WOW! What An Exciting First Day With New CHL!

[DLBConductor]

My first day of concealed carry brought some surprises.

"First Day of Concealed Carry"

Event No. 1 at 2:00 p.m. "Plastic in Hand!"
My CHL arrived in the mail last Saturday. Only 30 days from receipt of my materials to the day my license arrived.
11/10/2011 - Purchased Springfield Armory XD 9mm Sub-Compact
11/12/2011 - Joined a local rifle and pistol club and the NRA.
11/12/2011 - Shooting lessons with a Professional Instructor
12/10/2011 - CHL Class completed (Written: 100 and Range: 247)
12/14/2011 - L1 Fingerprinting Completed
12/14/2011 - CHL Application Mailed Registered Mail
01/14/2012 - Plastic in Hand

Event No. 2 at 2:30 p.m. "UH OH! - TRAFFIC STOP!"
I joyfully placed my new CHL license just behind my Driver's License and decided to get a bite of lunch and head to the range to do a little practice. I placed my SA XD 9mm sub-compact in a belt pouch and headed out. Not less than three miles from my house, I was stopped by the police for the first time in twenty years! I was coming down a steep overpass and saw the blue lights sparkling in my rear-view mirror. I had set my cruise control on 60-mph but, in my excitement, I think my foot may have unconsciously been over-riding the cruise control. This road is one of those "zero" tolerance areas, so I am usually very careful with my speed.

The policeman was very polite and said "You were going 70-mph in a 60-mph zone." As I handed him my DL, insurance card, and 30-minute-old CHL, he calmly asked, "Where is your gun?" I replied and pointed, "On my right side." He smiled and said, "Just leave it there." Five minutes later, he returned and said, "I am just going to give you a warning but please slow it down." I thanked him for his graciousness and said that would certainly be my intention.

I did not plan to test my CHL license so quickly but the whole experience was very positive. The officer was polite, calm, and professional. He really did not have to cut me a break but I really appreciated his decision to let me off with just a warning.

Event No. 3 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. "Fun at the Range!"
I had lunch at my favorite Mexican Restaurant, stopped by a gun shop to buy an additional 100 rounds of practice ammo, and headed to the range. I had a great time! I practiced from 20' using two hands and then my strong hand (right). After shooting 150 rounds of Independence 115 gr FMJ, I finished by shooting at a 4" x 6" target with some Home Defense Speer Gold Dot +P 124 gr JHP. After two months of practice and about 800 rounds, my accuracy is greatly improving. I look forward to taking SA and Defensive Shooting classes later this Spring.

Event No. 4 at 5:30 p.m. "Being Interviewed as a Potential Victim?"
On my way home from the range, I stopped to fill up at the local Shell Station near where I was stopped for my "speeding" event three hours earlier. Two months ago, before I took my CHL class and before I started reading XDTalk and TCHLForum, I spent 100% of my time in the "White Zone." Back in early November of 2011, with zero situational awareness on my part, I was surprised and accosted in a downtown parking lot by a BG demanding money from me. I was very lucky to have gotten away unscathed. That event started me on my journey to get a CHL. Thanks to the education on XDTalk and TCHLForum, I now stay in the Yellow Zone whenever I am away from my home.

As I was filling up my car, I kept viewing a 360-degree perimeter and saw a guy spot my car and start to run across the street directly towards me. As he was crossing the street, he started into a big spiel but I stared right at him and moved my body into a strong stance. I was very aware of going from "Yellow" to "Orange" but before I could even say anything to him, he spied the "cell-phone" holder on my waist. Suddenly he started muttering about "needing to get along" and made a 90-degree change in his direction and went towards the store entrance. My awareness made the BG realize his mother was calling him. Just my attitude and stance was enough to get this yahoo to just keep moving. I realized I had probably just been interviewed as a possible victim (sheep).

CONCLUSION:
That was my first eventful day with my new CHL. All in all, everything turned out well. However, I do hope that my future days are just a little less eventful. In closing, would like to express my thanks to all the members on XDTalk and TCHLForum who helped wake me from a 68-year-old slumber! I am now awake and take responsibility for my own safety.


Fortunately, my second day of concealed carry was much more low key.

"Second Day of Concealed Carry!"

It was relatively warm on Monday, so, again, I used my WRB gun pouch. A jacket would have been out of place and I normally wear my shirts tucked in. I didn't want to suddenly dress differently when I met with my long-standing lunch group.

1:00 Had a late lunch with my three lunch buddies. One is a Hoplophobe and two are totally against an individual's RKBA. In spite of the fact that we have been having lunch together for nearly twenty years, they were totally oblivious. That is just how I plan to keep it.

2:30 went by my local Pharmacy and picked up prescriptions for myself and my wife.

3:00 went to Kinkos and copied Genealogical Records for over an hour.

4:15 went to HEB grocery, which was very crowded. I grabbed a basket and headed in when I saw "white" printing in English and Spanish on the window behind a trash can. My first reaction was "Oh no! This place is prohibited." As I read the sign, it was an "unlicensed possession of a weapon" sign. So, with a smile on my face, I went on in. I picked up items from high, low, and in-between with no problems. At first, I was really aware that I was wearing my XD 9mm SC. It felt like a two-pound brick on my belt. I was sure everyone was staring at it. I expected someone in the grocery store to yell, "Man with a gun!" However, I don't think a single person gave my belt pouch a second glance. It was all in my head.

5:00 home safe and sound.

So my second all-day carry was totally uneventful. After my first day of carrying on Saturday, which resulted in a traffic stop and being "interviewed" by a BG at a filling station, I was glad that it seemed to be just a normal day. However, I did notice that I was on high yellow alert the whole day. Carrying a handgun had the effect of raising my "Situational Awareness." That, in and of itself, is a good thing. I feel safer than I have in many years! My next goal to use my IWB holster.

Be safe out there!

[mhen]

Congratulations! You have me beat and i've been carrying for a year haha. Never been in a situation when I've even thought someone might be a BG, and I have yet to be pulled over while carrying. I am not envious, but atleast you got it out of the way haha.
Just 2 notes, In texas I believe the signs that say no CCW are mandated by a code 30.06 and have to be very specific in order to be legal, might want to brush up on that. In washington we don't have those signs so I'm not positive what your codes are. Second, if your gun was printing enough to cause a "cell phone holder" look, you might want to double check how your carrying. I admit I occasionally I barely print while carrying, but I try to avoid it and minimize it.
Welcome to the club and enjoy your newfound sense of security

[DLBConductor]

Originally Posted by mhen

Congratulations! You have me beat and i've been carrying for a year haha. Never been in a situation when I've even thought someone might be a BG, and I have yet to be pulled over while carrying. I am not envious, but atleast you got it out of the way haha.
Just 2 notes, In texas I believe the signs that say no CCW are mandated by a code 30.06 and have to be very specific in order to be legal, might want to brush up on that. In washington we don't have those signs so I'm not positive what your codes are. Second, if your gun was printing enough to cause a "cell phone holder" look, you might want to double check how your carrying. I admit I occasionally I barely print while carrying, but I try to avoid it and minimize it.
Welcome to the club and enjoy your newfound sense of security

CONCEALMENT POUCH:
Thanks. It was an interesting day. The pouch that I used is a WRB "Deceiver." It looks like a pouch that might hold a cell phone, an iPod, or something else. It completely covers the pistol and the pistol doesn't print in anyway. It is simply worn on the belt and doesn't have to be covered up. It is similar to carrying a firearm in a fanny pack.

Link to Concealment Pouch: WRB Online Store. Deceiver

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF TEXAS CHL SIGNS:
You are right that an exactly worded Code 30.06 sign must be posted to keep an individual from entering a premise with a concealed carry weapon in Texas. A problem that arises that any store in Texas that sells alcohol for off-premise consumption (convenience or grocery store) must post a sign that looks very similar to a 30.06 sign but with totally different wording. Until you get up close and read the actual sign, they can look very similar.

There are three basic Texas signs that a concealed carry person has to look for:

SIGN ONE is used for (1) an establishment that sells alcohol for off premise consumption or (2) an establishment that sells food and alcohol on the premises and the alcohol sales are 50% or less.

Text:
Called a "BLUE SIGN" with the "NOTICE" text printed in blue. - OK to conceal carry.

"NOTICE: It is unlawful to carry a weapon on the premises unless the person is licensed to carry the weapon under the concealed handgun law."

The typical sign is printed in Spanish and English:
"NOTICE: The unlicensed possession of a weapon on these premises is a felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000."

SIGN TWO is used for an establishment that sells food and/or alcohol on the premises and the alcohol sales are 51% or higher. A large 51% is printed in red ink over the text.

Called a "RED SIGN" - NOT OK to conceal carry.

The typical sign is printed in Spanish and English:
"FELONY NOTICE: The licensed or unlicensed possession of a weapon on these premises is a felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine not to exceed $10,000."

SIGN THREE is the 30.06 sign that prevents trespass by a holder possessing a CHL.

The sign must be in one inch high block letters, in Spanish and English, and have the exact wording as follows:
Text:
Texas 30.06 Sign Preventing Trespass by a Holder of a CHL:
"PURSUANT TO SECTION 30.06, PENAL CODE (TRESPASS BY HOLDER OF A LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN) A PERSON LICENSED UNDER SUBCHAPTER H, CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT CODE (CONCEALED HANDGUN LAW), MAY NOT ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A CONCEALED HANDGUN."
"CONFORME A LA SECCIÓN 30.06 DEL CÔDIGO PENAL (TRASPASAR PORTANDO ARMAS DE FUEGO) PERSONAS CON LICENCIA BAJO DEL SUB-CAPITULO H, CAPITULO 411, CODIGO DE GOBIERNO (LEY DE PORTAR ARMAS), NO DEBEN ENTRAR A ESTA PROPIEDAD PORTANDO UN ARMA DE FUEGO."

Called a "30.06 SIGN" - NOT OK to conceal carry.

PARTING REMARKS:
I know this is more than you ever wanted to know. It is obviously very fresh on my mind.

Have a great day!!!