Thursday, May 08, 2008

Good News in Texas

I have heard talk, on the gun boards and from acquaintances, about a decline in CHL applications in Texas because the Motorist Protection Act allows all law abiding Texans to have a concealed handgun in their vehicles.

This news article dispels that myth.

From the Star Telegram:




AUSTIN -- Texans are applying for concealed handgun licenses at a rate nearly 40 percent higher than a year ago, causing a backlog in new applications and permit renewals, according to a newspaper report.

The Houston Chronicle reported in its Thursday editions that state officials can't explain the surge in applications, while handgun instructors point to factors ranging from the looming presidential election to newly strengthened privacy laws for Texas gun owners.

The state is taking a month longer than the 60 days allowed by law to process original applications, the newspaper reported. Renewals are going 80 days past the mandated 45-day period.

"We're trying really hard, but there have been delays because of the tremendous increase in applications," said Tela Mange, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman.

Last week alone, the state reported processing 1,043 original applications but receiving 1,871 requests.
Now that is cool. A Texan who takes the time and effort to get a CHL is also a Texan who will take the time and effort to vote. A voting block with hard numbers is very hard to ignore in Austin.

Why the increase? The article mentions the new Texas CHL privacy law and the upcoming elections as factors. I would submit the increase in violent crime has more to do with a persons decision to carry a firearm than who might become President.

I have had a small role to play in three of those applications, and I can attest to the delay.

This is a good trend, and it can get better. The more folks who have a CHL, the more who know someone with a CHL. The more folks who know someone with a CHL, the more who will want to get one of their own...

The Stars/Red Wings game is starting. Gotta go.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is believing that DPS is actually issuing the licenses at 90 days. I have read (on the TX CHL forum) that it has been almost 180 for a elderly woman and she has yet to receive her license.

I want to know why they only have a few people working in that office. They charge $140 per license. Where is all the money going?

I believe they are taking this long to discourage others from obtaining their licenses. I had a friend tell me he was not going to get a license if it takes 90 days.

Anonymous said...

it took me and my wife 65 days from check cashed date to received in the mail date. i contacted them twice and their response was they were waiting on our background checks. so it takes the exact same time for 2 totally different people's background checks? we recevied both on the same day. totally understaffed. but i must admit, they did respond promptly.