TexasCHLforum.com

This is purely a policy decision by Texas and other states. I don't have a figure for the total number of CHL's under the age of 21, as the demographics published by DPS is on an annual basis; i.e. what did they issue and deny for that year. Plus, DPS only publishes this information for three years - 2006 - 2008.

I also don't recall when the age limit was reduced to 18 for active military, but if it was as early as 2003 (I don't believe it was) then I estimate the total CHL's under age 21 to be 170. This number is based upon actual CHL's issued in 2006 (19), 2007 (47) and 2008 (36) used collectively to get an average of 34 per year and adding twice that number (for 2005 and 2004) to the 2006-2008 total of 102 to get 170.

This is hardly an accurate calculation but I think it's a reasonable way to show that the number of CHL's under age 21 is minuscule. Compare this to 350,000 CHLs losing reciprocity with some states and not being able to protect themselves and their families when traveling. I understand the principle involved in supporting our under age 21 military personnel and I don't disagree with it. I also understand that Mr. and Mrs. Smith want to be able to protect themselves and their children when they travel to another state. As I said, this is a policy decision but policy should not be made without considering the impact on other equally innocent and valuable lives. It is one thing to say "I will make the sacrifice" for my principles, but it's quite another thing to say "I'll sacrifice the lives and safety of someone else."

There is no easy answer to this issue.

Chas.