What Could Go Wrong?

[Andrew]

I've read lots of threads and artlicles about good things that happen when a CHL holder is able stop an active shooter.
Don't forget that it can go the other way too.
Tyler Court House. Family Dollar.
My CHL instructor stated that he didn't expect 95% of the class to even go to the range again after licensing, until it was time to renew. While I don't know how he arrived at that figure, I understand his concern. Even for the 5% who do shoot regularly, standing at the ready line at the range to practice your marksmanship isn't enough.
Do you have the training to enter a building, exit an automobile, know the difference between cover and concealment?
What about your fine motor skills under stress? Have you taken a defensive handgun or carbine course, competed in IDPA, been in combat as a soldier, marine, sailor, airman?
Have you continued to practice your learned skills?
Have you fired your carry gun in unconventional positions or out a window from every seat in your car?
Can you charge, reload, clear a jam in, your weapon one handed.
Can you draw your weapon under stress, don't laugh I've seen plenty of fails, without dropping it? Have your ever practiced your draw???
Having a Texas CHL is a privilege and a responsibilty, Do You Live Up To It?

[punkndisorderly]

While training is good, the reality is that your instructor is right. And, while it kind of shocked me at first, when you think about it, it's not really that shocking. Bad, yes. Shocking, no.

A lot of people just don't enjoy shooting. Add in he popularity of pocket guns tbat are less forgiving and less fun to shoot. Heapon the expense and ammo shortage. Sprinkle on the pompous knuckleheads that turn up at ranges and behind gun xounters (a minority, but only takes one).

Then there's life. Kids, dogs, spouses, chores, work, etc. Doing the things that have to be done often doesn't leave a lot of time for the shoulds, let alone the wants. Then there's the distractions. TV, sports, etc.

Last, there's the attitude that seems to be prevalent that a gun is some magic talisman.

Heck I love guns. Big ones. Little ones. New ones. Old ones. And I still don't do near the training I should. Much less as much as I would like.

The ones that truly frighten me are the ones that never get to that minimum level of proficiency to be safe and just run the gun (load, unload, rack the slide, etc.). I've been thinking a lot about where that line is where someone would be better off with a defensive solution other than a firearm.

[RPBrown]

While training is good, the reality is that your instructor is right. And, while it kind of shocked me at first, when you think about it, it's not really that shocking. Bad, yes. Shocking, no.

A lot of people just don't enjoy shooting. Add in he popularity of pocket guns tbat are less forgiving and less fun to shoot. Heapon the expense and ammo shortage. Sprinkle on the pompous knuckleheads that turn up at ranges and behind gun xounters (a minority, but only takes one).

Then there's life. Kids, dogs, spouses, chores, work, etc. Doing the things that have to be done often doesn't leave a lot of time for the shoulds, let alone the wants. Then there's the distractions. TV, sports, etc.

Last, there's the attitude that seems to be prevalent that a gun is some magic talisman.

Heck I love guns. Big ones. Little ones. New ones. Old ones. And I still don't do near the training I should. Much less as much as I would like.

The ones that truly frighten me are the ones that never get to that minimum level of proficiency to be safe and just run the gun (load, unload, rack the slide, etc.). I've been thinking a lot about where that line is where someone would be better off with a defensive solution other than a firearm.

I agree with you on this. Then you can throw in those that get the CHL, buy a gun and never shoot it. They dont even know if it will run smoothly or have a FTF.

I will not carry a weapon that I am not 100% sure will go bang when the switch is pulled.

[packa45]

All of my firearms I would trust my life with... (With one exception my taurus millennium pro45)Why? Because I've put close to 1000 rounds (minimum)through each one with a high reliability...BEFORE electing to use it as a carry or protection piece. Regularly practice failure drills with my routine (duty)carry weapon and my Concealment pieces.

The way I see it is that tool will only protect you in a stressful situation if you train under some form of stress. And continue to train on draw stroke until you can do it sitting standing from the prone position from your back... Because you never now how you will have to deploy from concealment.

[punkndisorderly]

Taught a CHL class last weekend to a couple. They had some issues with jamming. Turns out it hadn't been lubed or shot in two years. Yup, bone dry.

Every class I've been to has had someone show up with a gun that wouldn't work for a few cents worth of oil. That includes the instructor course.

[RHenriksen]

Having a Texas CHL is a privilege and a responsibilty, Do You Live Up To It?

Well... I commend you for encouraging people to become more proficient, and I certainly practice much more than your average person.

OTOH, I don't think a CHL *should* be a privilege and a responsibility. I'm one of the Constitutional Carry people. I don't think we should need a permission slip from the government at all. So I can't really buy into your premise.

[flechero]

Having a Texas CHL is a privilege and a responsibilty, Do You Live Up To It?

Well... I commend you for encouraging people to become more proficient, and I certainly practice much more than your average person.

OTOH, I don't think a CHL *should* be a privilege and a responsibility. I'm one of the Constitutional Carry people. I don't think we should need a permission slip from the government at all. So I can't really buy into your premise.

I agree with you on Constitutional carry but I think the intent of the question is if people are going to carry, why wouldn't they choose to get the proper training and preparation for what they might encounter?

I think that many people think that they will react to a situation with the same calm they can discuss it and also think it's not going to be a split second decision. I've seen enough video to know that most of the time it will happen very fast and few people will react with complete calm. I hope I never find out how I will react- but I dedicate time and effort to the practice/training,to give myself the best possible chance of survival.

[Jcubed]

I just recently attended CHL training and am waiting for my CHL. During the class I learned many things regarding safety, laws & rights. But the most important thing I learned is that I must be confident in my ability to use my weapon and to practice, practice & practice. Our instructor also advised us beginners to get comfortable with carrying by practicing at home. I joined this forum ten days ago and have become addictive to it. Thanx to all of you for furthering my education. I take my CHL responsibility seriously and will not carry until I am convinced I am capable and mentally prepared to use only when necessary.

[Topbuilder]

I have enough property to shoot at home and still only manage 6-8 practice session a year. I commend those of you who find/make time to go to the range .

[Andrew]

Having a Texas CHL is a privilege and a responsibilty, Do You Live Up To It?

Well... I commend you for encouraging people to become more proficient, and I certainly practice much more than your average person.

OTOH, I don't think a CHL *should* be a privilege and a responsibility. I'm one of the Constitutional Carry people. I don't think we should need a permission slip from the government at all. So I can't really buy into your premise.

I'm a transplant from Nevada(according to my neighbors the only reason I'm not a Yankee is that I'm from Southern Nevada). Nevada is a "Constitutional Carry" state and I open carried for almost 40 years. My Pop was a, as described on other forums, Fudd, lifelong NRA member, and combat veteran. He instilled in me at a very young age that carrying a weapon is always a Privilege and a Resposibility. My own time in Uncle Sammy's "Far Eastern and European Excursions & Fun Tours" reinforced that attitude.
The U.S. is unique in the world in that it's citizens have a God given right the keep and bear arms, that doesn't change the fact that it is a privilege: "a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor" Merriam-Webster. That we believe that privilege was granted by God and not our government changes that fact not one iota.
We have a responsibility to ourselves, our families, and our communities that the exercise of that right endangers no innocents. If we can't or won't make the time to insure that, we shouldn't carry.
Can you "buy into that premise"?

[Wodathunkit]

I just recently attended CHL training and am waiting for my CHL. During the class I learned many things regarding safety, laws & rights. But the most important thing I learned is that I must be confident in my ability to use my weapon and to practice, practice & practice. Our instructor also advised us beginners to get comfortable with carrying by practicing at home. I joined this forum ten days ago and have become addictive to it. Thanx to all of you for furthering my education. I take my CHL responsibility seriously and will not carry until I am convinced I am capable and mentally prepared to use only when necessary.

Welcome o the board! I've only been here since November.

I used to go to the range once a month, since I took my course, I've started going 1-2 times a week. I've joined the Arms Room as a member, because you pay for the membership with three visits a month. I'm waiting on an opening at PSC, as it is much closer to my house. I have consolidated all of my handguns to one caliber and I buy in bulk. I just wish i could get my cost down even more.

The more I shoot, the more I enjoy it (the Mrs. too).

[K.Mooneyham]

Having a Texas CHL is a privilege and a responsibilty, Do You Live Up To It?

Well... I commend you for encouraging people to become more proficient, and I certainly practice much more than your average person.

OTOH, I don't think a CHL *should* be a privilege and a responsibility. I'm one of the Constitutional Carry people. I don't think we should need a permission slip from the government at all. So I can't really buy into your premise.

I'm a transplant from Nevada(according to my neighbors the only reason I'm not a Yankee is that I'm from Southern Nevada). Nevada is a "Constitutional Carry" state and I open carried for almost 40 years. My Pop was a, as described on other forums, Fudd, lifelong NRA member, and combat veteran. He instilled in me at a very young age that carrying a weapon is always a Privilege and a Resposibility. My own time in Uncle Sammy's "Far Eastern and European Excursions & Fun Tours" reinforced that attitude.
The U.S. is unique in the world in that it's citizens have a God given right the keep and bear arms, that doesn't change the fact that it is a privilege: "a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor" Merriam-Webster. That we believe that privilege was granted by God and not our government changes that fact not one iota.
We have a responsibility to ourselves, our families, and our communities that the exercise of that right endangers no innocents. If we can't or won't make the time to insure that, we shouldn't carry.
Can you "buy into that premise"?

Well, first off, I think that all HUMANS on this planet have a natural right to keep and bear arms unless they have done something personally to have that right abrogated (such as committing a heinous crime like murder)...the vast majority of them simply do not understand this and even if they have some idea about it, are blocked from exercising that right. They are like sheep, no matter how nice the nation they live in.

I go to the range to practice with my firearms when I can. I dry-fire my firearms at the house with snap-caps when I can. I read about our laws and participate in this forum to learn things. However, I'm NOT going to stop carrying because I haven't been able to pay for tactical training or something of that sort. I see our CHL system as something that is a stepping stone to us regaining the freedoms that were taken from our ancestors. I genuinely appreciate the efforts of folks like Mr. Cotton to aid us in regaining those rights. I abide by the rules because that is what one does to the greatest extent possible in a "civilized society". Do we have responsibilities, certainly...but I simply do not see it as a privilege which is why I like our "Shall Issue" system vs. those states that have "May Issue" systems that leave you completely at the whims of the state.

[v-rog]

To the OP, keep asking yourself those questions and you are on the correct road. It's almost impossible to duplicate a stressful shooting event, much less a "life and death event" but you can do your best to minimize errors in the case of that event. Know your equipment, get involved in a defensive shooting club, and always carry.

[Zoo]

That's what's wrong with this country. Owning and carrying a weapon for self defense is an inalienable right endowed by our creator. Somewhere along the line, the followers of ***** said we need a license to exercise a right granted by God.

[Watchful]

I just recently attended CHL training and am waiting for my CHL. During the class I learned many things regarding safety, laws & rights. But the most important thing I learned is that I must be confident in my ability to use my weapon and to practice, practice & practice. Our instructor also advised us beginners to get comfortable with carrying by practicing at home. I joined this forum ten days ago and have become addictive to it. Thanx to all of you for furthering my education. I take my CHL responsibility seriously and will not carry until I am convinced I am capable and mentally prepared to use only when necessary.

I am in the same boat as you... I have been a gun owner for years, but just got around to applying for my CHL. I completed my class last week. During the class I was observing some of the other students. I was amazed at how young and immature they seemed (granted I'm an old fart) they were making jokes and talking during the lecture, not paying attention at all. Sure enough, when we got to the range to qualify, these were the same persons who were having gun problems, could not follow range orders, and shot the lowest scores. I was amazed that the instructor passed them all! I am deeply troubled that these persons will have the same carry privlidges that I so respect and work hard to understand and improve upon.