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Texas is a state that allows you to carry a concealed handgun and of course there are requirements of do’s and do not’s to carry a legal firearm.
So, here are some of the requirements that you would need for qualifying for the Texas CHL:
- Be 21 years old. (members and former members of the armed forces must be 18)
- Have a clean criminal history, including military service and recent juvenile records.
- Not be under a protective order
- Not be chemically dependent
- Not be on unsound mind
- Not be delinquent in paying fines, fees, child support, student loans, etc.
- Be eligible to purchase a handgun by completing the NICS check
- Complete required training
And of course, along with the requirements to obtain your CHL, here are ten things you DON’T do with your concealed handgun.
No. 10: NO firing warning shots
If you’re in a situation that you have to bring your firearm out, showing it to the other person should be all you need to do. Firing a shot in the air to prove that it’s loaded isn’t necessary, you hold the other person there until the cops arrive. Why is this? When the cops arrive and if they discover that you were not “defending” yourself and that you were only firing a “warning shot” into the air, than you’re the one trouble.
No. 9: Pants Tuck your concealed carry pistol without a holster
That’s right, tucking your loaded handgun into the front of your pants is the biggest No No you can do.
Keep it in mind that your firearm is LOADED! Also, holster your loaded firearms… you don’t want to shoot off the family jewels now do you?
No. 8: Instinctive Shooting without practice
You need to make sure that you keep up with your practicing your shooting at a range as often as you can. You need to keep yourself trained in case of an emergency where you’ll have to use your skills.
No. 7: Not paying attention to what’s around your target
Remember that shooting your concealed handgun is no where like a fictional action movie! No, this is real life… if you have a target, you need to be mindful of your surroundings. You really have to look around and make sure that the shooting the target will not put any innocent bystanders into danger. It only takes milliseconds for you to look around and to secure the surroundings to save someone’s life.
No. 6: Ignoring the fundamentals of firearms safety:
There is a misconception for some of CHL carriers. Some might believe that being a licensed carrier that their exempt from the law if you’re in a shooting. FALSE!
If you’re in a shooting, keep it in mind that YES, there is going to be an investigation on the incident! AND if you’re involved in a shooting and if the police find that your shooting incident wasn’t justified, you will be criminally charged or have civil charges brought against you.
No. 5: One magazine and done:
You need to have more than one mag load and ready… Consider a what if scenario where you’re in a self defense situation and you run out of ammo. What do you do?
Get a second mag and keep it with you as your spare.
No. 4: Inserting yourself into conflicts:
Self-defense is one thing, but jumping into a situation that isn’t your situation is another thing.
If this happens, keep in mind that if you intervene, the help that you’re giving someone becomes your problem now.
The police and courts will have to now figure out what you did was justified or criminal… so if you insert yourself than expect to accept the consequences.
No. 3: Not locking up your firearms
Always lock up your guns… by law, you have to lock them up.
Who hasn’t seen the news and heard about If you have children killing themselves, friends or siblings?
Also, if you’re always having people at your house, lock your gun up… don’t allow unlicensed people to have access your gun. You the one who is responsible for anything that could happen with your gun. It’s as if you are the one who pulled the trigger.
No. 2: Choosing convenience over safety:
For your holster… you need to get the standard holster, not the cool looking one.
What you see in the movies is fictional and it’s made to look cool, not practical.
What you need is to keep your firearm safe and not allow it to become an easy access for someone else. What does this mean?
If have your gun is in a holster that only looks cool than it’s possible that someone could just walk up to you and just take it.
Yeah, it’s possible!!
You need to keep your gun in a holster that actually keeps it safe!
NO. ONE OVERESTIMATING YOUR ABILITIES AND UNDERESTIMATING YOUR OPPONENT’S:
“We need to never assume anything that your opponent or the situation you find yourself in. Prepare and train for uncertainty and never assume an enemy will act like a paper target- these are good steps towards avoiding overconfidence as a concealed carrier.”
