My CHL finally arrived (It only took 18 weeks from the day my forms were submitted ). For those of you not up on these things, a CHL is Concealed Handgun License. The basic reason for me applying for a CHL can be gleaned from my Free To Choose - Part 1 blog. While my wife had all of the topical reasons for acquiring a gun - personal safety, fear, a need for protection, I just tagged along. I mean we do most things together, so it was just natural for me to get on board and participate. Besides, I'm a guy. The only reason I hadn't tried for this before was because I thought gun ownership was right up there with motorcycles on the wife's "No way in Hell" list.

Now you may be highly opinionated one way or the other about gun ownership, but one of your considerations probably isn't shopping. Think about how excited you get when it's time to get a new car. Do you buy new or used? Do you go for economical or resource guzzler? Steady and reliable or sport model? You're filled with giddy anticipation of having that brand new shiny automobile. Well, buying a gun is just like that.

Since I hadn't considered getting my own at the time, our shopping trip first centered around a fit for my wife's hand. While we were able to find many smaller sized pistols, they didn't really seem to have the appropriate oomph. I mean a .22 may be a reliable option for the seasoned assassin, but we needed something that would knock a person down and discourage them from getting back up. A gun that will do this tends to be bigger. However that turned out not to be a problem because, just like with cars we soon discovered that power was available in compact and sub-compact models.

This led to the next decision which was whether to get a revolver or a semi-automatic. Many women opt for a revolver. They are easier to shoot and conceal in a purse. At least, that's what the salesman said. But for us, they lacked sex appeal. No matter how much they try to modernize them, they just look old fashion. But a sleek modern semi-automatic, that's something you can haul around with a sense of panache. Besides, there's a practical aspect to the semi-automatic. If you pass your CHL shooting test with a semi-automatic, you will be licensed to carry both. If you use a revolver, that's all you'll be allowed to carry.

So after considering all the options and making your decision, you say "I'll take that one". You think you're through, right? Au contraire mon ami. How many times have you thought you had closed the deal on a car only to be informed that it didn't include floor mats or that the salesman just realized the one you picked already had pin stripes and undercoating and unless you wanted to wait you would have to pay extra for that? Same thing with a gun. Right after making your decision and thinking you know what it's going to cost, you're told "Okay, now you need to go over there and get some lubricating oil, solvent, a cleaning rod, some cleaning pads and unless you want to break your fingernails I'd suggest one of those clip loaders. Oh, and you'll probably want a pistol rug (WTF?)". Unlike a new car however, they won't deliver it to you with a full tank. You'll have to purchase ammo as well. That's assuming they have some (there is currently an ammo shortage).

Then on to the next familiar part. This is where the salesman presents you with a stack of papers about a foot and half thick. Fill this out and sign here, and here, and here, and here, and now here, and here, initial here, and sign here, and here........... After filling everything out and signing your name over and over, you finally get to deviate from the car buying experience a little. This is because when you buy a car, they normally don't have to call the FBI first. But, I guess that part of gun buying is understandable.

Finally, 4 hours later you are the proud owner of a brand new $1000 .40 caliber, ambidextrous with modifiable grip semi-automatic pistol complete with accessories and hopefully ammo. And as for the sub-compact model? Well, my wife decided on a full size pistol. She won't drive anything but an SUV, so I guess that makes sense. Anyway, that was the all too familiar experience of buying a hand gun. Hopefully, there will never be an event that calls for its use. But if there is, the sight of my wife's petite figure coming at them with a gun the size of her head will probably give any attackers an immediate cardiac arrest and she won't have to actually shoot somebody.