Well, my first post, hope to keep it as short as possible AND not to seem like an idiot regarding these leather chl holders....
My chl instructor, back in March 2010, informed us of how 'little' some LEO's practice with their weapons. I do not remember the exact required time for practice each year, but it wasn't much. I'm not saying that ALL law enforcement personnel get little or no practice, only that the 'required range time' can be all over the board. I suppose some cops shoot all the time, others will shoot the minimum required by their dept.
Not to lump security guards in with LEO's, but some armed security practice even less than the general public. Saw some videos showing accidental discharges by LEO's who were flowing with adrenaline while on duty.
So, let's say I'm getting out of the car at Denny's and some bg pulls a weapon and begins to demonstrate lethal force against me. I'm smacked in the head and I see a big knife or gun coming out of his waistband. Let me stop here and say I'm only throwing out a hypothetical situation.... I assure you that I'll absolutely use my concealed weapon ONLY as a last resort. I'll absolutely try to flee or diffuse the situation by all other means available before I use deadly force. This scenario does have a point and I'm getting there....
I might subdue the assailant, maybe even shoot him and keep my gun trained on him until help arrives.
Let's say that you and your wife are IN Denny's and all you see is me holding a guy at gunpoint out in the parking lot, and he's on the ground. You have no idea who started what. You are probably just as informed as arriving LEO's as to who the bad guy is.... Again, you have NO idea that the bg bashed me in the head with a pipe, then started to draw a weapon. Cops and or security are called. Adrenaline is flowing, all involved have NO idea who is the bg and who is the victim.... Think about it.
They come screaming up in their patrol car, draw their own weapons and point them at ME! I'll certainly obey LEO instruction, but rest assured, arriving officers who see a gun are ramped up big time! Getting back to adrenaline, visible guns, commotion, blood, crowds, you get the idea. The LAST place I want to be is on the receiving end of a gun held by an officer, trained on me. One little mistake by an officer or security guard will end badly for me!
So, I carry this on a chain around my neck.
It is always kept under my shirt, ready to be pulled out in the event of my gun being drawn. IF, if, I ever have to use my weapon, I guarantee I'll grab this chl and hold it high and proud over my head. Even if it causes LEO's or security to wonder what exactly I am, and not shoot me by mistake, It'll be worth it. Cops wonder if I'm homeland, FBI, undercover leo, federal marshall, whatever.... I'm not trying to assume a role or pass myself off as any of those, only making the nervous cop or security yell out, "what is that and who are you?"
God forbid I ever have to pull my weapon,
(edited, please read the rules. No abreviated profanity) I'll be yelling, I have a chl and I've had to use my gun! My chl didn't make me a deputy or give me license to kill, only to legally carry protection for my family and me.
My instructor likes to wear his outside of his clothing at times... and I have to disagree with him on this. He feels that sometimes just wearing this badge/chain might give a potential attacker a bit of a pause, or question who the guy is getting gas at 10 o'clock at night at the gas station with the badge-like thing around his neck ( see above professions ). Maybe the bad guy is whispering to his accomplice, "Hold on, this guy has some kind of badge around his neck, maybe he has a gun or is some kind of cop. Let's not screw with him, wait for the next guy who pulls up" I feel like this mindset has some merit, but again, it's posing as something you're not. He says, "Maybe the bad guy who was ABOUT to come shoot you and steal your car sees the badgy thing around your neck and just waits for someone else."
Isn't that kind of what we all want? I mean, don't most of us chl holders want to avoid at all costs the drawing and use of a pistol or revolver? Justified or not, emotionally and financially, the shooter is in for a long, long process. Don't get me wrong, I'll use it without hesitation if no other option is available.
So, in closing, here is what I wear daily, under my shirt, not flaunting or showing off. I bought this and one more for when this one finally poops out.
Let the flaming begin!
