Getting that CHL

As my hubby mentioned a few days ago, I'm working on getting my CHL.

Tomorrow is my class and by the looks of the way that I shot on Tuesday (I went through the shooting test and fired the required number of rounds at each required distance) I should have no trouble passing the test.

Here were my results on Tuesday:

3 yards -  20 out of 20 rounds in the very center of the target
7 yards -  19 out of 20 rounds within the required area.
10 yards - 6 out of 10 rounds within the required area.

If I didn't have so much to do after work today, I would go and give it one more practice run.  I'm really hoping for a perfect score.  As it stands I would have scored a 90% on the test which I was told is pretty darn good.  I'm also told that you would be surprised at how many people actually fail the skills test for the CHL.

I'm not very happy with scoring 90% because in my mind, once I begin carrying my pistol, the minute that I draw that gun, I am taking responsibility, not only for my own safety, but for every innocent by-stander's safety and whomever may be in the next room.

So, with all of that said, 90% is not good enough for me.  I want to be at 100%, and not just get lucky and score a 100 on the test, but I want to be at 100%, every time I pick up my weapon.

Training does not end after you take the class and pass the test.  Every CHL holder should continue their training by taking tactical classes and going to the range as often as possible.  If I had an unlimited supply of ammo, I would go every day.  As it is, once a week will have to do for now.

I know that for the most part, I am preaching to the choir, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep up your shooting skills if you're going to carry a firearm.  The moment that you draw your weapon, you are taking so many lives into your own hands and if you harm and innocent by-stander, not only are you going to hurt (or kill) that person, but you are going pay dearly for it.

We make the decision to carry and once we start doing that, we become connected to one another, so not only if you act irresponsibly with your weapon, or if you are not a competant shooter and injure an innocent; not only do you pay a price, we all do.  It's that whole 'one bad apple spoils the barrel' thing.

So with all of that said, I hereby make a solomn vow to my fellow CHL holders (assuming that I pass), I promise that I will keep up my shooting skills and visit the range often.  I promise that I will take tactical training classes.  I promise that I will not be an asshat and do something stupid with my gun, causing an accidental discharge.  I promise that if I ever have to draw my weapon, I will know that I can hit what I'm aiming for.  I promise that I will never be reckless with my firearm and will conduct myself in a manner that would not shame my fellow CHL holders and give us all a bad name.

On a side note...   I'm extremely excited and proud that I am willing to take this responsibility.