TexasCHLforum.com

Interesting reads here. I never really 'converted'. I always lived by "do what you wanna do, just don't bother me with it" rule. That works fine in a little town in Canada, but not so much in Houston.

I'm a fairly big guy who's been in a few scuffles, played hockey, worked very long days and nights at the docks, and has little reason to be even a big wary of anyone walking in my vicinity. That being said, when new neighbors moved in next door (latino family from L.A.), I soon learned from the father that they moved here because almost all of the kids were either involved or getting involved with gangs. He was a truck driver and was only around a few days a month and the whole bunch sometimes were a bit testy. I take no bull from anyone except my parents and wife, so imagine their surprise when a next-door-cracker stood up to them. The oldest brother and dad were not impressed. There were other issues with garbage and barking dogs, and eventually the dad showed up a little drunk and gave me the "I will protect my family" speech. I took that as an outright threat. However, since I'm a good law-abiding resident alien, I blew him off. The wife was quite impressed with me on that!

Considering the neighbours history and disposition, it appeared I might have to become at least familiar with handguns. I'd never handled or fired a pistol before so the next week I spoke to a buddy of mine and we went down to the range. I popped off a few 9 mm and was surprised how easy it was compared to a 12 gage or my dad's big ole' Enfield (303?). A few weeks later, I got my Kimber 1911 w/crimson trace grips (I highly recommend them). Over the few months I unloaded 1000+ rounds and both my wife and I became reasonable shots with and without the laser. Knowing the basic Texas 'castle law', I now had a much more warm & fuzzier feeling about being at home and not having to duck and run should the trash next door decide they'd had enough of their neighbor. A few months later, I decide to become a bit more educated and Texan and went ahead and did the CHL course.

The neighbors have since moved and things have gotten much better. Over the past few months I've adopted firearms as my new hobby. Among other things, I've tore down and built up a 1911 (not the CCW Kimber!) and I've started reloading 45ACP and 308. In the run of 2 years I've gone from ignorant and not caring to having a gun safe!

Anyways, I do not really carry much at all, though the pistol is readily available to us. I have carried a couple of times when being out late at night on a munchies or gasoline run, but otherwise my office doesn't permit it. I'm also still searching for a good IWB holster (crossbreed supertuck is on the way) so that I can do pants and polo shirts.