Finally did it

[BlakeTyner]

First of all, hi everyone! I'm yet another person pointed over here from GT.

Well, as the subject line suggests, I finally took the CHL class today. I was going to do it when I turned 21, but never did get around to it. 4 years later, here I am. If anyone is looking to take the class in NE Texas, Green's Gun Shop in Marshall offers a wonderful class.

My father was a serious outdoorsman, but I don't recall ever shooting pistols (except black powder) so I was worried about the range test. I shot a 244. Instructor advised us to "throw one out" so as not to have perfect scores. Truthfully, I don't know if it was me or the fact that the Walther P99 is such an easy gun to hit the target with!

I've been looking at posts here and noticed a lot of folks who had their fingerprints bounce. I'm worried about mine, as I seem to be difficult to print. We tried three times and took the best cards, but my swirls certainly aren't as noticable as the other fellows I saw.

At any rate, I'll be sending the packet off on Monday. I'll let y'all know what happens and how long it takes for the card to get here.

Later,
Blake

[dws1117]

Congrats on taking the first step into a much larger world.

Don't worry about the finger printing. Everyting will work out just fine.

BTW, welcome to the forum! There are many knowlegable folks here with very few egos.

If you haven't already, take some time and look through some of the old posts, there have been some great tips and advice.

[couzin]

Aw right - somebody else from behind the pine curtain...

There is almost always a hiccup in processing - roll with it and don't get mad at the DPS folks. Causes bad karma...

[Charles L. Cotton]

Welcome Blake. You'll have a PM from me welcoming you as well, but I just wanted to jump in and advise you to send your application by FedEx, or Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. I think it's a mistake not to have proof when DPS received your packet.

Also, take time to make sure you have everything done correctly. Double check the DPS checklist. It seems a common mistake is not to sign the back of the photograph.

Regards,
Chas.

[couzin]

Just a cautionary tale. When I applied for my CHL I was requested for additional information about 60 days after submitting the initial package. I got the information together (took another 30 days to obtain from state archives), had them notarized as requested, and sent the original document as requested to the person that had signed the letter to me. I sent it Fedex. It was delivered the next day according to the online Fedex tracking and I was able to even 'see' online who signed for it (not the same person as the letter signer). Two months later I got the same letter requesting the same information. This time I started calling and finally got the person handling my application. She informed me that they had never gotten the requested information and that it was impossible to tell who had signed for it (I still had the original copy of the sender/recipient information but I did not print out the signature of the person accepting it). Fedex said they couldn't help beyond confirming that the package was delivered. What made me a little upset was that I had sent original court certified documents with notary signatures and they were now lost somewhere in DPS. I had made copies but they really are never as clear as originals. Thankfully, the DPS person was willing to accept the copies of the originals - and off they went - also Fedex with signature required. I called about five days after I saw that the package had arrived. Yep - you guessed it - they were also lost. The DPS contact was willing at that point to accept a faxed copy, which I sent, and I also send the same copies in snail mail. All in all - it took almost six months to get my CHL. But it wasn't for a lack of tryin...and it all ended well.

[longtooth]

I lived there for 3 yrs in Pine Harbor while in school at Marshal. Good hunting there around the lake. Stay safe & welcome aboard.

[cxm]

Along these lines at the DPS instructor class yesterday, the Licensing people made some suggestions that made sense.

1. Both fingerprinter AND student should sign the back of both photos. This will prevent problems if the photos are mixed up etc.

2. In additon to 1. above, also write the application number from the application form on each photo... that way if it should get seperated from the application they won't have to ask for new photo, but rather will be able to get the photo and the application back together.
3. Also said to be careful to ensure the face/shoulders fill the picture.

FWIW

Chuck

Welcome Blake. You'll have a PM from me welcoming you as well, but I just wanted to jump in and advise you to send your application by FedEx, or Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. I think it's a mistake not to have proof when DPS received your packet.

Also, take time to make sure you have everything done correctly. Double check the DPS checklist. It seems a common mistake is not to sign the back of the photograph.

Regards,
Chas.

[BlakeTyner]

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice. I did send the package off certified mail w/ return receipt, and I'd gone over it several times to make sure all the t's were crossed and i's were dotted. My instructor and his wife both went over the paperwork with a fine tooth comb, and the signatures (including the photos) were in place. I'm placing fingerprint reject odds at about 80/20. Although, I've heard of people who had smudged prints accepted right off the bat. We'll see.

Since I'm a very small-framed guy, I placed an order yesterday for a SmartCarry holster for the P99. I have a Fobus, but even with an overshirt there's just too much printing. I imagine it's either SmartCarry or ankle when you're 6'0" and 150.

Anyway, thanks again y'all. This board has mucho good advice.

Blake

[txinvestigator]

Instructor advised us to "throw one out" so as not to have perfect scores.

I always wondered why some people advise others to do that. All that DPS receives from the instructor is Pass or Fail. The instructor is not required to even keep your actual score. It seems silly to me.

But Blake, welcome to the forums, congrats for passing your test, and keep us advised on the progress of your application.

[BlakeTyner]

txinvestigator,

The reasoning the instructor gave was that even though the state only has my "Pass/Fail" score, he'll still have the scorecards on file. In the event that I'm involved in a shooting, he could be called to testify.

Since juries are comprised of everyday people, most of whom only know guns from TV or the movies, he thought it would be better if he could say that I did NOT have a perfect score. If I did, there might be a like of thinking like "well, if he's a perfect shot, why didn't he just shoot the gun out of the guy's hand?" Stupid reasoning, I know, but I also have encountered people who think that's what shooters train for.

Although it's an unlikely situation, I saw some logic in it. Besides, I don't mind missing a shot...I tend not to be that much of a perfectionist (likewise, I don't have a perfect 4.0 in school!)

At any rate, I think I was one of only two to throw out a shot, but like I say, I can see the logic in his thinking. He's a career cop and has been to a lot of depos.

Thanks for the welcome!

[TraCoun]

txinvestigator,

The reasoning the instructor gave was that even though the state only has my "Pass/Fail" score, he'll still have the scorecards on file. In the event that I'm involved in a shooting, he could be called to testify.

BlakeTyner,
Let me add my welcome to the Forum. The more people we have join us the wider world we draw from, and the more complete information we get ... and the more we can help.

IMHO - I think I would use another CHL instructor next time. It used to be the Instructors had to keep track of the scores, and I believe they reported them. They went to the pass/fail because no matter what your score might be, it can be used in a twisting way by someone. By keeping scores on hand when he doesn't have to, that instructor is inviting the problems he thinks he is avoiding. Those who would twist a perfect score to use against you would not see much difference between perfect and one point down.

Thanx,
TraCoun

[cxm]

Why would the instructor keep the score cards?

The TR100 is sufficient evidence for the files.


FWIW

Chuck

txinvestigator,

The reasoning the instructor gave was that even though the state only has my "Pass/Fail" score, he'll still have the scorecards on file. In the event that I'm involved in a shooting, he could be called to testify.

Since juries are comprised of everyday people, most of whom only know guns from TV or the movies, he thought it would be better if he could say that I did NOT have a perfect score. If I did, there might be a like of thinking like "well, if he's a perfect shot, why didn't he just shoot the gun out of the guy's hand?" Stupid reasoning, I know, but I also have encountered people who think that's what shooters train for.

Although it's an unlikely situation, I saw some logic in it. Besides, I don't mind missing a shot...I tend not to be that much of a perfectionist (likewise, I don't have a perfect 4.0 in school!)

At any rate, I think I was one of only two to throw out a shot, but like I say, I can see the logic in his thinking. He's a career cop and has been to a lot of depos.

Thanks for the welcome!

[Bubba]

I just did the renewal course a few weeks ago and there was NO score card. Only the pass / fail indication on the paperwork.
Gues ah made nuff holes in the target to pass :)

[ElGato]

If I remember right, in the begining we were required to keep the pre-test score, the final test score and the shooting score ( the shooting score had to be certified by the Instructor, the Student and a third Person ) for five years. Some time in that first year they contacted us and told us not to keep those records anymore and to destroy the one's we had.
Even though we had those scores at first, the TR 100 has always just shown passed.

I think that the first CHL shooting in Dallas had something to do with not keeping the score records.

Tomcat

[BlakeTyner]

Well, all things being equal, I think when I get the license I'll call and request that my scoresheet be destroyed. I kind of regret not bringing the target home; it was some of my best handgun shooting to date.

Also, my packet was delivered to Austin this morning, so now the hurry up and wait period really begins.