I got tired of waiting!!! It's done......

[dwdog]

Let our 1.5% minority be heard! To heck with everyone else!

Seriously folks do you really believe that calling everyday is going to fix anything? Sure you may get lucky and find someone with enough pull to get you through. Please consider the rest of us and not just yourselves. I wonder how many apps per day could be completed if the phones would stop ringing. Think about how they possibly could adhere to the 60 day rule today, right now. If anything it will just produce negative results that will affect us all. Do we want all apps declined which can not be processed in 60 days? Worse yet, how about apps rushed to completion to individuals who under further scrutiny don't qualify? That's what you are asking for. The budget isn't there to hire people to do these background checks for our small minority. Even if they did chase the trend of applications, what would we do with them once the gun hysteria subsides? With crime rising would you rather pull good cops off the street to help expedite your background check? If you want to change things, join the NRA or similar organizations. Help Mr. Cotton by sharing your cases with him so he can better prepare an organized front. Maybe then some changes can be made through future legislation. Being the annoying gnat flying in the congressman's ear will only get you swatted. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Guess what folks, we are the few. Be happy that we have the right to bear arms and exercise a little understanding to the folks trying to issue the plastic to us.

This is just the opinion of a Navy veteran. Take this how you like and make constructive comments on it if you wish. I tried to not make it personal so please do the same.

I have been waiting 30 more days than you, I am tired of this and I will hound them every single chance I get. I tried telling people the same thing you did at first, but I cannot any longer. The fact is "they" need to obey "their law."

[dicion]

I think I have an unusual situation that I need help with.

I am active duty Navy, living in Blanco County (mailing address), but for residence purposes {military and CHL application (not mailed yet)}, I listed Kendall County and will take my CHL class in Burnet County. Who does the background checks - counties or DPS? If counties do it, who/where do I take the application or how does this work? I guess you can tell that I am trying to minimize me "down time"!

Chief, You almost got buried there by all those messages above! Glad I saw ya to reply.

DPS Conducts all the BG Checks themselves. They will blame delays on 'the county'... but it's a DPS office in the county... so, they actually just blame themselves, just a different office

All you have to do is submit your complete packet to DPS. They handle everything.

Don't forget, active duty is free! Be sure to include as much proof as you can to show you are active duty.
Sometimes DPS wants More proof then they tell you is required. Send a copy of your ID (front and back), current orders, heck, maybe even a picture of you shaking the base commander's hand or something
You cannot send Too Much information to DPS. They will easily delay you on too little, however.

[NAVY CHIEF]

I think I have an unusual situation that I need help with.

I am active duty Navy, living in Blanco County (mailing address), but for residence purposes {military and CHL application (not mailed yet)}, I listed Kendall County and will take my CHL class in Burnet County. Who does the background checks - counties or DPS? If counties do it, who/where do I take the application or how does this work? I guess you can tell that I am trying to minimize me "down time"!

Chief, You almost got buried there by all those messages above! Glad I saw ya to reply.

DPS Conducts all the BG Checks themselves. They will blame delays on 'the county'... but it's a DPS office in the county... so, they actually just blame themselves, just a different office

All you have to do is submit your complete packet to DPS. They handle everything.

Don't forget, active duty is free! Be sure to include as much proof as you can to show you are active duty.
Sometimes DPS wants More proof then they tell you is required. Send a copy of your ID (front and back), current orders, heck, maybe even a picture of you shaking the base commander's hand or something
You cannot send Too Much information to DPS. They will easily delay you on too little, however.

dcion,
Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to wonder if anyone saw it!

I suppose I will give the package to the DPS office in Burnet County, since that is where I will be doing the CHL Class, or would it be better to drop it off in Austin as I have read elsewhere to make sure that all my "i''s are dotted and "t"s are crossed on the application?

Again thanks!

[Kevinf2349]

Navy Chief

Yep, treat it like when someone hands you a gun, check it, check it again and then before you mail it, check it again.

In my package I got a checklist that was very useful and the instructor checked that everything was correcctly filled in and complete. The only issues we had were changing citizenship halfway through the wait and my good lady had to have her prints retaken.

Good luck

[USA1]

dcion,
Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to wonder if anyone saw it!

dicion sees all

[dicion]

dcion,
Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to wonder if anyone saw it!

I suppose I will give the package to the DPS office in Burnet County, since that is where I will be doing the CHL Class, or would it be better to drop it off in Austin as I have read elsewhere to make sure that all my "i''s are dotted and "t"s are crossed on the application?

Again thanks!

Not a problem.

The packet has to go to Austin. If you take it to the local DPS office, they'll look at you weird, then tell you to mail it to Austin. Reason is, it's a completely separate section of DPS that does CHL, and they're only in Austin.

If you can find out where to take it, I've heard of others hand-delivering them.
However, personally, I would mail it, certified, delivery confirmation.

That way you have a piece of paper, with a proof of delivery date on it. You may need that if you ever need to argue their statutory time limits... but that's another topic.

USA1: Yes, Yes I do. Btw, you missed a button on your shirt there...

[infoman]

If I were you I would hand deliver it, if you don't mind going into Austin. the address is- 5806 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78752. Building I, two story brown/brick building. Lobby is open 8-5 M-F. They'll check everything there for you in person.

[NAVY CHIEF]

If I were you I would hand deliver it, if you don't mind going into Austin. the address is- 5806 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78752. Building I, two story brown/brick building. Lobby is open 8-5 M-F. They'll check everything there for you in person.

Is this what you did? did you receive any confirmation paperwork that they actually took it from you?

[TxCommish]

After waiting 157 days (yep, I said 157 days!!) for my wife's plastic, I called my State Rep and griped loudly. He said he would call them. Four days later an "express" envelope came in the mail with the license in it. Nothing else. No letter of apology, no explanation, nothing.

[der Teufel]

If I were you I would hand deliver it, if you don't mind going into Austin. the address is- 5806 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78752. Building I, two story brown/brick building. Lobby is open 8-5 M-F. They'll check everything there for you in person.

Is this what you did? did you receive any confirmation paperwork that they actually took it from you?

That is what I did. I live near Austin, so it was pretty convenient. I brought my packet in, and they indeed looked it over to be sure it was complete. I paid in cash and got a receipt. It is my understanding that they'll also take checks if you're dropping it in person. The building has a loading dock, onto which you go before you find the entrance to the area where they take your app.

[pouuiala]

I know what you mean. My class is next weekend and I'm already tired of waiting for my CHL!

[chuckybrown]

nevermind

[The Sarge]

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

Hear Hear!! I agree totally. There is those that will advocate "being quite" for whatever misguided reason and to them I say this......
These Government workers work for us. Us.... the taxpayers and should be held accountable to the laws of the land and to acceptable business practices.
Well done ChuckyBrown and I am starting to do the same.

[Purplehood]

When I was in the Marine Corps, the squeaky-wheel made things happen. Waiting for someone to get off their behind and do their job because it was their job NEVER ensured that it got done.

[frjeff]

All of the commentary here is well and good and I am sure all posters are well meaning.

However, this is a matter of Constitutional rights and a State Law not being met. Further, at about a presumed average of $100 per app, they could afford a few more paper pushers and an extra printer and laminating machine.

No, the simple fact is: they will do it however they feel like doing it, unless and until unough people stand up and SCREAM!

only 88 days and counting...............