I downloaded a pdf map of all Texas ZIP codes so I could start mapping CHL numbers.  This will serve no useful purpose other than to satisfy my own curiosity.

However, does anyone know if cumulative CHL information is available for Texas since the inception of the law?  DPS seems to post only one year at a time, and the older data just disappears.

So far, in my home county of Wilson, adjacency to Bexar County seems to contribute to higher numbers.  This could be because of higher population density, a greater number of commuters who work in San Antonio and want to be armed during their daily commute, or both.  I believe that a large number of people in these ZIPs once lived much closer to, or in San Antonio, and are therefore more crime-sensitive (or paranoid, just pick whichever term you want).  ZIP codes on the other side of the county away from Bexar have much lower numbers.

Anyway, I'd like to get my hands on total numbers (all licenses issued, revoked or suspended since 1996), or at least all the yearly numbers, if anyone knows if this is possible.  I might try contacting DPS and asking, but I don't expect a whole lot of help from them.  After all, it's not like I'm an "authorized journalist" or anything.

In an update to this post from January 8, Texas DPS now says that a "computer programming error" caused them to issue the (unbelievably, to me) low number of around 74,000 CHL holders in the state.  They now say it's more like 260,000.

The link to all the demographic breakdowns now has all the updated info instead of just a blank page.

Several days ago I posted about part one of a series from WKBO in Kentucky called "Kentucky:  Under the Gun."

Parts two and three are now out.

Part two is a story about a 60-year-old woman who defended herself against a home invasion.  Unfortunately, they paint it as a concealed carry issue because she had recently acquired a carry permit.  Such a permit has no bearing on this case because she was in her own home.  Still, it does show why peaceable persons should be armed and able to protect themselves.

Part three is another story.  It quotes statisics provided by the Brady Goon Squad.  Fortunately, it ends with links to various good websites.

For more firearm facts, click here and for a complete look at the concealed carry law, click here.

And for even more information, click the links below:

List of Anti-Gun Sites
Information on Kentucky State Laws
More Information on Concealed Carry Laws

Overall, the series was more positive than not.  Still, quoting Brady "statistics" throws a shadow on an otherwise mostly fair series.

This is an odd article from WBKO in Kentucky.  If one were to simply read the words, it seems to be a good piece about concealed carry in Kentucky, and cites both gunowners.org and usconcealedcarry.com.

But the "scary" header graphic is what makes me think that part two isn't going to be quite as friendly.

Also, this is nit-picking, but what about this sentence:  "The Kentucky State Police and Conceal Carry Group in Richmond, Kentucky, estimate that over 125,000 Kentuckians have went through the process and training to become concealed weapons carriers."

Shouldn't that be "gone through"?  Maybe I'm wrong, since I'm not a professional journalist with several layers of editors to inspect my work.

From the Houston Chronicle:

The Texas Department of Public Safety has pledged to correct some faulty information on its Web site regarding the number of Texans who hold concealed handgun permits.

A Dec. 24 Houston Chronicle article about the disproportionate number of permits held by seniors prompted readers to inquire about the apparent conflict in figures the agency reported. DPS told the Chronicle that 72,345 people in the state have concealed handgun permits.

The agency's Web site, however, reports 247,345 active licenses as of Dec. 27, 2005.

DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange said the lower figure is accurate.

The Web site figure actually represents the cumulative number of permit holders since the law was enacted Jan. 1, 1996.

Since the permits expire after five years, the number of current license holders is lower.

Only 72,000 CHL holders in Texas? That doesn't seem right, at all.

From what they're saying here, apparently 175,000 people have allowed their original license to expire without renewal since 2000.  Because:  the CHL law went into effect in 1996, and the original licenses were four-year licenses.  The law was changed to make it a five-year license in 2005 or '06, I can't remember.

By the way these numbers are flowing, it makes it appear that there won't be any CHL holders left in Texas in another 3 or 4 years.

These numbers just don't make sense to me.  Maybe someone can explain it.

UPDATE:  This pdf document from Texas DPS says that as of December 27, 2005, there were 247,345 active licenses.  Not cumulative licenses that were once issued but allowed to expire.  So, which is it, really?

Several other demographic breakdowns of Texas CHL holders can be found here.

I tried a new experiment in carrying for the last couple of days.

I have one holster, brand unknown, of the reinforced (stiff) nylon type that is convertible for left or right hand use as well as for either IWB or OWB*.  I originally bought it for the Makarov but by simply adjusting the retention strap it also holds the SP-101 just fine.

Yesterday and today, I wore it OWB with a long shirt covering it.

It was so much more comfortable.  Just amazing.

I have problems with pants.  Although I nominally wear a 36, there seems to be some dispute among pants manufacturers as to what "36 inches" actually means.  Some brands are so loose that I can't keep them up without a belt, some are so tight that I can barely snap them shut.  The batch that I recently got for Christmas are allegedly "relaxed fit," which with most brands would mean I could easily carry IWB.  Not so with these.

I know of one guy who carried a Ruger Redhawk in .44 magnum OWB by simply wearing a shirt so long that it covered all but the tip end of the holster.  He never had any problems carrying like this.

Anyway, my next gun-stuff purchase will be a belt.  It took me a long time to realize the error of my ways in not having a real belt, built for carrying.  Texas Gunslinger belts are looking pretty good.

Also up for purchase is going to be a new holster for the XD.  It will be either from Comp-Tac or Crossbreed.  I have been wanting to get a tuckable holster from either of these because there are regular occasions for me when having an untucked shirt just doesn't look right.

On another topic, I have noticed that this post has been getting opened from within a lot of different email messages.  Lots of people are emailing it around.  Thanks, folks.  Just keep spreading the word.

*IWB = Inside Waist Band
 OWB = Outside Waist Band
 (Just in case someone didn't know what I meant).