85 replies to this topic

[SakuranoSenshi]

*** My wife and I took the CHL class at our range on saturday (15th September), we both passed (as expected but I admit I was a little nervous) and actually she out-shot me slighty, coming quite close to a perfect course despite a couple of malfunctions on her rented 1911. We are now sat on our paperwork and may talk to DPS because we move in a few weeks but we'd like to proceed with the applications. In any case, we're pretty much done until we file the papers and wait to hear from the DPS so, as below, thanks for information and feel free to comment on the topic generally but I don't need any further help with the process ***

* The question I was trying to answer, about the order of certain parts of the process, is now answered. As such, this thread is sort of closed but feel free to read and comment if you like. I just don't need any more help on it, unless you spot something you feel I should know. Anecdotes and opinions on the class very welcome *

Hi!

Well, as some people might already know I'm by no means a native of Texas, I recently emigrated from the UK and I have been slowly (thankyou Federal government and California) getting various statuses changed and accruing paperwork, while jumping through bureaucratic hoops (and paying a lot of money for the privilege, too).

Well, the time has finally come! I was recently granted my 'Legal Permanent Resident' status, AKA "Green Card" (and it's now really green again, actually) and that means I can pursue a Texas Concealed Handgun Licence - CHL (my immigration status was the final impediment).

So, has anyone else out there been through the process? I am guessing there must be a few. If you're happy talking about it (some people might not be, I guess) I am slightly confused about the order of some of the stuff and I'd value any experience you want to share.

Have at it!

Edited by SakuranoSenshi, 17 September 2012 - 04:34 PM.

[Arcqueid]

Well really all you have to do is find a gun range that gives the class. Then bring your I.D. and your money. You don't even need your own pistol. I suggest that you use the automatic as that allows you to carry both an auto and a revoler. Bob's your uncle your a pistol packing texan.

[GnawTsatyr]

An Asian from the UK living in Texas? I can only imagine the accent ridicule... No wonder you're embracing the CHL. From your name, I would presume you're Japanese. I am too, but I'm from Hawaii. My question to you, is, why Texas?

[SakuranoSenshi]

Nope, I am a Scot living in Texas with an English (mostly) accent. I get a lot of deference and chatted up (to my wife's annoyance) by female service staff (the hat and being tall and thin probably helps).

Texas because that's where my wife is from and wished to return to (from studying Law in New York, which I didn't care for much - nice cocktail bars, horrible apartments).

Arcqueid, on 22 August 2012 - 09:21 PM, said:

Well really all you have to do is find a gun range that gives the class. Then bring your I.D. and your money. You don't even need your own pistol. I suggest that you use the automatic as that allows you to carry both an auto and a revoler. Bob's your uncle your a pistol packing texan.

Thanks for taking the time to reply... I am alread aware of where the classes take place and I own a Glock 20, which is what I'll shoot (but probably carry something more compact, in practice - I wanted the full-sized 10 mm regardless) to qualify with. However, there is the whole biometrics thing and the photos. I am unsure whether I need to pursue those before I attend a CHL class or not (I keep meaning to call my range and ask their instructor but I forget and I figured I'd get some feedback on what the classes are like, etc).

[Sam Slade]

I find it scary that you're going to take a gun everywhere and have a Conan quote as your forum sig.

[SakuranoSenshi]

Sam Slade, on 22 August 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

I find it scary that you're going to take a gun everywhere and have a Conan quote as your forum sig.

Who says I don't already? ;-)

Seriously, though, do you know what the restrictions are, in Texas? If there's booze you generally cannot have it, if you drink you cannot have it (intoxication doesn't require a BAC that would fail the breath/blood test, it merely requires an LEO to say you were intoxicated in his professional opinion - not commonly realized. Sure, you can fight it but it's going to a nasty ride, as they say; "you might beat the rap but you won't beat the ride"), various other edge cases and some obvious ones (you'd hope!) like not on school grounds.

I can already travel with it in my vehicle and have it on hand in my home. This is Texas, after all.

[RiverRat1987]

Well i don't know if it is different in Texas, but i live in Oregon and it was a breeze. I took the class then went to the courthouse got my picture and finger prints taken. Then sent it off to the BATFE. If you have any questions about the process, they should be taken care of in the class.

[Derek Icelord]

I haven't jumped the hoops in Texas, but for my Idaho CCW permit the requirements were 1.) fill out the application 2.) proof of sufficient instruction/competency and 3.) fingerprinting and a background check with the appropriate office (county sheriff department for me).

For Texas specific, I'd suggest the state site here.

I'd also highly recommend finding a course that is specifically for CHL/Concealed Carry. Many of the courses that qualify in states don't cover the important parts about carrying. Namely, the specific laws for your state. If you find a good class for concealed carry, that should answer most of your questions.

[SakuranoSenshi]

Every state is different and ironically, given their reputation, even in the USA, Texas is quite restrictive on firearms in some ways and quite expensive and involved with its CHL. There is a firm that has the monopoly on doing the fingerprints, electronically (and I think they might do some other stuff now, too), I think the photos are still the standard "US passport style" ones and the fee is, off the top of my head, $140 unless you qualify for a discount. I think that's without the fee for the Biometrics people, too and obviously doesn't include the class.

All that said, it's then good for 4 years, can be renewed fairly easily and cheaply and then runs in 5 year blocks.

[GnawTsatyr]

Haha, well color me wrong. I don't know anything about Texan gun laws, but I'm sure you won't having any problem having fun with your license. Aloha.

[SakuranoSenshi]

Already familiar with the DPS site but while they are quite thorough on requirements and laws, they don't actually talk about the process very much. CHL instructors in Texas are licenced by the DPS and are the only ones who can teach the class, though military folks and some others can skip the shooting competency if they already have something to prove their proficiency. I know about six CHL instructors but obviously, I was not rude enough to just drill them for info, I hate it when people endlessly pump me for IT knowledge, for example, so, professional courtesy, etc. I'll call the guy at my range tomorrow if I remember but I figured I'd start a thread here anyway. :-)

[RiverRat1987]

I heard that Texas was fairly strict on the gun laws,odd. And considering Oregon is known for being a more liberal state, we have some of the best Knife/gun laws around. Do you know if you can even open carry in Texas? I heard that you can't.

[Decko]

"Obtaining a permit to carry concealed in the State of Texas requires completion of the course, qualifying with a handgun at the range, and passing a 50 question test. The applicant then applies and pays a fee to the State which completes a background check and completes the issuance of the license.

You need a basic knowledge of your handgun to qualify on the range, shooting center of mass a total of 50 rounds at a B27 target from 9 feet, 21 feet, and 45 feet.

The licensee must recertify with the State every 5 years. We offer the required recertification classes Check with DPS on your third recertification to see if you need to take the class." chl-texas

Edited by Decko, 22 August 2012 - 10:45 PM.

[GnawTsatyr]

It was my understanding that you can open carry in Texas. It's concealed carry that's more or less illegal. But once again, I don't live there.

[SakuranoSenshi]

GnawTsatyr, on 22 August 2012 - 10:44 PM, said:

It was my understanding that you can open carry in Texas. It's concealed carry that's more or less illegal. But once again, I don't live there.

Your understanding is dangerously wrong. You may not carry a handgun unless you have a licence to carry one concealed, excepting LEOs, etc.

[GnawTsatyr]

So, having concealed carry license means you can open carry?

[SakuranoSenshi]

RiverRat1987, on 22 August 2012 - 10:28 PM, said:

I heard that Texas was fairly strict on the gun laws,odd. And considering Oregon is known for being a more liberal state, we have some of the best Knife/gun laws around. Do you know if you can even open carry in Texas? I heard that you can't.

Aye, as above. Sorry, didn't see yours before his and I answered to set this straight. It's common knowledge on the relevant sites but people still assume (I did, until I did my legal research back in UK... I mean, big hats and twin six-shooters, right? ;-) ).

GnawTsatyr, on 22 August 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

So, having concealed carry license means you can open carry?

No. You can never openly carry a handgun in public, excepting those licenced to do so, such as uniformed security and peace officers. On my own land, say, I could do as I liked, of course.

[GnawTsatyr]

I've heard all sorts of nonsense from people bragging about their guns, forgive me for my ignorance.

[SakuranoSenshi]

Decko, on 22 August 2012 - 10:44 PM, said:

"Obtaining a permit to carry concealed in the State of Texas requires completion of the course, qualifying with a handgun at the range, and passing a 50 question test. The applicant then applies and pays a fee to the State which completes a background check and completes the issuance of the license.

Cool, I keep missing that but now you have spelt it out, it's clear. I go do the course and pass that, then I do the paperwork, including my fingerprints, etc. Then DPS processes it and eventually sends out my card. Thankyou kindly, sir!

[SakuranoSenshi]

GnawTsatyr, on 22 August 2012 - 10:47 PM, said:

I've heard all sorts of nonsense from people bragging about their guns, forgive me for my ignorance.

Oh, no forgiveness needed, just would hate for you to act on this mistaken assumption or give someone else that advice. Texas, along with the other Confederate states had very restrictive firearms laws immediately post-civil-war. The other states have largely repealed them or replaced them with newer legislation that is significantly more liberal, Texas didn't allow routine carry of handguns at all, making it a serious felony "UCW - Unlawful Carry of a Weapon" actually, until they introduced the CHL. Texas still does not permit private citizens to openly carry a handgun and it's a misdemeanour, potentially, for a CHL holder to inadvertently reveal his firearm and 'alarm' others in public.

Nowadays, it's (UCW) a misdemeanour, unless there are mitigating factors, such as being on licenced premises and there are specific exceptions, like the one that permits me to have it in my vehicle and move it between the vehicle and anywhere else I can legally carry it (like my home), as well as explicitly stating that having a firearm on your person in your own home or premises is not UCW.

Edited by SakuranoSenshi, 22 August 2012 - 11:07 PM.