TexasCHLforum.com

See original Post - TEX

This post was updated by TEX on 1-27-08

I have had my CHL since the inception of the program here in Texas. I have a four digit license number that starts with a six. I was an instructor the first couple of years, not because I thought I could get rich doing it, but because I wanted to be a part of spreading the faith, so to speak. For many years I did not have any additional CHLs. Then I found out I would be in New Hampshire for a while, and decided to obtain a NH permit because the Texas CHL was not recognized. It was ridiculously easy to get the NH license. In fact I have been told that it is easier for one to get a non-resident license from NH, than it is for a local resident to get one.

I found out, for me anyway, that non-resident CHLs are a bit like eating Lays Potato Chip – I can’t have just one. As sort of a hobby or project, I set out to see just how many states I could manage to legal carry in via non-resident licenses and their resulting direct or crossover reciprocity.

A long time ago, there were many states that would not recognize the Texas CHL, but would recognize another state’s CHL, even if the holder was not a resident of that state. After the New Hampshire license, the Florida license was the most effective one to have. But now, due to ever growing reciprocity agreements, it has become redundant. The most effective one now appears to be Utah and you can find Utah certified instructors here in Texas. At one time I had a Pennsylvania license, but then discovered they recognize the New Hampshire license so I did not,or will not, renew the PA license when it comes up for renewal.

Licenses I hold or have held in the past are; Texas, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Florida, Utah, Connecticut, and Maine. As I stated above, I let, or will let, the FL and PA licenses expire without renewing because they have become redundant. Recently, Nevada became available through a non-resident NH license.

With the license I now have and including the two states that don’t require a permit or license (Alaska and Vermont), I am legal in a total of 37 states. Although I am not totally sold on open carry, there are also a few states like West Virginia, Oregon, and Nebraska, where open carry is available in many situations.

There are still a few other states left where I can obtain a non-resident licenses, but either the cost is prohibitive (Massachusetts @ $100 per year - total rip off), or they require in-state application and class attendance (Iowa and Rhode Island).

There are a great many states that I can carry in, but will probably never travel in, so in some ways, the extent to which I have gone in obtaining licenses doesn’t make financial sense. However, I would not be the first guy to spend money on a self indulgent hobby or project. If you are on this web site at all, you can probably relate :)

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, and what licenses you have and why you have them, etc. Also, interested in what states you think may become available in the future.

All of the licenses I have to date (7 total and letting 2 expire) were obtained without leaving the Lone Star State (Thanks to Bill Slater for Utah class). If Connecticut and Main would get on board with Texas, I could keep it down to just three licenses. I have hopes that Nebraska, Wisconsin and Oregon will eventually come around, but I am not holding my breath. I wonder how many students Thunder Ranch has lost because Oregon does not recognized Texas, nor any non-resident license. I don’t hold out any hope for states like California, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii and Washington DC. Ideally, all states should be forced to recognize each state's CHLs just like they do motor vehicle driver’s licenses, but I am not holding my breath.

One thing that I have discovered is that very few police officers know which out-of-state CHLs their own state recognizes or which places are off limits to CHL holders while armed. This leads me to believe that if a certain state reconizes any out of state CHLs at all, you might slide with one that is not actually on their approved list. Just ask a local cop which ones are recognized here in Texas. I doubt 1 out of 100 know all. I have asked and most oficers know OK and LA, but get kind of lost after that. DPS officers seem to know the list better. It would actually easier for them to memorize which ones are not recognized and this list may have shrunk since I compiled it. Those not recognized are;

Vermont *
Michigan
Ohio
Maine
Rhode Island
Hawaii
New Hampshire


Thanks - TEX