 10-15 feet away from where we play. I'm always alert and looking over at my bag every minute when the ball goes out of bounds. Plus, my backpack is surrounded by my friends wallets and cell phones on the floor. If a kid wanted to take anything he would go for the easiest target, which would be a wallet or cell phone. It be really stupid to do something like that, especially when there is 10 guys on the court fully aware of their stuff and they be chasing after you.

BTW, I agree with Venus. Children shouldn't be unattended without a parent.

With respect to the other board members, you may want to AT LEAST look into another method of carry, or reconsider your basketball routine. Maybe you could leave it in your car or at home if you are not far? Just give it a little more thought before committing to your ways.

I'm not a parent, but I know it's real easy for a kid to escape their parent's vision even with close attention. And that's the good parents. What about the ones who let their kids run free? It's not illegal for parents to do that, but it is illegal for you to make a handgun accessible to a minor. And that is really pushing it I think.

[Dwight K. Schrute]

With respect to the other board members, you may want to AT LEAST look into another method of carry, or reconsider your basketball routine. Maybe you could leave it in your car or at home if you are not far? Just give it a little more thought before committing to your ways.

I'm not a parent, but I know it's real easy for a kid to escape their parent's vision even with close attention. And that's the good parents. What about the ones who let their kids run free? It's not illegal for parents to do that, but it is illegal for you to make a handgun accessible to a minor. And that is really pushing it I think.

As I stated before, IANAL, but if leaving a gun unattended in public... and that's what you're doing, NguyenVanDon, with respect... is not illegal, I would truly be shocked. I would love to hear TXI jump in on this... Am I the only one who thinks this?

[FrEaK_aCcIdEnT]

Im 26 and received my CHL over 3 years ago. I have only been carrying for a little over a year and a half. I go bowling every now and then. I grew out of the club scene so no worries there. If I want to drink I do it at home or at a friends house mostly. Or go to a chilies or some other resteraunt. No need to go to a bar where a 51% sign would be posted. Anywhere i can't go i just lock it in the car safe. No real change to what I would normally do. I have a funky bowling form though.

[seamusTX]

As I stated before, IANAL, but if leaving a gun unattended in public... and that's what you're doing, NguyenVanDon, with respect... is not illegal, I would truly be shocked.

It is not an offense to leave a firearm unattended in public.

It is an offense to allow a minor to come into possession of a loaded firearm under some circumstances; see PC §46.13.

I have just one comment on this issue: Some years ago, I used to use a park that had tennis courts. People would leave their gym bags by the fence inside the tennis courts, and sometimes purses in the case of women. The kids who lived in the area became adept at snatching these items while people were concentrating on their game.

- Jim

[Jeremae]

NguyenVanDon,

Two things you might consider.

Can you secure the bag to avoid snatch and run theft? (bike chain to bench support or fence post)

How easy would it be for a child to access the gun itself so that it could go off and can you secure it better to keep curiosity from killing the cat? Since the gun is already not readily available for your defensive use, this is one of the few cases where I might consider using a trigger lock.

[Thane]

I'm 22, nearing 23, been carrying for a year+.

And no, I don't carry a plastic pistol. I did for a short while (Glock 27), but I simply could not get accustomed to the trigger, and threw shots all over the place. I trusted the gun, but I certainly didn't trust my ability to shoot it. (We're talking vertical strings of 2 feet at 10 yards ) I've gone back to 1911 carry - I KNOW where every shot is going with one. My current carry is a Springfield Champion GI, parkerized, that I've done some "customizing" to. If I ever get hold of a decent camera, I'll post pictures.

The only plastic pistol I might consider trying at this point would be a H&K USP, and I've not felt the urge to shell out the $$ for one.


BTW, NguyenVanDon, you might consider a small, lockable safe to put in your backpack. I have a small "car safe" that can be taken off its cable and used as a simple lockbox - it's what my carry gun resides in at night when I'm at a relative's house. It'd be simple to just tuck it into your backpack, providing one more layer of security, should someone get hold of the pack.

[Eddie A.]

I just turned 22 on 3 August, but I have had my CHL since a month after I turned 21. You basically just have to plan your carry method around what you plan on doing that day. My main carry is a Glock 23 but when I can't carry my Glock strong side, I pocket carry my KelTec P3AT. For bars and places that I can't carry, I usually just lock it up in the truck.

About talking to your fiance about not being able to go place, hopefully she's understanding. My fiance (now wife) understood from day one that other than bars, if it's 30.06 posted than we're not going there. My wife happens to be a gun nut and aspiring CHLer too!