September Applications

[pdubyoo]

That is pretty much the same story I got out of Austin. I could not believe it either. When you talk to the Lt. again please tell him to call me!

Maybe I should start another thread for all the Harris County applicants to list their phone #'s for DPS to call...OK, maybe not.

Since you're in Humble, are you in Rep. Riddle's district? It's her chief of staff that got this rolling for me.

[Guns make me happy]

Yes I have talked to her also. She seems like a nice lady. Also get a call from Dan Patrick's office today. Maybe with both of them calling it might get something done. I do not know maybe the thread might work, but I say everyone from Harris co. send the DPS a e-mail on the same day. Power in number perhaps?

[jeremya]

Looks like I am outta here... Checked the website this morning: "Application Completed - license issued or certificate active"

Class Attended: 9/28/08
Application Sent: 9/29/08 via certified mail.
Application Received: 9/30/08
PIN Received: 10/9/08
Application Completed: 12/03/08
------------------------------------------
Total Time: 64 Days

-- Jeremy

[pdubyoo]

Gotta call this morning first thing from the Highwat Patrol Leut. (DPS) here in Harris County that I talked to earlier in the week. He spoke with the Trooper that processes the Harris County BC's, and mine was "qualified" yesterday afternoon. What a coincidence! The BC paperwork goes to Austin today for final approval and issuing of the plastic. It will be interesting to watch how long it takes from county BC clearance to an update on the website to receiving the license in the mail. Of course, I'll keep you posted.

The Leut. I spoke with was true to his word and was very helpful, to the point that he asked me to call him back if I had any other questions. I plan on calling him and thanking him again after I receive my license. He was also inquisitive about this forum...of course I mentioned it to him in conversation. He said that he's interested in checking it out. I suggested that he gets involved...there are always questions that can be answered from someone on the inside of the system.

My takeaways from this experience so far...
- No matter how frustrated or even angry you may get from this process...Always be courteous and polite in your dealings with DPS and your political representatives...just express your feelings in a mature and professional manner. What's the saying, you can attract more bees with honey than vinegar.
- Be diligent in your follow-up. Most people mean well when they tell you that they will "get right back to you", but don't always follow through. Suggest a date and time that they will respond to you...it's a concrete commitment at that point.
- Enjoy the ride. There is a ton of great information on this forum (and great people)...learn while you wait.

Now...I wonder if the website has been updated yet...

[wackjum]

Congrats pdubyoo. And thanks for keeping us all updated.

Unfortunately, contacting DPS directly doesn't seem to help.

My friend and I sent them a very polite email requesting information. This was their response:

"We do not have that information. Unfortunantly there is no way to expidite this process. At this point we do not have an estimated time of completion."

So I guess without a rep helping out, you don't get personal service.

Well, I'll be in the June room. But again, congrats and thanks on getting us info.

[CainA]

pdubyoo

I took the class a few days before you and promptly submitted my paperwork, Austin had it Sept 2 or 3. I'm still processing even with letter to Gov. and Reps. We'll see how long mine takes.

-Cain

[TxDrifter]

So I decided to email about the status of my CHL yesterday and politely asked about the status of my application.

This is the message I sent them:

I am writing to check on the status of my CHL Application. It has currently been more than 60 days and the website still reads Processing Application. There was a delay early on because my DD-214 did not have the Honorable Discharge visible in the copy I sent in, I believe. Could you please update me on the status with something more tangible than "Processing Application".

This is the response I received in less than about two hours:

At this time we are awaiting the completion of the background investigation. Due to Hurricane Ike, some of the background investigations are taking longer than normal. We do not have an estimated time of completion at this juncture. Thank you for your continued patience

I did not realize that Grimes County was affected by this as well, or has this now become their "canned" response to everyone?

[Morgan]

Did any of your previous residences exist in Harris or Brazoria county?

[Keith B]

I did not realize that Grimes County was affected by this as well, or has this now become their "canned" response to everyone?

If you only listed Grimes county as your last 5 years of residence or employment, I wouldn't think it should affect it. However, just remember if you have other counties listed that might have been impacted or that the person doing the background checks is in, then it is possible. I know one guy that had listed eight different counties on his app. This was before the backlog, but it still took him right at 60 days to get his license issued.

Or another possibility is that the person who does the background checks from your county was sent to the affected area to work during that time. There was another post that the DPS officer in Harris county was out for 5 or 6 weeks doing other duties during the hurricane.

NOTE: Morgan kinda beat me to it with a one liner! LOL

[pdubyoo]

If you heard someone screaming like a little girl earlier this morning in North Houston, it was probably me.

Application Completed - license issued or certificate active !!!! Yeah baby! Time for the dancing bananas!

and a few of these guys...whatever they are...

I'm pulling for all the other pre-Ike'rs!! Come on mailman.

-pdubyoo

[Morgan]

3 months...Harris county.. that's cool!

[jeremya]

pdubyoo Congrats!!!

-- Jeremy

[pdubyoo]

pdubyoo Congrats!!!

-- Jeremy

You too jeremya!! Are you standing by the mailbox?

-pdubyoo

[jeremya]

pdubyoo Congrats!!!

-- Jeremy

You too jeremya!! Are you standing by the mailbox?

-pdubyoo

You bet I am! Of course my wife ordered my holster as my Christmas gift so I will either need to wait till then or go buy a cheap IWB holster. I am lean towards buying a cheap IWB holster, but I think I will have to ask her first as to avoid any arguments.

Crossing my fingers that it will be in the mailbox when I get home.

-- Jeremy

[jeremya]

The wait is officially over..! Plastic in hand!

Hopefully the wait will be over for ya'll soon as well.

-- Jeremy