TexasCHLforum.com

I really don't understand the criticism for the delay in the DPS processing times. Yes, none of us likes the time it takes to get our application processed. I think we all agree on that. However, the current budget and staff were based on previous years where there was MUCH less traffic. Can you fault them for why they can't handle the current load, that NOBODY expected to happen?

At budget time, if DPS used historical evidence that showed on average they get 80K applications per year and it takes about 4-6 weeks to process an application, so they go ask the Legislature for funding to process 100K applications per year, and state that it will take 60 days to process the application (they added contingency in both the budget and processing time to be safe). Their budget and processing time was based on proven, historical data. Then the next year (because budgeting is done WELL in advance), they find that their expected volume has jumped to approximately 150K application per year. However they are setup to process to only 100K applications per year, but now are expected to process 150K applications in the same time, with the same budget and same amount of people. Is it their fault?

Do you people honestly think that they like the delay? Do you think that they haven't gone and asked for more money? I'm sure the Texas government has no shortage of departments that are coming to them asking for more money. The department that processes handgun licenses is miniscule, in terms of budgets in the overall scheme of things. If I had to guess, they are at the bottom of the totem pole and is probably lucky to get the funding they get. You have to remember that the DPS concealed handgun processing group is fighting with numerous other agencies asking for money as well, including

1. State police agencies asking for more money for raises for police and firefighters
2. School districts asking for more money for teacher salaries increases
3. Hospitals asking for more money to treat poor people who cannot pay for healthcare costs
4. Outreach programs asking for more money to buy air conditioning units for poor, elderly individuals who go without air conditioning during the summer
5. Community programs that create after school programs to keep kids involved, and way from drugs and crimes
6. Battered womens shelters that provide a safe haven for women abused by their husbands.

I think, we as CHL applicants, loose sight of the fact that there are other agencies that need the money more than DPS does. I don't like it, but I don't mind waiting a month longer and completely understand the constraints the DPS is working under.

I wish everyone would shift their frustration from the DPS to Milt Sparks or Tucker gun leather, or other popular custom holster makers, to reduce their delays and backlogs for their holsters. It kills me to think it is going to take 4 months to get a Milt Sparks VMII :)