FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is this I hear about not having to RENEW for the third time?
What states currently have official reciprocity with Texas?
*Colorado will honor a TX CHL only if carried by a TEXAS RESIDENT.
*Kansas will honor a TX CHL only if carried by a TEXAS RESIDENT.
*Michigan will honor a TX CHL only if carried by a TEXAS RESIDENT.
Please see the DPS web site for further information and unilateral agreements:
www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/reciprocity.htm
If I have a Texas Concealed Handgun License and I am traveling to another state that Texas has official reciprocity with, which state's laws prevail?
If unlicensed and traveling with a handgun in your possession, are you unlawfully carrying?
Is the San Antonio City Ordinance, which states you may not carry a loaded long gun (rifle/shotgun) while in the city limits, negated by a concealed handgun license?
What type of gun should I qualify with?
Do I have to register the gun I qualify with?
I received my full application package from DPS a long time ago, but did not take the class. Is this package still good?
Do I have to be an expert shot?
What happens during the class?
Is there a test and is it hard?
What is and how long does the entire process take to obtain a license?
Why is the class so long?
Do I need to own a gun to get a license?
What is the course of fire?
I had a DWI conviction 8 years ago, can I still get a license?
My friend and I are going to attend the class together. Do we each need a gun?
Is there a senior citizens discount?
Will I need a Texas Driver's License?
Based on a newly enacted law, anyone who has RENEWED TWO
(2) TIMES since receiving his/her original license, they will NOT be required to take the renewal class for 10 years!! This is very confusing
so to try and make it easier to understand, it means that:
1)you took your original class and received your original license for your 1st license;
2)RENEWED your 1st (original) license (appx 4 years later) for your 2nd license;
3)RENEWED your 1st RENEWAL license again (this would be approximately 5 years after your 1st renewal) for your 3rd license;
and,
4)now you're ready to RENEW for the 3rd time = for your 4th license
You are still required to renew with DPS 6 months prior to the expiration date of your 2nd RENEWAL license (getting ready to get your 3rd RENEWAL), or within 1 year after the expiration date of the license, however you do not need to take the class or qualify at the range. You will need a new fingerprint card, new pictures, new notarized pages along with the appropriate fee.
Please be advised that DPS will NOT inform you if you are on your 3rd or 4th license. If you are not sure, you will need to call DPS at 1-800-224-5744 for assistance and clarification.
1)you took your original class and received your original license for your 1st license;
2)RENEWED your 1st (original) license (appx 4 years later) for your 2nd license;
3)RENEWED your 1st RENEWAL license again (this would be approximately 5 years after your 1st renewal) for your 3rd license;
and,
4)now you're ready to RENEW for the 3rd time = for your 4th license
You are still required to renew with DPS 6 months prior to the expiration date of your 2nd RENEWAL license (getting ready to get your 3rd RENEWAL), or within 1 year after the expiration date of the license, however you do not need to take the class or qualify at the range. You will need a new fingerprint card, new pictures, new notarized pages along with the appropriate fee.
Please be advised that DPS will NOT inform you if you are on your 3rd or 4th license. If you are not sure, you will need to call DPS at 1-800-224-5744 for assistance and clarification.
What states currently have official reciprocity with Texas?
|
Alabama
|
Alaska
|
Arizona
|
Arkansas
|
*Colorado
|
|
Delaware
|
Florida
|
Georgia
|
Idaho
|
Indiana
|
|
*Kansas
|
Kentucky
|
Louisiana
|
*Michigan
|
Mississippi
|
|
Missouri
|
Montana
|
New Mexico
|
North Carolina
|
North Dakota
|
|
Oklahoma
|
Pennsylvania
|
South Carolina
|
South Dakota
|
Tennessee
|
|
Utah
|
Virginia
|
Wyoming
|
*Kansas will honor a TX CHL only if carried by a TEXAS RESIDENT.
*Michigan will honor a TX CHL only if carried by a TEXAS RESIDENT.
Please see the DPS web site for further information and unilateral agreements:
www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/reciprocity.htm
If I have a Texas Concealed Handgun License and I am traveling to another state that Texas has official reciprocity with, which state's laws prevail?
The state you are visiting.
If unlicensed and traveling with a handgun in your possession, are you unlawfully carrying?
No, but you must leave your weapon in your car.
Is the San Antonio City Ordinance, which states you may not carry a loaded long gun (rifle/shotgun) while in the city limits, negated by a concealed handgun license?
No, the Texas Concealed Handgun law does not address long guns.
What type of gun should I qualify with?
Normally, you want to qualify with a semi-automatic, 32
caliber or up. By qualifying with a semi automatic, you can carry either a
semi automatic or a revolver, both of any caliber.
Do I have to register the gun I qualify with?
Absolutely not. The Texas Concealed Handgun law is not intended to cause the registration of handgun.
I received my full application package from DPS a long time ago, but did not take the class. Is this package still good?
Yes. At the present time, all application forms are good regardless of when they were
received.
Do I have to be an expert shot?
No. There are many people who take the course who have had very little experience with marksmanship. The designed course of fire for qualification is very easy. I do suggest you should be familiar with your gun of choice and should fire some practice rounds
before attending the class.
What happens during the class?
The class consists of a curriculum developed by
the Texas Department of Public Safety. It consists of certain elements
which are addressed during class. These include Dispute Resolution, Force
range safety, basic marksmanship, and range qualification.
Is there a test and is it hard?
Yes, there is a written test, but no, it is not
hard. There is no reason for anybody to not pass. All questions are
discussed during class.
What is and how long does the entire process take to obtain a license?
After attending the mandatory class and once DPS receives your completed application package, your license is generally issued within 60 days.
Why is the class so long?
The Texas Concealed Handgun law mandates the class has to be a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 15 hours. This includes range time.
Do I need to own a gun to get a license?
No, in the event you are waiting to purchase a gun, you may rent one of my semi automatics to qualify.
What is the course of fire?
The course of fire is designed by DPS as follows: 20 rounds from the 3 yard line, 20 rounds from the 7 yard line and 10 rounds from the 15 yard line. Each of these are broken up
into different phases of timed fire.
I had a DWI conviction 8 years ago, can I still get a license?
Yes. An applicant cannot have a Class C, B or A misdemeanor conviction within the last 5 years of application date, however, 2 convictions for DWI within the last 10 year period is a disqualifying reason.
My friend and I are going to attend the class together. Do we each need a gun?
No. As the course of fire is designed to shoot only 15 shooters at a time in a succession of relays, your friend and yourself could fire the same weapon at different
times on different relays.
Is there a senior citizens discount?
Yes, if you are 60 years of age or older when the application
is received by DPS, the state fee is $70.00 instead of the usual $140.00.
Because of what my class offers, I do not offer a senior citizen discount
even though I could qualify for one myself.
Will I need a Texas Driver's License?
No, you may now use an out-of-state driver's license, or a Texas State ID Card, to obtain a Texas CHL.