TexasCHLforum.com

I have thought that one way we could ensure that the 60 day limit is met is to shift the burden of proof of DENYING a permit onto the state, instead of putting the burden of proof of eligibility on the applicant. In other words, if after 60 days DPS cannot find any reason (except in the case of missing paperwork/incomplete application) to deny the application, then they MUST issue the permit.

mr.72 wrote:when I bought my gun last month they did a background check in 5 minutes. That is not what's causing the delay.

What's causing the delay is that it's a government office with no accountability. There is no incentive for efficiency.

A 16 year old kid can go take a driving test and walk out with a temporary license that same day. There is absolutely no reason the same time frame should not be expected for a CHL. I complete my training and qualification, and I hand the paperwork across the counter... there is no reason they should not issue me a temporary license within 10 minutes right across the counter. It's the same agency.

The background checks are more indepth if I am not mistaken, and you do have to go through the FBI background check, and they run your fingerprints I assume. That definitely should take more time than the instant background check done to purchase a gun.

I agree that all this paperwork does nothing except inconvenience the law abiding citizen, and I would like nothing more than to be able to do what you just said, especially after waiting this long. But it is what it is.

rob02262008 wrote:Plus you would think there would be some sort of FIFO system to the process.

I actually suggested that to my state representative, that maybe DPS should install a better tracking system, so that they can monitor which ones came in first, and therefore spend more time on those. I think a good system would be one in which a few people do nothing but enter in received applications, noting date of arrival at DPS, then they would go into a queue based upon date of receipt to undergo further processing. I know that they probably have little control over the background checks and which order they get those back, but after getting them back you could easily re-sort based upon original receipt date and prioritize that way.

But then again maybe they already do that, who knows.

lws380 wrote:I got my CHL 1-2 years ago. But reading these post make me upset with the process. So I emailed Gov Perry and asked that he try to get this fixed. I encourage you to do the same.

In addition to writing Gov. Perry, I also wrote to State Sen. Shapiro and State Rep Madden, both of whom represent my district. These are the responses I received from Gov. Perry's office and Rep. Madden's office, respectively:

Dear Mr. Huang:
Thank you for taking the time to contact the Office of the Governor.
I am asking Colonel Thomas Davis, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, for his
staff’s assistance in reviewing and responding both to you and this office on the information
shared.
Please let us know whenever we may be of service in the future.
Sincerely,
Dede Keith
Constituent Communication Division
Office of the Governor

Mr. Huang, the backlog at DPS is real, and while they desire to deliver on the customary deadline of 60 days for processing a CHL, operationally, they are overwhelmed. I am conveying your inquiry to the Legislative Liaison for DPS which can possibly inquire on Rep. Madden's behalf to see if there is any unexpected delay owing to mistakes or errors in the paperwork, and I will relay to you any developments as they unfold. Thank you for helping keep Rep. Madden in office, being his primary win was definitely a squeaker.

Mark Hey
Legislative Aide to Rep. Jerry Madden

I made a clear mention in my letter to Rep. Madden that I voted for him in the last primary elections, and that his stance on RKBA and high rating by the NRA played a large role in that. Anyways, I'm not sure how helpful writing my representatives will be with speeding up my individual application, but if it gets some changes started for future CHL applicants then it is something worthwhile to do.