Why did you get your CHL?

[alphonso]

'Cause I'm creeping up in years and can neither fight nor run all that well anymore. That, and I watch the news...

[fishman]

'Cause I'm creeping up in years and can neither fight nor run all that well anymore. That, and I watch the news...

Yea thats me too. I also carry because my wife lives in a dream world where there are no bg's or "it will never happen to her". I don't care to get involved with anyone Else's problems, it's protection for my family and me.

[Igogzz]

I got mine becasue it is my God given right to protect the ones I love, and to ensure their well being.

[texas-sig]

This is why a lot of us got it, and not being able to take department issued weapons home sux. But that's a whole different story.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_14753458? ... otimes.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SATX-Scrub]

I was tired of reading how bad things happen to good people, and I've never wanted to add my name to the list of statistics. I use to just carry in the car and on the scooter, and I've always had a pistol next to the bed at night and a shotgun handy. My brother signed us up for the CHL class which got the ball rolling since we both wanted to carry everywhere legally. I went from CHL class to plastic in 17 days, I guess I've lived a boring life, but I checked that website for an update daily.

PS, I just looked, and the updates website is still saved in my bookmarks!

[tallmike]

Had it in two other states I lived in and got one when I mover here. I didn't want to give up that option of self protection.

That's my story too. I got my first one when I moved from Maryland to Kentucky in 2001 just because I could. The socialist state of Maryland wouldn't dream of letting the legal residents have a gun but Kentucky said it was fine so I jumped at it. Before that my gun stayed in the house for home protection.

When I moved to Las Vegas in 2004 I got my Nevada permit because by that point carrying a gun was just my norm. Same story when I moved to Texas in 2007, except I arrived here with my Utah permit so I did not have to disarm for 6 months like I did when I moved to Nevada.

[CheckonChico]

What finally got me to get it was harassment by some thug while at lunch from work. This thug and his brothers have assaulted a family member in the past, and sent him to the hospital for a few weeks with stab wounds to his back. While out on lunch from work this thug spotted me getting into my truck after leaving McDonald's, he drove up to my truck and taunted me to get off which I ignored. He followed me for a fee blocks then turned back. I didn't know if he had a gun or not but wasn't interested in finding out. They are known to carry weapons all the time and couldn't imagine what would of happened if he would of spotted me before I got to my vehicle.

[kjolly]

I had a gun in the house and visited the range twice a month. I was unaware of the MPA law but always concerned about traffic stops and having a gun in the car. I know this seems silly now but I turned 60 and discovered I could get a CHL for half price so decided why not. The class got me to thinking and though I am reasonably confident of keeping myself out of any situation where I need a gun I always carry now.

[JustMe]

It is strange that what started me on this journey was a situation that would NOT have been appropriate to have used a firearm! I was working at a local store giving flu shots and had a very unpleasant confrontation with one of the managers of the store. I had a hard time understanding why it upset me so bad--until I realized that the emotion I was feeling wasn't all anger, there was a large dose of pure fear. This guy, who was about 20 years younger than I am and foot taller and 100 lbs heavier than I am, was in my face yelling at me.

Even tho I was proven in the right(he never spoke to me again and I continued to work there), I couldn't shake that feeling. It started me looking at other areas of my life where I might be vulnerable and I came to the realization(about time!) that I wasn't as young as I used to be and don't posess the same physical abilities that I used to have. I drive to Dallas at least once a week and am coming home around midnight--do you know how dark 75 can be? The different "what ifs" started to make themselves present in my brain.

My first intent was simply to have a gun in the car "just in case". But then the more I read and studied, the more the realization that I needed to pursue it farther was evident. I had already decided that I was going to get my CHL "for when I might need it"--and then the incident in Blanchard, OK--my sister lives only about a mile up from the road from where it happened. Then a couple weeks later, a woman I knew, her mother & stepfather were all murdered in their home by her brother.

So fast forward to now--I have the CHL and have been carrying daily in my purse(yes, it is a gun purse and yes, I know all the reasons I shouldn't). I am much more aware of my surroundings and also what is happening in the world around me. I have a holster ordered to get my glock 26 out of my purse and on my body--just wish it would get here!

[Matt78665]

Let me start off by saying I am a huge supporter of Law Enforcement in general. I was raised by good parents and have decent morals. I also realize that LEO's cannot be everywhere. I wanted to be proactive. I wanted that little bit extra piece of mind and situational awareness that comes with living in Code Yellow. I wanted to know that I could protect my wife, myself and my animals.

[karder]

I decided to get my CHL after I got married. I have always owned guns and had them at the house and carried in my truck, but never wanted to deal with the hassle of carrying. I didn't want to dress around it, carry the weight all day, or turn around at 51% signs. I have always tried to avoid trouble and if I was in a place where it looked like trouble was brewing, I would leave. I was always confident in my ability to avoid trouble, out punch what I couldn't avoid and out run what I couldn't out punch.
Once I got married, my wife was always with me, thus eliminating my out-run option. There is a big difference between taking care of yourself and being responsible for taking care of someone else, so for me, getting my CHL and carrying regularly was the only responsible thing I could do. I feel like a husband or father who chooses not to arm himself is ignoring one of his fundamental responsibilities to his family.

[CheckonChico]

I decided to get my CHL after I got married. I have always owned guns and had them at the house and carried in my truck, but never wanted to deal with the hassle of carrying. I didn't want to dress around it, carry the weight all day, or turn around at 51% signs. I have always tried to avoid trouble and if I was in a place where it looked like trouble was brewing, I would leave. I was always confident in my ability to avoid trouble, out punch what I couldn't avoid and out run what I couldn't out punch.
Once I got married, my wife was always with me, thus eliminating my out-run option. There is a big difference between taking care of yourself and being responsible for taking care of someone else, so for me, getting my CHL and carrying regularly was the only responsible thing I could do. I feel like a husband or father who chooses not to arm himself is ignoring one of his fundamental responsibilities to his family.

I couldn't of put it any better!

[Drjfiremedic]

got mine as soon as I could possibly do so. I did not want to wait for an incident to occur so I had an excuse to get one. IMHO everyone who can get one, should get one, before they might not be available anymore.

[03Lightningrocks]

I have to say, my favorite response is and always has been, "Because a cop is too heavy to carry in my pocket".

[goose]

I got my CHL (in Oklahoma) because I wanted to be able to protect my wife and kids. I was raised around firearms and was comfortable with them and understood how they could affect my ability to defend the family.

Flash forward a couple of years after getting my license and it came full circle for me. I was at a convenience store and had to go inside to pay for my gas. As I went inside I saw a man and woman arguing over a little girl in the woman’s car. On my way back to my car after paying I realized that the little girl was now in the guy’s truck and the woman was forcing herself into the cab of the truck to keep the guy from leaving. I asked her if she wanted me to call the police and she said yes. I immediately started walking backwards away from them and dialing 911. Longer story shortened I firmly believe that because I had thought about situational awareness ahead of time, because I had thought about what parts of others’ situations I had to own, because I didn’t try to be a hero in a situation I didn’t fully understand, I was a part of seeing the little girl get back into the original car. I never had to draw my firearm because I had positioned myself well during the call. The guy and I walked circles around several cars I had put between us but he knew the clock was running and after cursing me a blue streak he left. I have a sneaking suspicion that if he had been in the right, he would have welcomed the call. The store manager had also called 911. Two notes: 1) When I asked the 911 operator to have the police hurry she told me that I had interjected myself into the fight. Gee thanks lady. What is the standard built-in delay used if a civilian tries to help? 2) The police didn’t show after five minutes. The tape had my info and full descriptions of all cars and participants. I left.

I got my CHL because I could and because it made sense. Taking that responsibility seriously has given me back 100 fold. I now live in TX. I really value all of the “what-ifs” and “never-agains” posted here. Our brains are our best defense.