Packing before CHL

bburgi · Post by **bburgi** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:48 pm

You should only break a law if the law itself is unjust. To use the founding of our country as a justification for breaking laws you don't like is asinine. If you don't like a law - work to change it! That's what's great about our system... people get elected, we can vote for change, etc. Sure it takes time, but it CAN be changed.

If you don't obey any law you don't like (like carrying without a CHL), the core of our system breaks down. You argue for intent - that you're doing for protection. Well, does that mean it's okay for me to set deadly traps for criminals that might break into my home? That's against the law, but it would make me feel safer. Is it okay for me to carry a 7" knife around town to protect myself? It's against the law, but I would be doing it for protection, so it's okay, right?

Do you see where I'm going here? There are laws we have that I personally think are stupid, but I'm not going to just ignore it. What's the point of even having the law if anyone can ignore it? The Bible tells us to obey the authorities God has put in charge over us, and I believe the only reason we should ever break a law is if it's unethical, immoral, or unconstitutional. Otherwise we need to work as hard as we can to change the laws we don't like. When you just ignore a law and do what you want, YOU are making the choice to be a criminal. It's a very selfish, self-serving decision and, all motive aside, you are a criminal simply because you are making the conscious decision to break the law.

If you feel the need to carry, what about these suggestions:
1. Get your CHL! Our state is great, and unless you've done something that would prohibit you from obtaining one, you WILL get one.
2. Carry a shotgun or rifle with you instead of a handgun. Nothing wrong with that.
3. In addition to your long gun, carry a good knife, OC spray, etc. Plenty of options for close range self-protection that are well within the law.
4. Get involved with politics to get the law changed.

Humanphibian · Post by **Humanphibian** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:54 pm

Yes I have. Yes, I would do it again given the same circumstances.

We "The People" are guaranteed rights by our US citizenship. They are personal rights that apply to each and every legal citizen. Personally "Keeping" and personally "Bearing" arms is a right GUARANTEED to ME, not some loose interpretation of a militia, or whatever....this right is MINE! State laws take a back seat, sorry.

Now is this true in the real world......no. You very well could be convicted of a felony weapons violation for non-chl carry, this is a fact.

unfortunate and shameful that we "The People" have allowed this open interpretation of what is "ours" to occur.

BambooShoots · Post by **BambooShoots** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:52 pm

Carry before CHL?

Yes, I've done it before and will most likely do it again.

But I'm getting cautious of it because I'm getting close to the age where I can get my CHL. I don't want to get caught and ruin my chances for a CHL for the next decade or so.

The replies to this thread are the reasons I haven't started a thread like this before. But it is nice to know that I'm not the only one doing so.

govnor · Post by **govnor** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:36 pm

BambooShoots wrote:Carry before CHL?

Yes, I've done it before and will most likely do it again.

But I'm getting cautious of it because I'm getting close to the age where I can get my CHL. I don't want to get caught and ruin my chances for a CHL for the next decade or so.

The replies to this thread are the reasons I haven't started a thread like this before. But it is nice to know that I'm not the only one doing so.

Well, since you're underage, I have to say that I don't condone it! Seriously, if you live out in the country and carry a shotgun around, I have no problem with that and most law enforcement wouldn't. I'd recommend that you keep the pistol at home though until you are of age to get a CHL at least. Don't take my bad example...

Venus Pax · Post by **Venus Pax** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:30 am

govnor wrote:
BambooShoots wrote:Carry before CHL?

Yes, I've done it before and will most likely do it again.

But I'm getting cautious of it because I'm getting close to the age where I can get my CHL. I don't want to get caught and ruin my chances for a CHL for the next decade or so.

The replies to this thread are the reasons I haven't started a thread like this before. But it is nice to know that I'm not the only one doing so.
Well, since you're underage, I have to say that I don't condone it! Seriously, if you live out in the country and carry a shotgun around, I have no problem with that and most law enforcement wouldn't. I'd recommend that you keep the pistol at home though until you are of age to get a CHL at least. Don't take my bad example...

I have a problem with this. He's in college. If he works, he pays taxes. He's old enough to die for his country. Why isn't he old enough to defend himself?

merddyn2002 · Post by **merddyn2002** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:51 am

*raises hand*

I cannot tell a lie (actually I'm pretty good at it when I want to be).

I've always had one next to the bed ever since the days of yore with my first 9mm derringer. (thanks jbirds) Hey, you have another one of those? I'd like one for the wife or as a backup for me.

I did start carrying shortly before taking the CHL class and carried regularly from that point on. I know several folks who also carry regardless of CHL status.

Before that point I was young and still bulletproof.

BambooShoots · Post by **BambooShoots** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:14 pm

Venus Pax wrote:
govnor wrote:
BambooShoots wrote:Carry before CHL?

Yes, I've done it before and will most likely do it again.

But I'm getting cautious of it because I'm getting close to the age where I can get my CHL. I don't want to get caught and ruin my chances for a CHL for the next decade or so.

The replies to this thread are the reasons I haven't started a thread like this before. But it is nice to know that I'm not the only one doing so.
Well, since you're underage, I have to say that I don't condone it! Seriously, if you live out in the country and carry a shotgun around, I have no problem with that and most law enforcement wouldn't. I'd recommend that you keep the pistol at home though until you are of age to get a CHL at least. Don't take my bad example...
I have a problem with this. He's in college. If he works, he pays taxes. He's old enough to die for his country. Why isn't he old enough to defend himself?

I honestly don't know why they let 18 year olds enlist but I can't carry a firearm. I DO go to college. I work in a pharmacy (which, btw, I would consider a hazardous workplace; thousands of tablets/capsules of hydrocodone, morphine, alprazolam, oxycodone and hundreds of vials of morphine, fentanyl, meperidine, midazolam, etc; enough tempt anyone). I'm pretty sure the Texas State Board of Pharmacy wanted to check my background when I submitted my application. Hell, most people I talk with think I'm at least a decade older, if not twice my age.

Also, the legal age in Texas to own a handgun set at 18 years of age. Someone younger than 21 just can't buy from a dealer. I got mine from FTF transfers. I've informed the people (one a LEO) of my age and they had no problem.

I've still got about 9 months to go and I plan to take the CHL class a bit early. I just feel a LOT more comfortable with a sidearm on my hip. From what I've seen in the world, you just never know when some crazies are going to snap...I guess I'll just have to carry some ziprasidone for them if I can't carry.

seamusTX · Post by **seamusTX** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:23 pm

BambooShoots wrote:I honestly don't know why they let 18 year olds enlist but I can't carry a firearm.

The simple answer is that the military (federal government) makes the rules for enlistment, and the state makes the rules for CHL.

You can get a CHL if you enlist.

The CHL age limit of 21 is obviously modeled after the drinking age. I am pretty sure that 18- to 20-year-olds are adults for every other legal purpose in Texas.

I didn't think age-based restrictions were fair when I was 12, 16, 18, or 20; but now they make perfect sense.

- Jim

BambooShoots · Post by **BambooShoots** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:30 pm

seamusTX wrote:
BambooShoots wrote:I honestly don't know why they let 18 year olds enlist but I can't carry a firearm.
The simple answer is that the military (federal government) makes the rules for enlistment, and the state makes the rules for CHL.

You can get a CHL if you enlist.

The CHL age limit of 21 is obviously modeled after the drinking age. I am pretty sure that 18- to 20-year-olds are adults for every other legal purpose in Texas.

I didn't think age-based restrictions were fair when I was 12, 16, 18, or 20; but now they make perfect sense.

- Jim

Jim, to be honest, those age restrictions DO make sense to me, even now. But as you well know, there are exceptions to everything. I'm sure you know some 40 year olds you wouldn't trust to carrying a firearm and vice versa.

It's just stupid that I'm stuck because most other kids my age like going to party/drink and wreak havoc.

I'm pretty sure that I spend as much on ammo every week as other students spend on alcohol.

seamusTX · Post by **seamusTX** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:02 pm

BambooShoots wrote:Jim, to be honest, those age restrictions DO make sense to me, even now. But as you well know, there are exceptions to everything. I'm sure you know some 40 year olds you wouldn't trust to carrying a firearm and vice versa.

Sure. I know 40-year-olds who shouldn't be allowed to drive a vehicle or reproduce.

Personally, I think that if we're going to have restrictions at all, they should be based on individual qualifications, not arbitrary categories. But I'm not a legislator.

- Jim