New CHL numbers out

[mec]

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... ummary.PDF

It appears that, for the first time, there is a substantial downward trend in active licenses.

[SRVA]

I think it is a shame that in this great State, there are only a quarter of a million people who have taken advantage to this opportunity. When I talk to anyone about a CHL, it tell them it is not so much about carrying a firearm as it is another expression of the political strength of gun owners. The more CHL holders, the greater influence we have.

[Paladin]

1% of the population isn't enough. It's 3% in some counties, but i think we should have closer to 10%.

If a violent criminal had a ~10% chance of encountering an armed victim, they're career wouldn't last long.

Unfortunately with the cost of a CHL as high as it is, I don't see us getting to 10%.

I know a lot of people who would get a CHL if it was easier and cheaper to do.

[Charles L. Cotton]

SRVA & Paladin:

I could not agree more. The process needs to be made easier and cheaper. The 5 year renewal will help some, with an effective reduction of 25% of the license fee, but that's only part of the equation. That still leaves a fee of $140 for something over four years, but less than five years, and a 10 hour class for the initial license. This is no deterrent for folks who participate in boards such as this, but for the gun-owner who isn't even an NRA member, these can be real stumbling blocks.

This has given me an idea for another "sticky" and the first poll on this forum. I would like to know what are the primary reasons people don't get a CHL. I know there is a perception that there are more places you can't carry than can, but this is erroneous. However, I suspect the 10 hour initial course and the $140 initial fee are the prime suspects. We could use this information in developing the TSRA Legislative Agenda for the next session. (With the school funding being the 800 # gorilla this year, we can’t expand this year’s agenda.)

Marc and I are NRA instructors and we have talked about teaching a series of courses such as the NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Basic Personal Protection, and ending with a CHL course. (Neither of us are CHL instructors, so someone would have to come in for that one.) I think this is a good progression for many people, but the turnout for NRA courses, although good, is not of the number that will make a big difference in the overall CHL population.

Let's put our heads together and come up with a project to promote CHL. Also, please try to talk to some people who don’t have CHL’s and let’s get some hard information, not merely our opinions.

Thanks,
Chas.

[Paladin]

I've contacted a number of people I know. I'll let you know what I hear back.

Another idea is that if we had the figures on states where a high percentage of residents have a CHL, we could look at the differences in CHL requirements in those states. Just a thought.


In getting my CHL, I thought one of the bigger hassles was having to request an application directly from the DPS, before I took my CHL class.

I know you can get the application after, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Seems like it would be easier for folks to get an application from their CHL instructor when they take their class.

[dolanp]

Seems like it would be easier for folks to get an application from their CHL instructor when they take their class.

Almost everyone in my CHL class got the packet from the instructor in the class. I was one of the only ones who had gotten it beforehand.

I do think the fees are probably the major deterrent for most people. Also, I'll bet a lot of people don't know the CHL program even exists. Or if they do, they probably don't think it's worth the money because the perceived risk is so low. As we all know, though, you can never predict whether you'll be a victim.

[Paladin]

Almost everyone in my CHL class got the packet from the instructor in the class. I was one of the only ones who had gotten it beforehand.

Ya learn something new every day. When I got my CHL, I had heard that you should get the application first. And when I signed up for my class, the first thing they asked me was whether or not I had an application. I thought I remembered at least one person in my class not having an application during the class.

The all-inclusive classes are definitely the way to go. I'd hate to have to get all that stuff together on my own.

[BobCat]

Charles,

Many people have no idea how to go about it. I've had people who are familiar with guns, hunt regularly, and "ought" to know, ask me how to go about getting a CHL.

I refer them to the DPS web site - but there ought to be a simple, printed page that gun stores etc. would give out, that explains the steps - like: get the application packet, find/take a class, send in the forms, and so on.

Finding a class can be non-trivial. I looked long and hard last year when my renewal was due. Packing.org has listings for various states but most of the instructors they list are in Dallas, not Houston.

In my opinion, information about the steps, and access to classes, are more important than the $140 cost.

Regards,
Andrew

[Charles L. Cotton]

Andrew:

That's a good point; I've added that to the poll questions. Now that would be one of the easier problems to address. I think I'll put a "To Do" list in this section that we can refer people to, as well as developing a flyer to leave at gun stores.

Thanks for the idea,
Chas.

[SRVA]

What would be wrong with a "public service" type of message that lets people know the CHL is available, what it takes to get one, and why people should get one?

Charles, I have started talking to people and will continue to report. Looks like there are catagories like:

Don't own guns - Not interested
Own Guns - not interested
Own Guns - interested but not than much
Own guns, love shooting, can't imagine not having a CHL

Our old enemy of apathy still seems to be strong.

[Charles L. Cotton]

What would be wrong with a "public service" type of message that lets people know the CHL is available, what it takes to get one, and why people should get one?

I wish we could get some TV and radio stations to do it, but I suspect we'll have little success. I will contact KSEV (700 AM) in Houston to see if they'll do it. The station is owned by Dan Patrick, a conservative, Christian, gun-owner who is working hard on property tax reform legislation. This is probably our best chance. Perhaps the local papers will also help.

Chas.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I've been thinking about Andrew's comments concerning many people simply not knowing how to go about getting a CHL. I think he makes a very good point, so I've been tossing this idea around all day.

We could start a CHL mentor program to help shepherd people through the process. I don't mean simply helping them get their applications and find a class, though that would be a part of the program. I would like to see a group of volunteers that could help a new shooter, or perhaps even a non-gun owner, get basic firearm training, help them select a pistol that fits their needs and capabilities, take them to the range periodically and of course, get them through the actual CHL licensing scheme.

How about it guys/gals, what do you think?
Chas.

[SRVA]

Charles, Donna's entire point in the "woman's" program she is starting next month is to encourage women to learn about guns, learn about personal protection and then help them through their CCW program. Not sure of all the details yet, but it is being finalized now and she has a trial program set to go with the college next month.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Let me know if I can help. I think this dove-tails well with what we've talked about after the Tyler kidnaping and murder.

Chas.

[BobCat]

Charles,

Sometimes it takes a simple, linear, point-by-point explanation to make things clear. If I were starting from scratch, it is not clear that I would be able to figure out exactly how to go about getting my CHL.

What happened was, a friend asked me if I wanted to go through the CHL process with him. I agreed, but if he had not instigated it and found the instructor, I'm not sure I would have muddled through on my own.

Many people think that a person has to be some sort of specially-trained super-shooter to qualify for a CHL, and many don't have any idea that such a licence is even available at all.

I would like to see a simple one-page handbill that basically says:
1) As a Texas citizen, you can get a concealed handgun license if you are not a felon (with an asterisk and small print about all the restrictions).
2) These are the steps to take: etc.

Anyway, I support your idea of a mentoring program, but a simple information program might be a start.

Regards,
Andrew

PS I did not get the CHL with the idea of actually carrying, although I do carry my CZ75B wherever / whenever it is legal.

I originally wanted the CHL to pre-empt Brady, before the so-called NICS went into effect. Havng grown up near Chicago, where there was a 3 or 5 day waiting period, the freedom to go to the gun store and walk out with my pistol right away was intoxicating. Having that freedom infringed by the Brady bill motivated me to get the "good-guy" card.

Regards,
Andrew