Why Should I get a CHL in Texas.....???

[phantomak47]

I looked into getting a CHL (Concealed Handgun License) here in Texas when I moved here about a year ago. The class takes a full day and the total costs for the actual class and the state fee comes to about, $265.00.

The permit is good for 4 years, then in 4 years I have to go and take a similar class again, that costs $155.00 with the class fee and the state costs.



Why would I do all of this if I already have a Non-Resident Permit From Penn.
That Texas accepts?

I also have a Florida Permit that is good for much longer than the Texas permit, costs a lot less and Texas accepts it as well.



Does anyone out there not use their home state CHL in favor or using a non resident permit from another state that is regonized in the state that you live in?

 

[El Tejon]

Are you a resident of Tejas? Does Texas allow a resident to use another state's permit???

 

[Wakal]

When I was stationed in Texas, my troops would come to me and ask the same question. I would tell them that if they were going to buy more than a few guns in Texas, the Texas permit allowed them to bypass the stupid NCIS check and take care of any "Texas residency" questions (and yes, I know exactly what the law says, but a lot of gun dealers and even more Pawn Shop owners neither know nor care about military line items in Texas code).

If not, then the Florida permit required NO class (for GI's; it takes a cheezy NRA class for civilians), was cheaper, lasted longer, and was honored in more states.

Looking at your price list, though, and speaking as a certified and well-practiced TX CHL instructor (and NRA TC, for what it is worth), you are paying out the...ahem...nose...for the 10-hour mandatory class.

And just a word of my own personal free (and thus, worthless) advice, don't take a class that lasts one minute longer than ten hours. That is the minimum required; don't waste your time on the weasels that try to get you spend more time in their stores

Not that it helps you, but I ran CHL classes for five dollars plus lunch (the "student certificate" is $5 from DPS). I ran classes for civilians for $50 plus lunch, and my valued competitors were about the same. My greedy competitors were from $100 to $250; buyer beware. All the classes are required to teach the exact same stuff




Alex

 

[rbernie]

Does Texas allow a resident to use another state's permit???

Texas does have reciprocity with PA, and (as best I can decipher from packing.org's data) TX does honor PA's non-resident CHL paper.

Having a TX CHL allows me to bypass the Brady Bunch Backgorund BullScat (B^4) when I buy a firearm - dunno if you could do that with a reciprocal CHL....

 

[MacPelto]

First, a Texas CHL is good for 5 years, just like Florida. Second, if you do get to deal with any kind of LE, don't expect them to know that you can carry with a Texas driver's license and an out of state permit. You may wind up sitting there for quite some time while the shift sgt., etc get called to verify whether it's legal. I've talked with several cops about this, and exactly one said that it was OK. I know they don't make the rules, but they can make you wait while they figure them out.

Mac

 

[wdlsguy]

You won't be able to carry in Michigan or South Carolina without a Texas CHL.

 

[Rem700SD]

What might help in your decision is where you spend time when you are not at home, and not in a vehicle. Now in Texas you don't need a permit to carry in your vehicle.
Personally, I've let mine lapse simply because mine's only good for the 5% of my time spent when I'm not at home, work, or in my vehicle. I work in a hospital so I can't carry at work. If the rules changed regarding that, I'd be at the head of the renewal line.

 

[wdlsguy]

Now in Texas you don't need a permit to carry in your vehicle.

Not exactly. What we have right now is a rebuttable presumption that you are traveling. If the DA can rebut the presumption that you were traveling, you're still toast.

 

[MechAg94]

With a good instructor, the class is also a good opportunity to get up to speed on Texas 'use of force' laws.
A Texas CHL is also good for the shooting activity with CMP.

However, if you don't want one, don't get it. It is your decision and your hassle if you have problems.

 

[dracphelan]

Not that it helps you, but I ran CHL classes for five dollars plus lunch (the "student certificate" is $5 from DPS). I ran classes for civilians for $50 plus lunch, and my valued competitors were about the same. My greedy competitors were from $100 to $250; buyer beware. All the classes are required to teach the exact same stuff




Alex

Wakal(Alex), do you know anyone in the DFW area who charges similar rates to what you do? The cheapest I've been able to find the class is $100.

 

[Wakal]

Unfortunately, no.

After April 2007, there will be one in the San Antonio area (when I PCS in), but all my contacts are over in San Angelo



AW

 

[BigEllis51]

Quote:
"Personally, I've let mine lapse simply because mine's only good for the 5% of my time spent when I'm not at home, work, or in my vehicle."

Seems to me that the 5% may be when you need it most - at the ATM, at the local "Stop & Rob", etc. Also, if you work in Houston or drive in Houston, the DA has publicly declared that a weapon in your vehicle will get you in trouble, unless you have a CHL.

Besides, my experience has been that the CHL might save you at least one traffic ticket over the course of five years.

 

[Autolycus]

Because you can. Some of us dont have that option and I wish we did.

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

First, a Texas CHL is good for 5 years, just like Florida.

for clarification, the original issue of your CHL is still 4 years, all renewals are 5 years.

as a CHL instructor i think you should just keep your Florida CCW for now, and just make sure you know the CHL rules and laws in Texas.

when your Florida CCW is up for renewal, you can make a decision as to whether or not you choose to get a Texas CHL. remember that it will cost you more money to get a Texas one since you must take the class and pay the fees, where in Florida all you will have to do is pay the fees.

legally there is no difference other than the NICS check. you still have to complete a 4473.

i charge $95 for the CHL class if you're in Austin.

 

[saltydog452]

I dunno, but I think that I'd try to make as easy on myself as possible.

You have, I guess, a Texas Driver's License. When you show the nice State Trooper, or local PD officer, your Texas DL, and an out-of-state carry permit, the nice gent in the uniform could figure that 'WTH, I'll cite this guy and let the courts work it out.' Your pistola gets confiscated, you get a Class 'A' misdemeanor involving weapons in your history. (BTW that 'history' is shared with the Feds now.) A lawyer gets involved..maybe a bail bondsman. If found 'not guilty' then there is the expense of getting your 'history' expunged. It'l never really go away though. Too many agencies have been noticed about your violation by now. Its in lots of computer data bases,... can't delete 'em all.

Citations involving weapons, violence, drugs, domestic violence, child abuse, and such, could have an effect on your employment. Bonding agengies want to hedge their bets as much as they can and are reluctant to insure folks with that type of record.

As I suggested, I'd make as easy on myself as possible.

salty.

edited to add...

If you try to get a Texas CHL later, one of the questions that you are asked on the application involves 'arrrests', as opposed to 'convictions'. There is a 5 year waiting period before you an apply for a Texas CHL after your arrest.

Even if the local District Attorney choses not to prosecute, or the jury finds you 'not guilty', the arrest record is still there. Some folks, oncluding the Texas CHL licensing authority, figure an 'arrest' carries the same weight as a 'conviction'.

Cut yourself some slack here partner, get the license.

sd

 

[S&W 910]

I live in Texas and carry with a Utah permit

I would get a Texas permit but they have a stupid law that if you are in default on a student loan you cant get a Texas permit.The instructor who gives the Utah certification says alot of people get Utah permits for that reason

 

[DFW1911]

I got pulled over in DFW for speeding, which is kind of funny since everyone here drives really fast, and showed the DPS officer my Texas DL and Colorado CCW. He asked if I was carrying, I said yes, he said "slow down next time and have a good day." Or something similar.

Not an issue with him, but can say that particular officer speaks for all LEO in the state.

Thanks,
DFW1911