Thinking of getting my CHL....questions

[AshleyAnne]

Ok I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Ashley and I am in my late 20's. I have decided to get a concealed handgun license. My mom & dad bought me a S&W 686 snub last year for me to keep and I really like shooting it. I am thinking a smaller S&W 5-shot revolver for carry. I dont know yet. I think I want to qualify with an automatic (semi?) ten I could carry both right? My dad really is the one who swayed me to want to carry. I was never against guns but I thought I'd never want to carry one. But some things (along with dad's help) convinced me I need to be able to protect myself. I am going to take the class with my older brother I think who plans to get his. He just joined this site too. Anyway. I had a few questions.

What is the 51% sign? How does that work? I know there are like 2 colors but what is a legal posting and what isnt? I am so confused.

If and employer doesnt post a 30.06 sign but does give notice in an employee handbook, etc advising a no weapons policy what happens if you have a CHL and DO carry? Will you get fired or be arrested?

I have a friend that works for a police department. You can carry into the lobby but NOT into the secured part?

What a great site and glad to be here. Thank you!

-Ashley

[BigDan]

Welcome, AshleyAnne!! =-]

I am thinking a smaller S&W 5-shot revolver for carry. I dont know yet. I think I want to qualify with an automatic (semi?) ten I could carry both right?

Correct. To carry either, you have to qualify with a Semi-Auto.

Let me recommend trying out a Glock 19 or Glock 26. These are very durable user-friendly guns. Additionally, you will have the benefit of a full magazine of ammunition, plus you can readily reload if the need arises. For proof that anyone can shoot one, please refer to these videos. It is an 11-year-old girl taking a Defensive Fighting Pistol Class from Tactical Response...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B2rKj4eZgo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCuvmbeX8t0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDlodGEp_9o

I would also recommend taking a basic pistol class, in which you are exposed to a gun, taught how to properly handle it, the safety rules, etc. If you cannot, then ask your Dad to do this for you. You should have a familiarity with them before you decide what to purchase. Then, go to a gun store with him and see how various ones fit in your hand, the weight, the grip, etc. Once you make your purchase, go out to the range and practice the basics of shot control. Get a good grip, not too tight, not too loose. Line up your sights with the target, focus on the front sight, pull the trigger back easily. Don't anticipate the shot, just make it smooth. If you focus on the front sight, half of your worries are over. Then, it's just smooth trigger control.

What is the 51% sign? How does that work? I know there are like 2 colors but what is a legal posting and what isnt? I am so confused.

51% indicates that the establishment generates 51% or more of its income from the sale and consumption of alcohol on premises. This is almost always a "Bar" or "Pub". This is a designation issued by TABC, the governing board for alcohol sales, not something the bar itself figures out.

What it means to us is that it's illegal to carry inside.

As to the different colors, I'm not sure I'm aware of a second 51% sign... This is taken from the TABC FAQ:

#9 I have seen two types of signs posted in retail establishments regarding concealed weapons. What is the difference between the two?

All alcoholic beverage retailers must post one of two firearms signs.

The 51% sign is required to be posted on the premises of establishments where the possession of any concealed weapon is illegal. These are establishments that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption whose alcohol sales constitutes more than half of their gross receipts. These signs have 51% in large red letters superimposed over the warning which notes that possession of a concealed weapon on the premises is a felony.

Establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption or establishments licensed to sell for on-premises consumption whose alcohol sales are 50% or less of total gross receipts are required to post a sign that warns that the unlicensed possession of a concealed weapon is a felony. The holder of a concealed handgun license may lawfully possess a concealed handgun on these premises.

If and employer doesnt post a 30.06 sign but does give notice in an employee handbook, etc advising a no weapons policy what happens if you have a CHL and DO carry? Will you get fired or be arrested?

If the employer does not post a 30.06 sign, all that it means is you can get fired. They cannot have you arrested for carrying on-premises. In my opinion, I would be seeking employment elsewhere or just be prepared to if I needed to defend myself. It's better to be alive in any case.

I have a friend that works for a police department. You can carry into the lobby but NOT into the secured part?

I think your friend would know better about that situation. Any place that is "secure" I would imagine is off-limits.

Thanks for dropping by. Glad to see you here. =-]

[carlson1]

Welcome Ashley to the Forum. We have several other ladies here that can point out a lot things to you. If you decide to take the CHL class they should cover a lot of your questions. I am not for sure where you live, but one of our Moderators teaches the CHL class. PM Crossfire and she can help a lot. Again welcome.

[Liberty]

Welcome Ashley, Congradulations on your decision,

If and employer doesnt post a 30.06 sign but does give notice in an employee handbook, etc advising a no weapons policy what happens if you have a CHL and DO carry? Will you get fired or be arrested?

If the employer does not post a 30.06 sign, all that it means is you can get fired. They cannot have you arrested for carrying on-premises. In my opinion, I would be seeking employment elsewhere or just be prepared to if I needed to defend myself. It's better to be alive in any case.

Just a couple of petty nits, If the wording in the manual is exactly as the 30.06 sign it is considered 30.06 notice
Verbal notice that we are not wanted while packing is also notice. While verbal notice is ones word against another. Few of us would be thrilled to testify a lie either, and we could spend jail time.

[longtooth]

Welcome aboard Ashley.
All the above is from men so far.
The 2 lady Mod we have are EXCELLENT. crossfier has already been recomended & the other is compvest.

We have a special ladies forum here too. Get envolved there as well as the general board. Learn about our PSC Day. It is excellent training & get to know other CHLers & shooters.

Welcome & you will do great on your test & the proficency too.

[Greybeard]

"I could carry both right?"

Now that's what I like to hear - a lady contemplating packin' TWO guns.

Your questions above seem to have been answered pretty well already. Guess ya understand that sort of thing is why our CHL classes need to be at least 10 hours ...

Welcome aboard. A lot to be learned here.

[57Coastie]

I am thinking a smaller S&W 5-shot revolver for carry.

Howdy, Ashley Anne,

All your questions should be answered by your instructor and/or a booklet you will get when you take your CHL course, so just listen closely and do not hesitate to ask questions. You will have no problem with the course, and there is no need to clutter your mind up with questions before the course starts. To do so is apt to make you think the course is difficult, and it is not.

Give serious thought to the handgun you decide will be your primary carry weapon, as you have already shown you are doing. You will undoubtedly get advice from the macho types here to carry the largest handgun available which has ammo galore (in its "magazine" by the way, not its "clip"). I recommend that you take this advice with a grain of salt, at least as you get started. The handgun you carry should be one you will carry. Cannons are fine at the range, at your bedside, and in your gunsafe, but if you are not comfortable carrying your choice 100% of the time, regardless of your attire, you will have chosen the wrong weapon.

My wife carries a S&W "Airweight," that little snubby .38 with five rounds which you mention in your post. It has a recessed hammer so it does not hang up when she carries it, generally in her purse. She has available to her the dozen or so different handguns in my gunsafe, but most important, her "Airweight" is always with her. Indeed, she says she often forgets she is carrying it.

What you carry is a very subjective matter. Try more than one handgun, but always keep in mind that the important thing is that you carry one you will carry. Be sure you are comfortable shooting it, and have no hesitation because of noise or recoil. I am not arrogant enough to recommend to someone I have never met what they should carry. Once again, I suggest that you will be wise to not jump off and make a decision based on someone else's choice. The choice is yours.

In closing, I certainly concur with you doing the practical shooting portion of your CHL course with a semiautomatic pistol, if only to keep your options open as you continue to experiment with respect to what your carry will be. I suspectl you may change your choice more than once.

Good luck. You have made a very good decision to get your CHL. You can get some very good advicel here on this forum, but take care -- you can also get some very bad advice.

Cheers,

Jim

[Crossfire]

Welcome, Ashley!

Looks like your questions have already been answered here. And if they haven't, thats what your CHL class is for. The only thing I would add is that, if you are thinking of qualifying with a semi-auto, it would be a good idea for you to have shot one before class day.

Let me know if you are in DFW area and want to try out a Glock or two... or a Sig, or a Colt, or maybe a Ruger... well, you get the idea.

Again, welcome!

[Rokyudai]

Ashley,

Good for you and your brother! As you can see, there is a great deal of information on this board as well as a lot of folks who are willing to share their experiences. I think that once you and your brother attend a CHL class, your questions will definitely get answers. Fee free to ask here but do not feel too overwhelmed, there were about 50,000 people alone in Texas who applied for their CHL since last January!!! Lots o' people who are/were just in your shoes (as a LOT of us were at one time).

Just like any new endeavor there will always be a feeling of "what did I get myself into"... perfectly natural. Just keep an open mind. The class itself is designed to expose you to the laws that govern concealed carry in Texas. My wife recently attended her CHL class and found it to be very informative. She had at least 7 other women there (awesome) and that made her feel even more comfortable.

Most importantly the knowledge gained will only serve you best if you make learning a continual part of your daily outlook. You don't have to go Rambo or anything but every skill improves with practice.

Check out the "New to CHL" and "Waiting Room" threads as they are full of people who share common 'first timer' feelins' ....most of them are "man, when is it going to be my turn to get my plastic!"

Again congrats and welcome to you and your brother....and good on your father!!!

Rok

[Charles L. Cotton]

Welcome to TexasCHLforum Ashley. It's good to see you're getting your CHL and you've already been given good information in response to your questions. You don't have to make a final decision on what gun to carry before you take your class. Some ranges have rental guns you can use, or you can borrow one from a friend. As Crossfire said however, do have some experience with the type of gun you use, before you get to the class.

If you can, you really should come to the 2008 TexasCHLforum Day at PSC on Saturday, Sept. 27th. It's at PSC Shooting Club in Friendswood, TX. Here is a link to http://www.TexasShooting.com where you can find out all about the seminars, shooting clinics and mini-clinics that will be offered. (All of the information is linked from the TexasCHLforum Day menu.)

If you live close to Houston, you are welcome to come to PSC with me sometime and try a bunch of different guns to see if you find one you like.

Chas.

P.S.: Your friend is correct about "law enforcement facilities," but only under very limited circumstances. First, "law enforcement facility" is very narrowly defined. It means applies only to police and sheriffs, not to any other type of peace officer. Secondly, it does not apply to multi-use buildings, as often found in small towns. For example, if a municipal court clerk is inside the "secure" area, then it's a multi-use building. Finally, the law enforcement facility must have lock boxes to store your gun while you are in the building. Also, you cannot be barred from entry into the building and you cannot be told to "put your gun in the car." (Someone already tried that with me.) Here is the controlling statute; see subpart (b) & (c):

§ 411.207. AUTHORITY OF PEACE OFFICER TO DISARM.

• (a) A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of the officer's
  official duties may disarm a license holder at any time the officer
  reasonably believes it is necessary for the protection of the
  license holder, officer, or another individual. The peace officer
  shall return the handgun to the license holder before discharging
  the license holder from the scene if the officer determines that the
  license holder is not a threat to the officer, license holder, or
  another individual and if the license holder has not violated any
  provision of this subchapter or committed any other violation that
  results in the arrest of the license holder.
  
  (b) A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of
  the officer's official duties may temporarily disarm a license
  holder when a license holder enters a nonpublic, secure portion of a
  law enforcement facility, if the law enforcement agency provides a
  gun locker where the peace officer can secure the license holder's
  handgun. The peace officer shall secure the handgun in the locker
  and shall return the handgun to the license holder immediately
  after the license holder leaves the nonpublic, secure portion of
  the law enforcement facility.
  
  (c) A law enforcement facility shall prominently display at
  each entrance to a nonpublic, secure portion of the facility a sign
  that gives notice in both English and Spanish that, under this
  section, a peace officer may temporarily disarm a license holder
  when the license holder enters the nonpublic, secure portion of the
  facility. The sign must appear in contrasting colors with block
  letters at least one inch in height. The sign shall be displayed in
  a clearly visible and conspicuous manner.
  
  (d) In this section:
  • (1) "Law enforcement facility" means a building or a
    portion of a building used exclusively by a law enforcement agency
    that employs peace officers as described by Articles 2.12(1) and
    (3), Code of Criminal Procedure, and support personnel to conduct
    the official business of the agency. The term does not include:
    
    • (A) any portion of a building not actively used
      exclusively to conduct the official business of the agency; or
      (B) any public or private driveway, street,
      sidewalk, walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking
      area.
    (2) "Nonpublic, secure portion of a law enforcement
    facility" means that portion of a law enforcement facility to which
    the general public is denied access without express permission and
    to which access is granted solely to conduct the official business
    of the law enforcement agency.

[/list

[Kalrog]

Howdy and welcome Ashley! What part of the state do you live in? If it is the Austin area, I'm sure we could arrange for a few trial handguns before your class.

Also, you cannot be barred from entry into the building and you cannot be told to "put your gun in the car." (Someone already tried that with me.)

That is a story I would like to hear.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Howdy and welcome Ashley! What part of the state do you live in? If it is the Austin area, I'm sure we could arrange for a few trial handguns before your class.

Also, you cannot be barred from entry into the building and you cannot be told to "put your gun in the car." (Someone already tried that with me.)

That is a story I would like to hear.

I'll have to tell you that one over a cup of coffee. It was resolved by someone who is becoming a political friend and I don't want to cause him or his department any bad PR.

Chas.

[flintknapper]

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

Also, you cannot be barred from entry into the building and you cannot be told to "put your gun in the car." (Someone already tried that with me.)

I'll bet that went over like a "lead balloon".


Love to have been there for that.

[LedJedi]

Also, you cannot be barred from entry into the building and you cannot be told to "put your gun in the car." (Someone already tried that with me.)

wow. talk about catching the tiger by the tail. I'd have paid good money to be a fly on the wall during that discussion. LOL