Moving to Texas

[FormerTSgt]

Hey all, I'll be moving to Texas, Austin to be precise, next month from Georgia.

I was hoping I could ask a few questions as I am a Georgia Firearms License holder here and would like to apply for my Texas CHL upon arrival. A few things I am curious about:

1. Even veterans who can prove firearms proficiency have to take a state certified course, correct?

2. Is there a minimum amount of time I have to live in Texas before I can apply? Like do I have to be a resident for 30, 60, or 90 days etc.

3. I will be staying with a friend while I look for an apartment so am I correct in assuming I must wait until I have my own physical address before I can apply?

Thanks in advance and I look forward to being a member of this forum having come from georgiapacking.org

[Oldgringo]

http://www.handgunlaw.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is a little info to look over while you're waiting for Santa. Good luck!

[C-dub]

Come on over. Too bad about Austin, though, one of the most liberal cities in Texas.

1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes, I think.

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service. There are a lot of vets here and folks currently serving.

[FormerTSgt]

Thanks! I gave that a quick scan and will read it in depth tomorrow.

Oh and may I also ask what the general turnaround time is after you've done all the required tasks and submitted your paperwork? Weeks? Months?

[Teamless]

Oh and may I also ask what the general turnaround time is after you've done all the required tasks and submitted your paperwork? Weeks?

normally 30-40 days total

[C-dub]

Thanks! I gave that a quick scan and will read it in depth tomorrow.

Oh and may I also ask what the general turnaround time is after you've done all the required tasks and submitted your paperwork? Weeks? Months?

The general TAT I think is around 5-6 weeks. I'm not sure if the time of year will make it any longer or not. There might be some that are given a certificate for the class as a Christmas present or that might be looking for a class because of a new handgun received as a present. Hopefully, one of the instructors will be along soon to inform both of us about the any delays due to the time of year.

[Oldgringo]

Oh and may I also ask what the general turnaround time is after you've done all the required tasks and submitted your paperwork? Weeks?

normally 30-40 days total

We took, submitted, etc., etc. on the same dates. My wife's original CH license was 160 calendar days, my original came in the specified 60 days. Our renewals were 45 calendar days.

YMMV...

More info here.

[apostate]

The class covers Texas law and I don't believe there's any way to place out of the classroom portion and written test. If you don't want to wait, you can apply as a nonresident now and later change your address when you establish a domicile in Texas.

Feliz Navidad y bienvenido a Tejas.

[MasterOfNone]

1. You must take the class. However, if you can provide evidence of pistol qualification as part of your service in the last five years, then you do not have to take the shooting test. However, that's not much consolation. Because the training must be 10 hours including the shooting test, skipping the test means more classroom time.

2. No.

3. You can apply while living with your friend, but you would have to get (and pay for) a duplicate license when you move.

[FormerTSgt]

It is my understanding, and please correct me if I am wrong, that a non-resident Arizona (and Florida non-resident) permit IS accepted in Texas. I've noticed many of my fellow Georgians are getting these as well as Florida non-resident permits in addition to their Georgia licenses because of additional states honored by these permits. In both cases, copies of my Honorable Discharge DD-214 would suffice as formal training whereas Texas does not recognize my DD-214 (even though I was USAF Security Forces for 14 years and carried daily lol) as formal training. I think I may go this route (use my Georgia License while I wait to become a resident, then get an Arizona once I am established since an Arizona permit takes two weeks turnaround time) for the cross over time between getting an apartment in Texas and going through all the longer requirements that state of Texas seems to have. Of course, I will familiarize myself with the Texas laws in depth before my move.

Thanks again for all the help!

[apostate]

Texas does not recognize my DD-214 (even though I was USAF Security Forces for 14 years and carried daily lol) as formal training.

What knowledge of the Texas Penal Code did that impart? That's the meat of the Texas class, IMHO.

[LabRat]

Hey FormerTSgt, give the Texas DPS a call before you take any classes.

A guy and his wife, that I bowl with, have Florida resident licenses that don't expire till 2015 or something like that.

He called DPS and they said no need to change the license or take the Texas Class till their Florida license was about to expire.

Not sure when yours expires from Georgia and not sure if the same conditions apply to you, but a call to DPS might give you some better information on what you need to take.

Hopefully, you'll be able to cruise on your GA license till a renewal is required.

Just a suggestion.

LabRat

[FormerTSgt]

Texas does not recognize my DD-214 (even though I was USAF Security Forces for 14 years and carried daily lol) as formal training.

What knowledge of the Texas Penal Code did that impart? That's the meat of the Texas class, IMHO.

Fair enough, I stand corrected.

[FormerTSgt]

Hey FormerTSgt, give the Texas DPS a call before you take any classes.

A guy and his wife, that I bowl with, have Florida resident licenses that don't expire till 2015 or something like that.

He called DPS and they said no need to change the license or take the Texas Class till their Florida license was about to expire.

Not sure when yours expires from Georgia and not sure if the same conditions apply to you, but a call to DPS might give you some better information on what you need to take.

Hopefully, you'll be able to cruise on your GA license till a renewal is required.

Just a suggestion.

LabRat

Excellent suggestion! My GA permit expires in 2017 so I'll make that call and find out. Thanks!

[OldCannon]

Hey FormerTSgt, give the Texas DPS a call before you take any classes.

A guy and his wife, that I bowl with, have Florida resident licenses that don't expire till 2015 or something like that.

He called DPS and they said no need to change the license or take the Texas Class till their Florida license was about to expire.

Not sure when yours expires from Georgia and not sure if the same conditions apply to you, but a call to DPS might give you some better information on what you need to take.

Hopefully, you'll be able to cruise on your GA license till a renewal is required.

Just a suggestion.

LabRat

Excellent suggestion! My GA permit expires in 2017 so I'll make that call and find out. Thanks!

Take the time to understand some of the benefits of having a Texas CHL in the process. There are some situations where a Texas CHL covers you in places that an out-of-state CHL doesn't (IIRC, picking up your child from school is one of them, but those with more grasp of the Texas Penal code can clarify). In addition, a Texas CHL will simplify firearms purchases by making a background check optional when purchasing firearms (some big box stores run background checks regardless of CHL status).