25 year old Class C. Problem?

[bodiddy]

I was arrested for a Class C in 1987. Problem? Does it need to be reported?

Small town, no record.

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum.

No class C misdemeanor arrest or conviction is a problem after 25 years. If you were arrested (not just cited), report the arrest on your CHL application. Get a letter for the clerk of the court in the county where the arrest occurred, saying that they have no record of it.

These old misdemeanor arrests tend to vanish into history, but you never know what might turn up in a background check.

- Jim

[bodiddy]

Thanks Jim. A few years ago I purchased a new gun. It was purchased, registered, etc all legally.

They logged in to the State to receive verification. Would something have come up at that point if there was an issue?

Is it safe to say if you can buy a gun, have it registered, that you can carry and get a CHL?

[seamusTX]

No class C misdemeanor will cause problems with the federal NICS check. The only misdemeanors that can prevent you from buying a firearm are domestic assault, and they would be class A or the equivalent in another state.

Is it safe to say if you can buy a gun, have it registered, that you can carry and get a CHL?

No. You could have been convicted of misdemeanor theft or drunk driving yesterday and still legally buy a firearm. The standards for getting a CHL are much stricter. You are barred from getting a CHL for at least five years for any class A or B misdemeanor, and other circumstances such as seeking mental health or drug abuse treatment also can get in the way of a CHL.

You have nothing to worry about. Probably half of male applicants have some old misdemeanor arrest. DPS is quite used to dealing with the situation.

- Jim