Waiting Four MONTHS!

[gdw1945tx]

Glad to find this site, but the results I see here only make me more anxious. My first CHL expired in 2000. For reasons I won't go into, I did not renew at that time. I completed my class in November 2009, mailed in my app Nov 13 2009, along with my wifes app. She got her card in about a month. I AM STILL WAITING ON MINE!!!!! There was no delay, or question on my first app.(1997) It was approved in the normal timespan. Nothing has changed since then, not my address, employment, criminal record(there is none), or anything else, except, I'm 10 years older, and not as patient as I once was. I have called twice, and all the clerk can tell me is that it is being processed(I already knew that), and all the background information is not in.
There was only 3 people in my class. My wife, my neighbor, and myself. We all mailed in at the same time. They both received their card in about a month. I have heard a rumor that DPS has made changes to the process which has slowed things down, don't know if that's true, it doesn't seem to have affecte some of the posters here on this site.
I would greatly appreciate any help you folks can offer. Is there any way to find out more info about the delay ? Does anyone have a phone number or contact they would be willing to share ?
Thanks in advance.

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you are having such a rough time, when everyone else seems to be getting applications processed promptly.

A lot of people got results from calling their state representative or senator. I suggest sending a fax, if you can do that. Faxes get more attention that other forms of communication.

- Jim

[joe817]

Hi gdw1945tx, welcome to the forum and glad to have you with us.

Sorry you're having that delay. It's unusual to be sure. In addition to seamusTX's excellent suggestions, have you tried calling them to check on the status? Gosh, I sure would!

[gdw1945tx]

Thanks for the replies,,,yes, I have called twice, but all they can tell me is "we are processing the app, and all the background info is not in yet". What is strange, is the fact that nothing has changed since I had a card.
Thanks again, great website.

[joe817]

Well with 4 months of waiting you certainly ARE justified calling both your State Senator AND State Congressman. Several people did that last summer and it sure speeded up the process for them. Give it a try. It certainly can't hurt.

[gdw1945tx]

FINALLY. Today(Mar.27) the website says "Application Completed - license issued or certificate active".
I called again yesterday, and the clerk said everything was complete, and it was in the process of being issued. I asked what the hold was, but would only say that they were waiting on the " background check". I'll feel much better when I have the plastic in my hand. Thanks for the input from joe817, an seamusTX. I had not contacted my congressman or my "congresswoman" yet, but would have this coming week. I'm glad I did not have to go through the frustation of trying to get to talk to them. Again, good website, hope I can contribute in the future.

[seamusTX]

Congratulations.

I would like to know what the hang-up is in cases like yours, but apparently we'll never know.

- Jim

[gdw1945tx]

The wait is FINALLY over. Got the plastic today(4/2/10). It was a long wait, but I have a friend who had a worse scenario.
Took about six months before they told him there was an omission on one of the forms. He rectified that, waited several more months and called to find out they "have no record of your application". He had to retake the course, no refund, re-apply, and wait several more months. This was right after the presidential election, and there was a run on guns, ammo, CHL cards, and everything else related to self preservation. So , in light of his horror story, I guess I was lucky.

Thanks again to all, great website.

[USA1]

The wait is FINALLY over.

Wow, That was somethin else. I'm glad the saga has finally come to an end.
Congratulations !

[puma guy]

The wait is FINALLY over. Got the plastic today(4/2/10). It was a long wait, but I have a friend who had a worse scenario.
Took about six months before they told him there was an omission on one of the forms. He rectified that, waited several more months and called to find out they "have no record of your application". He had to retake the course, no refund, re-apply, and wait several more months. This was right after the presidential election, and there was a run on guns, ammo, CHL cards, and everything else related to self preservation. So , in light of his horror story, I guess I was lucky.

Thanks again to all, great website.

I waited two days short of six months. I wonder if there will be an overload in five years when all these come up for renewal. I waited just shy of six months after the date on my plastic and got a Pennsylvania CHL.

[seamusTX]

I wonder if there will be an overload in five years when all these come up for renewal.

Partly it depends upon what happens in national politics between now and then. If congress and the administration keep their paws off the second amendment and if some of them quit wishing out loud for new restrictions, probably a lot of the fear, uncertainty, and doubt will fade.

Also, renewals are spaced out more evenly because the license expires on the person's birthday.

I would like know how many people who get a license for the first time renew it, or fail to renew it. I can't figure that out from the statistics that DPS publishes.

- Jim

[puma guy]

I wonder if there will be an overload in five years when all these come up for renewal.

Partly it depends upon what happens in national politics between now and then. If congress and the administration keep their paws off the second amendment and if some of them quit wishing out loud for new restrictions, probably a lot of the fear, uncertainty, and doubt will fade.

Also, renewals are spaced out more evenly because the license expires on the person's birthday.

I would like know how many people who get a license for the first time renew it, or fail to renew it. I can't figure that out from the statistics that DPS publishes.

- Jim

I forgot the license expiration falls on BD. I should have recalled because I got my PA CHL in December for a 6 mo lag of my BD. It would be interesting to know the number of renewals/non-renewals.

[seamusTX]

Also there will not be the "Ike excuse" in 2012 and 2013, unless another disastrous hurricane hits Harris County in one of those years.

- Jim

[Roland]

You mentioned that "nothing had changed" since you last had a CHL, however, that lack of change was just on your end. Consider the possibility that someone with your same name may have been put on a "watch list." This will add a significant amount of time to the background investigation. No way of knowing if this was the case, but, it is certainly a possibility.

Glad you finally got your plastic. I waited almost two months for mine and the day it arrived I slipped on some steps at my mother's house and broke both bones in my lower left leg and dislocated the ankle. You went without the license and I HAVE the license and can't use it!!