Husband starting new job in El Paso & CCW

[Tucker's Mom]

Thanks for putting me in my place by breaking up my heat. I really appreciate that...and need it.

Just didn't want anyone accusing you of growing illicit drugs on your porch![/QUOTE]
Yeah...like I do...I was really that bad, wasn't I?
awwwwwwwwwwww...I love you....LOL

Anyway, crowsnake...I am sorry. I am one of those that do not like someone criticizing the place where they live. I have not lived in El Paso but I had been there once to go to dinner with friends. It was safer then at the time. Most of my Texan friends lives in the middle of Texas. Last October we went to the Red River Swift Wing (you can google this one if you like...) for their annual fly-in and I asked if we can go to San Antonio. Knowing me, most of them said I will not like it there because there are a lot of illegals there and very dangerous. Last night I asked my husband about living conditions in El Paso. He said that place is a dangerous place to raise a family. Our youngest son lives in North Dakota. When he comes home at 30° he would remove his shirt and make a snowman in the backyard. He's crazy but he said it is warm here at home even at 30°. And btw, North Dakota has the lowest unemployment in the whole of the US. He works on 3 jobs and still trying to finish his masters.

[brcombs]

I was born and raised in El Paso. Like any big city (750,000 plus another 1.5 million in Juarez), it has good
areas and bad. Also, the military base has it's share of problems. Concealed carry is allowed without a license only to and from your home or place of work and your vehicle. You can conceal in your vehicle.The law is usually loosely translated, but you might run into a "by the book" LEO. I would highly recommend getting your CHL.

[OM44]

I've lived in the El Paso area since 1962. I have a couple of comments.

It is not true that you can hear gunfire from Juarez in El Paso. It is not
true that several homes have been hit by gunfire, although the City Hall
was hit once. No one was injured.

It is true that Juarez is the most dangerous city in the world right now.
Don't go over there for any reason whatsoever.

It is also true that El Paso is rated as one of the safest cities in the
USA right now. I like to think that this is due at least in part to the
number of holders of Texas CHL,s and New Mexico CCW,s around here.

If you are going to carry a concealed weapon, by all means jump through
all the legal hoops and get a license. The mayor and the Chief of police
are both not advocates of the 2nd amendment, to put it politely.

The person who told you to go ahead and carry without a license was not
a rocket scientist by any definition.

Enjoy your time here!

[NCIC105]

Don't misunderstand I love the area and understand the news reports may over state the problem.

I'm with NavyLCDR as no state should require us to have a permit. However, given the choice of not carrying and having to get a permit, I will get a permit every time. HR-218 should cover me as retired LEO, but some states do not recognize it.

Look at these links..

El Paso Neighbors React To Cross Border Gunfire From Juarez

El Paso's Bowie High School shaken by border gunfire in drug cartel shootout | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

[OM44]

Well, I may be incorrect in my statement. However, the
gunfire sounds reported to be heard at Bowie High School
were to my knowledge, not reported in the El Paso news
media. So I hadn't heard about it.

As far as the Constitution goes, no permit should be required
of anyone.

[crowsnake]

We used to cross in Laredo this was probably 15-20 years ago, and it was fairly safe, we even had a guy take us around with his horse "taxi" We would buy stuff and take it home to Illinois and make money at the flea markets and we bought leather goods for our horses. But it sounds like we will not be going across in El Paso. Is Laredo still a safe crossing? anyone know?

So Far my husband likes his job and our Missouri CCW is good there until we actually decide to move. If we move we have already Decided it would be on the NM side cause they do not have a TOY tax. Or personal property tax for our motorcycles, and autos. His job is right on the boarder of NM, Mexico & TX. It does not look like he will be home for Christmas, so I will probably go there for new years.

Thanks for all the post, they are helpful, Crow

[wlhump]

We used to cross in Laredo this was probably 15-20 years ago, and it was fairly safe, we even had a guy take us around with his horse "taxi" We would buy stuff and take it home to Illinois and make money at the flea markets and we bought leather goods for our horses. But it sounds like we will not be going across in El Paso. Is Laredo still a safe crossing? anyone know?

So Far my husband likes his job and our Missouri CCW is good there until we actually decide to move. If we move we have already Decided it would be on the NM side cause they do not have a TOY tax. Or personal property tax for our motorcycles, and autos. His job is right on the boarder of NM, Mexico & TX. It does not look like he will be home for Christmas, so I will probably go there for new years.

Thanks for all the post, they are helpful, Crow

I have lived in Laredo for the last 17 years. I cross for work everyday. We USED to cross with our families to shop and eat, etc. without a concern. That is no longer the case.

I cross to work and come directly back home. Is it dangerous? To a degree much greater than your average city in the US? YES! I consider this as another "bad" area in a big city. Would you take your family there? I think not. I am 'on alert' 110% of the time I am across the border. I have had employees car-jacked immediately in front of our facility and been 'locked down' in the facility due to drug dealers vs the military shoot outs. Once back in Laredo, I have no greater sense of fear than anywhere else in the US.

I think you will find the same is true for Juarez-El Paso. I visit both cities for about a week every other month. Same rules apply, just to a slightly greater degree. Don't go to the bad areas of ANY town, keep on alert and limit unnecessary exposure. We keep a very low profile, don't get into habits that make you predictable, don't openly display money or wealth. Don't go to Nuevo Laredo or Juarez if you don't have to. Leave your new pickup or luxury car on the US side. In all cases, just try to appear as 'one of the herd.'

The US side of the border seems to be as safe as any other city in the US. Its a shame what has happened to what used to be nice places to go.

[NCIC105]

Man I use to love to go over the border to shop in the open market...I would take 100.00 over and come back with almost more than I could carry. I have a pair of exotic leather boots that was custom make for me "over night" that I paid 50.00 for. They were made in 1997, and they look as good as the day they were made...The man had me step on a piece of cardboard, and he drew around my feet and measure my arch...He said if they did not fit like a glove I did not have to pay for them...You know how they fit!

There are some real craftsmen in the Mexico border towns....