Concealed Weapons Applications Surge

[Mithras61]

Concealed Weapons Applications Surge
DPS: 48,000 Applications Received From January To May

POSTED: Sunday, June 14, 2009
UPDATED: 12:05 pm CDT June 14, 2009

AMARILLO, Texas -- State officials are asking people seeking concealed weapons licenses to be patient.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said a surge of applications has created a backlog and stretched processing times from 90 days to 16 weeks in some cases.

DPS received about 48,600 applications from January to May, compared to 62,000 during all of last year, the Amarillo Globe-News reported Saturday.

I see this as a good news-bad news situation. The good news is more upright citizens are carrying. The bad news is it is taking longer than ever to get the paperwork processed.

to the first.

to the second.

I just wish DPS could ramp up to handle the increase, but since they have a two-year budget, I guess that just isn't going to happen.

[timdsmith72]

I can't find a link to the story right now, but I saw on the news last night a story that quoted these numbers and stated that the DPS had just hired more people to the CHL department to deal with the increase in applications.

[Mithras61]

The story I linked to says the same at the end, but the ramp-up should have long since been in progress (applications from as far back as early last year have been delayed and late, and that was attributed to a surge then as well).

DPS has a some flexibility in staffing, and part of the problem has been localities not placing any priority on completing background checks, so places like Harris County can delay applications as well, and when that's combined with an increase in workload and no additional staffing, we end up in a situation like we have now. It appears to this layman looking at things from outside the system that DPS has been resistant to making any staffing or processing changes that would streamline the process. The fact that it takes up to 30 days for them to even start working on a received application seems to me to be a significant part of the problem.

No private business would allow customers to wait increasing times even in the face of complaints because of a "staffing shortage." They'd hire more people and deal with the flow. Instead, we have met with resistance to doing any of the things that would help (except for actions by the legislature to help with the limitation on who can do the check).

Anyway, I'm sure DPS is doing what they can within the limits of their budget. I am mostly just happy to see the increase in permit applications.

[timdsmith72]

Doh!!! Must need more coffee. I didn't even see the link you posted. Sorry.

[shootthesheet]

It seems a lot of states are backlogged because of the surge in demand. It is just something we must live with when any government is involved or in charge of anything.

I think it is great that we have so many people interested in going thru all we must and paying so much money to get some dim reflection of their rights back. This is one more example, to me, why unlicensed open carry would have helped everyone. I am sure many of those that have applied would have gladly not done so if they knew they would be able to exercise a right over this bought privilege. Though, CHL does have a set place with out-of-state travel and would continue to thrive but without the backlog.

We see a continuing fear from coming federal legislation that is hostile to self defense and gun related rights. More that that I think much of this demand, from guns to CHLs, are a way for the majority of freedom minded Americans to have their voices heard in support of our rights thru their wallets. The money that has been spent by people, in a time of economic hardship, is a clear clue to all government servants to not allow the radicals in charge to further infringe on our 2A rights. As well the so called "moderates" should view this increased demand as a warning that they too will be seen as responsible if they support any further law that rob Americans of their rights.

It is time Second Amendment "True Believers" help educate the new gun owners and CHL holders why it is important to write those letters, make the calls and donate the time and money necessary to not only defeat any hostile legislation before it gets started but improve our laws to restore our rights. I am an Idealist and expect much from my servants. I only think the way I do because I measure every elected servant by those that founded this country. They, to me, are the minimum standard. We are in charge and it is time we get off our back-sides to help insure our progeny have more rights recognized then we do today.

[joe817]

shootthesheet, and I think a lot of us feel the same.

[FlynJay]

I find it funny that the current "surge" is just about the same as the one last year. From what I can tell there average time to process an app for the last year is ~90 days.

They are handling this incorrectly if they are treating it as a "surge". Which would be a temporary increase in applications, where there is pretty good evidence that this is a fairly permanent increase in workload.

[CJATE]

.... the DPS had just hired more people to the CHL department to deal with the increase in applications.

See job creation!
Oboma's the man!



[/sarcasum]

[WarHawk-AVG]

When people realized the guy says one thing and then does the EXACT OPPOSITE...yah...you get the picture!

[DrBillC]

The "surge" may be telling us other things as well, in particular a growing concern about the breakdown of society. That could happen if the current economic situation continues to decline or if we have one or more terrorist attacks (excuse me, "man-made disasters") in metropolitan areas. If one reads about the events in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, one sees a need for more personal protection.

[JJVP]

Concealed Weapons Applications Surge
DPS: 48,000 Applications Received From January To May

POSTED: Sunday, June 14, 2009
UPDATED: 12:05 pm CDT June 14, 2009

AMARILLO, Texas -- State officials are asking people seeking concealed weapons licenses to be patient.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said a surge of applications has created a backlog and stretched processing times from 90 days to 16 weeks in some cases.

DPS received about 48,600 applications from January to May, compared to 62,000 during all of last year, the Amarillo Globe-News reported Saturday.

I see this as a good news-bad news situation. The good news is more upright citizens are carrying. The bad news is it is taking longer than ever to get the paperwork processed.

to the first.

to the second.

I just wish DPS could ramp up to handle the increase, but since they have a two-year budget, I guess that just isn't going to happen.

I wish it was 16 weeks. I'm on week 20 and nothing.

[KFP]

DPS officials quoted they are receiving approximately 10,000 applications per month. This means that our numbers are growing rapidly across the state, with the same type of increase being seen across the nation.

Apparently FBI and ATF have requested updates on the surge in applications from each state. I was disappointed to hear that our % increase in applications was dwarfed by one state - Kentucky. I'm trying to come up with a good excuse for us, so I think I'm going to go with the theory that we were quicker to "see the light" than those in KY. Anyway, I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the oval office when Obama is briefed on the impact that he has had on the gun industry.

[USA1]

I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the oval office when Obama is briefed on the impact that he has had on the gun industry.

you and me both

[Texas Solo]

The "surge" may be telling us other things as well, in particular a growing concern about the breakdown of society. That could happen if the current economic situation continues to decline or if we have one or more terrorist attacks (excuse me, "man-made disasters") in metropolitan areas. If one reads about the events in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, one sees a need for more personal protection.

This hits the nail on the head

The possible "breakdown of society", bank failures and even an all out depression is why I got my CHL. Crime has always been on the rise, but this current situation is what got me up off my butt to start carrying.

[Shorts]

DPS officials quoted they are receiving approximately 10,000 applications per month. This means that our numbers are growing rapidly across the state, with the same type of increase being seen across the nation.

Apparently FBI and ATF have requested updates on the surge in applications from each state. I was disappointed to hear that our % increase in applications was dwarfed by one state - Kentucky. I'm trying to come up with a good excuse for us, so I think I'm going to go with the theory that we were quicker to "see the light" than those in KY. Anyway, I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the oval office when Obama is briefed on the impact that he has had on the gun industry.

KY = application fee of $60.


Might go a long way there.