Question about TEXAS CHL's

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Chris Brines

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Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum, I am a new gun owner, and have bought more than one gun in the last few months. I will admit I may have bought them out of uncertainty, but since then I have honestly decided that I find shooting to be VERY fun. Just in general. Just expensive, otherwise I'd do it every single day.

Anyway, to get to the point of my post, I live in a not so safe area of Houston. I want to get a CHL. I am somewhat concerned about the pros and cons of doing so. What I mean by this is that, I realize if I have a CHL, I can carry my gun concealed on me in most places, increasing my safety and security in a legal manner.

My concern is that this whole CHL thing is just a way for the gov't to keep tabs on all gun owners. I am not necessarily an expert on gun laws, how the Federal government tracks firearms purchases, and how the State of Texas tracks them.

For example, when I buy a semi automatic pistol, does my name and that specific gun go into a national database? In other words, do the feds know exactly how many guns I own, what kind of guns they are, and what the serial numbers are? Could they walk into my house and tell me, "Give me your 9mm, .40SW, and your .38 special right now!!"?

Or is this just a State of Texas thing?

My dad mentioned to me that having a CHL may be more of a liability than anything else. Especially since it seems that gun owners are being targeted and labeled as criminals when in fact some of the most honest, hardworking and trustworthy people I have had the blessings of knowing in my life were life long gun enthusiasts.

I am very concerned about not drawing attention, not saying, "I have a gun! Come to THIS ADDRESS when you are ready to confiscate it!" That is something I DO NOT want. At the same time, I don't want to forfeit my right to keep and bear arms, and end up getting caught in an ugly situation (there have been 2 armed bank robberies within footsteps of my front door in the last 7 months, not to mention murders, rapes and drug dealers all over the streets, a cop got shot right next to my truck last year), without my protection.

Can anyone tell me anything that may ease my mind about whether or not I should REALLY pursue a CHL? Is it getting to the point that no matter what a piece of paper says, people are OBVIOUSLY going to do what they want (especially the man with the divine pen in our nation's capital...hmphhhh)?

I really need some advice on this. With the concerns I have mentioned above, can any Texas residents please tell me honestly, should I or shouldn't I get a CHL?
 
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Some times we worry needlesly. Most of your fears are not justified. Many states have laws preventing the names of permittees from being made public.

There is a slight paper trail with the purchase of firearms from dealers but face to face transactions are not usually leaving a trail that can be traced back to you. There are those here that can explain where the paperwork goes on dealer purchases far better than I.

All the above said, the government will generally not be interested in you, as an individual, unless you have something triggering alerts such as you have been trying to buy anti aircraft guns, hand grenades or making frequent trips to Iraq, Pakastan or such.

Get your carry permit, stay safe and enjoy good shooting.
 
Well darn that just ruins my day! I had a week full of anti aircraft and hand grenade fun planned for my vacation! Totally kidding....Yeah I know my fears are unjustified, it just comes from knowing that I want to exercise my rights, but being inexperienced in doing that.

I never honestly felt the need to own a gun until about a year or so ago.

That is why I bought my first one. I just happened to also find something that I thoroughly enjoy doing in the process. But yeah, I just really needed some input on the whole CHL issue.

It's a shame I'm even having those types of concerns in my head, being afraid of the institution that was created on the premise of liberty...well I guess things have changed since 1776....
 
I understand you concerns. During the late 60's I worked in Harris County while living at 1400 Richmond in Houston. There was stuff going on in Harris County that they should have called the National Guard out. I left there as fast as I could.
 
Don't worry. I've had mine since the state started issuing them. They haven't came for me yet.
 
There have been 2 instances where if I would have been in a place 15 minutes earlier or 15 minutes later, I would have been a witness to, a victim of, or an innocent bystander caught up in a murder or attempted murder. One of these instances was in the parking lot of my apartments. Funny you mention 1400 Richmond, because if I'm not mistaken the other one was right near there

And believe it or not, I don't necessarily live in a "bad" area...it's just an area that literally millions of people pass through every week. It's crazy considering I grew up in a smaller city in S. Louisiana where shootings and armed robberies were only a "New Orleans" problem.

In Houston, the freeways are the borderlines between good and bad areas. I just so happen to live in an overall "good" area, just on the wrong side of the freeway.
 
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Chris...
The decision to get a CHL is one that you'll have to make on your own. As far as the government is concerned, you'll definitely go through a background check, submit fingerprints and photos, and fill out forms in order to provide them with the info they need to complete that background check. They won't ask you specifics on your gun or the serial number. I don't have a problem supplying information to them because in most cases they already have most of it anyway....from tax returns, property records, auto registration, etc.

As a Texas CHL instructor (East side of Houston) I can tell you that my experience with the DPS and local law enforcement has been extremely positive. I have yet to meet an officer that is not supportive of Texas concealed carry......there may be some out there....but I haven't seen one. That said, you need to have a clear understanding of how to deal with traffic stops and contact with law enforcement if you are armed.

My feeling is that it is well worth the time and expense to take the CHL class so that you will have a good understanding of the laws and regulations for concealed carry. Even if you choose to carry a gun in your car without a CHL, which you can do in Texas if you qualify, you still need to know the law and how it applies should you ever have to use your gun.

Good luck with your decision. If you need more info....pm me.
Craig
 
I am Retired now, but I was LEO in Texas for 30 years.

There is No downside, IMHO to having a CHL.

In fact just the opposite. ANY time I encountered a Citizen with a CHL, I knew IMMEDIATELY, that they had passed a background check, and did not have any Criminal activity in their past.

A CHL is pretty much a "I am a good Citizen ID". UNLESS you are otherwise acting like an ***...

But I never had that happen...
 
The government already knows all.:D Just kidding.
First question you have to answer is are you willing to do what it takes to protect yourself and your loved ones without hesitation if need be. Could you apply deadly force if needed.
If the answer is maybe or no, then forget he CHL.
If the answer is yes, then go for it, read up on the subject, understand the laws and train, train, train on how to be aware, avoid trouble and defend yourself. Then pray to God you never have to use your weapon but be ready if you have to.
There is no down side if the answer to question 1 is yes.
 
Chris, if you purchase a hunting license they probably have some idea you might have a gun .

I was one of the first in Texas with a ccw and have never heard from the govt. Except to renew.

Regards

Bill
 
Chris Brines said:
Anyway, to get to the point of my post, I live in a not so safe area of Houston. I want to get a CHL. I am somewhat concerned about the pros and cons of doing so. What I mean by this is that, I realize if I have a CHL, I can carry my gun concealed on me in most places, increasing my safety and security in a legal manner...I am very concerned about not drawing attention, not saying, "I have a gun! Come to THIS ADDRESS when you are ready to confiscate it!" That is something I DO NOT want. At the same time, I don't want to forfeit my right to keep and bear arms, and end up getting caught in an ugly situation (there have been 2 armed bank robberies within footsteps of my front door in the last 7 months, not to mention murders, rapes and drug dealers all over the streets, a cop got shot right next to my truck last year), without my protection.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you need to MOVE. And hurry.

Or is this just a State of Texas thing?
Click to expand...

It's not just a Texas thing, but in regards to my state (Florida) it is actually ILLEGAL for them to keep records of gun purchases. When a gun store does a call-in, the state DOL does a NCIS check and FCIC check, a confirmation number is given to the FFL for them to put on their ATF forms, then your name and what you purchased (handgun, long gun) is immediately deleted from the system. The ONLY records kept are by the FFL and ONLY what the ATF requires them to keep. No state records or gun database.

Can anyone tell me anything that may ease my mind about whether or not I should REALLY pursue a CHL? Is it getting to the point that no matter what a piece of paper says, people are OBVIOUSLY going to do what they want (especially the man with the divine pen in our nation's capital...hmphhhh)?

I really need some advice on this. With the concerns I have mentioned above, can any Texas residents please tell me honestly, should I or shouldn't I get a CHL?
Click to expand...

That's a decision you need to make.

What you need to do is look at Louisiana's gun laws and then look at what they did during Katrina.
 
I'm more worried about identity theft by a store clerk using the info I have to give when purchasing a firearm than I am paranoid about some government confiscation.
 
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