I often wonder if CHL is worth it

[casingpoint]

"Too much "victim" mentality forces us to question our rights."

LOL. Just a little experience as victims forces us to question our restraint and to assert our rights to life and property.

[zigzag]

When armed criminals and gangbangers can walk with impunity, the only way to protect self and family is to be ready. It is a grave responsibility as CHL holder but worth it esp in today's society. Crime has no face and can strike anytime. Having a gun is no guarantee u can survive but at least its there when the goings rough.

[HumbleGuy]

If you're going to carry, its imperative to think these things out.

You can't envision every possible scenario, of course, but you will recognize a commonality to threats: unreasonable actions by others endangering you, your loved ones or your property.

Every reasonable man (and woman) should know where they draw the 'line in the sand'. Would you use your weapon to stop your car being stolen? or your wallet? What about a thug shoving you around to show he's a bad dude? When does that become a life threatening incident? You need to have an idea of your trigger point before you even leave the house. (If that trigger point is somebody flipping you off on the freeway, you may want to reconsider the whole idea of a CHL.)

Let me assert I'm not a Rambo. If I found somebody rifling throught my truck at 2am here in the the blissfull suburbs, I don't think I would use my firearm. Don't think I'd want to shoot the high school running back for being a shiftless CD thief. On the other hand, I refuse to take a whipping from a thug.

As a reasonable man using reasonable judgement, I'm less worried about a lawyer than a punk with a tire iron.

In the unlikely event I have to use my weapon, I surely don't want to go into 'vapor lock' envisioning every possible ramification my imagination can create.

Sound judgement plus a non-victim mentality should serve you well.

[nitrogen]

I've kept out of this thread mostly because it seems like a silly discussion to me. Either you feel the need to carry, or you dont.

After reading the last few posts, I decided I'd post anyway.

I started carrying everytime I leave teh house right after I moved to Texas and got my CHL. The main reason why? My wife.

When we started living together while we still lived in California, she noticed hazards that I never really worried about. She'd had some runins with folks where the police either would not or could not help. I then realised that we needed to be able to take care of ourselves; it really hit home then.

Before then, I never really thought about it, but now, I have the biggest reason I've ever had to be careful and stay alive; my wife, both for her sake and for my own. Also, making sure she's protected as well.

I was never terribly worried about my safety before, figuring I could take care of myself "like a real man" if I needed to. After things got serious with my wife, I somewhat "grew up". She needs me, just like I need her, and I'm going to make sure I do everything I can.

While she currently choses not to carry (I'm working on that!), because most of her time is spent in places where it's illegal even with a CHL, she understands my reasons for wanting to, and appreciates them.

So yes, to me it absolutely IS worth it.

Have I thought about the possible downsides? Sure. If we have to move in with my folks because i'm bankrupt after paying some insane judgement, sure, life will suck, but we'll still have each other. That's whats important to me.

[Crossfire]

Have I thought about the possible downsides? Sure. If we have to move in with my folks because i'm bankrupt after paying some insane judgement, sure, life will suck, but we'll still have each other. That's whats important to me.

Well, that just about sums it up, IMHO.

[frankie_the_yankee]

Have I thought about the possible downsides? Sure. If we have to move in with my folks because i'm bankrupt after paying some insane judgement, sure, life will suck, but we'll still have each other. That's whats important to me.

Much less chance of this since SEP 1.

[Photoman]

However, this is the choice that each of us have had to make before we put that application in the mail, before we put that weapon on or in the purse or pocket. Its your choice and no one can make it for you. I've made my choice.

That's exactly right. Most don't want to think about killing another, much less actually doing it. I think for sure this is part of the reason so few have gotten a CHL and that is a strong witness to the poor moral training of our culture.

[stormbringerr]

If you kill a gang member, you’re a dead man. I don’t care where you go, how many guns you’ve got, or how good a shot you are — you’re a dead man. Let me repeat again — you’re a dead man.

What if I kill three? Two dozen?

sorry cpix, i dont have time to be scared.

[Bart]

That's exactly right. Most don't want to think about killing another, much less actually doing it. I think for sure this is part of the reason so few have gotten a CHL and that is a strong witness to the poor moral training of our culture.

What's that quote? "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Something like that.

[lawrnk]

I have been carrying for over 3 years in the Southwest portion of Houston. I never go out of my house without being armed. This area is ripe with gang members, pimps, and prostitutes.

I would be looking for some better place to live.

Sienna Plantation is a wonderful place to live!
http://www.siennaplantation.com

[longhorn_92]

That's exactly right. Most don't want to think about killing another, much less actually doing it. I think for sure this is part of the reason so few have gotten a CHL and that is a strong witness to the poor moral training of our culture.

What's that quote? "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Something like that.

That is exactly true! "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Did anyone see that video on YouTube a couple weeks ago - when that elderly man was struck down by a vehicle? There were many eyewitnesses and it took a very long time for anyone to come to his aid while he was in the street. Our society today is very selfish (as a whole) - and they will not help someone in need. The BG's are getting the upperhand a lot of times (even in broad daylight) and no one will do anything about it. Talk about Sheep!

Thank God that we have individuals in this forum and others who are willing to protect themselves , their families and others...

[HerbM]

That is exactly true! "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Did anyone see that video on YouTube a couple weeks ago - when that elderly man was struck down by a vehicle? There were many eyewitnesses and it took a very long time for anyone to come to his aid while he was in the street. Our society today is very selfish (as a whole) - and they will not help someone in need. The BG's are getting the upperhand a lot of times (even in broad daylight) and no one will do anything about it. Talk about Sheep!

Actually not a great of example of this as the news media (FOX, CNN and everyone) mislead on this incident. Several people called the police, after a few moments people went to his assistance but police showed up almost immediately. Almost immediately a car coming from the top of the video stopped, blocking traffic in th lane/direction where he was down..

The only real criticism is that someone might have stood over him a minute or two sooner to protect him from traffic pulling out of the lane in the other direction; while I would have done this, it took the people a minute or two to realize this was needed and they might still have been on the phone with 911.

The video tape was edited and given a LOT of incorrect verbal spin by every commentator for several days. I saw this initially but it took a few days before the full video was shown, the full behavior was explained, and the press coverage was finally explosed as incompetent.

Presume that all press coverage is incompetent -- this is over and above any bias, and actually much worse.

You were simple lied too by the press.

[longhorn_92]

That is exactly true! "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Did anyone see that video on YouTube a couple weeks ago - when that elderly man was struck down by a vehicle? There were many eyewitnesses and it took a very long time for anyone to come to his aid while he was in the street. Our society today is very selfish (as a whole) - and they will not help someone in need. The BG's are getting the upperhand a lot of times (even in broad daylight) and no one will do anything about it. Talk about Sheep!

Actually not a great of example of this as the news media (FOX, CNN and everyone) mislead on this incident. Several people called the police, after a few moments people went to his assistance but police showed up almost immediately. Almost immediately a car coming from the top of the video stopped, blocking traffic in th lane/direction where he was down..

The only real criticism is that someone might have stood over him a minute or two sooner to protect him from traffic pulling out of the lane in the other direction; while I would have done this, it took the people a minute or two to realize this was needed and they might still have been on the phone with 911.

The video tape was edited and given a LOT of incorrect verbal spin by every commentator for several days. I saw this initially but it took a few days before the full video was shown, the full behavior was explained, and the press coverage was finally explosed as incompetent.

Presume that all press coverage is incompetent -- this is over and above any bias, and actually much worse.

You were simple lied too by the press.

I'm shocked! The press would NEVER lie to me!.....

[LedJedi]

If you can, come to the deadly force seminar on Friday, Sept. 28th.

Chas.

Charles,
I doubt I'd ever get up that way at the same time as one of your seminars (long drive from south houston, and i'm not big on travel), but I sure would love to see this. Any chance for you to get one of these seminars taped? I'd be happy to pay to see it online. Heck, you get the video and I'll even volunteer my time (as well as i'm sure others here would as well) to help you get it online.

[LarryH]

If you can, come to the deadly force seminar on Friday, Sept. 28th.

Chas.

Charles,
I doubt I'd ever get up that way at the same time as one of your seminars (long drive from south houston, and i'm not big on travel), but I sure would love to see this. Any chance for you to get one of these seminars taped? I'd be happy to pay to see it online. Heck, you get the video and I'll even volunteer my time (as well as i'm sure others here would as well) to help you get it online.

Just to clarify, Charles' home range is PSC ( www.psc-range.com ), between Friendswood and Pearland -- not far from South Houston at all.