All non-CHL holders on this forum... question:

[Scott in Houston]

Curious why you're frequenting this board/forum?

No judgement... I think it's AWESOME that you are, but I'm curious as to why?

I am guessing one primary category are those who have *yet* to get their CHL for either age, financial, or other reasons.

I'm really curious about those who don't appear to have any need or desire to get a CHL at all. I've seen a few other threads where that has been inferred by what I read.

So, curious, why are you active on this forum without a CHL?

[Middle Age Russ]

My wife and I have our CHLs now, but... I started perusing this forum as a guest more than a year before my wife and I attended class and got our CHLs -- beginning about the time I decided that I might want to do this. As part of our usual approach to things, we like to research a topic before jumping in as full-fledged participants. This forum provided a wealth of knowledge, as well as discussions which made us think and seriously consider things before taking the next step. For that, we feel greatly blessed to have this resource.

My wife and I have been around firearms our whole lives, and have owned them since being old enough to. Even so, the move from having firearms to routinely carrying them was not something we wanted to undertake without serious thought and soul searching. In the end, the question primarily came down to one of responsibility. We believe it is our responsibility as parents to protect our children to our utmost ability. Without carrying, our ability would be more limited outside our home and vehicles, so the decision to carry was made and acted on. The discussions and pointers on this forum helped underpin our sense of responsibility and ultimately our decision to routinely carry.

[mojohn]

I dunno how "active" ... but I am learning alot in preparation for getting a CHL. Thanks for the knowledge! John

[hirundo82]

I'm really curious about those who don't appear to have any need or desire to get a CHL at all. I've seen a few other threads where that has been inferred by what I read.

One reason that may apply to some--an attitude I've seen on other forums moreso than this forum--is that they don't feel they should have to get a permit to exercise a constitutional right. It's an attitude I agree with, but I'm not willing to risk a conviction for my priniciples when it is so painless to exercise my right legally.

[Rebel]

I would assume that since other aspect of Texas gun law are talked about, that may be a reason to participate here.

The biggest reason many I talk to mention they don't have or want to get a CHL is that having the ability to have a gun in your car covers most people about 90% of the time, and they don't have a desire to deal with actual carrying.

[Scott in Houston]

The above reasons make plenty of sense... especially the 'attitude' about the 2nd Amendment being a right that shouldn't be licensed. (I agree that a right should not require a license!)

Also the car covering most of the time... I get that too vs. paying the extra money to carry outside of the car.

Another I'll throw out there to answer my own question: I've heard a lot of people who are, understandably, uncomfortable giving all their personal information including hand, palm, etc prints.

[WildBill]

Another I'll throw out there to answer my own question: I've heard a lot of people who are, understandably, uncomfortable giving all their personal information including hand, palm, etc prints.

It's not like the government doesn't have it already. I can't even remember how many times I have had my fingerprints taken. All my "personal and private" information with my drivers license, social security number, employment history, credit cards, bank accounts, and 401K information is in hundreds of databases.

[rmr1923]

The biggest reason many I talk to mention they don't have or want to get a CHL is that having the ability to have a gun in your car covers most people about 90% of the time, and they don't have a desire to deal with actual carrying.

i had the same view toward CHLs not too long ago before my wife and i moved to Houston. we lived in Lubbock during our college years and as long as we didn't venture to the east side of town we felt reasonably safe anywhere we went, day or night. although for a brief period i worked delivering home appliances for Ace and most times we ventured to the east side we didn't feel very safe. 2 young white men don't receive a very warm welcome in that area of town, regardless of our reason for being there. we drove that delivery truck like it was the black van in Old School, got in and out as quickly as possible (although our driving lacked the theatrics of power-sliding every time we made a turn).

once we moved to Houston, i started keeping a handgun in my truck or my wife's car any time we went ANYWHERE, but never really have felt the need to carry it outside the car until my wife had an incident with a stalker last year. i still don't know if i'll carry all the time everywhere i go, but i'd rather have the option to carry if i feel the need to. you know the saying, better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

and at this point, the only reason i don't have a CHL is because the DPS is still running my background check. they received my packet the 1st week of january so i'm hoping i'll see a change in status sometime within the week or two. and once my wife gets her shooting proficiency up i'll be enrolling her in a CHL class as well.

[speedsix]

...there are a lot of folks in Texas who are from other countries whose prints have not been put on a database, whether because they haven't contacted their government in that manner or the government doesn't keep them accurately...they get a lot of benefit from the Motorist's Protection Act...and couldn't get a CHL if they applied...

[Keith B]

Getting a CHL is not something that should be taken lightly. Along with the CHL and carrying a gun comes some very big responsibilities, some that too many people don't take serious enough IMO. Someone should not get a CHL until they are emotionally ready to do so. They should feel they have the knowledge of the laws, understanding of the ramifications of carrying a gun, and the aftermath that can and will come psychologically, physically and monetarily if they, heaven forbid, have to use deadly force.

There are a lot of people who don't really understand this and don't really care to; all they want is the license and to carry. And you CAN get it, but that doesn't mean they understand it.

I am sure there are those on here who do not have their license that are waiting until they feel comfortable with all of the aspects of being a CHL, and use this forum as a resource. Once they are comfortable and ready, they will get their CHL. Until that time, we need to make them feel comfortable and not treat them as outsiders or 'not part of the fraternity'.

[Rebel]

Getting a CHL is not something that should be taken lightly. Along with the CHL and carrying a gun comes some very big responsibilities, some that too many people don't take serious enough IMO. Someone should not get a CHL until they are emotionally ready to do so. They should feel they have the knowledge of the laws, understanding of the ramifications of carrying a gun, and the aftermath that can and will come psychologically, physically and monetarily if they, heaven forbid, have to use deadly force.

There are a lot of people who don't really understand this and don't really care to; all they want is the license and to carry. And you CAN get it, but that doesn't mean they understand it.

I am sure there are those on here who do not have their license that are waiting until they feel comfortable with all of the aspects of being a CHL, and use this forum as a resource. Once they are comfortable and ready, they will get their CHL. Until that time, we need to make them feel comfortable and not treat them as outsiders or 'not part of the fraternity'.

Though I'm new here and you don't need my validation, excellent point.

Even though I am Pro 2A and firmly believe a person has a right to protect themselves, I have run into more than a few people in real life and on gun boards that the thought of them CCWing makes me cringe. Whether is be for their unpreparedness or even worst their bravado to use it.

[WildBill]

Getting a CHL is not something that should be taken lightly. Along with the CHL and carrying a gun comes some very big responsibilities, some that too many people don't take serious enough IMO. Someone should not get a CHL until they are emotionally ready to do so. They should feel they have the knowledge of the laws, understanding of the ramifications of carrying a gun, and the aftermath that can and will come psychologically, physically and monetarily if they, heaven forbid, have to use deadly force.

There are a lot of people who don't really understand this and don't really care to; all they want is the license and to carry. And you CAN get it, but that doesn't mean they understand it.

This is one thing that Charles Cotton discusses in his Deadly Force Seminar. I don't want to misquote him, but he suggests that "the time to draw your line" about when and where you will use deadly force should be made well before you get your CHL and start to carry on the streets*. The time to make your decisions is when you are calm and able to think rationally, not when you are under stress in a potential life and death situation.

*If I have misspoken, I am sure that I will be soon corrected.

[firefighter3217]

Well, I have my CHL now, but from the day I turned 21 I was viewing threads as a guest... I think my first post was a week before my CHL came in.

[Dave2]

Getting a CHL is not something that should be taken lightly. Along with the CHL and carrying a gun comes some very big responsibilities, some that too many people don't take serious enough IMO. Someone should not get a CHL until they are emotionally ready to do so. They should feel they have the knowledge of the laws, understanding of the ramifications of carrying a gun, and the aftermath that can and will come psychologically, physically and monetarily if they, heaven forbid, have to use deadly force. [...] I am sure there are those on here who do not have their license that are waiting until they feel comfortable with all of the aspects of being a CHL, and use this forum as a resource.

That is exactly what I did and why I did it.

[Embalmo]

I would assume that since other aspect of Texas gun law are talked about, that may be a reason to participate here.

The biggest reason many I talk to mention they don't have or want to get a CHL is that having the ability to have a gun in your car covers most people about 90% of the time, and they don't have a desire to deal with actual carrying.

I've never understood the "only carry a gun in the truck" mindset. I feel perfectly safe when I'm traveling down the road; it isn't 'till I get out of my vehicle that I feel vulnerable. That's my number one reason for wanting campus carry: getting to and from my car.

Embalmo