First Time

[newbie06]

I just got my CHL in the mail a couple of days ago. Since I work in a profession that does not allow carry at work, today was the first day that I carried. I was surprised how well it went. My wife didn't even know I was carrying while we were running errands most of the day (she hates guns, but allows this because she loves me). I was very nervous at first. You always think you are printing. After a while, I realized that even if I printed a little, most people would not connect the print with a gun. Today I carried my "light" EDC which is a Berreta Tomcat pocket carried in the front pocket. I am very curious how well my Glock 26 will do in a IWB. Tomorrow I might try that carry.

[The Annoyed Man]

My CHL arrived in today's mail too, and I carried my commander sized 1911 into several stores today. I was more conscious of the weight of the gun rather than the printing, especially since neither my wife or mother in law could tell that I was carrying when I asked them.

[shootthesheet]

So.....she "allows" you to carry?

Love is never having to ask permission.

Just don't tell my wife I wrote that....okay? Seriously.

Yust Yoking, glad to hear your one of us.

[newbie06]

So.....she "allows" you to carry?

Love is never having to ask permission.

Just don't tell my wife I wrote that....okay? Seriously.

Yust Yoking, glad to hear your one of us.

Yes, she "allows" it. She is just not thrilled with it. I'm still working on her. One of these days I will get her to the range for a lesson.

[dihappy]

So did you guys go to WalMart??

[NcongruNt]

So.....she "allows" you to carry?

Love is never having to ask permission.

Just don't tell my wife I wrote that....okay? Seriously.

Yust Yoking, glad to hear your one of us.

Yes, she "allows" it. She is just not thrilled with it. I'm still working on her. One of these days I will get her to the range for a lesson.

I'll post something that I posted in another thread regarding significant others and fear of guns. I have included some links that have made a significant turnaround with my girlfriend. Women fearing guns is commonly a problem of ignorance rather than specific reasonable fear, and often times a simple eduction from a woman's perspective will make an incredible difference. Note that the link for the Penn & Teller show (which is incidentally a Showtime production and includes some crude (but mostly contextually appropriate, IMO) language, so keep that in mind if you are easily offended.

The original thread can be found here:
http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... r&start=15

I had the same kind of situation with my girlfriend. There are a couple of things that I know helped turn her around.

The first was when I showed her a Penn & Teller episode on gun control. The last entry on the first page of this thread will get you a working video:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 4591#74591

I also told her the story of what happened to my mother when I was 5 years old. I've posted a brief description of what happened in this thread:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 9198#69198

She hasn't gotten to the point of carrying herself yet, but she does subtly "pat me down" whenever we're going out together to make sure I am.

I believe that range time in a controlled environment can alleviate a lot of her preconceptions about guns. Outdoor ranges are generally better because you have less of a noise issue, but also because they offer a more relaxed environment and you can take your time. It's also good to go on a day/time when the range is less busy and there are not a lot of other people around creating a distraction. The last thing you want is some guy blasting away with his hand cannon in the next lane while she's learning the basics. One thing I would strongly suggest is that you should go to the range with an experienced shooter who can show her the basics and get her started. There is great wisdom in letting a third party teach her how to shoot initially. This allows her to feel more in control of her progress and learning. I will let others explain the psychological reasons behind this and give a better explanation, but it is generally not prudent practice to be the one to teach your own wife/SO to shoot.

[seamusTX]

- Jim

[longtooth]

On getting some else to teach your wife.
I teach a lot of ladies practical personal defense from awareness & verbal asertiveness through handgun defense. I did teach my Mother & Wife.
Mom thinks son is the best thing that happened to the whole world since the wheel.
None of you are supposed to tell her any different now.
Wife recomends me to any lady that needs to learn but has not and therefore will not ask every night at the supper table, "what is my next lesson? what can I learn tonight? let me get the table cleaned off so we can get started."

She actually learns more when I am teaching others because there is no presure from the husband.
Last example:
Set up a home defense plan for a widow lady & she also wanted to know about on body carry. I showed here several options & one was a Miami Classic shoulder rig. Mom has one too & loves hers.
A couple of days after, wife says, "I like that shoulder holster you showed "Maw Belle". Can you get me one for my .38?" You bet I can.

If you can afford to get someone else to teach her, you will be money ahead & no tention at all. You can set back & say, good job, Good Job, GOOD JOB!!!

[shootthesheet]

So.....she "allows" you to carry?

Love is never having to ask permission.

Just don't tell my wife I wrote that....okay? Seriously.

Yust Yoking, glad to hear your one of us.

Yes, she "allows" it. She is just not thrilled with it. I'm still working on her. One of these days I will get her to the range for a lesson.

Give her the time she needs. My wife was the same way a few years ago and now she likes to shoot. I hope I can talk her into getting her CHL eventually. I just learned a woman is going to do things in their time and the only thing that helps my cause is very subtle nudges. I did this far to long and it hurt more than helped.

[newbie06]

So.....she "allows" you to carry?

Love is never having to ask permission.

Just don't tell my wife I wrote that....okay? Seriously.

Yust Yoking, glad to hear your one of us.

Yes, she "allows" it. She is just not thrilled with it. I'm still working on her. One of these days I will get her to the range for a lesson.

Give her the time she needs. My wife was the same way a few years ago and now she likes to shoot. I hope I can talk her into getting her CHL eventually. I just learned a woman is going to do things in their time and the only thing that helps my cause is very subtle nudges. I did this far to long and it hurt more than helped.

That's kind of my plan. I am just going to have to show her that the stereotypes about gun owners are wrong. The funny thing is that it was actually her idea to get a handgun at first. Our neighborhood has gone downhill in the last couple of years. She heard gunshots at night and told me the next day that I could go get a handgun. I just don't think she thought I would take it this far. But I always believed that there is no point in getting a handgun if you are not going to get your CHL.

[Hyunchback]

So.....she "allows" you to carry?

Love is never having to ask permission.

Just don't tell my wife I wrote that....okay? Seriously.

Yust Yoking, glad to hear your one of us.

I got my plastic on 1/30/08.

I carry at home every day.

My wife still hasn't noticed!

Admittedly it's pocket carry but it's a G 27, not a NAA mini revolver.

[thankGod]

newbie06, congratulations on such a quick turn around. It gives me hope.

The Annoyed Man, I have been reading about your plight in getting your CHL. You deserve a big CONGRATULATIONS!