Texas CHL holders, I call on you again.

[Mikhail Konovalov]

I've heard that this is true, and the language in the legal document, while vague, lead me to believe this.

In Texas, if you go through all the red tape and pay the fees for a CHL, whatever type of handgun (Revolver or automatic.) you qualify with is what you must carry. Someone with an revolver CHL can't carry an auto and vice versa.

Now, the 90-180 day wait is brutal enough, but not being able to carry a snub-nose to back up a .45 or to outright replace it on a particularly hot day?

If this is true, I'm writing a letter to someone...

 

[Troutman]

If you qualify with an auto. You can carry either, of any type, .45, .38, and .44. .40.
If you qualify with a revolver. You can carry only a revolver.

p.s. always use a auto. to qualify.

 

[Working Man]

Troutman is correct.

 

[Kalindras]

Hmmm...dunno whereabouts YOU live...

...But once I sent my paperwork in, I had my CHL in my wallet within three weeks.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've had really great turnaround times on ALL of my governmental stuff...CHL, C&R, and some other, non-gun stuff that I've had to send away. Heck, even my IRS refund checks get here lickety-split!

Of course, having said that, I feel certain that I have now doomed myself to an eternity of misdirected mail... :banghead:

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Yeah, 60 days is usually the limit as I recall as well. The only folks I know that had applications take longer are those who managed to fill out the application wrong, incompletely, or did not send in all the required materials.

Of course, Mikhail, you can just go to the Texas Department of Public Safety web site and look up all this yourself as well. The language is clear on thes matters. Whatever source you are hearing this stuff from is quite a bit off the mark.

 

[Geronimo45]

If you qualify with an auto (must be .32 caliber or greater), you can carry any handgun you like - and as many handguns as you like. Auto, revolver, derringer - anything you like. With a holster, without a holster, no problem (as far as the law's concerned).

If you qualify with a revolver, you are only allowed to carry a revolver.

The caliber limit only applies to qualification. You can carry a .22 once you get your license. You can carry any number of handguns with either license, as long as you keep 'em concealed.

 

[springmom]

If you qualify with a semiauto you can carry either type of gun. If you qualify with a revolver, however, you ARE limited to a revolver.

The reason? When you qualify, as you recall, you had to show the instructor that you know how to clear your weapon, decock it if relevant, load, unload, etc. A person who only owns a revolver may or may not know how to do that on a semiauto. So if you test with a revolver, that, and only that, is what you are allowed to carry.

HTH.

Springmom

 

[Mikhail Konovalov]

Ahh, everything is clear to me now. You bet your bones I'll be qualifying with my Jericho.

My thanks to all who replied, as well as those with other tips. My path to concealed carry will be short and sweet now. (21 in a month and some change.)

 

[Rokyudai]

Mikhail,

True on the fact if you use a revolver to qualify for your CHL, then this is the only type of handgun you can carry. If you qualify with a semi-auto, then, you are able carry either semi auto, revolver, or both if that is your preference. On the CHL itself directly below your DL/ID# is your carry "Category". Depending on what type of handgun you qualified with, it will either be SA or NSA.

SA -All handguns, whether semiautomatic or not

NSA-Only handguns that are not semi-automatic.

When I took my class we had one person who brought a revolver. The instructors made it very clear, in the best interest of those not aware of the stipulations, that if they tested with the revolver that would limit the individual to one platform (revolver). She ended up renting a semiauto and was grateful for the heads up.

On the whole wait thing, by state law (GC 411.177 part b), you should get your CHL within 60 days from the point your app. was received by DPS. What happens when you don't get it within that time period...nothing of course. You wait longer! There was a back log when I applied a few years back and it took about 80 days or so. Still better than when I received my NY state pistol permit. Those babies take about 9 months!

Hope this helps you out. If you haven't already, check out http://www.texaschlforum.com/ there are very useful forums that are excellent resources for those new to CHL and there is even a 'waiting room' to vent your frustrations until it arrives!

 

[Big Calhoun]

The 90-180 day thing could just be someones interpretation of the total time it took to get a CHL...obtaining the paperwork, going to class, getting fingerprints, completing qual, sending in paperwork, recvn'g license. Even with the hiccups I had in my application (left out a form), I'd say my wait was actually about 40 days and would have probably been within 30 days had I not forgotten a form in my original mailing.

 

[Blackfork]

Additional Revolver requirements in Texas

If you read the fine print, you will notice that CHL folks who qualify with revolvers are also required to say:" Slap Leather, you polecat!" before drawing their weapon, whereas semi-auto folks can shrug, yell, remain silent, swear or tell jokes when firing.

 

[TX1911fan]

My father in laws came very quickly (about 30 days). Mine last year took 71 days.

 

[arthurcw]

If you read the fine print, you will notice that CHL folks who qualify with revolvers are also required to say:" Slap Leather, you polecat!"

That is a common misconception, but not entirely true. The actual wording of the law reads.

r. CHL holders limited to Revolver categories must announce intentions to draw.

The spirit of the law was to keep alive the Texas (indeed the entire “Old West”) Tradition of “colorful colloquial language”. But no set term has been stipulated.

Lore has it that, “Slap Leather, you polecat,” was suggested by CHL instructors at “Big Mike’s Guns, Feed, and Necessities” in Uncertain, Texas. This claim has never been verified.

A controversy has erupted in recent years over training in this area. Originally no much attention was paid to this aspect of the law. DPS guidelines never included it as part of the class instruction. Then some schools started touching on the subject.

About 3 years ago schools like “Big Mike’s” started suggesting one or two phrases that could be memorized. But within the last year, several schools have adopted the idea that you should train extemporaneously. Not sticking to one pat phrase. They argue a well schooled Pistolero or Pistolera should be able to riff off quick verbal jabs as fast if not faster than they can clear leather.

Proponents of one or two phrases, also know as the “Static School”, say that that is the last thing a person needs to worry about when “that time” comes. When adrenaline starts pumping you will lose fine verbal skills and are likely to sound like a bad “Terminator” deleted scene or the “Buffy Bot”. “Static School” proponents go so far as to call the “Dynamic School” the “Bruce Schwarzenegger” school.

Another point worth noting is that a few high dollar schools are trying to Trade Mark certain phrases so that only graduates of the schools can use them.

Hope that helps. I need to go. I have out patience surgery scheduled to remove my tongue from my cheek.

 

[springmom]

Y'all are hilarious.

And it is entirely an urban myth that those of us licensed to carry semiautos must also demonstrate proficiency while holding our pistols sideways and yelling, "Yo, homie". Utterly untrue.


Springmom

 

[LHB1]

"And it is entirely an urban myth that those of us licensed to carry semiautos must also demonstrate proficiency while holding our pistols sideways and yelling, "Yo, homie". Utterly untrue."

What? You mean I practiced all that time for nothing? I even hung my targets sideways to allow for the horizontal bullet drop.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[boredelmo]

Yeah, qualify with an semi-auto, because the pistol twirling portion of the revolver test is quite hard.

 

[highfive]

Mine only took 5 weeks and and they sent me my packet back, I didn't sign, oops When i sent it back it only took 2 weeks to get my license.

 

[TexasRifleman]

And it is entirely an urban myth that those of us licensed to carry semiautos must also demonstrate proficiency while holding our pistols sideways and yelling, "Yo, homie". Utterly untrue.

Yes, technically not required though you DO get 5 bonus points.

10 bonus points if you qualify with a Colt Single Action in .45 as well as the requirement to reload being lifted since of course there is no need to reload after 6 shots from a .45

 

[Mikhail Konovalov]

I think this is the most hilarious thread on THR!

By the way, I just read that the revolver instructees are required to spin their cylinders at 500 RPM and snap them shut with a flick of their wrist before firing, and apparently, owners of 1911-pattern autos are required to find a way to fire their guns in condition two, while Glock owners are required to cock their hammers(!?) before firing... Curious.

 

[arthurcw]

while Glock owners are required to cock their hammers(!?) before firing... Curious.

Just hire the Foley Artist they use in EVERY DANG movie and TV show.

Don't forget, when using a Semi-auto, you MUST threaten the target first THEN rack the slide to show you mean business! It's not just a good idea, it's the law!

BTW: Good luck. You will learn to hate the phrase, “Processing Application”. It took over 60 days for mine. Go hang out at the TexasCHLforum.com waiting room in the meantime.

 

[Mikhail Konovalov]

Yep, I'll need a place to curse and shout about it, and +1 on the Mal Reynolds quote.

"The hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne!"

 

[MechAg94]

Actually, you need to demonstrate the skill of racking the slide repeatedly without actually unloading you gun. You also have to practice your "Shick, Shick!" sound effects since the auto you own may not make that exact sound.

 

[Geronimo45]

And it is entirely an urban myth that those of us licensed to carry semiautos must also demonstrate proficiency while holding our pistols sideways and yelling, "Yo, homie". Utterly untrue.

When were regs changed? I distinctly remember doing this, with the DEA agent who instructed us. He also taught an interesting technique which allows those carrying a gun in belt holsters to shoot the feet of their attackers while holstering the gun. Does require practice, though, to get it right.

You will learn to hate the phrase, “Processing Application”.

So true.

 

[springmom]

He also taught an interesting technique which allows those carrying a gun in belt holsters to shoot the feet of their attackers while holstering the gun. Does require practice, though, to get it right.

And REALLY good insurance to take care of yourself in the meanwhile....

Springmom

 

[Hawk]

Don't forget, when using a Semi-auto, you MUST threaten the target first THEN rack the slide to show you mean business! It's not just a good idea, it's the law!

I believe you're confusing the Texas CHL requirements with the "California Twitch" first documented by Jeff Cooper:

We are amused to see the prevalence of the "California Twitch" on the range. This manoeuver, executed by the shooter after firing and before making safe, involves pointing to the right and the left of the target while
wearing a fearsome scowl. It serves no purpose except to show that the shooter has been to a school which picked up his mannerism in the confusion. Once acquired, the "California Twitch" is almost impossible to
eradicate, something like a tattoo.

There have been numerous changes in the Texas requirements.

1. The .380 minimum is now .32.

2. Anyone qualifying with revolver, if male, is required to wear a cowboy hat and aviator glasses. However, all reputable trainers maintain rentals for those that were unaware.

3. Similarly, female revolver qualification still requires "big hair". However, big hair is now available for loan or rent after the franchise at DFW was shut down shortly after the cancellation of the TV show "Dallas".

4. The ten point penalty for showing up in a car remains. Everybody knows the F150 interior dimensions were based on one not having to remove one's cowboy hat and arriving in, say, a Taurus just screams "n00b". There remains no practical difference between big hair and cowboy hats, dimension wise.