Though the Texas Concealed Handgun program has been in existence since 1995, it is still considered an experimental program. As such, the laws regarding it continue to be amended every legislature, in a generally more lenient direction.
Significant changes to laws regarding Concealed Handgun License this legislature include the following:
*SB1907 Protects college students who lawfully store their firearms in their vehicle on campus from being disciplined by the school (i.e., expelled). This is NOT to be confused with “campus carry” which did not pass. You still must not carry your CHL into buildings/activities sponsored by the school.
*SB299 Clarifies that accidental/unintentional display of a firearm by legal carriers is not a violation and not a case of “failure to conceal” as described by Penal Code 46.035. This was not a change in law, but rather a clarification.
*SB864 Reduces the number of required class hours to obtain a CHL from the 10-15 down to 4-6. However, it is not quite what it may appear at first blush. The 10-15 included range time. The new 4-6 does not include range time, and the instructors still must cover the same material they previously taught. Unless one is “teaching to the test” most instructors classes will still be 7-8 hours long when the range time is included. (If your instructor teaches less than these required hours, the instructor is in violation of law. Both the student and the instructor sign a form affirming they met the minimum hours. Signing such if they did not is perjury and punishable as a Class A Misdemeanor.
*HB48 Removes the requirement of taking a renewal class upon renewal of a CHL. Now, one will only go online to the Texas DPS website and read a summary of changes, check saying they have read it, and pay the renewal fee. HOWEVER be aware there will no longer be a grace period, which in the past had been one year. When the license goes past the date, it is expired. A delay of one day past will mean one has to take the entire class over and pay the original licensing fee, rather than the discounted renewal. Though not required, most CHL instructors will allow you to sit in (audit) the class no charge, to get updates and to be reminded of laws and changes.
*HB698 Requires the state to establish an alternative for CHL applicants to obtain digital fingerprints if they live in a county of 46,000 or less and would have to drive more than 25 miles to a facility. The alternative has yet to be established by the DPS but has been mandated by legislature.
*HB 3142 Repeals the handgun category. In the past, if you qualified with a revolver, you could only carry a revolver. If you qualified with a semi-auto, you could carry either. The category was listed on your CHL. This requirement has been removed and one may qualify with and carry either. One must still qualify with at least a .32 caliber, but may carry less if desired. This one is already in effect.
*HB485 Changes fee structure. Reduces fee for state CHL application to $25 for a military veteran, and allows complimentary CHL for any police officer (not just active police officers).
*As an Administrative Change, the DPS no longer requires a passport photo for your CHL. They will automatically use your driver’s license picture on file unless you are an out of state resident.
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How do I obtain a Concealed Handgun License? Contact a CHL Instructor to sign up for the required class. You mail the certificate of training to the DPS in Austin. Complete the online application and pay on the DPS website. Schedule an appointment for and have digital fingerprints done. Even if you have had them for other purposes (i.e., school, work, etc), it still must be done for this purpose. You cannot go to DPS, Police, or any other institution for these fingerprints. ONLY ones performed through Morpho Trust are accepted currently (http://www.l1enrollment.com/state/?st=tx). Wait patiently for 6-8 weeks for the necessary background check to be completed and CHL mailed to you.
Wayne Goforth is a Brownwood resident. Along with his full-time work as minister for the Woodland Heights church of Christ, he is owner of Castle Keep Services gun instruction service. He and his wife are Certified Range Safety Officers. Not only do they provide the required training for CHL, but one-on-one tutoring on the range as well. He serves as recruiter for NRA, TSRA and Texas Law Shield. As an NRA instructor, he is certified to teach:
- Refuse To Be A Victim Seminars
- Basic Handgun
- Home Firearm Safety
- Personal Protection In The Home
If he can be of service, contact him through the Castle Keep Services Facebook page, www.castlekeepservices.com, email castle_keep_services@yahoo.com or call 325 338-6736.
Photo contributed.