Why did you get your CHL?

[Oldgringo]

I had two close calls in college. Both of which I got away from by my feet (running like ad to a populated area). Scared me, and I took 2 karate classes and a women's self defense course. That was good, taught me the best areas to ht in a fight and taught me situational awareness. It taught me how to fall and land on my feet. So I stayed safer for about 9 years by situational awareness, luck, and avoiding situations where I might be at risk.

Then one day I was walking with my kids in a local park. I had a baby in a sling and two children in stroller. As I got to the middle of the walking trail a shady character passed by me and gave me a VERY unsettling look. Nothing happened, but in that moment I realized just how vulnerable my children and I were. If he attacks me I could not run, nor with three kids could I fight. That started the ball rolling. A few weeks later my DH was away for the night. As always I heard noises in the night and I wished for Chris. It then occurred to me if someone wanted to hurt me even if Chris was home, if the intruder was armed Chris would be willing to die to protect the kids and me, but then what? What topped it off was the killing of the family in Conneticut. She got word to the police, and they were outside her house as she and her daughters died at the hands of two madmen.

That was it, that was not going to happen to me and mine. Both my DH and I got our CHL (open carry is legal in VA, but I like options). We got a glock 36 , .45 caliber suitable for home defense and CC. We are now looking at getting a .9mn (thinking of a Karh CM 9, for me because I have had some trouble carrying the glock and both Chris and I want to be armed at the same time. Eventually (as soon as financially feasible) I want a shotty for home defense and a .22 rifle.

That is my story. I have learned so much along the way. Having a gun, carrying, and thinking about all the angles that go with it has made me a better person, a better mom, and a better citizen.

Well spoken.

[Paladin]

After 3,000 Americans died on 9-11, it was clear that the federal government wasn't going to protect me, so it only made sense to protect myself and my family.

If there still is anyone out there who relies on government protection, they should consider the fact that the federal government couldn't protect the veteran soldiers on base at Fort Hood (13 dead and 29 wounded). link

[Kabong30]

^This comes off as really bitter. I'm not trying to be a jerk, it just seems like there is a lot of anger there and I don't understand it. I don't think I have ever consciously thought that it was the government's job to protect me. I don't think of it in those terms I guess.

[hi-power]

Being an enterprising young entrepreneur, (yeah, right), I decided to attend one of the first instructor courses in 1995 so I could quickly become a millionaire. That plan kind of fizzled but hey, at least I got a valid carry license out of it.

[Tbucher1218]

My husband got his CHL in March of 2009 in part "because he could" and in part because of current administration. He encouraged me to do the same but I just wasn't sure that I would be willing or able to use it should the need present itself. Mainly because I was very nervous around guns but I did have an interest in learning to shoot. Since my husband got his CHL, we have increased the number of guns around the house and he has taken me to the gun range quite often. While I am still a little nervous, the more I practice and the better I get, I am more comfortable with them and have learned to respect guns. I go out of town to visit family and friends quite frequently and the husband rarely goes with me so I am on the road by myself alot. While I know I am covered under the MPA I am not covered when we are walking around "window shopping" and what not. I decided it was time for me to get my CHL since he is not always with me. It is more comforting knowing now that I could protect my friends and family if the need arose (well once I get my plastic that is ). I am still waiting on my first status change acknowledging that they have received my paperwork.

My husband and I are both OCD and when we get into something we dive right in to the deep end. Probably the main reason is because if he can carry, I want to too. Oh and because there is a lot of really cool (pink) accessories for me to buy.

[Hoosier Daddy]

After 3,000 Americans died on 9-11, it was clear that the federal government wasn't going to protect me, so it only made sense to protect myself and my family.

Legal concealed carry wouldn't have done much for the office workers murdered that day, but it could have made a huge difference on the airplanes.

[J.R.@A&M]

After 3,000 Americans died on 9-11...

This, but more so in that it really bothered me that our country was caught unprepared on Sept. 11. So taking up arms was sort of a symbolic response to that. Another symbolic reason is that I think most gun control policies are really misguided, counterproductive, and stupid.

The practical reason is that I'm skinny, 50, and not necessarily in a position to run from danger if my family is in tow. The county in which I reside is slightly below the Texas average for violent crimes per 100,000. Nevertheless, I travel enough to higher crime counties. And, there is a random element to violent crime that justifies having multiple tools in one's security tool kit.

[jdkinman]

Ever since the military, I've always carried a gun. A CHL just makes it legal.

--JD

[Paladin]

^This comes off as really bitter. I'm not trying to be a jerk, it just seems like there is a lot of anger there and I don't understand it. I don't think I have ever consciously thought that it was the government's job to protect me. I don't think of it in those terms I guess.

If you've never thought that it was the governments job to protect you then you are way ahead of the game.

Everyone else is just told to dial nine-one-one in case of emergency... let the law enforcement handle it. Before 9-11, flight crews were specifically instructed to cooperate with hijackers, and let law enforcement handle it. Didn't work out so good, did it?

So what to the Feds do? They use 9-11 as an excuse to grab more power, trash the Constitution, and fight real solutions like the armed pilots program.

I don't mean to sound bitter, but there it is.

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed

IMHO these are the most important words in the Bill of Rights... The 2nd Amendment secures all our other rights.

Citizen's "bearing arms" is necessary to the security of a free state.

[frreed]

When I got back from deployment, I realized I was safer in downtown Fallujah than I was in downtown Dallas.

The "funny" part of this is that I was a chaplain and unarmed in Fallujah, but I darn sure had a body guard and the Marines always seemed to have an extra M-4 not too far away.

[Kabong30]

I don't mean to sound bitter, but there it is.

I hear what you're saying, buddy. And I agree 9/11 did get spun into a lot of power for the Feds. It just bums me out when I I hear someone (rightfully, mind you) express a feeling like that about our country.

Anyway, I finally decided to get my CHL because I felt like I was ready and I understood what it meant to have it. I always felt like I SHOULD have it, but I had to get through the decision process of "Will I take a life if I have to?" and "Can I live with the consequences?" after getting through those things and kind of being spurred by some of the random violence on the news I went through with it. My application just went to "Manufacturing Pending" today, and I hope to have my "plastic" soon.

[Paladin]

Anyway, I finally decided to get my CHL because I felt like I was ready and I understood what it meant to have it. I always felt like I SHOULD have it, but I had to get through the decision process of "Will I take a life if I have to?" and "Can I live with the consequences?" after getting through those things and kind of being spurred by some of the random violence on the news I went through with it. My application just went to "Manufacturing Pending" today, and I hope to have my "plastic" soon.

Congrats on getting your application in. Sounds like you've definitely thought this through. Mindset is the most important thing. Carrying a gun is a liability if you are not willing to use it.

[Ameer]

My dad got his when there was a rash of attacks on small businessmen ten years ago. He offered to pay for mine when I turned 21. I'm a good son. How could I refuse?

[nyj]

Been followed, had someone charge at me during a late night run at a school track, had someone jump in front of my car at 4 in the morning on a dark, slow highway to try and get me to stop. I've seen the evil that people are capable of, and I never want to be in a situation where I am helpless.