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MaxPower: I go to that Academy all the time. Congrats on the "plastic in hand". I've had my XDm .40 on my hip since yesterday in my Crossbreed Supertuck.....If you haven't tried one of these, you must get one.....

Be safe.

CB

Congrats MAXPOWER!!!!!!!!!!!!

08/29 "Application Completed - license issued or certificate active"

Chucky

I started to post earlier this week, then deleted the post, thus the "nevermind" entry.....

I got a call from DPS this past Monday. My license was approved, and it was sent to the printers. the license should go out in a week from this past Monday.

My .02 cents? Stand up, be a "civil" voice, and speak up for yourselves. As to the comments "for the common good" and being "flustered too early in the process".....if enough of us stand up to our government and make them be accountable to the standard of the law to which we are held, then good things will happen.

I hope to have plastic in hand early next week. Today was day 60.

Peace.

Chucky

nevermind

I respect your opinion and understand your point to be organized, but I feel that sometimes speaking out individually is ok as well.

"Being the annoying gnat flying in the congressman's ear will only get you swatted." Well, I feel the government is "OF, for and BY the people."

Like I said, I don't make a good sheeple. If being involved and calling my elected officials makes me annoying, so be it. I elected them to do a job, among them to represent me. I don't feel bad about that.

We just need to agree to disagree. I supposed Washington and Jefferson should have sat back and waited for "change" as well? <---that's my opinion

Oh, and to the "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".....what was it Marx said? Oh yea, "The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them." In other words, don't be oppressed, speak up!

Respectfully.....

.....just my .02 cents....that and 3.83 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks....

Chucky

Interesting.......well, I now have the names of the folks at my reps, my senator's, and the governor's office. They will get tired of hearing from me every day....

I just can't help but thinking, if we all said "enough is enough" and absolutely hounded (politely/respectfully/legally) our reps/senators/governor, that something would come to a head.

I do alot of desk work, and having my phone on speaking while holding is EEAASSYY to do!

Chucky

Funny, thing: A lady from the DPS office in Austin called me today. She apologized for the delay. She explained she had been told I had concern on the 60 day time frame. She told me DPS was working diligently to get them completed, but the delay was "background checks". (We've heard that, right?) She said she would move my application to "Expedite Status", and I should check back in a week.

And, I WILL check back in a week.

Here's what I got back from my state rep today:

"The legislature is aware of the increase in CHL applications. Prior to this surge, which seems to have started in late fall of last year, DPS had been able to qualify with the 60-day processing time. While the legislature was in session they approved more funding for DPS to address this and other similar issues. That funding will go into effect on September 1st. DPS has begun several campaigns to seek more people for trooper training."

Speak up! It's amazing what a little wheel-squeaking can do......

Chucky

10/2008 PIN issued after online renewal app.
05/25/2008 - CHL Class
06/27/2009 - Mailed application to DPS
06/29/2009 - Paperwork Received by DPS
XX/XX/2009 - Application Approved
XX/XX/2009 - Plastic in Hand

Max, I'm doing a renewal of a lapsed license. Some family health issues kept my free time busy, so it took me a while to find the time and $$ for the course. That being said.....the law is the law.

Thanks for asking.

10/2008 PIN issued after online renewal app.
05/25/2008 - CHL Class
06/27/2009 - Mailed application to DPS
06/29/2009 - Paperwork Received by DPS
XX/XX/2009 - Application Approved
XX/XX/2009 - Plastic in Hand
CB

I changed the subject of this post. Read the thread, we must be heard!!!:

I live Fort Bend, work Harris County:

So, I'm at 53 days. Remember, I'm not a very good "Sheeple".

I called DPS today, and was told "background checks are being done", check back at the end of September. So, I emailed and faxed my State Representative's office, and got a pretty quick response...the lady there emailed me back in ten minutes. I explained I was at day 53, and as I understood the statute, DPS had to notify me by day 60 they couldn't make a decision, etc, etc, etc. (Not here to debate the interpretation of the law, just relaying my thoughts) My Rep's Rep said she'd call them for me, but as she said, (and I'm cutting and pasting) "I understand the problem is they only have one person to do the background checks in Harris County. Only troopers at a certain level and up are allowed to perform them and they don't want to pull troopers off the roads since they are already short on them. I believe the surge in applications has been a surprise to them.".

I thanked her, and asked her to let me know what I found out.

Now, on another note, earlier this week I emailed a local investigative journalist (who I think is a very good guy) here in town a little over a week ago. I asked him to look into this issue as I felt it wasn't getting much press, (besides the fact the law wasn't being followed), and his response was (and I' cutting and pasting) "Thanks for thinking of me on this one. Actually, I think it's gotten some attention. I saw an Austin newspaper article on it more than a year ago and we've aired quick little stories on the backlog and how bad it's gotten. I'll keep an eye on it and watch out for new hooks to keep the pressure on this government agency." <---note the "more than a year ago".

So, my Rep's office knows that background checks are a one man show, and the journalist thinks that media coverage from "a year ago" is attention to the issue.

I'm being polite, nice, and cooperative. But, there's needs to be more of us out there saying "hey, you're not following the law" so that someone gets it. I understand Mr. Cotton an others are working diligently...but it's time to quit whispering about the elephant in the room.

My next step tomorrow is my State Senator and the Governor's office. I "get" government bureaucracy, and all that goes along with it. But, we're not debating roadside property line setbacks, or homeowner's association rights. We're talking about our right to protect ourselves and our families, and the laws that are written that are being ignored (IMHO).

Be a voice.

Chucky