TexasCHLforum.com

GlockenHammer:
You may be onto something here. This gives me some ideas; let's talk at the next meeting.

Chas.

BobCat wrote:PS I did not get the CHL with the idea of actually carrying, . . .

Well, that's 10 demerits! We'll erase them if you carry two pistols everyday for a week.

Chas.

Let me know if I can help. I think this dove-tails well with what we've talked about after the Tyler kidnaping and murder.

Chas.

I've been thinking about Andrew's comments concerning many people simply not knowing how to go about getting a CHL. I think he makes a very good point, so I've been tossing this idea around all day.

We could start a CHL mentor program to help shepherd people through the process. I don't mean simply helping them get their applications and find a class, though that would be a part of the program. I would like to see a group of volunteers that could help a new shooter, or perhaps even a non-gun owner, get basic firearm training, help them select a pistol that fits their needs and capabilities, take them to the range periodically and of course, get them through the actual CHL licensing scheme.

How about it guys/gals, what do you think?
Chas.

SRVA wrote:What would be wrong with a "public service" type of message that lets people know the CHL is available, what it takes to get one, and why people should get one?

I wish we could get some TV and radio stations to do it, but I suspect we'll have little success. I will contact KSEV (700 AM) in Houston to see if they'll do it. The station is owned by Dan Patrick, a conservative, Christian, gun-owner who is working hard on property tax reform legislation. This is probably our best chance. Perhaps the local papers will also help.

Chas.

Andrew:

That's a good point; I've added that to the poll questions. Now that would be one of the easier problems to address. I think I'll put a "To Do" list in this section that we can refer people to, as well as developing a flyer to leave at gun stores.

Thanks for the idea,
Chas.

SRVA & Paladin:

I could not agree more. The process needs to be made easier and cheaper. The 5 year renewal will help some, with an effective reduction of 25% of the license fee, but that's only part of the equation. That still leaves a fee of $140 for something over four years, but less than five years, and a 10 hour class for the initial license. This is no deterrent for folks who participate in boards such as this, but for the gun-owner who isn't even an NRA member, these can be real stumbling blocks.

This has given me an idea for another "sticky" and the first poll on this forum. I would like to know what are the primary reasons people don't get a CHL. I know there is a perception that there are more places you can't carry than can, but this is erroneous. However, I suspect the 10 hour initial course and the $140 initial fee are the prime suspects. We could use this information in developing the TSRA Legislative Agenda for the next session. (With the school funding being the 800 # gorilla this year, we can’t expand this year’s agenda.)

Marc and I are NRA instructors and we have talked about teaching a series of courses such as the NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Basic Personal Protection, and ending with a CHL course. (Neither of us are CHL instructors, so someone would have to come in for that one.) I think this is a good progression for many people, but the turnout for NRA courses, although good, is not of the number that will make a big difference in the overall CHL population.

Let's put our heads together and come up with a project to promote CHL. Also, please try to talk to some people who don’t have CHL’s and let’s get some hard information, not merely our opinions.

Thanks,
Chas.