New CHL holder seeking wisdom

[Danton]

Just got my CHL a couple of weeks ago. Many of us would agree that, aside from convicted felons and those who can't pass a basic competency exam, it's all of our second ammendment rights. It's also a huge responsibility, though. Any anecdotes, advice, words of wisdom, etc, in regards to concealed carry are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Dawico]

There is alot of recent discussions about this going on right now. Check under the Concealed Carry threads. There is a ton of good information posted already, and should answer most of your questions.

Specifically, look for 30.06 in the title. The laws are covered extensively.

 

[APatriot]

My friend,

Just got my CHL a couple of weeks ago. Many of us would agree that, aside from convicted felons and those who can't pass a basic competency exam, it's all of our second ammendment rights. It's also a huge responsibility, though. Any anecdotes, advice, words of wisdom, etc, in regards to concealed carry are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I offer the following:

1. Grasp an effective and thorough understanding of your legal requirements as to where to conceal carry. I am often perplexed at the lack of legal understanding that I at times read from CHL holders. Do not put yourself in that group. Moreover, keep up with changes in the law.

2. Do not use your CHL as a form of identification unless you are required to do so. Keep it in your wallet.

3. Related to #2, do not "call" unnecessary attention to yourself as a CHL holder. Concealment is a tactical advantage which should be maintained at all times.

4. Shoot your weapon at least once per month to maintain confidence, and ASAP, proscribed to additional training which will promote proficiency in drawing your weapon from the holster and shooting at a target no greater than 7' away from you.

 

[txinvestigator]

The handgun is a tool. One of my best suggestions is NOT to consider the handgun as the solution to every problem. If you find yourself in a situation that allows time for thought, ask yourself what you would have done BEFORE you started carrying. if the answer is "make a tactical withdrawal", then that should still be your response.

There is an analogy with a hammer and nail, but it escapes me right now.

I also suggest that if you carry a means of death, then you should also carry a means of less lethal force, such as pepper spray.

If there are places and areas you would have avoided before carrying, then avoid them still.

Hopefully you get my drift....... best of luck, and welcome to the world of the sheepdogs.

 

[BombthePeasants]

I'm in Day #2 of committing to CC, so I'm in your boat, roughly. I learned today that when you go to the can, spread your legs in your pants to keep the gun from flipping over and pointing at your head whilst in the middle of doing your business.

Oh, and double check yourself in a mirror to see if you're printing.

 

[Big country]

The handgun is a tool. One of my best suggestions is NOT to consider the handgun as the solution to every problem. If you find yourself in a situation that allows time for thought, ask yourself what you would have done BEFORE you started carrying. if the answer is "make a tactical withdrawal", then that should still be your response.

There is an analogy with a hammer and nail, but it escapes me right now.

I also suggest that if you carry a means of death, then you should also carry a means of less lethal force, such as pepper spray.

If there are places and areas you would have avoided before carrying, then avoid them still.

Hopefully you get my drift....... best of luck, and welcome to the world of the sheepdogs.

+100 I this this is the best advice I have seen.

This is all good info. Now come in from the flock,,,,,,, Wait I am the flock I need to get off my ass and go get my CHL! LOL

 

[sv6er]

The handgun is a tool. One of my best suggestions is NOT to consider the handgun as the solution to every problem.

This is THE best advice.

The worst thing you can do is to make a situation that's NOT life-or-death into one that IS life-or-death. When you decide to pull out your weapon, the perceived threat—who may have only aggressively posturing—is now acting in self-defense of his own life. No matter what the situation was before, you've made it into one where someone can die very soon. That someone CAN be you.

Like txinvestigator said, your handgun is there as an OPTION.

 

[Fisherman]

I am glad you are making an effort to do things right.

Some good advice has already been given and here are some things I would add that you need to consider:

Be prepared from both a mental and physical stand point, as God forbid when a person has to defend themselves it brings on serious ramifications, no matter the reason and how well justified. Ask yourself some questions. Can you handle being questioned, even going before a grand jury? Can you deal with being sued? Can you deal with ending someone’s life and being despised by that person’s family, even though it was righteous and the only course of action? Can you deal with having family and friends potentially, look at you differently?

Yes, it may be justified and righteous and the only course of action, but there are ramifications.

Have you put into place a mindset of understanding your actions and having a plan at all times? Do you think about where your nearest cover and or concealment is, as you go about your daily life. Do you know where your exits are? Do you know what you will do, in different situations? Be thinking a step ahead at all times. You need a plan before hand.

Realize if things go bad, they can go bad quickly. You may be drawing, shooting from a weak position, with a poor grip, trying to get the heck out of dodge. Have spare ammo and have a back up. Have a plan. Avoid Trouble.

Also remember as some have said, don’t draw attention to yourself and don’t have a temper.

In the end, remember carrying a firearm is a serious matter. You don’t ever want to have to use it. You need to avoid trouble, avoid dangerous places and dangerous people. Be reluctant, but not hesitant, and if you must fight, fight with all you have.

One last thing, it all easier said, than done. All you can do is prepare as best you can.

Everyone has to make their own decisions and decide what will work for them.

I have opinions and most all of us do, so take them for what they are worth and no more.

 

[APatriot]

Excellent advice folks. Good to see.

 

[DoubleActionCHL]

Right along with TXI, the handgun is a tool. The analogy he's referencing:

"When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

Be sure you have other forms of force at your disposal other than deadly force with a handgun.

Carrying the concealed handgun should not change your lifestyle significantly. In other words, don't purposely place yourself in dangerous or risky situations because you're carrying a handgun. You're no tougher than you were before. In fact, you now have an added responsibility to avoid confrontation. The fight that would have ended in a bloody nose before could now end with someone getting shot.

Be an adult. You may have to back down, look weak, or even a little silly when jackass confronts you and wants to fight.

Time and distance are your friends.

The best gun fight is the one that never happens.

Don't run with scissors and never, ever wear stripes with plaids.

I could go on...

 

[txinvestigator]

Right along with TXI, the handgun is a tool. The analogy he's referencing:

"When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

That's the one

 

[APatriot]

Right along with TXI, the handgun is a tool. The analogy he's referencing:

"When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

Be sure you have other forms of force at your disposal other than deadly force with a handgun.

Carrying the concealed handgun should not change your lifestyle significantly. In other words, don't purposely place yourself in dangerous or risky situations because you're carrying a handgun. You're no tougher than you were before. In fact, you now have an added responsibility to avoid confrontation. The fight that would have ended in a bloody nose before could now end with someone getting shot.

Be an adult. You may have to back down, look weak, or even a little silly when jackass confronts you and wants to fight.

Time and distance are your friends.

The best gun fight is the one that never happens.

Don't run with scissors and never, ever wear stripes with plaids.

I could go on...

I couldn't have said it better. Excellent advice.

 

[thorkyl]

Be aware of what is going on around you.

Be aware who is around you.

Be aware of what is around you.

You will get to the point where you don't remember you are armed, this is DANGEROUS.

You need to remember at all times you have the duty to be better, more polite, and humble than everyone else.

Keep your exits clear.

Don't look for trouble.

Look for ways out of the trouble your in, even if your friends laugh at you for it.

Be prepared to look the fool so you don't have to use force.

Play the game...
The game my fiance and I play is when we go somewhere we watch the people, you will soon be able to pick out with a high probability the ones who CC.
You will also see the ones who do so without a permit by there mannerisms.

Stay away from dark alleys and places you don't go now.

Stay safe, pray you never need it, pray for those who do.

Get the NRA endorsed "defense insurance"

 

[texas_teacher]

Right along with TXI, the handgun is a tool. The analogy he's referencing:

"When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

Be sure you have other forms of force at your disposal other than deadly force with a handgun.

Carrying the concealed handgun should not change your lifestyle significantly. In other words, don't purposely place yourself in dangerous or risky situations because you're carrying a handgun. You're no tougher than you were before. In fact, you now have an added responsibility to avoid confrontation. The fight that would have ended in a bloody nose before could now end with someone getting shot.

Be an adult. You may have to back down, look weak, or even a little silly when jackass confronts you and wants to fight.

Time and distance are your friends.

The best gun fight is the one that never happens.

Don't run with scissors and never, ever wear stripes with plaids.

I could go on...

Never ever wear stripes with plaids... The other thing that I can suggest is that solid colors when they are tighter in a cotton fabric tend to show more than would a pattern shirt of some sort of design in that lower right side... Just little things that make others' eyes just pass over and keep on going...

 

[Danton]

Thank you!

I can't thank you all enough for responding to my request for advice. The information provided is outstanding and far more helpful and informative than I ever expected. It's contributors like you who make this such a great site. Hopefully I can return the favor at some point. Best of luck!

 

[KellyAsh]

The only other things I could possibly think to add is practice, practice, practice. Practice drawing and holstering with your finger on the side of the gun and NOT the trigger.

Dress as you normally do while carrying during your practice to become proficient with your draw. Under the stress of a do or die situation, you will revert to instinct. You won't be nearly as tactile when the adrenaline is flowing so make your draw instinct.

Start slow with your practice and break the draw down into steps, ie.

1. Clear the weapon of obstruction (clothing)

2. Unlock weapon (thumb break or lock as on a Serpa)

3. Obtain firm grasp on weapon

4. Draw to appropriate shooting position

Thats just an example. I WOULD URGE YOU TO SEEK PREOFESSIONAL TRAINING. The responsibility you are shouldering warrants it and the current "training" found in Texas CHL classes is a joke. The real training can be expensive, but just how much is your life worth? Besides, I hear the civilian schools are fun as hell!

 

[txinvestigator]

KellyAsh; The current CHL course is not desinged to teach you how to shoot. In fact, it assumes you know how which is why you are tested.

But you are right in that civilian advanced classes are fun.

 

[KellyAsh]

KellyAsh; The current CHL course is not desinged to teach you how to shoot. In fact, it assumes you know how which is why you are tested. QUOTE]

They do teach handgun handling Texas Department of Public Safety - Courtesy, Service, Protection, the fifth item from the top, "Handgun Handling"...and that is a joke, hence my post. I said nothing about being able to shoot.

 

[txinvestigator]

KellyAsh; The current CHL course is not desinged to teach you how to shoot. In fact, it assumes you know how which is why you are tested. QUOTE]

They do teach handgun handling Texas Department of Public Safety - Courtesy, Service, Protection, the fifth item from the top, "Handgun Handling"...and that is a joke, hence my post. I said nothing about being able to shoot.

I know what "they" teach, as I am they. We conduct a brief segment on marksmanship and range safety, and another on safety and storage. If YOUR instructror's coverage of it was a joke I am sorry. I assure you mine is not, and from I know of DoubleActionCHL his is not either.

It would be good if we could cover drawing from concealment, but that would really stretch the class out. I also teach an intermediate and advanced course, we cover the draw from concealment extensively.

I like your suggestion to dry practice the draw at home.

 

[KellyAsh]

I know what "they" teach, as I am they. We conduct a brief segment on marksmanship and range safety, and another on safety and storage. If YOUR instructror's coverage of it was a joke I am sorry. I assure you mine is not, and from I know of DoubleActionCHL his is not either.

It would be good if we could cover drawing from concealment, but that would really stretch the class out. I also teach an intermediate and advanced course, we cover the draw from concealment extensively.

I like your suggestion to dry practice the draw at home.

Then both my instructors were jokes because in both classes we ended up with excess time and excuses for not teaching more safe practices. The vast majority of people I have met that have taken their CHL classes say they too had excess time and not much practical application of safety practices. Not to hijack the thread but this very topic was the basis for a thread I began when I first joined this forum that posed the question, "Is there enough mandatory training in current CHL classes?" For the most part, people were against it because they thought there was too much overregulation as it is in this area, which there might be, but IMO if you're going to madate ANY training the madate might as well be sufficient training.

I am glad to hear there are good instructors out there. We just need some of yall to make your way up to the DFW area...or identify the good ones already here. Might make a good sticky.