Texas Concealed Handgun Licensing

[FireMedicRogers]

I am possibly moving to Texas in the future for a new job. I want to obtain my CHL from Texas and was checking to see if it is easier having my Colorado CHL.

Does having my Colorado remove any steps to obtaining my Texas CHL?

Also does anyone have information on the course taught by D&L Training LLC, in Flower Mound?
Is this a good course, good instructors, etc.?

Thanks in advance,

Greg

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Rock and Glock]

I do not believe it eliminates any steps, but I could be wrong. Nonetheless, Texas CHL's are not difficult to obtain. Here is a link:

Texas Department of Public Safety - Regulatory Licensing Service Concealed Handgun Licensing

I know nothing about D&L, but we do have some folks here from that area.

Texas is much more CHL friendly than Denver.

Welcome!

[Hopyard]

I am possibly moving to Texas in the future for a new job. I want to obtain my CHL from Texas and was checking to see if it is easier having my Colorado CHL.

Does having my Colorado remove any steps to obtaining my Texas CHL?

Also does anyone have information on the course taught by D&L Training LLC, in Flower Mound?
Is this a good course, good instructors, etc.?

Thanks in advance,

Greg

Even renewing an existing license is pretty much the same process as getting a whole new license. Fill out the same forms; submit the same finger print stuff; do the range test; attend class. WAIT for DPS to process stuff.

The only difference I could tell between getting the original license and a renewal was that part of the course work was omitted---and that was the part that I think everyone should go through periodically anyway as a matter of imparting "wisdom" on the "when" of deadly force. (Verbal Judo, Gravest Extreme etc.)

The process is not inexpensive, especially if you don't get the senior discounts, and it is time consuming, and it can be inconvenient. On balance, I think it is the bare bones minimum that should be done before a license is issued.

(I know, the 2A purists object even to the concept of a license and I understand that point of view. But we live in the world we live in, and I doubt we will ever again have unrestricted rights to arm ourselves; Heller notwithstanding.)

[Ivan4x4]

you still have to go thu all the steps and its going to have to wait at least 65 to 70 days to get it, i sent my paper work in mid jan and i'm still waiting for it to be approved.

[AtomicLabRat]

the class for the chl is almost useless outside of education on laws.

[Camjr]

I live in Lewisville, and took mine from Lonnie at Denton County Sports Association right outside of Highland Village, TX back in January. Since you're saying you might be new to the area, Lewsville, Flower Mound, and Highland Village are all essentially right next to each other in the same part of the Metroplex. Lonnie runs a one-stop shop for classroom and practical qualification. He's really good people as well. Website: Texas Hunter Education, CHL, & NRA First Steps Classes| Denton County Sports Association.

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about D&L and their course.

Cheers.

[farronwolf]

the class for the chl is almost useless outside of education on laws.

The whole point of the class is to learn the law, and being that it is a requirement it really isn't useless, since without it you have no license.


But to the OP, you have to go through all the steps just like everyone else even though you have a license in another state.

[cwblanco]

you still have to go thu all the steps and its going to have to wait at least 65 to 70 days to get it, i sent my paper work in mid jan and i'm still waiting for it to be approved.

Texas has reciprocity with Colorado. However, the Texas CHL site reports the following:

"Effective May 17, 2007 Colorado will only recognize permits issued to residents of the issuing state. Colorado no longer recognizes permits issued to non-residents."

For example, it is my understanding that anyone from any state can get a non-resident Utah permit. Thus, the foregoing sentence suggests that Colorado will not recognize a Utah permit for a non-Utah resident.

If you are moving to Texas, it makes sense to get the Texas CHL. Otherwise, you will may have problems carrying as a non-resident in Colorado.

I would add that my next renewal in Texas will cost $17.50 (less than a driver's license). $70 for renewal x 1/2 for being over 60 x 1/2 for being a veteran = $17.50.

[rljohns]

I do not believe it eliminates any steps, but I could be wrong. Nonetheless, Texas CHL's are not difficult to obtain. Here is a link:

Texas Department of Public Safety - Regulatory Licensing Service Concealed Handgun Licensing

I know nothing about D&L, but we do have some folks here from that area.

Texas is much more CHL friendly than Denver.
Welcome!

Colorado in general has better carry laws than TX. We can carry at Universities (some policies prohibit it, but it is legal). No 30.06 signs. No bars are off limits. Open carry is legal everywhere except Denver and some areas of other cities. Always legal in vehicle.

Colorado Counties vary widely on their attitudes about CCW.

[Hopyard]

you still have to go thu all the steps and its going to have to wait at least 65 to 70 days to get it, i sent my paper work in mid jan and i'm still waiting for it to be approved.

In theory, you should have received it by now, been asked for additional documentation, or received a denial.

E-mail them. To my absolute amazement my recent e-mailed inquiry to them was answered within about an hour.

[Kerbouchard]

TexasCHLforum.com • Index page has a lot of info about Texas specific licensing, but as said earlier, a previous license will not help with the process.

One thing people have noticed is that veterans or military seem to recieve their licenses sooner.

TX DPS is getting a lot more requests than usual, I guess people are scared about the upcoming election, and their processing time has gone way up. It is not unheard of for some people to be waiting 90+ days, even though their published goal is 60 days.

Try to make sure all of your paperwork is done properly, check and re-check your fingerprints to make sure there are no unaccounted for smudges or lines. For instance if you have a scar that shows up, be sure you attach a note that explains what the line is, where the scar is, etc.

Applying online seems to speed up the process, but it's hit or miss. Applying online will get you your pin number sooner, so that you can track the status of your application online.

It seems that right now, it is taking 2-3 weeks to get a pin number. About 4-7 weeks for processing the application, and 4-5 days to get it in the mail after the application status has changed from 'processing' to 'completed/active'.

The TexasCHL forum has a waiting room where you can vent your frustrations about the time taken. They also have a CHL checklist that you should go through before you send off your application in order to, hopefully, prevent any delays.

[Reborn]

I found out this weekend and I haven't proven this out yet that 3 people do all the processing for CHL's in Texas.

[kman458]

I found out this weekend and I haven't proven this out yet that 3 people do all the processing for CHL's in Texas.

Sounds about right and I was told by a local leo that background checks are handled by the local DPS station and that the officers do them when they have time to do them so if you have a small station or a very busy one then it will take longer.

[bps3040]

In Texas, it took 60 days to get my pin #, but only 18 more to get my permit.

[FireMedicRogers]

Great information! Thanks Folks!