Which came first, CHL or firearm purchase?

[blackgold]

I know my answer to this. But felt like I'd see if anyone agreed with the other side. So My opinion is You should have some level of comfort with your firearm prior to taking a CHL class. Purchase the firearm, practice with it at a range, then plan your CHL. Does anyone feel like obtaining your CHL before buying a gun is a better way? My mother who recently got her first gun took a friend to a local gun store. While there and looking at guns, they were "helped" by a know it all former LEO who dismissed her Ruger LCP as a temporary/disposable gun not worth buying and said that you should get your CHL before you purchase a firearm. She asked me not to call the shop and tell the manager how i felt about their encounter but wanted to post it here as it seemed kind of poor customer service in my opinion.
Thanks,
Brian

[daniel2002p]

For me it was firearm before CHL... to be honest my dad put a .22 pistol in my hands when I was 6 and ever since then I was hooked.

--Daniel

[Redneck_Buddha]

I used The Gun Store in Cedar Park and they were the nicest, most helpful mentors to assist me in my first gun purchase. I came in when they just happened to have a Springfield Armory XDs in stock and was glad glad when they reassured me that even at .45 ACP, my larger arms and wrist could handle the bit of extra recoil, and they were correct! Bought the gun, sprayed it down, let it sit overnight, and took it to the range twice before actually taking the class.

[blackgold]

It probably wasn't 6 for me. but I was younger. My mother has handled weapons (a year or 10+ ago) in the Army. It just sounded like the typical bull someone with a powertrip to feed would say to some women who clearly can't know as much as he does. I'm pretty certain that he would NOT have talked like he did if I were there with her (2 weeks ago we did go there).
Brian

[n5wmk]

Purchase the firearm, practice with it at a range, then plan your CHL.

I've had guns since way before Texas had CHL. When I decided to get my CHL, I bought the gun that I was planning to carry before I ever started the paperwork. Took it to the range and got familiar with it. Carried in inside the house in my IWB holster to get both it and me broken in. On the other hand, nothing wrong with getting your CHL first, then buying the gun you want.

[fickman]

When somebody decides to get both, I say they can be done in parallel. If they start pursuing both at the same time, the gun will be in their hand before the license.

[Andrew]

My take, http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=61792" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jl39775]

When I decided to get my CHL, I purchased the pistol I wanted as EDC. I took the class shortly after I made the purchase. I sent the paperwork and got the fingerprint earlier this month and I'm waiting for my CHL. I've been shooting once or twice a weeks and will continue to practice. I plan to take defensive classes in the near future. The UPS delivered my IWB holster and I am breaking it in at home and while driving. It's going to take a while before my CHL is mailed so I am doing what I can to improve my shooting and handling skills as I wait.

[Andrew]

When I decided to get my CHL, I purchased the pistol I wanted as EDC. I took the class shortly after I made the purchase. I sent the paperwork and got the fingerprint earlier this month and I'm waiting for my CHL. I've been shooting once or twice a weeks and will continue to practice. I plan to take defensive classes in the near future. The UPS delivered my IWB holster and I am breaking it in at home and while driving. It's going to take a while before my CHL is mailed so I am doing what I can to improve my shooting and handling skills as I wait.

Well done.

[cheezit]

started with a 10/22 at age 5.

[Jumping Frog]

I had carried without a license as far back as the '70's before a CHL was even a term that I was aware of. So I'd have to say the firearm came first.

[77346]

firearm first

[The Annoyed Man]

Guns, by a long shot. Carry licenses are a practical impossibility in California.

[TXCO]

Guns first. My dad, a Marine, had me out shooting a single shot .22 at 5.

[chasfm11]

I've owned a .22 pistol since the last 70s. We RV and have carried a shotgun with us just about everywhere since we've owned the coach. When I decided to get a CHL, it was just going to be so that we could have a pistol along, too. Luckily, I picked one that could be an EDC.

I was a bit nervous about passing the shooting part so I practiced for several months before I took the class. About the time of the class, I found this forum and I've been trying to drink from the firehose of knowledge ever since.