Keychain Pistol
So, for the second time in my life, I have completed the concealed handgun license, CHL, class in the state of Texas. The one thing I still struggle to understand is the opposition against people carrying concealed. As long as humans have existed on this planet as well as prior to and in parallel to that in the animal kingdom, living things have been compelled to fight to protect their lives and the lives of those close to them. Regardless of whether with claws, teeth, spears, swords or the steel and polymer of a modern firearm, that fight is engrained in us; the response is called FIGHT or flight for a reason. I find it hard to understand why elements of society struggle so hard to take that away from those of us who would attempt to protect ourselves. It appears that this element demonizes the CHL holder almost to the same level as the common armed criminal. I, however, see it differently.
The most pleasantly suprising thing to me about both of my CHL classes was the focus on non-violent conflict resolution. I think the common non-CHL citizen imagines CHL class as a bunch of gun nuts sitting around practicing our best Dirty Harry dialogue, ‘Do ya feel lucky!!?? Well do ya? Punk!!!’ In reality, both CHL classes I have attended contained mostly normal citizens who want to ensure their safety if the sh*t should hit the fan some day. Apart from the laws governing CHL, The class was focussed primarily on three things, safety, de-escalating conflict, and using a weapon ONLY AS A LAST RESORT in VERY specific situations. I would venture to say, most non-gun owners have no idea the respect the large majority of legally eligible gun owners have for both their guns and human life. The class underlined this to the highest extent, YOUR CONCEALED HANDGUN SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A LAST RESORT WHEN NO OTHER OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU. This was drilled into our heads over and over again. After all this is said and done, I would be honored to have one of these citizens protect me or my family if some crazy should walk into a crowded place and open fire.
Let’s hope I actually go through sending the paperwork in this time…
