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One idea is one my CHL instructor did with his kids. He went and bought a 1/2 hog and took them out and strung it from a tree and let them shoot it. He said that the flesh of the hog was more realistic than popping a watermelon as it showed his kids what bullets do to flesh.

Not a bad idea, but man I'd sure hate to see all that good BBQ go to waste (I hail from NC people so pork is the only BBQ to eat).

All good info and support, thanks. You'd think us living in McKinney with the Real Estate agent getting slaughtered a year or so ago, approx 2 miles from my sub-division, and all the knock and shoot crud going on in Frisco lately that she would not only be comfortable with the idea but would appreciate the idea. She knows I have always been one to defend myself and those who can't, so I just didn't understand why adding a sidearm would make that much of a difference.

Would she prefer me going up against a bugler that has a pistol and me only have my knife, I don't think she would; but she knows I'd defend my family to the death. It's just now I have better odds.

Thanks again for all the good support and suggestions, I think I'll start by taking the 11 year old out to shoot some of my .22 rifles.

I just took my class last Saturday, and my Wife is still giving me grief over this decision. I have been thinking about getting a CHL for some time now, just not had the "spare" cash to do it, until the shooting in Omaha (I know people in that town and Council Bluffs, IA where there were victims from), I came home and told her I was getting a pistol and getting my CHL. She knew I meant business and was going to do it and was not asking permission but telling her what I was going to do.

The long and short of it is, she does not like the idea of me carrying a pistol. She thinks, as most of the anti-CHL people thought is that I would go Wild West vigilante on someone. She is NOT against CHL, just me having one for some reason. I have served in the Army as a Combat Engineer, so I know she is sure of my ability to handle the weapon. Her Sister and her Husband were the same way, actually said they would not let their kids come over to my house anymore, at least until I told them there have been rifles and ammo in my houses as long as they have known me (and their own Dad's house too); that kinda made them lighten up a bit.

I'm sure others have faced this type of "prejudice", what I would like to know is other than tell them that I am NOT doing it to feel tough or be a hot head and shoot the next guy who cuts me off but to "be ready" if I am in the next mall when someone goes off and I am unable to safely exit the building and have to defend myself or those who can't, what can/do you say/do to ease their concerns?