Don't think I'd go through the process again.

[LarryH]

Quite a few of the CHL instructors who are members of this forum include the photos, fingerprints and notary as part of the fee for their class. Unfortunately, your neighbors found one of those who doesn't.

The processing delays are affecting everyone the same, so not a differentiating factor. Recently read an article that said one state (don't remember which, but it wasn't Texas) had hired an additional sixty-some employees to deal with the processing backlog.

Regardless, there are too many places besides the home and vehicle that I want to be able to protect myself and my loved ones, so CHL is much better than risking UCW (IMHO).

[dmac]

I'm with you. While I have never had a problem (I did just turn in my renewel stuff, so I may be speaking too soon), I never wanted to get a CHL because I didn't want my prints on file. No, I'm no scumbag, I just like my privacy.

I only succomed to getting it because I had kids. My idea before that was that I would carry regardless. If I got busted...so be it..its only me. After kids I started to think..."wait, if I get busted when they're with me, what happens to them? CPS?" So i bit the bullet and got one. About two months after I got my original CHL they passed the new car law. To be honest, I carry there more often than on my person.

I tell people the same thing...I wouldn't do it again. Of course I renewed because I figured that they already had the prints, so might as well do it again.

+1 for open carry

[LarryH]

The feds have had my fingerprints since before 1968, so that wouldn't be a factor for me.

[WildBill]

The feds have had my fingerprints since before 1968, so that wouldn't be a factor for me.

Mine too, but they must keep losing them. They always want new fingerprint cards.

I think that competition between CHL instructors will eliminate some of the puff horse instructors and those who don't provide one-stop CHL Sevice.

[Rex B]

My CHL instructor was also a no-service class, so I had to do all the prints, photos etc on my own.

I now advise everyone to do only a full-service class - ready to mail at the end of the class.

The above stories make me more determined to get a Utah CHL too.

[wrinkles]

Our instructor gave us the cards but he didn't have anybody to take finger prints, he gave us a warning about our local DPS and finger prints and advised us to go to somewhere else. The class was pretty cheap because of the lack of finger prints. Well I decided to go to our local PD, local PD tells me to go to the jail and have them done and that there was a 5 dollar fee. I went to the jail and asked to have my finger prints taken for my CHL, they said they were very busy and that I would have to wait. Well I sat there for 45 min while the jailers talked about what the had done for the weekend right in font of me not 6 feet away. I got up and told them how much longer they were going to be, so one of the guys, without saying a word motions me to the finger print area and treats my like crap while the takes my finger prints takes my five dollars and shows me out. I then realize that he didn't sign my cards or photos, yes he didn't fill out the fingerprint card, he said I had to do that. So I go back and knock on the door tell him I need the photos and card signed they make me wait another 10 min he then comes over and signs the card and leaves it on the table and walks away with out saying a word. Biggest jerks I've ever dealt with. I sent everything off to Austin, and then had to wait 6 months to get my CHL.

[jorge]

If the story is accurate your neighbors should complain to DPS about the class. Not about the prints and pictures because there's no requirement for instructors to provide those services, but there are requirements for the class curriculum. There are specific things instructors are supposed to teach and it doesn't include stories of his glory days.

[Rex B]

Our instructor gave us the cards but he didn't have anybody to take finger prints, he gave us a warning about our local DPS and finger prints and advised us to go to somewhere else. The class was pretty cheap because of the lack of finger prints. Well I decided to go to our local PD, local PD tells me to go to the jail and have them done and that there was a 5 dollar fee. I went to the jail and asked to have my finger prints taken for my CHL, they said they were very busy and that I would have to wait. Well I sat there for 45 min while the jailers talked about what the had done for the weekend right in font of me not 6 feet away. I got up and told them how much longer they were going to be, so one of the guys, without saying a word motions me to the finger print area and treats my like crap while the takes my finger prints takes my five dollars and shows me out. I then realize that he didn't sign my cards or photos, yes he didn't fill out the fingerprint card, he said I had to do that. So I go back and knock on the door tell him I need the photos and card signed they make me wait another 10 min he then comes over and signs the card and leaves it on the table and walks away with out saying a word. Biggest jerks I've ever dealt with. I sent everything off to Austin, and then had to wait 6 months to get my CHL.

I'd be writing a letter of complaint to the chief of whatever agency that was.

I went by the Keller PD. A couple of very nice ladies fixed me right up for $10.

[PappaGun]

Sorry your experience has been so bad. It's too late to fix that. But for others who are considering a CHL, there are classes (such as the one I took) that include everything and they are not nearly as expensive as the a la carte service. It was $99 all inclusive. So look around. And as others have said, speak up and put the bad instructors out of business!

[stevie_d_64]

Seems to me this begs people to do the research before you sign up for a class...

The question is simple...

Do you (instructor) provide services in your class such as photos, fingerprints and a notory public?

If you cannot get the instructor to provide that, and you are ok with going out and getting all of that done yourself...Go for it...But I would call the agency you want to do the prints first to check on price and a good time to swing by to do that...

I am actually pretty mad that some agency would charge $40 for prints...Considering that money cannot be recouped (regardless of price) if the CHL office rejects the prints for whatever reason...

I believe we are really fortunate to have a large contingient of CHL instructors (who actively participate here) who do a fantastic job of keeping us informed of what new things are going on, and the things they need to deal with, to help us get ready for new licensees and renewals...

This certainly is one of the most valuable things this website provides is the networking when we are ready for those two important procedures...

[CHLSteve]

It really just sounds like your neighbors made a bad choice in CHL courses. Did they even bother to ask anyone for references or referrals? Buyer beware, and they should have done a little homework. I did, and I ended up with Mr. Tom Estep. The class was good, fingerprints, photos, the application and everything else was included. The only thing missing was the money and the stamp!

[03Lightningrocks]

Our instructor gave us the cards but he didn't have anybody to take finger prints, he gave us a warning about our local DPS and finger prints and advised us to go to somewhere else. The class was pretty cheap because of the lack of finger prints. Well I decided to go to our local PD, local PD tells me to go to the jail and have them done and that there was a 5 dollar fee. I went to the jail and asked to have my finger prints taken for my CHL, they said they were very busy and that I would have to wait. Well I sat there for 45 min while the jailers talked about what the had done for the weekend right in font of me not 6 feet away. I got up and told them how much longer they were going to be, so one of the guys, without saying a word motions me to the finger print area and treats my like crap while the takes my finger prints takes my five dollars and shows me out. I then realize that he didn't sign my cards or photos, yes he didn't fill out the fingerprint card, he said I had to do that. So I go back and knock on the door tell him I need the photos and card signed they make me wait another 10 min he then comes over and signs the card and leaves it on the table and walks away with out saying a word. Biggest jerks I've ever dealt with. I sent everything off to Austin, and then had to wait 6 months to get my CHL.

I'd be writing a letter of complaint to the chief of whatever agency that was.

I went by the Keller PD. A couple of very nice ladies fixed me right up for $10.

...that is a horror story!!!

[03Lightningrocks]

I did the full service class to avoid having to chase all over town for fingerprints and photos. The DPS took 110 or so days which seems about average these days.

[jbirds1210]

Wouldn't stop me from carrying a gun--I've carried a gun ever since I was in the service. Carried one in my backpack all throughout college. Learned how to conceal one to a T when I was in law enforcement.

I don't know......a year in jail would really stink.

Jason

[Purplehood]

I lucked out as a complete novice to the concept of CHL, and ended-up taking a full-service course at the Shiloh range here in Houston. Was taught by a Harris County deputy.
I plan on going again come renewal time.