Posted: 7/8/2008 9:27:42 AM EDT
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State First-time handgun license applications in Tx. jump Associated Press Originally published 09:51 a.m., July 8, 2008 Updated 09:51 a.m., July 8, 2008 AUSTIN — More than 52,000 people in Texas have submitted an application for a first-time concealed handgun license or renewal since the beginning of the year, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. That is an almost 5 percent increase over the first six months of 2007, but there's a good chance they'll have a bit of a wait. The crunch which some say is spurred by concerns about rising crime, the state's new "castle law" and uncertainty about future gun laws has created a ballooning backlog of applications for the department. "Can you imagine if it was a driver's license and someone says you just can't drive?" said Alice Tripp, legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association in a story in Tuesday's online edition of The Dallas Morning News. DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange said the average wait for new applicants is between 80 and 90 days for their licenses; renewals are taking about 70 to 80 days to process. By law, new applications should take no more than 60 days and renewals 45 days to process unless a required background check raises any flags. "We're still hacking away at those numbers," Ms. Mange said. In order to speed up the process, DPS is paying overtime and has hired an additional 11 temporary employees. "We believe we're going to be able to get a handle sometime in the next couple of months," Mange said. Gun proponents say the ongoing delays are unacceptable especially for those seeking renewals. Larry Arnold, director of the Texas Concealed Handgun Association, said he's hearing regular complaints. Passed last year, the castle law gives property owners the right to use deadly force against another person in defending themselves if they reasonably believe the person is committing or is attempting to commit certain crimes. |
Castle law and CHL really don't relate. If you are on your property normally a CHL is not needed...... I think the Press is trying to make a big deal out of nothing... |
They relate a little because the castle doctrine does not just apply to your property, but I agree that they're probably overstating the relationship. I do think that the increase is due in part to a number of recent stories in the news...Obama's statements, Joe Horn to name two. And hopefully in part it means that more Texans see the need for CHLs.  ETA: I'm up for renewal. Has it been 4 years already? 
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| I will be moving to Texas next month from Florida, where I currently hold a Florida CCW permit. Can anyone tell me what is involved in changing over to a Texas CHL? Do I need to change it over prior to this one expiring as Texas and Florida have reciprocity? I am moving into the Fort Worth area. |
I think your FL permit is valid here as long as it's not expired, regardless of your legal address. I'm not positive of that though. Obviously you want to get the ball rolling on that TX permit as soon as you can. |
ORinTX is correct. Your Florida is valid here until it expires. be sure you change your address if FL requires that. Welcome to Texas! |
Thanks Guys. Any of you near the Fort Worth area? What are the ranges like within an hour or so of the Ft. Worth area? |
First, what you quoted is wrong. Second, the DPS requirements are in the Texas Government Code, not the penal code. Good Grief people. |
I know I was being overly dramatic, but I wanted to point out that there's never a consequence when THEY don't do their job. |
I have not heard of them NOT doing their job. |
I agree with TX, if you want a CHL just plan ahead knowing there may be a bit of a wait. Nothing wrong with planning.... BPF |
You act like they are sitting around drinking lattes and having parties rather than working at getting the apps processed. Wanna lobby your legislators for a more streamlined system, for more budget for the CHL bureau, etc.? Great, I support that. Otherwise you are busting the chops of the people working to get them done. |
Do you personally know that they are busting their chops? Forgive me for not having a great deal of confidence in that. That's based solely on my other interactions with government bureaucracy, so if that's incorrect I apologize. |
And you're making excuses for those not doing their job in the time specified. If the time restriction is meaningless, then what is the point of it being specified in the first place? Also, what the hell is the $140 application fee paying for, if not the timely issuance of the permit being applied for? |
I heard Susanna Huff on KLBJ talking about that yesterday. TX was asked to cut spending by 10%, and DPS offered up $8M in profits that they made on the CHL licensing fees. Problem is - that was supposed to be revenue neutral. According to her, they "fixed it", but I don't know if that means they lowered the fees (doubtful), or they spent more money to make that surplus disappear (likely). |
No, I am not making excuses. I never offered one up. My opinion is Yep, they are taking a long time. They CAN, under the law. |
Pertinent section of the Admin. Code:
It doesn't say they can take more time than 60 days (unless a certain set of circumstances is triggered), it just says that 30 days after the 60-day deadline, the application is automatically denied, which is not the same thing. They're still required to finish processing the app. in 60 days. |
Dang people.....I would think we should all be happy that TX has CHL now. Be lucky we are not in some left-wing state. So they take some time. If that stops some people who should not get a CHL then fine. BPF |
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The people in the CHL section are good folks. Climb off their back. If your initial license is not issued as quickly as you'd like, remember there's a pretty extensive records check involved, and that involves others. If your renewal is not as quick as you'd like, that's probably your overworked CHL staff's responsibility, but they are doing all they can with what they have. I'll agree with some of you that the words government and efficiency are usually mutually exclusive, but they're not the DMV, or the tax office, or the court clerk's office, or the building permit office, or, or..... |
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Two Things: 1. I saw Susannah Hupp on TV last night and she said that this is why Texas should have a Vermont style carry law.  I really do love that woman.2. Is it 4 years or 5 years on renewals. Mine is due in Feb of next year and Tela Mange said on TV last night that you should submit six-months in advance  , that means that I would need to submit by mid-August. The reason that I am asking about the 4 vs. 5 year deal is that I thought a change in the law had been made. This would mean an extra year on my CHL.
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The state received my application on March 19. I just got my PIN today, so yeah I'm anticipating an even longer wait. I ordered a couple holsters on July 4, one for my self the other for my dad. The holster maker has a lead time of 16 weeks. I'm thinking I'll have my holsters before my CHL plastic. |
You are NOT reading it all.
DPS has 30 days to get the app to its designee in the county where you live. That designee has 60 days from when DPS received it in Austin to complete his investigation and return it to Austin. Austin has 60 days from when the designee received the packet to either deny, issue or tell you they need more time. The math gives 90 days from when DPS receives the app. |
You license expires on the date it indicates. Your renewed license will be for 5 years. |
Very well, thanks for your help tx. 
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New app or renewal? Used to be renewals went through quickly. I'm getting mine out of the way on Sunday. I don't want to take any chances of expiring. |
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