TexasCHLforum.com

I have always wondered why Texas doesn't recognize a military DD214 as handgun training as do several other states. I know there is more to the training class than firearm training, but that could be a online class (test). I guess I'm just a cheap guy and live in the sticks away from any close training classes. I know the DD214 gets you a discount on the license. I do have Florida CCL which is recognized by Texas, but will get a Texas CHL when time permits to get to San Antonio for a class. Guess I'm just looking for opinions and comments about recognizing the DD214 as training.

The DD-214 does not guarantee that you have ever even seen a gun, much less shot one.

Even though you may have trained in boot camp to shoot on a range, the State requirement is currently to re certify every 5 years (except for 3rd renewal). And that is with a handgun, not an AR. The training is mostly about the current/new laws that may have been implemented within the last five years. There is very little actual training with the firearm. Mostly safety and then you fire the required course of fire.

Even if you were a Certified Firearms Instructor on your DD-214, it most likely would not be within the last five years. And if it did not specify HANDGUN, it would still mean nothing to TXDPS.

Finally, the DD-214 is not what the Texas CHL application REQUIRES.
If you want it changed, petition your Legislator.

Perhaps the OP meant the Firearms Qualification Badges that are shown on the DD214. If one qualifies with a pistol in the military, the DD214 is proof of training and qualification.

G26ster wrote:Perhaps the OP meant the Firearms Qualification Badges that are shown on the DD214. If one qualifies with a pistol in the military, the DD214 is proof of training and qualification.

Only problem is it doesn't show the date. Could have taken received it twenty years before or the day before getting out.

EXACTLY!

jmorris wrote:

G26ster wrote:Perhaps the OP meant the Firearms Qualification Badges that are shown on the DD214. If one qualifies with a pistol in the military, the DD214 is proof of training and qualification.

Only problem is it doesn't show the date. Could have taken received it twenty years before or the day before getting out.

Ok, ya got me. But, that would not be true in all cases.

The Texas CHL licensing requirement for re certify every five years (except for 3rd renewal) IS true in ALL cases.

AEA wrote:The DD-214 does not guarantee that you have ever even seen a gun, much less shot one.

Even though you may have trained in boot camp to shoot on a range, the State requirement is currently to re certify every 5 years (except for 3rd renewal). And that is with a handgun, not an AR. The training is mostly about the current/new laws that may have been implemented within the last five years. There is very little actual training with the firearm. Mostly safety and then you fire the required course of fire.

Even if you were a Certified Firearms Instructor on your DD-214, it most likely would not be within the last five years. And if it did not specify HANDGUN, it would still mean nothing to TXDPS.

Finally, the DD-214 is not what the Texas CHL application REQUIRES.
If you want it changed, petition your Legislator.

Didn't mean to get your dander up--sorry, I've just always wondered why, I know what the TEXAS CHL REQUIRES.

And yes my DD214 shows Firearm badges and yes I have shot firearms in places I don't like to remember.

The shooting is the easiest part of the class and, for many, the most fun.

apostate wrote:The shooting is the easiest part of the class and, for many, the most fun.

I agree, the requirement for qualification is really much to easy.

AEA wrote:EXACTLY!

We can't hear you!!! Can you shout a little louder?

AEA wrote:The Texas CHL licensing requirement for re certify every five years (except for 3rd renewal) IS true in ALL cases.

Hypothetical:

Joe enters the Army on Jan 2, 2008
Joe is discharged on Jan 1, 2011
Joe's DD214 shows he qualified in "Pistol" and was awarded that badge
Joe applies for his TX CHL in Feb 2011
Joe's qualification must have occurred in past 5 years.

I would think the DD214 is sufficient evidence to satisfy GC 411.1881

Just MHO

jocat54 wrote:

AEA wrote:The DD-214 does not guarantee that you have ever even seen a gun, much less shot one.

Even though you may have trained in boot camp to shoot on a range, the State requirement is currently to re certify every 5 years (except for 3rd renewal). And that is with a handgun, not an AR. The training is mostly about the current/new laws that may have been implemented within the last five years. There is very little actual training with the firearm. Mostly safety and then you fire the required course of fire.

Even if you were a Certified Firearms Instructor on your DD-214, it most likely would not be within the last five years. And if it did not specify HANDGUN, it would still mean nothing to TXDPS.

Finally, the DD-214 is not what the Texas CHL application REQUIRES.
If you want it changed, petition your Legislator.

Didn't mean to get your dander up--sorry, I've just always wondered why, I know what the TEXAS CHL REQUIRES.

And yes my DD214 shows Firearm badges and yes I have shot firearms in places I don't like to remember.

You didn't get my dander up. I simply answered your questions the best I could.

And, thanks for your service!

G26ster wrote:I would think the DD214 is sufficient evidence to satisfy GC 411.1881

This is an interesting section of the code. The law forbids DPS from making a veteran take the shooting portion of the class if he can prove he has taken a handgun proficiency course within the past five years. It requires the DPS to develop a rule to prove this. Note that this is not an exemption from the whole class, just from the weapons proficiency part. It also only applies to proof of familiarization or proficiency with pistols.

I really had not been that familiar with this law, so I read it and then went and checked the TAC to read the DPS rules on CHL. There is no such rule developed yet.

I would think a DD214 or a military training certificate would be enough to meet the law also. It might be good for someone from the VA ot TSRA to talk with DPS about this. On a side note, the DD214 does count with another state agency. TCLEOSE recognizes it as training for a police licensee. If your DD214 shows MP school and two years of work as an MP, you are treated exactly the same as an officer coming in from another state - just a three week class on Texas laws and courts, then the certification test.

I believe the total class time (new license) still has to be a minum of 10 hours, even for someone who gets to skip the shooting portion.