What brought you to getting your CHL/LTC

[txglock21]

My dad got his CHL shortly after you were able to in Texas. He tried to get me and my brother to go with him to the class and get ours also. Neither of us did. My rational was that I could carry in my car, so I didn't need one on me. One day I was in a 7-11 that was being robbed and all I could do was hide behind a chip display. While staring out the window at my car which held my gun with no way of getting to it, I made a promise to myself not to be in that situation again. Luckly, nobody was hurt and the thug ran out with a few dollars, but two weeks later I signed up for my class and the rest is history.

[RicoTX]

For me it was just the state of the country. I have always carried a pistol and rifle in the truck, so on my person was a natural transition. I have had my license since Jan, and have not been without my gun since then unless I am in the post office. It's amazing how quick you get used to carrying and looking for signs.

[Wag2323]

Before I moved to Texas I was thinking of getting a Louisiana CHL because I was bow hunting a lot and that would be way to carry a gun while bow hunting. Never got around to getting it and moved to Texas a year later.

I been here for about 5 years and considered it for while, I had a handgun for the house for my wife when I was starting to travel a lot. Ended up taking the CHL class with my wife when a co-worker was asking around if anyone wanted to take a class. I didn't start actually carrying on my person until recently.

I am from a small town and never felt the need to carry but I guess now my proximity to Houston I just like having that option. I think it has to do with the number of people in close proximity to me. I didn't even feel the need for a CHL when Katrina happen while I was home from college. My town isn't far from New Orleans and Katrina was the only time I had ever had a loaded gun in the house at my parents. My parents are not for or against guns but Katrina was one instance me and my dad were on the same page. He called from work telling me I should probably keep my shotgun loaded and I told him it was already loaded and near the hallway.

[LSUTiger]

I always liked guns and was Pro 2A from an early age, even though some around me tried the FUDD "you don't need that to go hunting" routine, but I never listened to that stuff. As soon as I was old enough and financially able to afford guns I started buying the kind of guns "they" don't want you to have. (more than Daddy's duck hunting shotgun and deer rifle) I also took advantage of whatever laws I could to exercise my 2A rights, it's ashamed that we have to rely on anything else but the 2A but it's the world we live in. So LTC is necessary evil by law.

At some point in life you realize the importance of the 2nd Amendment and what it means to exercise that right. The fog of media propaganda, anti gun social pressures lift and you want to exercise your rights like free men. Also, I was never able be comfortable just relying on the kindness of strangers not to do me or mine harm.

To many times as a kids did our piece of junk car break down on the side of the road far from home and my mom, sisters and I had to rely on the kindness of strangers to help us make it home. Even when it happened with Dad, we were at the mercy of others. I never felt comfortable being vunerable.

[Mavs00]

Sort of evolved....

I'm prior military from the 80's and have on-and-off had various access to weapons and would shoot for fun and had them for home protection. Lived in upstate NY for most of my life and believe it or not, there was a time that getting a CC permit was not nearly as difficult as it is today, so I ended up getting one many years ago during a different era. Found I didn't use it nearly as much as I should have so I let it lapse. I moved to NM after that and they are a very 2a friendly state with constitutional OC and started carrying there (either in person, in the car, or even occasionally bootleg CC ). Always put off getting my cc permit, because in my mind, it was never really needed for the situations I was worried about (Albuquerque, NM is the home invasion, car jacking capital of the world) and I was ALWAYS prepared that way.

Happenstance (job) brought me to the Austin area, and while I'm now less worried (but still prepared) about home invasion in my hood, I've become increasing worried about some whacko "making his political/religious statement" in a place me and my family happen to be. Surprisingly enough though, I'm less worried (and always have been) about being the victim of a personal attack. I'm a pretty big and intimidating guy (with a big ole' heart though) and certainly don't have "victim" tattooed on my forehead. Plus, ever since my military days I've always practiced good SA skills and have always relied mostly on them for survival and will continue to do so. Anyways, after moving here I have committed to myself that I will do everything I can to keep myself and family safe and to me, that includes carrying everywhere that I legally can (preferably cc).

Waited my requisite 6 months residency, and submitted my App to DPS. Still in the waiting room at this point, but should have plastic soon enough. It can't come fast enough.

[atx2a]

I grew up around guns, and also worked and/or volunteered in several public safety/fire/law enforcement roles. I worked private security/PPO for a while and was used to having one with me when I was working, so I got to where I always wanted to have one. Been carrying ever since, at least always having one in the car.

However, the last year or so the state of the country has had me on heightened alert. I was not always faithful about carrying at all times. But with the way things are going these days, I don't even take the dog out or check the mail without one.

[Abraham]

Self preservation.

[Shadow41]

It was seeing the direction the country has taken in the last 7 years with the increase in violence and hate. It was also serving on the grand jury a couple years ago and hearing countless cases of the same, including a lot that were very disturbing. I simply decided that I didn't want my family to be a soft target for anyone who meant to do us harm.

[SIRIT]

I decided to get it protect myself and family if then worst happened. Had my CCW in California and once we moved to Texas it's so dang easy to get here (compared to CA) I got it here also. I don't understand why more people in a state like this don't have it even if the don't/can't carry everyday. They don't understand how good the have it here in Texas to be able to take advantage of it. There are a heck of a lot of people in states like CA, NJ, NY, and others that really don't have that option.

[thatguyoverthere]

A little different for me. I think basically it comes down to: "because I can."

Initially, it wasn't about safety or security at all. I think what prompted me to get my CHL and start carrying was the current political climate. It just seemed that I kept hearing more and more about governmental restrictions and conditions and requirements for purchasing, owning, and/or carrying a handgun. I decided that many good men and women fought very hard (literally and figuratively) to protect and preserve my right to keep and bear arms. I felt like it was the least I could do to honor their efforts and actually take advantage of the right that they helped preserve, so I got my CHL and now carry daily.

Of course, now I really appreciate the fact that being armed in public is probably the best personal protection that I can have for myself and my family. But initially, it was simply to exercise my right to do so.

[anygunanywhere]

Prior to moving to California in 1994 I carried a handgun all the time in my vehicle. I was the victim of an attempted robbery at an ATM one night by two men who got out of a car next to the ATM building in the middle of a shopping center. The third man stayed in the vehicle. I drew down on them and they left running.

While living in Kali I learned how it was to live in a true anti-2A state. I knew Texas had passed the CHL law. When we moved back to Texas in 2003 one of the first things we did was take a CHL class.

As others have said, we take responsibility for our own safety.

Been packing ever since. Cops are too heavy to carry around.

[cmgee67]

I turned 21 lol! And carry daily. I feel weird if I don't have it.

[Deitz83]

I am 53, and have had a Browning Hi Power since 1990. My friends parents were doctors and lawyers who worked in South Dallas, Oak Cliff and carried a pistol to work everyday. It was just a way of life in the city. They never talked about how bad crime was or how they had to patch up someone from a gun shot. We talked about football, baseball and making something out yourself. Growing up, we just assumed this was away protect ourselves.

Oh! We have seen and been around a number of bad incidents. Wife witnessed a person shot in the head at a Church's Chicken, 2 months ago wife was at Kroger and the inside bank was robbed, went to the movies around 1995; three guys came in with guns looking for someone. I kept my cool, got the wife and kid out the door by the screen. The worse was the riots after the first Dallas Cowboy Super Bowl win. I had to file court papers at the Dallas District court house and walk through the violence. I always carried my gun to the office, because most of the lawyers had one in their desk. That evening, I walked a number of secretaries to their car because they felt uncomfortable. It was one of saddest days of my life, seeing the ugly nature of people.

I have been shooting since I was 10 ( learned to hunted duck, quail and dove around Graham, Texas), now I enjoy target shooting with my wife and daughters.

In 2015, the wife and I decided to be legal. What brought us is being responsible Americans and a date days at the range.

[SewTexas]

My husband got his CHL shortly after it was legal here in TX. he said that God gave him me and the kids and it was his responsibility to keep us safe. About a year later I realized that I was actually the one with the kids all the time, so it was my turn to step up, so I got mine.