DPS Call Center Worthless/Useless

[The_Vigilante]

After contacting the DPS Call Center on numerous occasions I have come to the conclusion (as I am sure many of you have) that it is worthless and a waste of taxpayer money. Basically all they can tell you is what you can see for yourself when you check your status online. Then of course they remind you that they are backlogged up the yingyang and that your application might now take 120-150 days. They are in a separate building from where the applications are actually processed and have no idea what is going on over in the "other" building. They are given the propaganda line and repeat it every chance they get. For those of you who haven't received your PIN you really aren't missing anything. If you want to know what is going on with your application either fax a letter to Jan Coffey or write her an email. If you don't get an answer right away, then write another one until you do. Be proactive regarding your application. Don't be afraid to write letters to your State Rep, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, Rick Perry, or Jan Coffey especially if you have already been waiting a long time-90 days +.

[Charles L. Cotton]

How is thing going to help? I understand your frustration, but I also noted that 33 of your 35 posts deal with DPS processing delays. Please understand that the easiest way to solve the delay problem is to change the statute from 60/45 days to 120 to 180 days. If everyone in state government from Governor Perry down gets covered up with letters and calls about something that can't be fixed until 2009, then we run the very real risk of having the processing time increased. It's the fastest and cheapest fix, but not the one we want.

As I've said many times before, things are in the works now.

Chas.

[The_Vigilante]

Charles,

I understand where you are coming from. However I just can't stand by and let the DPS sit on my application and get to it at their leisure. I would like to get my license sometime before 2009 rolls around. If I let things be and let the DPS take the natural course of action I might be the next Oldmrsgringo (sp). For those of us who are waiting now, 2009 and beyond seems a long way off and of course there are no "guarantees" on what the Texas Legislature is actually going to do despite all of your lobbying efforts. Hopefully the DPS will get past this backlog, get caught up, and then stay on top of things in the future. What peeves me most about the backlog is the appearance of complete disorganization within the Bureau. It appears that they don't know what they are doing. Applications in May getting processed before those submitted in March or April. Very hap-hazard and completely unfair to those who have been waiting for who knows how long. Yes, I am frustrated along with a lot of others here in the Waiting Room. Are we supposed to just sit around and let the DPS "handle" things? What do you suggest to those of us who have been waiting 90+ days do? Wait another 90 days and hope for the best? I realize I am taking the unpopular "selfish and short-sighted" approach in opposition to your long-range goals for the Bureau in 2009. However I am not a young man anymore and would like to have the opportunity to actually carry for a few years before I leave. Right now the Bureau is standing in the way of those dreams. I had one person in the CHL Call Center tell me I was probably looking at another 60 days to get my license due to the backlog. Let's see, 90 day + another 60 days is 150 days or 5 months. This is unacceptable and approaching Oldmrsgringo status. I won't go down without a fight!!!

[Charles L. Cotton]

I don't expect you to do nothing; that's not what I recommend to people who call me about delays. You certainly should call and email DPS to get them moving on your application. I think there's something to the squeaky wheel concept. The only concern I have is getting the Governor and others involved.

In all candor, the problem is big enough and so many people are involved now, we should be able to get some significant improvements in 2009. I wish I could say more, but I just can't.

Again, you should complain to DPS, I'm just concerned about getting others involved.

Chas.

[The_Vigilante]

Charles,

When will you be able to say more? I will back down on getting the Governor, Lt. Governor, and State Reps involved. However, to those of you waiting don't hesitate to email or write Jan Coffey if you think you are getting a "raw deal"!!!

[kman458]

I called dps today and each time I was given the same no answers I would say thank you and call back till I finally got someone that transfered me to Simone and was given some info about the status of my app. I agree with Charles that getting the Governor and reps involved might not be the best thing to do. That might not do anything other than make the change less than what is really needed for us and all about what dps might want like longer time frames on issuing licenses.

[XDpackinBob]

Here's my take on this (be it long winded) .... But first.

(This is NOT legal Advise, just reference to Data and opinion only. Any use is at the readers own risk.)

Now with that out of the way.


TITLE 37 PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS
PART 1 TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
CHAPTER 6 LICENSE TO CARRY HANDGUNS
SUBCHAPTER B ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
RULE §6.17 Application Review and Background Investigation


From what I read in the above referenced section of the statute (please correct me if you think I'm wrong..thanks), If the application is incomplete your timer has not started yet, once you have been given notice of an error or incomplete application you have 90 day to submit a complete and correct application or you may extend another 90 days, after no response to the first 90 or the end of the 180 total if extended another 90 days, the application will be closed. you will have to start all over.

Now once the DPS has your complete, error free application, then the 60 day timer starts and from what I read they have 60 days to approve or deny an application that has no problems in the checks (red flags) like same name hits and the like. These have to be looked at and they have 180 days to do this, if they do not issue or deny the application 30 days after the 180 days, (210 days) it is a denial... but in most cases they can take as per the statute 210 days because most applications will have some kind of field investigation aside from the norm just due to same name hits and this is what is putting them in a pinch, once the process starts on an application each one is different and take its own time as per what is needed to complete the investigations required for that application.

Applications must be passed on to the background investigation stage no later than 30 days after they receive the complete application (once they have it, they have 30 days to check it for errors/missing DATA, enter it into the system and then send it on).

I assume, that most applications will have some sort of extra investigation work needed and the stipulation of up to 180 day applies. Most are falling in the middle 100 120 90 yet I have seen some this week and last that were 70 and 60+ days to have the plastic being printed.

Those applications that seem to be getting passed up in the system by others are more than likely bogged down in the red tape of the incomplete or/and investigation stages. Calling DPS after the application is in the background stage is not going to be of much help, for the person at DPS on the phone really has no way of knowing what stage an application is in once it is out of there hands in the field/FBI investigation stage, I feel this to be the reason for the seemingly canned replies to questions, It's the best answer they can give at that time with out going (I/WE DONT KNOW) and is why one persons reply is not the same as anothers, to me this means (we dont have it back yet).

Every body seems to be getting there plastic so there not much reason to fret, I myself expect to have to wait a bit longer for mine, I have a No Billed arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, their going to have to investigate this in-depth and not just except the certified copies of the documents I sent with the application from the clerk and DA of the arresting county. Its a trip to that county for them. But I expect to get my plastic once there done. Heck my prints and/or photos may come back needing to be re-submitted, Who knows. Iv already had to have them correct an error in my name I caught when they sent the PIN letter..

Well thats my take on it. Good or Bad, Happy or Sad....

...

[HKUSP45]

I don't know if you guys know this or not but DPS has a serious problem going on with keeping their troopers on the payroll.
There was an article written a couple of weeks ago about most troopers wanting to retire because of low morale and being overworked. Its getting so bad that there's a vacancy of about 200 positions and only about 100 candidates available. No one wants to become a trooper anymore like in the past sad to say.
And now when the overwhelming task of processing the flooding of CHL applications, it has got DPS in another bind.
We have to remember that not only does the department deal with the entire state of Texas highways but also the driver's license departments and the processing of the CHL's.
I don't want to get into an argument of politics but now that we may have a democratic president it may change our lives as how we may buy, sell guns and ammunition. Hence, more applications for CHL'S in Texas than ever before.
I know how most would be frustrated with the long time it takes to receive your license but we must be patient with our troopers and their civilian employees. And be glad that we are in a state which gives us the right to bear arms.
I for one will apply for my renewal early next year well before my license expires.

[anygunanywhere]

Use your Texas CHL paperwork to obtain another state's license immediately when you complete the class. I used mine to obtain a Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. All are good here in Texas. This should be a sticky on this forum.

There are a lot of smart, dedicated pro-2A people working on this problem. Charles has stated numerous times that the repairs will take time.

I often wonder how much faster licenses would be issued if the office was not inundated with calls/emails.

Anygunanywhere

[SOJ]

I am worried about some of you guys, I hope you can find a way to calm down and relax. If your old enough, you could have got this license anytime over the last 10 or 12 years or longer. Now it seems if you have to wait a few more days, weeks, months, etc. it's just not acceptable. It will be okay, you'll get your license eventually. Relax, go fishing, go play golf, forget the DPS call center, one day you'll get back home from the lake or the golf course and in that stack of mail on the table will be your CHL. Live a long peaceful life.

[pedalman]

It will be okay, you'll get your license eventually. Relax, go fishing, go play golf, forget the DPS call center...

Or, go shooting.

[The_Vigilante]

Interesting to note most all of the forum members advocating the "don't rock the boat approach" already have their licenses in hand.

[kman458]

Sorry but I waited 16 weeks to call for the first time and then I only thought about calling because I saw people send their apps in 4 to 6 weeks after us that have already been issued their license. If someone had actually given me an answer other than 1) I don't have anything to tell you. 2) I don't know 3) no one knows 4) theres no way for me to know that then I would then have stopped with one call. If someone would have just said that they were finishing up the background checks and everything looks ok and that they would issue me a license in the next couple of weeks I would have gone away happy. Seems to me they bring some of the grief on them selves with the non answers they give and yes I also understand that some of the people on the phones are temps and do not have access to all the info but they really should have people on the phones that can answer the questions being asked. That is why instead of getting mad at them I would say thanks and hang up and call back to see if I could get someone to answer my questions.

[pedalman]

Interesting to note most all of the forum members advocating the "don't rock the boat approach" already have their licenses in hand.

I still firmly believe (in my case) that I got my license quicker than others because:

1. I am a veteran with an honorable discharge
2. I have never been arrested in my life
3. I have lived in the same home since 1989
4. I have worked for the same employer for the past eight years
5. My packet was scrutinized 1000 times, making sure that every "i" was dotted, and every "t" was crossed before the envelope was even sealed
6. I followed Chas' advice of putting a sticky note with my application number on each document that did not have that number on it

In other words, I did everything in my power to eliminate any questions about my paperwork. I also had an easy background check, since I am so boringly stable.

Luck? I seriously doubt it.

[anygunanywhere]

Interesting to note most all of the forum members advocating the "don't rock the boat approach" already have their licenses in hand.

Some truth to that.

There is also some truth in the fact that people submitting applications now with the current wait and backlog knowing that the wait will more than likely exceed 100-120 days are also pitching tantrums, flooding DPS with calls and emails expecting it to shorten the wait when individuals working at the state level are cautioning against extreme measures.

I offered an alternative in suggesting other states' licenses which are acceptable in Texas.

Anygunanywhere