Texas CHL renewal Mailing tomorrow;

[John R. Fuller]

I finally completed all of the mundane things for renewal on my Texas CHL. I will be mailing it tomorrow.

A few things occurred to me as I completed this process. Why is it that drivers liscenses are so easy to obtain? I think that those types of liscenses should be just as difficult to obtain as CHL. Think about it; people as young as sixteen years of age are earning drivers lisccenses to operate 3000 pound machines that drive in the neighborhood of 70 mph on the highways.

Is this not as great or greater responsibility than carrying a concealed handgun? I think it is. I also think that the other liscenses should be scrutinized as much as CHLs because the state is allowing the applicant to drive vehicles on public roadways that are just as dangerous if not more than the gun fight we probably won't see in our lifetimes.

What does everyone else on this board think?

[Kalrog]

I think CHLs should be as easy to obtain as a DL. Not make the DL as hard to obtain as the CHL.

But I agree about the danger potential of a DL being at least as much as a CHL.

[stevie_d_64]

Time out...Just a second...

As much as I think this would be a good thing...If we are going to make it easy to get a CHL as easy as it is to get a DL, then we might as well do away with the CHL all-together...

Just go to a Vermont system (actually a non-system), or an Alaska system where if you want one, ok, but you don't need one unless you are trying to get Non-resident permits in other States...

I don't like the idea of watering down the Texas process, even though I do think it weeds out the folks who are not qualified do to criminal records or other disqualifying criteria that I don't think we want in the ranks of licensees...

Watering the process down "cheapens" the efforts we have done to get the law in place, "tweek it" to get the problems clarified or corrected over the last 10 years...

I think the whole CHL law has actually brought out the best in people in this state...And those efforts need to be honored by supporting the law, massaging it into something other states can review and possibly apply to their laws...

I have had to struggle over the last few years to change the way I feel about this...I used to think this law hindered or restricted us, and anything that was done to help remove or clarify the ambiguities in the original law was a victory...

I would rather think of our CHL law as a definition or guide of how we should conduct ourselves with this responsibility...

Thats not to say anyone here is not responsible or knowledgable in regards to firearms and there use...

I have become as best I can to be a student of this issue...I am by no means an expert, nor do I get down on myself if I make or state an inaccuracy...If anything I have become a better person by listening and applying those things which really make sense, and try to let people know how important it is to be that way...

Last time I looked, there were about 250,000 people in this state who have this licence...I think thats a good thing...If that number grows appreciably, thats good as well...And we should promote it...But I believe the process should remain in some form or fashion...

[Paladin]

Personally I think it's too easy to get a drivers license and too difficult to get a CHL.

Traffic accidents kill lots of people every year. And a auto can be used as a very deadly weapon.

One major area of difficulty in getting a CHL is cost. A DL is like $16 for 4 years and a CHL is like $140 for the first 4 years (for most people).

I appreciate the fact that the TSRA has done great work lowering the cost for renewal, but more could be done in the future.

[KBCraig]

By "as easy to get as a DL", I would support making the process the same: show up at your local DPS station, all paperwork and certifications in hand, pay your money, have your picture made, get a paper temporary license, and look for the plastic permanent license in the mail in 2-4 weeks.

The cost should not exceed the cost of a DL.

Kevin

[Kalrog]

Just go to a Vermont system (actually a non-system), or an Alaska system where if you want one, ok, but you don't need one unless you are trying to get Non-resident permits in other States...

Works for me! I actually think the Alaska style is the perfect template for all state's CHL laws. I see no reason why getting a license ensures that those who carry are safe. The ones who carry illegally will do so no matter what. Why make it tough for the "legal" ones to defend themselves against those who carry illegally?

Watering the process down "cheapens" the efforts we have done to get the law in place,

Agreed. But what is the end goal? Mine would be full restoration of the 2A. And I would sure feel like I had been hosed in the process if I could get a CHL for next to nothing tomorrow. But I would live with it and enjoy the larger victory over the temporary hard feelings.

Last time I looked, there were about 250,000 people in this state who have this licence...I think thats a good thing...If that number grows appreciably, thats good as well...And we should promote it...But I believe the process should remain in some form or fashion...

Except for that final sentence, I totally agree with this feeling. I would really like to see that number much higher - and the (roughly) $250 barrier to entry fee for a CHL really is a barrier for a lot of folks. Not to mention the 2+ months that it takes to actually see any benefit from your money.

[stevie_d_64]

Except for that final sentence, I totally agree with this feeling. I would really like to see that number much higher - and the (roughly) $250 barrier to entry fee for a CHL really is a barrier for a lot of folks. Not to mention the 2+ months that it takes to actually see any benefit from your money.

What I meant, and I think you'd totally agree...My feeling was that if the process were cheaper "all the way around"...And faster...That we would agree upon...

I still think there should be a vetting process or investigation/background check...That takes $$$ to support...I certainly don't think it takes much $$$ from the rest of us to do this...

But even with all that, we know there have been some "skweekers" get through and cause the program to have some bumps over the last 10 years...

[John R. Fuller]

I agree there must be some process for a liscense to carry publically. This I have no problem with.

I have a problem with this being a one way street. If I in anyway make a mistake as mundane as not putting the picture exactly in the middle of the cute little photo holder, the packet gets sent back to me and is delayed.

I think that the pictures should be made free at the drivers liscense office along with the finger prints. That is another issue with me. Why do they need another set of fingerprints? They did not change in the last four years.

Since you must have an address for the liscense, I am sure the DPS can look me up if there are any further questions.

The other beef I have with the liscense system is the need to carry the liscense everywhere you go armed. Police have an instant check on their computers to verify if I am who I say I am. If not, then those things need to be removed from police cars as being a waste of tax payer money.

I am all for the police having everything they need to do their job, but if it is redundant, then why make an issue over something that may be resolved with a computer data query.

I would also like to see open carry made legal and without permit. Those that do not wish to get a permit could carry, and only those that would feel comfortable socially and tactically to do so, and the 2nd Ammendment would be restored.