Concealed Handgun Licensing
Discussion Of Texas Handgun Law
Handgun Proficiency
Late Handgun Law Updates Below
Updated November 23, 2010
Next Scheduled Concealed Handgun Class For New And Renewal Applicants Will Be Posted Here.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW BASIC TEXAS GUN LAW, WHEN ONE MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY DEADLY FORCE AGAINST ANOTHER
Did You Know...
1. You May Still Be Arrested And Charged With UCW (Unlawful Carrying Of A Weapon) While Traveling With A Handgun In Texas, Even Though You Have Done Nothing Wrong?
2. You May Unknowingly Have A Restraining Order Against You If One Spouse Files For Divorce In Certain Texas Counties?
3. You Must Always Conceal Your Handgun In Texas When Not On Private Prorperty?
4. You May Have The Right To Use Deadly Force Against A Robber Or Burglar In Certain Circumstances Even When You Do NOT Fear For Your Life?
5. It May Be Unlawful To Use Deadly Force Against One Who Is Trespassing On Your Private Property?
6. The Leaving Of Your Handgun In A Car Under The Seat, In The Glove Box or In The Console May Be Three Of The WORST Places To Store A Firearm?
7. Why The Carrying Of A Semi-Automatic Handgun May Leave You At A Significant DISADVANTAGE Instead Of Carrying A Revolver In A Deadly Force Encounter?
You Mean You Didn't Know Or Consider These Seven Points Listed Above? Sounds Like You Need To Take Our Class. What We Don't Know, Can Get Us Into A Lot Of Trouble.
Review Some Of The New Laws Or Interpretations Few People Have Read Listed Below About Mid Page.
Prospective Applicants, Please Read The Qualifications & Expectations Immediately Below
Also, View Discussion Of New Laws As You Scroll Down This Main Page
What All New And Renewals Applicants Can Expect:
DPS Concealed Handgun Unit online assets found on their website below. Though most of this online process is complete, you may experience unexpected changes. Have your Texas Driver's License and Social Security Number available. When asked for your address, use the address printed on your Driver's License. Allow twenty or so minutes to complete the online form, as this time varies with Web speed, etc.
Many ask, what can I do to prepare for the class? Learn to safely, effectively and efficiently operate your handgun! If you do not have reasonably good handgun shooting skills, practice and/or seek help. If you do not own a firearm, we will loan you one to qualify for the class and help ahead of time, if that is needed.
Click Here To Access DPS CHL Application Page
Or go directly to DPS: https://www.texasonline.state.tx.us/txapp/txdps/chl/
1. NEW APPLICANTS must now complete their applications Online, as Renewal Applicants do. You will pay for your packet Online, not for the class, and secure an Appointment while Online at an L1 Fingerprint Processing facility near you. Before signing on to apply, have some times in mind when you can drive to the L1 facility to process your fingerprints. You will secure two passport photos of yourself to send in with your class completion form. Applicants commonly get passport photos from Officer Ted Morgan in Junction or at Walgreens, etc. Use the DPS link immediately below and follow the instructions. I will be happy to help with the Online process if that is required and time permits.
2. RENEWAL APPLICANTS will get a letter from DPS Six Months, more or less, prior to license expiration advising the License Holder you need to renew. You will complete your renewal application Online and NOT be required to send in Fingerprints Cards or Updated Passport Photos. Call (1-800-224-5744) or visit Texas DPS Concealed Handgun Unit Online to complete your renewal. If this is your third renewal, call DPS Concealed Handgun Unit in Austin to see if you qualify to renew without the 4 hour renewal class.
Click Here To Access CHL DPS Application Page
Or go directly to DPS: https://www.texasonline.state.tx.us/txapp/txdps/chl/
Applicants with the following Issues MAY NOT be Eligible
to Hold a Concealed Handgun License:
1. If you have ever been convicted of a Felony for any reason and not Pardoned.
2. If you have been convicted of Misdemeanor Class A or B in the past five
years for any reason.
3. If you have been convicted of Disorderly Conduct within the last five
years, usually a Misdemeanor Class C. Other Misdemeanor Class C convictions
are okay such as traffic citations.
4. If you have any restraining order against you at present you most likely
are not eligible, however, contact DPS in Austin directly.
5. If you are not current on all child support payments and government loans
to you. Contact DPS in Austin for further details on these issues.
6. If you have been convicted of any Domestic Violence Issues.
Those who have been Institutionalized for Chemical Dependency or Mental
Illness, must have been released and judged mentally competent to purchase a
firearm. Contact DPS Austin for further details on these issues.
You must be at least 21 years of age and be a US Citizen, Naturalized US
Citizen or others must hold a Resident Alien Card and be able to legally
purchase a
firearm in the State of Texas. Call or email me for more information if you
have questions on this. You do NOT have to be a Texas Resident to have a
Texas Concealed Handgun License. You are suppose to have a Texas Issued State ID
to
have a CHL. However, DPS does not issue Texas State Issued IDs to citizens who
currently reside outside of Texas. So, in this case, we will leave that item
blank until the State decides what to do for the long run.
HB 1815, The New Texas Law That Allows Citizens To Carry A Handgun In Their Automobile Without A Valid CHL Has Attracted So Much Attention AND So Many Misunderstandings. Consider Yet One More Interpretation And Be Sure To Read About The Mine Fields
Updated 11/15/2009
HB 1815 Texas Law To Further Clarify Right To Possess A Handgun, Club, Or Certain Knife In Our Home, Automobiles And Place Of Business Without Valid CHL/CCW
HB 1815 will clarify that it is legal to possess a handgun in your private motor vehicle for personal protection without a Concealed Handgun License (CHL), provided the citizen meets four requirements.
1. You are not engaged in any criminal activity other than a minor traffic violation at that time.
2. You are not a member of a criminal street gang.
3. Your handgun is concealed to the curious public.
4. You have no current restraining orders, and the like, related to you at that time preventing you from carrying a firearm.
The DPS Link Below, And The Listings Lower On This Page, Attempts To Draw Attention To Recent Changes In Texas Gun Law. These Laws May Slowly Evolve From Their Current State. The CHL Renewal Law (HB 1839), The Castle Doctrine Law (SB 378), And Carrying Without A Valid CHL In Texas (HB 1815) Require Special Attention. It Is Your Duty To Keep Up To Date On Laws.
View 9/01/2007 Law Changes/Additions In PDF Format. Click Here
Posted 8/07/2007
Recent Amendments to CHL Law Click Here (Word Doc)1
Recent Amendments to CHL Law Click Here (Word Doc)2
HB 991 Texas Governor Rick Perry Signs Concealed Handgun Licensee Privacy Measure Into Law Effective Immediately.
This new measure will guarantee privacy of CHL records from public view. Now criminals will not be able to check records to determine if you are unarmed before they assault, rape or rob you. This new measure will leave criminals guessing as to one's ability to defend themselves.
Updated 08/09/2007
SB 378 Texas Legislature Passes New "Castle Doctrine" Legislation... Governor Perry Signs Bill Into Law Effective Sept. 1, 2007
Some articles are likening this new law in Texas to that of Florida's. Some are calling it the new "Shoot First, Ask Questions Later" law. Still others feel little has changed.
One of the latest interpretations of this new legislation is: We MAY NOT NECESSARILY have a Duty to Retreat from an Attack while at our HOME, in our AUTOMOBILE, or at our PLACE OF BUSINESS. No Duty to Retreat if we have a Lawful Right to be at these Places before exercising our right to use Deadly Force to Protect from Imminent Threat of Death or Serious Bodily Harm. To use Deadly Force to Protect ourselves against Imminent Threat of Death or Serious Bodily Harm anywhere shouldn't be too much of a legal problem, one would think. HOWEVER, some interpretations at this time, may include NO DUTY to Attempt Retreat from a Threat of Theft and this is where the confusion comes in. In other places, other than those mentioned above, we have a duty to Attempt to Retreat BEFORE using Deadly Force as the law feels a Reasonable Person would.
Updated and More Clearly Defined Interpretations will be posted as they become available. The long and short of all this is, we all had better FEAR FOR OUR LIVES BEFORE EXERCISING OUR RIGHT TO USE DEADLY FORCE IN ANY SITUATION. See definition of "Castle Doctrine" measure below that mainly refers to other states.
SB 378 Castle Doctrine Bill, Click Here (Word Doc)
Broad Definition of "Castle Doctrine" Click Here
Updated: 9/11/2007
SB 112 Governor Perry Signs New "Emergency Powers Bill" Into Law
The Texas House has approved new legislation preventing private firearm confiscation during a state of emergency. The new Law will take effect September 1, 2007. This new legislation is not new, as many other states already have this law in view of firearm confiscations during Hurricane Katrina leaving law abiding citizens defenseless.
HB 233 Waiver of Licensing Fees For Certain Members of the Military & Veterans. Effective September 1, 2007
Updated 11/15/2009
HB 1839 Changes Training Requirements For CHL Renewals
Newly Issued Licenses are still good for four years and expire on your birthday of that fourth year. All RENEWALS are good for FIVE YEARS, but how you obtain your Renewal has changed somewhat and is conditional and optional. As of the above date, it is our understanding that CHL Renewals are required to:
Complete their ORIGINAL LICENSING PROCESS, THEN complete TWO RENEWALS, and THEN they are ELIGIBLE to OMIT the next CE Class & Handgun Qualification to Renew their License. On this THIRD RENEWAL, and Only Starting at This THIRD RENEWAL, the CHL holder is given the option to obtain a Renewed License WITHOUT attending any CHL Continuing Education Class. This new option to Omit Renewal Class and Handgun Qualification may be a mistake in the long run, in my opinion. After spending a lot of time on the range with average CHL shooters, many who shoot only fifty rounds in five years, the mandatory training is sorely needed. Once in five years is the only time anyone looks at new laws.
It is our understanding, your renewal letter will not mention this option and to find out about if you qualify, you will have to call the CHL Handgun Unit In Austin. This is the latest we have heard. DPS will keep up with this process. Below is an explanation of this New Law.
From The Texas House A PDF File Explaining HB 1839, Click Here
(Example: In Travis County, aka Austin, Texas, (And Possibly Other Texas Counties) you may immediately have a Restraining Order filed against you if you file for divorce. To get this Order removed so you may lawfully carry a weapon, you may have to petition the court to remove the Restraining Order in a separate action.)
RESTRAINING ORDERS MAY CHANGE YOUR CHL HOLDER'S STATUS TO LAWFULLY CARRY A HANDGUN, AS WELL
A Law Enforcement Officer may detain or otherwise incarcerate a citizen without a CHL while determining if the citizen carrying has a lawful right to possess a handgun at that particular time. Also, law enforcement may have to right to temporarily confiscate any weapon and run a ballistics check to determine if that weapon was used in a crime. You should REQUEST AND OBTAIN a RECEIPT for you firearm, if you intend to get it back. Still some speculation on this one and it seems to vary from county to county. The "Spirit of the Law" on HB 1815 seem to vary.
PDF File Analysis of HB 1815, Click Here.
Update 01/20/2010
Killeen/Fort Hood Texas, Two Tragedies
We Are All Aware Of Last Year's Tragedy At Fort Hood. Our Prayers Remain With The Survivors And Families Of Those Who Perished In This Horrific Act Of Violence. Looking Back, Remember October 16th, 1991? That Was The Date Of The Luby's Restaurant Massacre In Killeen, Texas, (Adjacent To Fort Hood) When 23 People Were Murdered And 20 Were Wounded By A Crazed Madman Who Ran His Vehicle Through The Wall Of The Facility. As A CHL Holder, If You Were In Luby's Today And Something Like That Happened, Would You Be Able To Change The Outcome? Would It Be The Same Because You Were Too Complacent To Lawfully Carry Protection With You On Your Person? Would You Have Some Other Excuse For Not Carrying? Would You Be One Who Left Their Handgun In A Car To Be Stolen If Broken Into? Would Your Family Be Mourning Over Your Dead Body Or Others From Complacency? Will An Active Shooter Give You A Second Chance To Retrieve Your Weapon From Your Car To Defend Yourself? Someone's CHL Card Alone Is Not The Answer. Just Owning A Weapon Is Not The Answer. Having A Weapon Without The Significant Skill To Use It Is Not The Answer. When Things Go Bad, They Go Bad Rapidly. Something To Think About.
Update 11/13/2009
Why Trained Law Abiding US Citizens May Choose To Carry A Concealed Weapon Instead Of Leaving It Behind
...A Sad But True Story...
Click Here To Hear Susanna Hupp's Story
Our Constantly Changing Laws...
Update 08/08/2011
Federal Parks & Firearms
It Is Our Understanding It Is Now Lawful For Concealed Handgun Licensees To Carry A Loaded Handgun, Such As Big Bend National Park. It Is Your Duty To Know The Law Before You Travel To Or Through Federal Property With Any Weapon. Visit Federal Parks Website Or Call Parks Press Release Division For Accurate Current Information Before You Enter Federal Property.
Texas State Parks &Firearms
It Is Our Understanding, You May Still Carry Your Loaded And Concealed Firearm Into Texas State Parks. For Further Questions On This Issue, Please Contact Texas Parks And Wildlife Department For Clarification.
Concealing Handguns In Texas
In The State Of Texas One Must ALWAYS Conceal The Handgun, Loaded Or Unloaded, When You Are NOT On Private Property You Own, Manage, Control Or Have Permission To Be On. Only Two Groups May Carry Handguns In Texas Open And Obvious, Law Enforcement Officers And Security Guards While In A Distinctive Uniform. Law Enforcement Officers May Carry Openly While Out Of Uniform With A Law Enforcement Badge Displayed. In Texas, Handguns May Be Carried Openly Holstered (or in some non-threatening fashion) Only While On Private Property, Property You Lease, Property You Have Permission To Be On, Property You Manage Or Otherwise Control. Notwithstanding This Right Mentioned Above, If A Citizen Complains About This Visible Firearm You Carry, You May Be Charged With Disorderly Conduct By Authorities, Which in Most Cases Is a Class C Misdemeanor. Here Again, We Have One Of Those Gray Area Cases Where There May Be No Right Or Wrong Answer How Things Turn Out.
Long Guns In Texas
There May Be No Specific Duty To Conceal A Long Gun (Rifle or Shotgun) In Texas, Loaded Or Unloaded, While Not On Private Property, Property You Manage, Property You Lease or Private Property You Have Permission To Be On. HOWEVER, The Carrier Of The Long Gun May Not In Any Way Exhibit Or Otherwise Threaten Others While Carrying. This "No Duty To Conceal A Long Gun" Does Not Absolve Or Free A Long Gun Carrier From Reasonable, Prudent, And Proper Storage Of The Long Gun From Thieves, Children And Others. This Reasonable, Prudent and Proper Storage May Include Storing The Long Gun Out Of Sight Of The Curious Public. Special Conditions Will Apply In The Vicinity Of Schools And Other Institutions. All This Being Said, You Could Still Be Detained Or Arrested For Disorderly Conduct If Others Complain Or Feel Threatened By Someone Carrying a Long Gun In Public. THINK Before You Carry. Use Good Judgment. Be Aware Of The Law Where You Intend To Carry. Understand Law Enforcement May Not Be Aware Of Your Right To Carry In All Circumstances, Have Their Own Opinions And Have Certain Departmental Policies. If Arrested, Cooperate, Shut Up, And Get A Lawyer Who Knows Texas Gun Law.
Please Scroll Down For Important Info As Laws Have Changed
We offer Texas Concealed Handgun Instruction with a class of four or more. $125 per student gets you interactive class time discussing Texas Gun Laws, Non-Violent Crisis Resolution, Alternative Personal Defense Strategies, Where You Can and Cannot Carry Your Handgun, How To Carry a Concealed Weapon and Proper Storage of Handguns. Qualification, a fifty round exercise, will be held at a DPS Approved Gun Range near you. Renewals, a much shorter class, are $85.
Have you thought about...
When do I have the right to use deadly force against another? Might it matter where I am?
What is the difference in "THERE IS NO OFFENSE" and "IT IS A DEFENSE TO PROSECUTION"?
If I have shot someone defending my life, what is the very next step I should consider?
Where are most people assaulted and why?
When do most home invasions happen during the average day?
What are some ways of reducing our odds of being assaulted?
What do I say to the police if I have shot someone? How do I greet police in such an event?
If we have defended ourselves with deadly force, what can we expect from the courts? The family of the deceased? Our own family? Our own piece of mind?
If I hold a Texas Handgun License, can I carry in other states? If so, which ones?
How much alcohol is too much to legally carry a firearm?
What about all the new gun laws I have heard about? Which ones pertain to me?
Where and when can I allow the curious public to see my handgun in Texas? IT DOES MATTER!
Texas, and other states, are voting on the new Castle Doctrine Bill. What is this new Bill all about and how does it effect me? The Castle Doctrine heavily puts the burden of proof of possible wrongful death or injury on you or the prosecutor? Does your lawyer know about this?
My wife and I arrive home and no one should be there. Before I walk in, I see the front door ajar I knew I locked... What should I immediately do if I am armed? What would police do? What are some different scenarios that might be responsible for this door to be ajar? If in fact there is an intruder inside, what should I reasonably expect of him when confronted? If you were an armed burglar, what would YOU do if confronted?
A Few Words About Our Southern Border, View Recent Attempted Insane Immigration Legislation YOU Need To Know More About At The Link Below. Expect A Watered Down Second Version That May Actually Pass. Incredible Video Clip.
Click Here To View 4MB 3.5 Minute MPG Video File by Lou Dobbs
Our Texas CHL classes discuss the above mentioned issues in detail. If you don't know the answer to all of these questions, you may want to consider our course. If you are a Police Officer and wish to take the class, you may receive ten CE hours. (Check department policy) Email for more info or leave word at: 1-512-310-7878.
For answers to specific issues, upcoming class dates and areas we serve send Email To:
coburtonemail-handgunquestion@yahoo.com
Great Links On, Law, Training & Firearm News
Texas Concealed Handgun Instructor's Association
Texas Department of Public Safety
Other Informative Links
AOPA Air Safety Foundation (General Aviation)
Also...
Bodyguard Security & Investigations
Texas License # A-10698
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Night Vision & IR Imaging Services
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Looking for someone? Need background information, criminal history or asset searches to help with planning? Are the folks I am about to leave a big big deposit with on the level? For more information or a private reply...
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Leave Word at: 512-310-7878