Freedom Times Ten

Having survived my recent computer outage, I shall now try to make amends by telling the tale of Sunday last; the weekend of March 18th, 2007.

On this date, I enjoyed the distinct honor of joining with nine other fellow Texans for a period of some twelve hours.  A long day given to a serious course of study, which included both practical and written tests. 

But before I get to the details of the day, first, I need to give some details of context.  You see, one thing I've never before discussed on Smoke on the Water is just what it is I do for a living.  And now, context demands that I do so.

I'm not ashamed of my job, but I have always wished for a smidge of privacy online, a bit of circumspect anonymity if you will.  But now, I do believe that the praise due to my employer far outweighs any professional modesty on my part.

So, with no further ado, let me introduce you to Gene Hamon Ford, in Texas City, Texas.

 

The Hamon family has owned and operated this dealership continuously for a good fifty years.  Though Gene Hamon passed in the '70s, his two surviving sons, Tomy and Jerry Hamon still put in long, full workdays at the delearship.

I've been in automotive sales since 1999, and I can unequivocally state, that this is the finest dealership, for both customers and employees, that one can imagine.  No "freeway store" crap here, just three highy experienced new-car salesmen and two similarly well-seasoned gentlemen in the used car department.  I would not want to work anywhere else.

Moreover, the Hamon brothers are hunters and outdoorsmen of the first order. 

And first-class citizens to boot.  So much so that when some weeks back, I had requested of Tomy Hamon the privilege of using the store's conference room to host a Texas Concealed Handgun license course, that he immediately and enthusiastically gave his approval. 

But when the sign-ups for the class quickly exceeded that small-ish meeting room's capacity, I was a bit trepaditious in asking Tomy if we could set up in the showroom instead.

I needn't have worried; he green lighted that just as readily.

For those of you not so favored as to live in the Lone Star State, an aside about a vestigal blue-law from times past.  An automobile dealer can elect to be open on Saturday or Sunday, but not both.  And given that the long work weeks in the car buisness usually include Saturdays, the result is that we had the facility available on a Sunday for our use.

And use it we did. 

Although we had amassed a sign-on of some eighteen people for the class, due to this n' that, we ended up with ten attendees.  So, moving three cars out of the showroom, we set up our tables, kicked-in the turbo on the coffeepot and the class did indeed come to order at 08:00 hrs, sharp.

Tom Estep, our instructor, holds many NRA instructor ratings, and is one of the original State of Texas certified CHL instructors.  And, one of the best.  Without going into details, Mr. Estep has "seen the elephant" in his military days and can speak authoritatively on the human reactions to stress, use of force and the aftermath thereof.

Moreover, Tom is without a doubt the most highly prepared CHL instructor one can expect to meet.  Truly a turn-key class, with all photos and fingerprints completed in short order.   And given that he brings about a dozen loaner guns with him, ranging from a .380 Bersa to several .45 Kimbers and Glocks.... well, you can't come from his class blaming your failure on him or his similarly able (and qualified) staff. 

Which staff happens to be his daughter, Tammy Estep-Padgett.

Suffice to say that all points of law were well an amply covered; Tom goes quite a bit further than the State requires, delving deeply in to what it is to carry concealed in the real world, and what real world expectations and experiences tend to be.  The questions flowed freely, and the answers were given thorougly, but with a humilty and lack of bombast or bull-headed opinionation which would astonish the average GFW.

Needless to say, everyone passed both the written and practical exams.

I apologize for having failed to bag some photos of the class in session while in the showroom.  Blame my preoccupation with setting up, and then being very into the class and information therein.  Mea Cupla, Extremis!

Here's the crew:

  Our intrepid shooters .....

Brett

Judy

Darcy

Mark

Larry

Sis

Chris

J.. (anonyonimity requested)

My precious and lovely Iris.

And finally, your humble scribe.

In all, it was not only a successful day, but a rewarding one as well.  Joining together in this incredible expression of freedom and self-reliance, we indeed added ten more to the count of Texans excercising their God given right of personal sovereignty.

Once more, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Tomy and Jerry Hamon, for their kind and gracious loan of the new car showroom for this class.

A Nation of Riflemen, one person Ten Texans at a time.

I'll go along with that!

Comments

[V5]

Fantastic! Kudos to all.

V5

[KCSteve]

Congratulations!

Great to see so many ladies in your class as well. When my ever-indulgent wife and I took our class up here in Missouri (9/11/2007) there were only a couple.

Carry often and carry safe!

[Jay G]

OUT-FREAKIN'-STANDING!!!

Thanks for the report, Jim. A+ job!

[Raging_Dave]

You have no idea just how much this makes me want to visit Texas again.

Ah well - another year and a half down here, and I'll be back in civilization again.

[geekWitha.45]

Most excellent, sir!

You have no idea how refreshing it is for us back east to see how this sort of thing can be simply and uncontroversially mainstream.

[308Mike]

GREAT JOB!! Some of those holes look like either real large calibers or full-wadcutters.

Your anonymous shooter (J.) sure took the center out of his target, and Jim is no slouch either!

High kudos to your employer, Jim! With a reputation of supporting that kind of activity, I'd be REAL surprised if anyone ever tried to rob that dealership. They're have to be REAL stupid!

[angus lincoln]

How cool is that?! A car dealership with a pistol range in the back! I am living in the wrong state.Looks like a good time was had by all and I'm jealous.

[Rick C]

Nice story. Love the Kalashnikitty shirt--I have one of those myself. In fact, I wore it last weekend, flying out of DFW, and someone asked me where I got it, so he could get one for his girlfriend. :)

[SpamIam]

Rick C

I've bought a couple of those shirts and am in contact with the guy who makes them. He has a few left and can be contacted at Kalashnikitty