Greetings!
I’m new to TexasCHLforum.com (but not new to gun use/ownership), and wanted to thank everyone for all the valuable information I’ve found on this site so far. It’s been great, very helpful, and needed! I put together an introduction with a little bit about myself, so here goes...
I'm in my mid-forties, an IT Manager, and was raised on a cattle/horse ranch in the mountains of New Mexico where I enjoyed all the benefits of having such a life, including hunting, fishing and general outdoor fun and respect for the wilds. Before my father passed away a few weeks ago, I owned a bare mix of guns consisting of a Winchester Model 320 .22 I got on my 12th Christmas, a Remington Model 11 16 Ga. (it used to be my granddad’s, though I grew up dove hunting with it), and a Winchester Model 94 .30-.30. I had at one time also owned a Colt 1911 9mm, a Dan Wesson .44 Mag. w/ 6� bbl., and a Winchester Commemorative 94 .30-.30, but foolishly lost those in pawn during a stint of great stupidity in the mid-80’s (still have the ammo, though).
Dad always enjoyed his guns, among them a small collection purchased at a PX in Japan when he was stationed there as a Lt. Col. in the Marines in the early `60’s, and which he had stylishly engraved by a Japanese smith (nothing super great, but nice none-the-less). Between us three sons, I knew my picks would be limited, but feel fortunate that I ended up with the Winchester Model 88 .243 (I’ve only dropped two bucks in my life, and both have been with that one... a Muledeer on the ranch, and a Whitetail here in Texas), and a GLOCK 19 that he had recently bought new and shown me when I visited during the holidays in 2004. I told him that I thought he chose an excellent handgun for self-defense, especially at his age (81 at the time), and since his other handgun was a Colt SAA .44-40. I also wound up with a Ruger 10/22 .22 and a Springfield-Stevens single-shot 16 Ga. (since no one else really wanted it, and the 12 Ga. was already spoken for, I figured it would make for a nice companion to my Remington 11).
Yes, I know that there are some really fantastic guns out there, and aside from all the “GLOCK-madness� that's going on these days, the G19 fits my hand perfectly and was my pick right after that .243. I like 9mm (already have a decent stock of 9mm ammo to boot, albeit somewhat dated), and have truly missed having a nice handgun around since I let the Colt and Dan Wesson go. A different pick would have no doubt given me a rifle of more monetary value perhaps, but I wasn’t picking for value... only sentiments (.243), desire (9mm), or usefulness in getting my wife to join me for target practice (the .22, 16 Ga. and 9mm, too).
Anyway, the past couple weeks or so has been spent gleaning the net for info, cleaning guns, and general eagerness to get back into the groove of things. Having been “out of the picture� with regards to hunting and target practice for the last 15 years or so (relocations galore with a previous company didn’t help matters), we're both over-ready to visit a range this weekend!
I've always supported our 2nd Amendment right, and although I've never found myself in a situation that called for lethal force in defense of myself, family or home (knock on wood... though I certainly would if necessary), I almost feel that, especially after discovering some of the facts uncovered during the past weeks, applying for a CHL to almost be an obligation, if nothing else than to add to the number of individuals that are on record as willing to apply our rights others fought so hard to keep from being taken away. I feel that I must have had my head buried DEEP in that proverbial sand during the last decade and a half, and have only recently come to realize just how close I came, without even really realizing it, to having heartbreak far greater than loosing those guns to pawn in the `80's!
I hope I didn't ramble-on too much, and can contribute back to TexasCHLforum.com in ways that provide value to others. Thanks again for all the great info!
We do have several ladies. There are a couple that by name are even more evidently female than even yours. I will wait for them to tell you who they are. Glad to know llwatson is a lady. You can be sure that this is a very lady friendly forum. The men here are very polite, courtious, & respect the ladies. They will help you & we all hope you will never ever think, "I am not going to ask that question where a bunch of men will make fun of me." Excellent book. The gentleman that 1st welcomed you is the one that said in his welcome to another of our ladies that we really do welcome the input of you ladies. You often perceive things in a different way or something that we completely miss. WELCOME & hope your daughter stops by too. Excellent arm you choose to qualify with. The caliber that my Wife & Mother own, shoot, & qualified with. Wife carries " 24-7, Mom, well 23-6. " Tell the husband to get in the forum also. 
Probably the best way to find out who are the ladies is to post another topic as you have done here asking for the ladies to contact you. If they do not want the rest of us to know they are female then they can PM you. You should meet a good number. Welcome.
