TexasCHLforum.com

bayouhazard wrote:It's no sillier than security guards wearing a badge. They're not police either.

Neither are firemen for that matter. Or private dicks. Or bounty hunters. Or.....

I guess my point would be that security guards and firemen wear badges because it is issued to them as part of a uniform. Am not an expert on what authority or powers that PI's or bounty hunters have in Texas, but these individuals are at least professionally licensed to perform certain duties in their line of work that may, in fact, have use for a badge.

The idea of a private citizen walking around with a badge, whether partially or fully concealed, just looks a bit like "playing dressup" to me. I am as new as they come, and don't even have my plastic yet (per my OP), but from everything I have read and heard from sources I trust, there is no aspect of a CHL that affords any special powers, authority, or obligations to license holders. The same laws regarding the use of force (deadly or otherwise) apply to a CHL as any other Joe on the street, or at least that is my understanding.

But hey, aside from being a bit amused, I suppose it doesn't do anyone harm, provided no one is impersonating or misrepresenting somehow. But that's just me....

And back to waiting..... :

Oldgringo wrote:The application used to say 60 days for processing. If that's still so, in addition to practising, you could use the time to shop for a Batman cape, handcuffs and a CHL badge.

Not to hijack my own thread, but do people really get and carry those ridiculous badges? I have seen them for sale, and I hear about them....but never met anyone that would fess up to carrying one around. I'm not really sure I understand the alleged purpose of these things?

Thanks for the input and support! My impatience is a bit tongue in cheek at the moment, but imagine that after the first of the year it will become a bit more real. I have less than 100 rounds through what will be my carry piece, so want to get much more comfortable with it before I start carrying anyways.

The convictions are both Mis-B's, so had been advised that it might take some time. Seems that the "clean record" processing time has been pretty quick recently, so am hoping that it bodes well for my chances of a reasonably quick turn. The good news is that a friend I had spoken to about CHL a few months ago had gotten his plastic during a period where it was taking up to, and sometimes in excess of, 6 months for processing, so I had more or less prepared myself for a long wait anyways.

For now, will use forum therapy, and maybe get some more advanced training and practice.

Thanks!

So....here I am...waiting.

Online application completed on 11/7
Fingerprints on 11/14
CHL class completed on 11/15

So I mailed my packet to DPS on 11/21. It's been nearly 48 hours now!! What is taking so long!!?? :

In all seriousness, not sure how long to expect, so am going to get comfy in here, and try to just try to enjoy my stay in the waiting room. I have a couple of misdemeanors on my permanent record in the principal's office . I included the certified copies of the dispositions from the respective courts, and neither should be a problem in terms of eligibility....but still has me nervous for some reason, and I am expecting this to take forever. Out of my hands now, so am going to try to relax and be patient....which of course means checking the DPS website every day for updates!!!