Is there any way to check and see if they got your paperwork and what the status is? I hate to just call up there since they are so busy.

Once they receive your paperwork, and start processing it you will receive a letter in the mail with a PIN number to go online and check your status.

im excited... signed up for a class in 2 weeks.
Now i just have to decide if I am going to buy a gun before then or rent one for the class. Any suggestions?

I rented one that I had used many times before. That way if something happened and it wouldn't fire or had a jam is was theirs.

opie03 - good link to "sheep_dog".

Too many questions and comments to address but I applaud those of you who have and those of you who will obtain your CHL. If you haven't already, scroll back up to opie03's post and read the linked article.

I've been on both ends of that spectrum; needing a weapon and not having it within reach, and needing a weapon and having it ready.

Most law enforcement officers appreciate the citizens who undertake the responsibility of acquiring and maintaining their CHL.

If you are a warrior who is legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that the bad man will not come today. No one can be “on” 24/7 for a lifetime. Everyone needs down time. But if you are authorized to carry a weapon, and you walk outside without it, just take a deep breath, and say this to yourself... “Baa.”

[This message has been edited by 05agdad (edited 12/1/2008 12:31a).]

I'm looking to do my CHL class, but I'm going to be moving to Colorado in March.

If I get my CHL while I'm in Texas will I need to get it done again upon moving to Colorado?

Here is the google answer.

[html]http://www.txchia.org/recip.htm[/html]

EDIT: Wrong Forum Code

[This message has been edited by AGEC2008 (edited 12/2/2008 10:31a).]

So, according to here http://www.cbi.state.co.us/ccw/Statutes/18-12-213.asp it looks like it'd be good for 90 days in Colorado.

Anybody else have an interpretation?

This is merely my opinion:

Texas only issues CHLs to residents, so as soon as you become a "non-resident" of Texas (by definition), your TX CHL, much like your TX Drivers License, would be void.

*Edit: Spelling.

[This message has been edited by AggieBonz02 (edited 12/1/2008 3:02p).]

Has anyone received their CHL in Fort Bend County or Harris County that applied after August?

I just mailed my concealed carry permit application after having taken this class in Denton, TX last month. It's valid in Texas and thirty other states (Colorado included). I've been advised that this permit has the most reciprocity agreements.

familygunfun.com

[This message has been edited by AgBlitz (edited 12/16/2008 1:28a).]

Agblitz, I'm not sure their info is completely accurate... i think that colorado no longer reciprocates for non resident CHL's. Im not sure on any of the other states, but that was a deal breaker for me not doing a florida license.

Has anybody sent in a new permit after September 1 and recieved their license yet?

I sent mine in the first week in September and still have not recieved my license yet. Should I begin to worry that they lost mine? Does anybody have any contacts, or phone numbers that I can call to find out what the status of my application is other than texasonline.com?

Thanks for all the responses guys. I logged onto texasonline.com today and they said that my application has been completed and approved!!!! Just cant wait to get home and see if it is in the mail today.

[This message has been edited by stroodles (edited 1/7/2009 2:53p).]

I took the class last month and am waiting till march to mail the packet in. Glad the day is finally here.

why are you waiting to send it in?

Not 21

oh i see... a buddy of mine is looking into whether or not you can go ahead and send in the paperwork within 6 months of your Bday because of how backlogged dps is.

^
^
Nope, the paperwork has to be notarized after the applicant is 21.

good to know... he was going to call DPS and ask but i dont think he has yet. I bet he has to have everything re-notarized because they went ahead and did it when he took his class.

Yeah, I had the same problem. I took it a couple months before I turned 21. Had to get everything signed the day I turned 21 so that I could mail it off.

I'm screwed cause my whole life my birthday has been on spring break but this year it's the week before. So I have to wait a week to go back home and get stuff notarized. However on the bright side I can still purchase a pistol without a CHL, though I expect one for my birthday. Sig p225.

Why do you have to wait to go home to get it notarized?? It doesn't have to be in a certain county. I took my class in Brazos county and the forms were notarized on site...even for those who live out of county.

Hadn't thought about it. Might go ahead and do it down there. Should save 1-2 weeks by doing it down there. Where can I get stuff notarized?

Court House, the bank, usually any place where legal/important documents would be filled out.

Just as an update on wait times for the license, here was my case.

Took the CHL class in June 08, and mailed completed application in beginning of July 08. They had questions for me in middle of August and I responded back on Aug 21. My status online now says the license is approved as of 1/15/09. I live in Ft Bend county and had received a letter saying Hurricane had delayed applications.

Does anyone have suggestions for where to take the class in the North Houston / Spring area?

Thanks,

MPH

I took mine at Hot Wells Shooting. I dont have the website, but just google them and you should be able to find them. They are located at 290 and Barker Cypress.

I thought that the class was great. They covered everything in the book, but added several scenarios and personal accounts throughout the class. There were times when the information was not the most interesting, but with their accounts I never lost interest.

I know that they are not in the Spring area, but I would recommend them to anybody.

Did they handle the photos and notarizing and stuff at hotwells? Also how much did it cost.

For the person talking about pant clips showing on the previous page, have you considered clipping your cell phone on your belt at the clip location to hide it. I don't wear a cell phone on my belt, but if you do, that might help conceal the clip...

Yeah, I'm not gonna wear a cell phone on my belt for the same reason I don't dress like a woman. I ended up with a Ruger LCP. It's my "American Express" firearm now.

(Oh, and for those that get offended by my off-color remark about cell phone holsters or dressing like a woman because you fit into either category, I mean no harm to you. I'm probably just insecure.)

quote:

---

Did they handle the photos and notarizing and stuff at hotwells? Also how much did it cost.

---

They did everything that you need to send it to the state minus writing the $140 check. I went with my gun and 50 rounds of ammo and walked out with a completed CHL application.

They do the fingerprinting, photos... everything you need to get it done. I think that I paid $115 for the class.

Just so you know going in. Cheryl was the top recruiter for the NRA last year, and she will try and get you to sign up. I ended up doing it, and I think that it was an extra $10 or $15 on top of the $115 for the class. When you fill out the application dont fill out a phone number or email, because they send alot of information out.

I wear my cell phone on my belt. I guess that I have to cut a corner off my man card.

This is an interesting thread and I've been thinking about taking a course. However, it did bring up a question.

Some have stated you cannot take them in to sporting events or buildings. Yet some others mention people wearing them in Church. Is this not considered a building? If I go in to Best Buy does that mean it is a building and I have to leave it in my car? If so, then really the only protection CHL provides is from my house to the garage or in my car, right?

Seems pretty useless if this is the case. Or maybe that's the incorrect word but certainly you're very limited here.

No offense BigD, but I think you're a bit confused.

Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER. (a) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder's person under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and intentionally fails to conceal the handgun.

(b) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, on or about the license holder's person:

(1) on the premises of a business that has a permit or license issued under Chapter 25, 28, 32, 69, or 74, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if the business derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, as determined by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission under Section 104.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code; (Don't carry into a business that generates more than half of their income from the sales of on-site consumption of alcohol.)

(2) on the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place, unless the license holder is a participant in the event and a handgun is used in the event; (Don't carry to a high school, college or pro sports event. Don't carry to any event which features competition between students.)

(3) on the premises of a correctional facility; (Don't carry inside a jail building.)

(4) on the premises of a hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or on the premises of a nursing home licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, unless the license holder has written authorization of the hospital or nursing home administration, as appropriate; (Amended in 2007. Don't carry in a hospital or nursing home if given effective notice per 30.06.)

(5) in an amusement park; or (Amended in 2007. Don't carry in an amusement park (defined below) if given effective notice per 30.06.)

(6) on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship. (Amended in 2007. Don't carry in a place of worship if given effective notice per 30.06.)

(c) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed, at any meeting of a governmental entity. (Amended in 2007. Don't carry in a governmental meeting if given effective notice per 30.06.)

(d) A license holder commits an offense if, while intoxicated, the license holder carries a handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, regardless of whether the handgun is concealed. (Don't carry while intoxicated.)

(e) A license holder who is licensed as a security officer under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, and employed as a security officer commits an offense if, while in the course and scope of the security officer's employment, the security officer violates a provision of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code. (If you are not a security officer, disregard.)

(f) In this section:

(1) "Amusement park" means a permanent indoor or outdoor facility or park where amusement rides are available for use by the public that is located in a county with a population of more than one million, encompasses at least 75 acres in surface area, is enclosed with access only through controlled entries, is open for operation more than 120 days in each calendar year, and has security guards on the premises at all times. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.

(2) "License holder" means a person licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.

(3) "Premises" means a building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area. (Premises is a building. Premises is not any area outside of a building - unless of course you must go through a building to get to that area.)

(g) An offense under Subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the offense is committed under Subsection (b)(1) or (b)(3), in which event the offense is a felony of the third degree.

(h) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the actor, at the time of the commission of the offense, displayed the handgun under circumstances in which the actor would have been justified in the use of deadly force under Chapter 9. (It might get you off the hook for being punished for unlawfully carrying if you justifiably and legally use the handgun for self defense while unlawfully carrying.)





Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1214, Sec. 2







(h-1) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsections (b) and (c) that the actor, at the time of the commission of the offense, was:

(1) an active judicial officer, as defined by Section 411.201, Government Code; or

(2) a bailiff designated by the active judicial officer and engaged in escorting the officer.





Text of subsection as added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1222, Sec. 5







(h-1) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsections (b)(1), (2), and (4)-(6), and (c) that at the time of the commission of the offense, the actor was:

(1) a judge or justice of a federal court;

(2) an active judicial officer, as defined by Section 411.201, Government Code; or

(3) a district attorney, assistant district attorney, criminal district attorney, assistant criminal district attorney, county attorney, or assistant county attorney.

(i) Subsections (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and (c) do not apply if the actor was not given effective notice under Section 30.06.

(j) Subsections (a) and (b)(1) do not apply to a historical reenactment performed in compliance with the rules of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.



Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 229, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 10.04, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1261, Sec. 26, 27, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.833, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 976, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1214, Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2007.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1222, Sec. 5, eff. June 15, 2007.



Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and don't play one on TV. For an legal interpretation of this law, please contact a real lawyer.

[This message has been edited by AggieBonz02 (edited 1/29/2009 10:43a).]

Just checked my status and I should be getting it in the mail soon!!! YES!