Tweety, I applaud your decision. Despite what a lot of left-leaning idiots are preaching, you have the RIGHT (as in, it's NOT a privilege) to defend yourself and your family. Although some would disagree, I believe that you have an OBLIGATION to do so.
Our criminal justice system is broken; it has completely failed to deter and/or remove the criminal element from our society. My job is so utterly frustrating; I see the same lowlifes committing the same crimes over and over. I regularly see people who have had their homes, vehicles, and businesses burglarized or stolen two, three, four, or more times, just within the past year. Wednesday we had a pursuit at 125mph up into Conroe. Three turds from Houston in a vehicle that was carjacked at gunpoint last month in Houston. They changed the plates and have been using it to run dope (which they had a lot of in the car). They all had criminal histories. Already we are receiving criticism for failing to chase them politely enough. The turds have rights, and we respect those rights, but that doesn't mean that we are required to give them hugs before we handcuff them. Society is supposed to have rights too. Right now it's politically correct to venerate the activists and ignore the rights of the law-abiding citizens.
While I DO NOT endorse using deadly force to prevent petty thefts and even many felonies (unless the crooks force you to), I acknowledge that more and more people are fed up with being victimized, or living in fear of victimization, and many see that as the only way to fight back. Don't fall into the trap of seeing yourself as a one-man vigilante force out to right all wrongs. Use your CHL wisely to defend yourself, your family, and your possessions. Historically, public opinion has always swayed back and forth. I do believe that the current deterioration of some aspects of the quality of life here will be the catalyst for positive changes. Get your CHL; get it soon, and exercise prudent judgement when you carry your weapon. You might be interested to know that they are getting caught up in Austin. An applicant from my October class got his in about two months, and one of my November applicants called and said that he got his in 32 days. Good luck!
