Obtaining Texas residency for CCW?

[Lurp]

Hello,
I am new to this forum but been a lurker for sometime now. I've greatly enjoyed the wealth of information and knowledge on this site, which is now my new homepage and just wanted to start off with a thank you.

Here is my situation. I am an out of state college student from New York and I attend The University of Texas at Austin. I am looking to get a couple much wanted firearms for various reasons such as hunting, SD, fun, exercising my rights, etc.... I will be moving out of the dorms this coming May and moving into an apartment for my third year here where I will be able to finally keep firearms. I have been raised in a firearm friendly household as my father is one of those EBR collectors who has raised me well. I am looking to get residency in the state of Texas for the purpose of buying some of those certain EBR's that are outlawed in NY and also to obtain a pistol and a CCW when I turn 21 in a couple of months. I was wondering if any of you could direct me as to what I need to do to get a Texas drivers license and be allowed to purchase firearms here in Texas that are illegal/impossible to obtain in NY. I have heard I need proof of permanent residence such as utility bill, voter’s registration card and to have my vehicle registered here in Texas, but I have not been able to find a clear answer. I am sorry of this topic has been discussed before but I was unable to find it with the search feature. Thank you for your time.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I have heard I need proof of permanent residence such as utility bill, voter’s registration card and to have my vehicle registered here in Texas, but I have not been able to find a clear answer.

You need to go to the Texas DPS (on Lamar, I believe). It's a good idea to have a couple forms proving that you've live in Texas (not in the dorms) ie, utility bills, rent bills, cable/internet/phone, tuition bills going to your apartment, etc. You also need a copy of your birth certificate and Social Security Card. You'll turn in your NYS plates and drivers liscence (NYS will actually request that you MAIL your plates back to NYS for destruction... the hell if I know why, but that's what they require). You'll also need Texas Driver's insurance (no, your NYS insurance won't work). Finally, you'll need to get your car inspected by a state certified inspector. You'll get a Texas DL and Texas plates. As soon as you get your Texas DL, celebrate and buy a handgun.

Also, note that the University of Texas will NOT recognize you as a Texas Resident for at least a year. You will have to petition to be recognized as a Texas resident by the University. IE, you cannot become a resident for tuition purposes.

 

[B. Adams]

I'm in South Dakota, so it's not exactly the same as your situation, but my girlfriend recently changed her residence from Iowa to South Dakota. She's still technically in school, but just finished defending her thesis, so not really. When she applied for he SD drivers licence she took some mail addressed to her here, but they didn't even ask to see it. They just asked for her address and gave her a licence with that on it. Immediately after that she went to the Sheriff's office and applied for her CCW permit, which she got in the mail a couple weeks later. The University doesn't recognize her as a resident, but the state does, and that's all that really matters to her. She's excited about buying handguns without a purchase permit, and being able to carry one with her or in her car. She's also excited about not paying state income tax anymore, but that's a whole seperate issue.

I'd imagine it's a similar process for you in Texas, so I doubt it will be much of a problem. As long as you can prove that you're not living in a temporary residence (like a dorm), I think you'll be fine.

 

[daysleeprx]

Off topic but...

HOOK'EM!

(I'm an alum)

 

[Lurp]

Prince Yamato, I don't plan on getting in state tuition by becoming a resident because I hear its nearly impossible, I'm worried about more important things such as firearm ownership . I will start to look into changing my insurance to Texas and hopefully save a few bucks in the process that can be applied to my future Kimber 1911 thats I've had my eye on for the past 2 years .

Thank you for all of your help so far.

 

[frostbiker]

Lurp, look at www.texasonline.com for information on obtaining Texas residency. That website will also have information on getting a CHL as well. Once you have the CHL, purchasing firearms in Texas becomes much easier. Best of luck.

 

[waterhouse]

Good luck with the transition. Although the car plates/insurance/etc. might be important, all you really need to buy a handgun is a TX DL.

If you decide to order something from out of state and need a transfer done, look me up.

 

[yhtomit]

You'll feel better as a Texas resident, too

Lurk: I went to school there, out of state (from Maryland). I moved there for school, transferred to another school (U. Michigan), transferred back to UT (couldn't stay away from The Daily Texan) moved back east to look for a job, never found the kind I wanted, was serendipitously hired at a job I loved ... in Austin And so I moved back. Moved back to Md. after getting different, telecommuting job. To make a long-story medium-length, I have allowed a travel bug to lead me to live various places in a handful of states, and have ended up moving to Texas 4 times so far (3X Austin, once to El Paso). And though now I'm going to law school in Philadelphia, Texas is tied for first on my list of preferred destinations afterward. (The other is Washington St.)

I have mixed feelings toward the school, but I was very glad when I finally decided to become a Texas resident -- and in part for the same reason you name. First purchase -- a Browning 9mm. As someone mentioned, it (probably*) won't help you with tuition, but I found the psychic benefits pleasant. The place isn't perfect (where is?), but I like the Texas attitude toward income taxes, guns, and fireworks (and these all reflect a general laissez faire attitude). Not having been there for a while now (jeesh, I think 2 years now), I miss the coast, the desert, the hill country, walking around San Antonio.

Depending on what you plan after school, it's a good place to consider long-term, IMO. The weather is ... well, it's the Texas weather. I prefer Alaska's temperature range, but Alaska makes for expensive trips to visit family etc, and little things like food have to be shipped up on solid-gold rafts.

timothy

* Though ask around -- there may be some good work-arounds; friends (and friends of friends) have had varying luck with forcing their way into resident tuition rates at schools in different states. I never pursued it hard in Texas, was under the impression that the payoff odds were low.

 

[Big Calhoun]

Supposedly 30 days in the state and a utility bill. You go to the DPS motor vehicle department closest to where you live. As I remember (I moved here last year), they really only cared about my address and didn't bother counting days.

 

[daysleeprx]

If you decide to order something from out of state and need a transfer done, look me up.

Are you back in Austin, waterhouse?

 

[waterhouse]

Yep, as of a couple weeks ago

It's good to be home.

 

[Lurp]

It seems it should be easier than I thought to obtain a Texas drivers liscence. I can't wait to become a resident of this state and being allowed to exercise my rights that have been taken away in the Peoples Republik of New York. Thanks again for all of your help and I will look you up waterhouse if I ever order from out of state.

 

[daysleeprx]

Yep, as of a couple weeks ago

It's good to be home.

Fantastic! I'll be moving back to Austin in June. I see some transfers in my future...

 

[texas bulldog]

congrats on choosing such a great state and city in which to live. you'll never regret it. great gun laws, great just about everything [except the dang heat!].

off topic: to get in-state tuition, you must establish non-dorm residency for a year and you must NOT be going to school during that year. thus, they provide a time incentive to prevent you from getting in-state status.

...class of 1999...hook 'em