TexasCHLforum.com

Hoi Polloi - No one can convince you to to these steps. You have to want it for yourself. I hope it does not take a life changing event for you to make that leap.

When you are ready, let me know. We won't embarass you, we won't make fun of you, and we will guide you through the process. There is also a women's group at Dallas Pistol Club, if you are closer to them. A fine group of ladies who will be happy to teach you, when you are ready.

cheezit wrote:5) I dont know anyone else that will go with me and sit threw 10 hours of class.

I know at least 24 other people that will sit through a class with you. Where else can you go and make 24 new friends and range buddies, all in one day? AND get a CHL out of the deal, to boot!

If you want to compare the CHL to a driver's license, then the CHL course is the same thing as the state required driver's education class.

How many hours did you spend doing that? And how much did it cost you?

If you can answer "yes" to the 14 Preliminary Eligibility Questions here, then you are probably eligible. Click on "continue", then "apply for a license" to get there.

If you have a specific question after checking that out, then you should call the DPS helpline at 1-800-224-5744 or send an email to chl@txdps.state.tx.us

propellerhead wrote: You don't need a license to use a smoke detector. You don't need training to use a smoke detector. You don't have to be a responsible level headed and calm person to use a smoke detector. You don't need a good understanding of the laws to use a smoke detector. Put batteries in whenever it beeps once a minute and forget about it. I hope no one here is that casual with concealed carry weapons. There's a lot of responsibility needed for a CCW. There's near zero for a smoke detector. I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be difficult here. I'm not gonna view a CCW like a smoke detector.

OK, it's your choice, and I respect it. If you don't feel you are up to the responsibility, then you certainly should not carry. I sincerely hope that you never, never have to experience that life defining moment when you wish that you had. Good luck to you!

propellerhead wrote:I just haven't found a strong enough reason why I need one. But I'm still looking...

Do you have a smoke detector in your home? You do? Why? Have you ever needed it?

Almost every class I have one person who decides not to go ahead and get their CHL. Sometimes it is the added responsibility to handle conflict in a different way than they envisioned that puts them off. Sometimes they are afraid of the background check. Others are put off because they thought, after getting a license, they could be "just like police officers!"

I don't pressure them. If there is ANY reason they don't feel comfortable getting licensed, then I know they won't carry anyway. Or maybe shouldn't carry.

Brett -

You cannot get a Texas CHL if you owe any money to the state. That includes student loans, tax payments, and child support collected by the attorney general's office. They WANT their money.

Your options are:
1. Contact the responsible loan agency and see what you can do about getting some of that interest reduced, and set up a repayment schedule. Once you are in a repayment agreement, you are eligible for the CHL.

2. Contact an attorney if the loan agency won't work with you, to find out what your options are.

3. Apply for a Florida non-resident CHL. This gets you all the states Texas gets you, and they don't care about your student loans.