DPS doesn't seem to care about the LAW

[Jeffry6789]

well, its been 64 days since I sent in my CHL application. I know, alot of you have waited longer than that. But, its the principle of the thing
I tried calling Austin yesterday, but all I can get is a recording, except finally I did get a voice mail. I left a message, no call back.

I emailed them a week ago, then they told me:

"We did receive your application on 3/7/05; but at this time it is still
going through its regular processing. It takes about 60 days to process,
please give it more time. "

So I waited and emailed them yesterday (the 63rd day) their response was:

Your application is still processing

I dont even get an excuse from them. Just its 'still processing', leave us alone.

This is so frustrating. And I can't get anyone on the phone, and whomever it is answering their email (I dont know who they are, as they don't care to sign their emails) doesn't seem to give a care in the world about me, or the law.

sorry I just need to vent a bit.

[Suckhow]

This is so frustrating. And I can't get anyone on the phone, and whomever it is answering their email (I dont know who they are, as they don't care to sign their emails) doesn't seem to give a care in the world about me, or the law.

Allow me to offer some advice... Count backwards starting today from about 35. When you finally get to zero, it will be close. Until then I recommend against veiled threats against DPS... overt threats get much more attention (but not the kind you want ;))

Until it arrives, I recommend posting here and on packing.org questions you may have, and read up as much as possible to get edumacated. Also, start thinking about what gun to get to commemorate your CHL's arrival. Might I suggest a nice Wilson Combat CQB?

[HighVelocity]

I recommend you just take a deep breath. It will come when it comes. Yes it's slow but worth the wait. Mine took over 80 days.

[Kalrog]

Yes it's slow but worth the wait. Mine took over 80 days.

Mine took quite a bit longer than that, and no errors on the app either. But the point is that while it IS worth the wait, it isn't supposed to happen. The squeaky wheel thing...

This DOES need to be fixed, but threats aren't the way to do it. Call your rep and complain - especially if they are proCCW. Or just call Suzana Hupp.

[Jeffry6789]

where are you guys seeing a threat? I am definitely not trying to threaten anyone. I don't know where you get that?

I just would like to speak with someone in Austin about this, not threaten them. I just want to see what the trouble is, what I need to make my representative aware of, so we can fix this problem.

Also I would appreciate a signature on their emails.


Thanks for the advice suckhow, but I'm already following it ;) I've been a daily visitor to packing.org since I was 17. This is been a long time coming, so I guess a few weeks more wait isn't such a big deal. I just know that no government agency would allow me to pass a deadline without some sort of legal ramifications.

There is at least one state, and I can't remember right off hand which one, that after their time is up, if the license has not yet been issued, they must issue an "emergency temporary license" so just because they are running a little behind, at least the citizen is allowed to carry for his self protection in the mean time. I don't know how well that works for them, or if it would be feasible here in The Great State of Texas, but it would definitely be worth looking into.

And when it does finally get here, we're going out to celebrate, carrying my Firestar .40 in a smartcarry. ;)

[Chris]

well, its been 64 days since I sent in my CHL application. I know, alot of you have waited longer than that. But, its the principle of the thing
I tried calling Austin yesterday, but all I can get is a recording, except finally I did get a voice mail. I left a message, no call back.

I emailed them a week ago, then they told me:

"We did receive your application on 3/7/05; but at this time it is still
going through its regular processing. It takes about 60 days to process,
please give it more time. "

So I waited and emailed them yesterday (the 63rd day) their response was:

Your application is still processing

I dont even get an excuse from them. Just its 'still processing', leave us alone.

This is so frustrating. And I can't get anyone on the phone, and whomever it is answering their email (I dont know who they are, as they don't care to sign their emails) doesn't seem to give a care in the world about me, or the law.

sorry I just need to vent a bit.

if you left them alone, you'd probably get it a day or two sooner. i'm sure you're not the only one calling and emailing about it. just adds to the workload.

[Braden]

Mine took 59 days from the day I mailed in all my "stuff". :D

[dolanp]

I wonder if some people take longer because the DPS has to do more research. Those that have had theirs take awhile: Did you move a lot? Did you have any arrests from years ago that may have had to be checked out?

I am just wondering because I am young and my record is pretty empty (hopefully it will stay that way forever), just one speeding ticket is all. I wonder if having to pore through records sent from various counties adds to the complexity of the situation or anything. Anyways mine took 61 days which was pretty close to the mark.

[Kalrog]

I wonder if some people take longer because the DPS has to do more research. Those that have had theirs take awhile: Did you move a lot? Did you have any arrests from years ago that may have had to be checked out?

Not here. Lived in the same house for 7 years previous, and in the same general area since 1985 - my parents still live in that house.

No arrests. Not even any traffic tickets.

I was in the Air Force, got out in 1996, but that shouldn't require extra research.

I know (based on a phone conversation) that they didn't even START my application until about day 90. It wasn't until I called that my application got moved to the front of the line and began processing.

[dolanp]

Hmm. Well hopefully with the info Charles is collecting we can start to address this problem in the coming years.

[mec]

They are sending out class applications for instructor retraining and explaining some changes in the procedure by complaining about being understaffed. The chl has now become a mature state program with all the differently- competent foofahrah that goes with that status

[SJRTX]

Mine only took about 45 days. My name is not very common though. I think that might have some impact.

[Kalrog]

Mine only took about 45 days. My name is not very common though. I think that might have some impact.

I wish that had some impact. My last name is only used by 6 people in this state right now (8 when my brothers are back in town).

[stevie_d_64]

When I first sent in my complete "package", I took a look at a calander, counted up the number of days...Excluding weekends...And got a target date...I overlayed a 5 working day period before and after that day, and made a mental note of the "window" of opportunity, and forgot about it...

My first permit came in the mail one day before the deadline...Thats all I remember about it...

I don't think we had anything other than the number to call the CHL office to inquire to the status of the package...That first permit I recieved, I did not call or write to ask what the story was...I guess I resdied myself to the fact that it'll get here when it gets here...

I guess these days its easy to say that...This was back in 1997...Back then it may not have taken so long, and the investigative infrastructure was probably well entrenched in procedures...

Those people (at that time, in Austin) are probably long gone...Whats there now, who knows...

I think the real gauge to all of this appearance of delays and problems with completing the investigations and printing of the permits, is in how many "packages" they get in a months time...I'm not sure if that data is available to the public, and if they graph it out for us to see...To me that would be a neat thing to be able to see the trends in the number of "packages" coming in, the date they are entered into the system to the number of permits mailed out per month...

I think it comes down to a predictable cycle these days...There may be better times of the year to other times to mail these things in for either an initial licence, or a renewal...

Personally I think renewals are not hard to process...I think it takes less that two days to get a renewal "investigated", then they got to permit creation/processing, then it goes out the door after that...

My last permit/renewal probably sat for 10 days in the office before it got to someone who actually looked to see if I had been a good boy or not...I took into account the time it took to get to Austin (2 days), the time it took to finally look at the package (10 days), (2 days) to investigate, 1 day to actually create the new permit, and out the door in the mail (2 days...

All in all, 17 days mailbox to mailbox...

Any investigation/background that generates a "flag", those get tossed into the boxes of those investigators who do the "fine tooth comb" searches...Most of the time those get resolved and then it gets back into line with the others that are on their way to making the plastic for you...

I wish there was a system in place to where you could call, get a live person to answer your question, then schedule another time to call the investigator to clear up any "problems" you may have to help them get your licence processed...I think thats fair, and shows good faith on both sides to make sure all the bases are covered...

But thats just my 2 cents...Hopefully, I'll get that adjusted for inflation...

Somebody probably thinks Steve is "over" inflated...

[dws1117]

stevie_d_64, As usual great post.

Your explantion of the process sounds very logical.

You are a blessed soul to possess such patience. Unfortunately most people don't possess the same quality, myself included.

I don't think that the processing time is as much a factor as not knowing anything.

By putting the status check online the volume of calls into Austin should be reduced. It shouldn't be too difficult to have different messages denoting at what stage of processing the application is in. Adding more than just "processing application" would help to reduce the call and e-mail volume.

Obviously DPS can't hold your hand while they are processing the application, but sheesh, they could at least throw you a bone to knaw at while your waiting.

My application took 101 days from mail box to mailbox. I did include weekends and holidays. Heck if I have to work them then they should too, dangit! Now, mine took a long time because of an incomplete application and had to be sent back. Considering that the time wasn't so bad. When I e-mailed to ask the status I received a very nice, professional reply from them. Heck, I even think that whoever respondede included thier name, but I'd have to check on that as I don't recall.

Wayne