TexasCHLforum.com

Evening everyone. I've just moved from Melbourne, Florida for a job at Meacham International Airport. I do have my Concealed Weapons Florida License, which is reciprocal with Texas, and from what I've understood, will be honored once I get my address for my apartment (close to the Joint Reserve Air Base off I-1820), I can get my license changed to non resident of Florida and get a new one sent to me where on it, it states that I'm a non resident of Florida. The only thing is that it may not have my Texas address on it (I know they stopped putting the addresses on the Florida residents' licenses a couple months ago). Is it still best to obtain my carry license for Texas as well? I understand that it's imperative that I read up on the Texas gun laws since they're different from Florida.

So far my experience with firearms is mostly handguns and rifles/carbines.

My chosen carry is a Spyderco Endura on my right pocket, S&W M&P9 in an owb custom holster made by Little Bear Holsters. Occasionally the choice changes to my compact Kimber Ultra Carry II in .45acp in a owb holster also by Little Bear Custom Holsters.

The training I've received is from fire arms trainers and instructors in Daytona Beach, FL with instruction on threat focused/sightless shooting. One class that I took there was 2 days worth and 1300 rnds down range for myself.

Anyways, that's about it. Just moving in, settling into the DFW area and to start my new job this coming Monday.

Kev

Welcome to Texas.

If staying, I would consider getting the Texas CHL. If things go wrong just a little less to explain and a better feeling that the arresting officer will not have to think as much. While still legal I would have a better feeling of confidence with a local license.

I carried on a FL license in TX for quite some time before getting my TX license this year. Other than KNOWING TX law, there's only a handful of non-critical (IMO) reasons for getting your TX license...

1. There are several states that offer reciprocity, but exclude non-resident licenses. For example, Colorado. CO will honor both FL and TX licenses, but your CC license has to match your drivers license address (or at least the State, in the case of a FL license with no street address [this is news to me as my FL license has my TX address] )... I got my TX license primarily because I started traveling to CO more often.

2. Gun free school zone act - According to Wiki, who has published a letter (links below) from BATF, it is a Federal crime to carry a gun in a "school zone". You get an exemption if you carry a license from the state in which the school zone is located. Your FL license would exempt you only in FL, not in TX.
Page 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?tit ... pdf&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Page 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?tit ... pdf&page=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's been much assumption that TX LEO's would not enforce the statements made in this letter. The two arguments that have been made are 1. that the Federal law would only be brought to bear against a person committing some other "primary" crime (assault, for example), as an add-on charge and 2. that TX LEO's will only enforce TX laws and would either not be familiar with or not be responsible for enforcing federal law, but, it's a risk.

I'm sure some other folks will be along shortly with a few more reasons...

NOTE: I am not a lawyer. I don't even pretend to be one on TV. This is not legal advice, just my opinion.

Thanks for the help guys.

Also, I've posted on the floridaconcealedcarry.com forum and have met some great people there and trainers, so I'm looking forward to meeting who I can here as well and train with them.

Kev