Do I need a CHL?

With Texas law allowing us to carry a gun in our vehicles, do I really need a CHL? I mean, for the most part, if Im not at home Im in my Jeep.
Thoughts....

It wouldn't hurt to have it.

Doesn't hurt to have it...

the law allows you to have it in the vehicle

the CHL allows you to carry it unless in certain places (bars/airports etc..)

Would probably get less hassle from cops. I plan on taking a CHL course this September.

Do it.

You can't go wrong if you have it. As soon as you step out of your Jeep or house carrying you are illegal.

If I understand correctly, you can now carry while in your vehicle and walking between home & vehicle.

Hutch wrote:

while in your vehicle and walking between home & vehicle.

If on your property that you control. I am unaware of a case where it’s been tested, but in theory if you park down the street or in an apartment complex you could be SOL.


All they did is remove the definition of “traveling” out of the law. Was once (last year) out of county over night. It now is not defined. So can one “travel” to work or the corner store? Harris county DA has officially said no, that’s not traveling.

I would get it. It’s not going to hurt. I once left a gun in my truck all the time, but now that I got kids, I feel it’s safer on my hip, I know it won’t get messed by little fingers.

I carry 100% in my jeep, I feel so vulnerable with out doors.

I got my CHL when they first came out......carried it everywhere I could legally....mostly in a special fanny pack that Claudian dressed up for me so it would not scream "GUN INSIDE" and an inside-the-waistband holster carried on the strong side. Let me CHL lapse like an idiot, but my Glock 21 still rides in the Jeep with me.
I know, I know...if its not on you, its no use.....but shame on the turd that lets me get back to the Jeep.......

just go through the police academy then you can open/conceal carry anywhere (as long as you have your badge/ID)

Maverick1701 wrote:

just go through the police academy then you can open/conceal carry anywhere (as long as you have your badge/ID)

Umm..I think that is a little more than a 10 hour class.

Thanks for the feedback. Probably need to go ahead and get it as originally planned. I'm really not comfortable leaving it in the Jeep anyway.

Yes. I got my CHL and have no regrets. You learn some good stuff, good law pointers, and you don't have to worry about legality of carrying on you except for a small handful of exceptions, some of which are illegal but are difficult to fight.

For reference, you can carry in airports. Just not beyond security to the gates.

good info here:
http://www.texaschlforum.com/

Hutch wrote:

Maverick1701 wrote:

just go through the police academy then you can open/conceal carry anywhere (as long as you have your badge/ID)

Umm..I think that is a little more than a 10 hour class.

LOL yea maybe just a little....

i carry 24-7. best 10 hr class i ever took.

it is legal to "transport" from your house to your vehicle. doesn't matter where it's parked. it's a grey area, and would be an expensive area to challenge come court time.

texas chl is a good website, it's anotherone i visit daily. (after this one ofcoarse)

my first "mod" was the tuffy glove box. i can't carry at work. i have my doors off right now, and it's in the glove box waiting for me when i get out of work.

I've been thinking of me and Shannon taking the course in December... Take the course and buy us both guns for Xmas. I've never really thought much about owning/carrying a handgun. I have a shotgun at home, and never really felt a need to carry. But I do worry about Shannonon, and think it would be good for her to have a handgun on her. So figure we'll just get the CHL together.

How many of you guys have wives that are carrying?

Mine carries and has since we started dating... she carries one of the J frame S&Ws made of titanium/scandium it is light as a feather and will shoot .38 or .357. I have .38+p .

I think everyone should have a gun in their pocket - but they have to practice..... over and over and over and over or they may be in BIG trouble while going for it and might fumble when it counts... know where the safety is at, know what to do when you have misfire etc....

I already found one for Shannononon:


It is the air-weight version and shoots .38 - light enough to carry anywhere and the chances of a misfire are almost zero.....

mine doesnt but she is fine with me carrying. she is paranoid the kids will get ahold of her's.

Steve, and anybody else thinking of getting thier CHL

current lag time for recieving thier lic is around 4-5 months for harris and surrounding counties. if you wait to take the class in dec, don't expect to carry until Mayish. do it now, you can rent a pistol to qualify with.

get to a range and rent some different handguns. put your hands on as many as you can. individual fit is very important for your performance level and for comfort. if it's not comfortable you wont carry it.

OK..... here are a few more options that can be carried anywhere:

the Surefire defender flashlight - it has a strike bezel on both ends and is bright as hell - shine the light in bad guys eyes and knock the shit out of him/her in the head with the flashlight then run to safety:

I picked up one of these at the gun show last Sunday for $100, it can shine at 120 or 5 lumens depending on how much light you need:

Another very cool option is this pen.... it is badder than it looks... also made by surefire and can be used as a weapon, it is made of mil-spec aluminum, one end can be used to break glass in case of emergency and the pointy end can be used to bring pain to mr bad-guy.... preferably to the eye or face or neck....



And there is always pepper spray...... it works great but be aware of wind direction and I have personally sprayed people (multiple) who it either had very little effect or they were still able to function....

Don't forget about tazers..... they are cool but have a lot of drawbacks as well.... I can get into those details if you want....

Get one of these for the little lady I'm sure you can get a pink grip for it too.

The Raven wrote:

get to a range and rent some different handguns. put your hands on as many as you can. individual fit is very important for your performance level and for comfort. if it's not comfortable you wont carry it.

good point!!!!

I have carried a large frame 1911 forever.... before that it was a full size HK USP, Glocks etc...... now that I retired from the SO I don't feel the need to have my shorts pulled down by that big sucker anymore - that is why I bought the S&W J Frame - I had to change the grips because my hand is bigger - that is another option if you find a weapon that you like you can try different grips etc.... a gun show is the best place to go get the feel down, and renting them is a great idea!

The Raven wrote:

mine doesnt but she is fine with me carrying. she is paranoid the kids will get ahold of her's.

Steve, and anybody else thinking of getting thier CHL

current lag time for recieving thier lic is around 4-5 months for harris and surrounding counties. if you wait to take the class in dec, don't expect to carry until Mayish. do it now, you can rent a pistol to qualify with.

I'm in no rush. Just something I've been considering. And right now I'm too broke- just finished doing all the school clothes and supplies for the twins, plus tuition for the 19yr old. So I'm broker than broke at the moment. I'll be doing it in December with my Xmas bonus.

The Raven wrote:

get to a range and rent some different handguns. put your hands on as many as you can. individual fit is very important for your performance level and for comfort. if it's not comfortable you wont carry it.

Good idea. Anyone know of any ranges around Houston that rent handguns?

Mr.RonGilbert wrote:

I already found one for Shannononon:

DUDE!!! That is perfect for her!

N2rock wrote:

I've been thinking of me and Shannon taking the course
in December... Take the course and buy us both guns for Xmas. I've
never really thought much about owning/carrying a handgun. I have a
shotgun at home, and never really felt a need to carry. But I do worry
about Shannonon, and think it would be good for her to have a handgun
on her. So figure we'll just get the CHL together.

That's an excellent idea. Makes it more fun and engaging to do it together, and everyone can be on the same page. There's an excellent instructor here in San Antonio, named Mike Arnold, but I imagine that might be a bit of a drive for y'all, when I'm sure there's got to be some good ones in the Houston area.

Quote :

How many of you guys have wives that are carrying?

I'm not married, but I set up a class with Mike for a bunch of friends and co-workers, and there were several wives who were first-timers and one who was a renewal (whose husband was a first-timer).


For reference, I carry my Glock 27 (sub-compact aka "baby Glock" in .40 cal) and personally feel it's the perfect carry option for me for several reasons:

* Its short grip doesn't print very often
* You still get 10 shots (9 + 1) of .40
* I was raised on Glocks, and as such I'm very comfortable with them
* No external safety to bungle up or forget or fumble for in a moment of intense stress
* Low profile sights don't get hung up on stuff
* Same pull weight every time
* Fires every time, even if you've been dragged through mud and sand
* It's high-strength polymer frame has stood the test of time and makes it much lighter and less susceptible to rust and such

Of course, there are numerous other options as well. If you take the CHL course and test, make sure you test with a semi-auto. You're allowed to test with a revolver, but then you have a restriction on your CHL that you can ONLY carry revolvers. Personally I'm not a huge fan of revolvers for carry weapons, but that's a different question.

actually, Shannon has more experience with guns then I do. Her first hubby was a gun nut, so she has shot all sorts of pistols, rifles, even an Uzi... My only experience is with revolvers- I used to own a .38 and a Ruger 357 Snubnose (back in the early 80's I was making nightly bank deposits of $3000+ for a Dominos Pizza at 3am, so I carried that Ruger).

I have zero experience semi-auto's. But I know semi-auto's are easier to carry, so I want to learn. Shannon on the other hand, will be quite comfortable with semi-auto.