"Waiting Room"

[seamusTX]

... establish the average employee time it takes to process an application and assign the proper manpower....

I suspect it's not that simple, for the same reason that nine women cannot have a baby in one month.

If a single DPS employee worked on an application the way that an account prepares a tax return, for example, increasing manpower would speed up the process.

However, much of the hang-up seems to be the county background checks. The Concealed Handgun Licensing Division seems to have no control over that process. It definitely has not been a priority in certain counties, Harris being the worst.

I don't know about the federal background check. On one hand, I've heard that the feds can turn around a background check in several days. On the other, I've heard that CHL applications are low priority for them, also. Both of these reports are rumors.

I think the only tactic that is going to improve this situation is pressuring legislators. They are the ones who determine the DPS budget, and DPS gets less every year, regardless of the number of applications.

People often ask why driver licenses cost so much less than CHLs and are processed so much more quickly. The answer is simple: Most voters have a driver license, and if getting a driver license was as costly and time-consuming as getting a CHL, they would be ringing their representatives' phones off the hook and jamming their offices.

There are fewer than 100,000 CHL applicants every year (including renewals), and they are spread all over the state. They are no representative's constituency.

- Jim

[Allofus123]

I'm not so sure I agree, i think it really is that simple. Hopefully my post didn't come across as this is a "DPS" only issue as clearly other agencies are involved but the solution is to assign the proper manpower to the problem regardless of what department or agency that the shortage is creating the bottle neck.

Totally agree that this is a legislature issue and my post was more about poking fun at how after a year of identifying the issues of the backlog they have been unable, and more likely disinterested, in correcting it. I for one am not impressed with passing the buck. If this issue was a few weeks old or even a few months old I would be much more understanding.

[seamusTX]

I don't know Rep. Driver personally, but I have it on good authority that he is very interested, as well as being among the best friends of the RKBA in the legislature.

The state budget cannot change between legislative sessions. There is some room for reallocating funds, and that was done in this case.

Don't even get me started about how stingy Gov. Perry can be when it comes to spending reserve funds.

CHL processing is not the only area that is suffering under the state's financial management. Parks are understaffed, despite license fees and taxes on sporting goods supposed to be dedicated to TPWD. State prisons are understaffed, and their employees are underpaid.

Sometimes it seems that the only things that are funded generously are roads and the legislators' offices.

- Jim

[Allofus123]

I can agree with a lot of what you are saying but I don't accept it. Yes, money can be reallocatted and if it has been as you indicated then what issues that were brought up as the cause of the delays in that meeting not being addressed? Did they not allocate enough? Was it misallocatted? What are the results after one year of identifying many of the problems for the bottle necking?

I'm not argueing and I hope it doesn't come across as such. I'm a pretty straight forward result oriented type. Lived my 50+ years not making excuses and expect my government to be accountable to me/you/us, their employer. I've seen no accountability. IMO, unacceptable. Even if they would just come out and say "Hey, we realize we have a problem but because we don't have the money to address it for another year or two the problem will become worse sooner than better" at least they're holding themselves accountable. It might not be what we want to hear but I respect honesty much more than passing the buck or pointing fingers.

[Keith B]

Allofus123,

Please check for a PM.

Thanks,
Keith B
Moderator

[Allofus123]

Keith,

Back at ya!

[seamusTX]

...what issues that were brought up as the cause of the delays in that meeting not being addressed?

The one that I know of is slow turnaround in the counties.

I don't know the solution to that. The legislature cannot micromanage DPS. They can only call the director on the carpet and tell him to improve the process.

Did they not allocate enough? Was it misallocatted?

I don't know.

What are the results after one year of identifying many of the problems for the bottle necking?

I never heard indirectly whether DPS reported back to the committee.

I have seen from observing this forum that turnaround is back to around 3 months for applications submitted in January, down from over 6 months for applications submitted about a year ago.

I have also seen some cases where January applicants got their license before people who had submitted applications last year. That is reasonable in cases where there is some complication in a particular application. If it is a general trend, it indicates that DPS is not processing applications on a FIFO basis. That is unfair and IMHO inexcusable.

I think the long-term solution is to allocate all or most of the application fee to the Concealed Handgun Licensing Division. Then they could hire as needed and do whatever else is necessary to issue applications within the statutory time limit. Maybe they could pay performance bonuses, if they do not already.

The only other point that I'm trying to make is that delays are caused by systemic problems, which in turn are caused by the way that the state does business. Some of those problems trace back to the state constitution, which (wisely in most cases) limits the power of the legislature and the executive branch.

- Jim

[Allofus123]

Jim, I'd like to thank you. Way too often these exchanges get out of control and go way off topic. I think its safe to say we agree on some issues and agree to disagree on others. Your thoughts are well formed, delivered, and accountable. What impresses me the most is that you are comfortable enough to answer a question with "I don't know". I respect that and it speaks volumes to me.

Like you, I've noticed through my reading of this forum that some wait times have gotten better but it is far from consistent and for the most part not within the allotted 60 days. I'm torn on how I really feel about that. Its a positive step but..... If I tell my teenager to be home at midnight, she comes in at 1am. The next year after she gets off restriction ( ) I tell her to be home at midnight and she comes home at 12.30am should I be happy?

I suppose I'll go wait in the corner for my 60 days before rattling the cage. I will be asking for answers from my representatives on day 61.

[seamusTX]

Thanks.

What I don't know compared to what I know is like the Atlantic Ocean compared to a fishing hole.

As to your teenager coming home late, it's partly a matter of intent. If she was delayed by a traffic jam or some such event beyond her control, it's different from just blowing off the curfew.

I don't think anyone at DPS intentionally planned to cause these delays. When the 2007 budget was established, the manpower in place was processing most applications in time. No one predicted the increase in applications in 2008. I don't know how anyone could have.

The bottom line is that the system needs to be able to deal with unplanned surges, which it currently cannot.

- Jim

[Allofus123]

As to your teenager coming home late, it's partly a matter of intent. If she was delayed by a traffic jam or some such event beyond her control, it's different from just blowing off the curfew.

LOL, she still will be grounded for a year. OK, maybe not a year, 6 months. Well, maybe not 6 months but 3 months for sure. Ahh hell, who am I kidding, she'll bat those eyes at me and I'm as much a threat to her as a sheep to a wolf.

[jackj87]

Hey guys,

Glad to finally register and be a member after reading it for so long.

I checked my status last night and instead of it saying "processing application" it changed from "From the information you have presented, you may not be eligible for this service..." then checked it right now and went back to "processing application"

Here is the background:
21 year old college senior
Had a public intoxication freshman year, dismissed
Issued a disorderly conduct for fighting a few months later, dismissed for self defense by the DA.

I sent in court copies with my application showing that both were dismissed.

Has anybody run into this problem before, because before I did the application I checked all the laws and made sure it was not adjudicated or deferred in anyway.

Just seeing if anybody had any opinions.

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum.

DPS had a computer virus problem this week. Probably they are still purging it, and their systems are not working normally.

Dismissed charges will not affect your application.

- Jim

[robwimb]

Here is an update on my CHL process !


Harris County

Took CHL Class March 7th 2009

Mailed Application to DPS March 9th 2009

Application received by DPS March 16th 2009

Pin received on March 20th

Processing on April 21st

Application Completed ?

Plastic in hand ?



Waiting Sucks.....................................

[Eddie2612]

This is honestly going to take an eternity.. Im in the mortgage business so.. maybe about the time some of the loans we are locking now start to close or fund I will have my plastic..

[Cajundude]

Yep, still waiting here as well. No problems with app so far, just a bunch of waiting.