Would you have been willing to pay more for faster service?

[johnson0317]

Well, they didn't have this newfangled online filing when I got mine, but I put extra stamps on so the mailman would walk faster

lol. I put an extra stamp on also since I did not want to take the chance that it was .00001/th of an ounce over which might cause it to be put into some underpostage incinerator. Funny how all of a sudden most of us can get really anal about something.

[Jumping Frog]

As my wait is about to end I was thinking if the state gave you-the option for quicker service would most people pay.
I think in my case I would have easily have given an extra 40.00 to speed my wait up.
From reading I know a lot of us pay extra to have delivery confirmation on our paper work.

How much would you have paid for quick service?

I think I'd be more interested in paying $50 total for the license and getting it in 24 hours. But that isn't happening in Texas . . .

[Rex B]

The fees are already much too high to exercise a constitutional right.
I'd be OK with a big reduction coupled with an optional fast-track surcharge.

[djjoshuad]

all arguments about the "constitutional right" issue aside, I'll buck the trend and say that I *would* pay more. I would also hope that should such an option ever become available, it's done in a fair way. For instance, the extra money goes towards overnight fees for paperwork, etc. Or maybe it goes towards hiring another person to help process... it would depend heavily on where the bottlenecks are.

On the other hand, I would also like to think that the state is currently processing applications as fast as is humanly possible, and there there are no potential gains from a "fast lane". Given the current state of technology... I cannot explain why it takes as long as it currently does. It makes me think that the process is somewhat broken and it couldn't go any faster even if we did pay for it.

[prothos]

Yea its strange i can go to the airport. get finger printed have and fbi backgroung check done and have access to customs in less than a day. and it takes them 2 months just input information.

[E.Marquez]

Id be willing to pay less, or none to be "allowed" continued use of my 2nd amendment rights without governmental interference.
I would not be willing to give the state even more money to misspend, abuse for what already amounts to a TAX on my ability to realize my constitutional rights.

[djjoshuad]

that's a different discussion for a different thread. I'm not disagreeing, just saying please take it elsewhere

[E.Marquez]

that's a different discussion for a different thread. I'm not disagreeing, just saying please take it elsewhere

OK

The question at hand then

Re: Would you have been willing to pay more for faster service?

NO

[djjoshuad]

well played ;)

I have a counter-question for this thread... would you be willing to contribute to a fund that sponsors an AUDIT of the DPS, attempting to find out what is taking so stinkin long? Not that I have the ability or desire to set up such a fund... but I'd send in $20 to help make that happen. Today's technology makes this possible in a nearly instant fashion. I think it should take a week, tops, from receipt of materials to license manufacturing. Hell, even THAT part shouldn't take as long as it does. Some points of reference:

I can go into an FFL dealer or any gun show and walk out with a pistol in a matter of minutes. They have to run a background check (yes, I know it's not as intense) and I have to fill out paperwork. I can also run the same background check on myself within a few minutes online. Again, not as intense... but 90% there.

I can apply for a job that requires an in-depth background check. For instance, the one I had to do to get my current job with a government sponsored coporation. I also had to do a drug test. Both of these came back within 3 days.

I am a member at a local gun range that issues ID cards very similar in features to a CHL. Same size plastic card, full color with picture, printed front and back. It takes about 15 minutes for them to warm up the camera, printer, and computer, then take the picture, apply it to the template along with my personal ID number, and print the card.

By my estimation, a week gives them more time than it takes everyone else to do the same stuff. Just saying... my tax dollars (including the CHL tax) support the agency that processes these things. Even if there is more to it than what I listed... is 5 weeks still not enough? how about 8? sheesh...

[Potlucky]

I know im gonna get a lot of grief about this, being my first post and all, but I am suprised that the DPS can even do all of these applications in the amount of time that they do now. I mean if you think about the volume of applications they receive.... Crazy. On the DPS website they give the stats of all the apps. for the year, your county, zip code, by age or by any other means you can think of to break down the applications from the year. I know you all are aware of that, im not trying to give some secret advise or something. Its common knowlege. I have said all of that to say this. In 2010 they issued 102,133 permits and declined 530 not including instructor permits. I did not look close enough if that included renewals, but Im assuming it does (I know what happens when I assume). If we "assume" again they work on applications 365 days a year, which we know they do not, they would have to process 281.26 applications every day. Take out the weekends and holidays it just makes it more per day. Once again, I understand the the virtual beating I am opening myself up to, but it is what it is and I too get tired of waiting on something I know I am "qualified" for. I mailed my packet 3/1/11 and still waiting. I know thats not very long, thats why I have gone through the math of the process. Please dont kill the messenger, I am on your side, just trying to justify why it takes 30,60,90,120 days. Longer if there is problems with backgroung check.

Ok, let me have it if you must.

[djjoshuad]

I hear what you're saying, but at the same time we don't know how many people they have. If they have 560 people (not saying they do, just making an example) to handle those applications, the number is ridiculously easy to process. If they have only 2, then it's ridiculously difficult. Unless someone can tell us how many they do have, the number of applications doesn't mean a whole lot, unfortunately.

Even if we *did* know that number, and it turned out that they *are* understaffed... why are they understaffed? If that 108k applications carries an average fee of $100 (some are 70, some 140 - estimating on the low side), that gives them a budget of almost $11 million just to process applications. Even if they spent HALF on software, computers, facilities, etc... $5 million is a very healthy yearly budget for employees. All of that assumes the worst case scenario... I bet that have an even larger budget.

[Potlucky]

I get it. But the biggest problem you have is, you are using logic, which nobody ever accused the state of using. We all know the money from the fees goes into some "fund" for somebody, somewhere to skim off of. Im not accusing them of stealing, but using the money on other things. Im just saying the numbers are staggering. Once again, not defending. Just trying to understand.

[KD5NRH]

I have a counter-question for this thread... would you be willing to contribute to a fund that sponsors an AUDIT of the DPS, attempting to find out what is taking so stinkin long? Not that I have the ability or desire to set up such a fund... but I'd send in $20 to help make that happen.

Can we get the Mafia to do it on commission? Say, 50% of the first year savings for any wasteful spending they eliminate, and a set cash amount for time wastes they identify and eliminate?

[bigmoney]

Yea its strange i can go to the airport. get finger printed have and fbi backgroung check done and have access to customs in less than a day. and it takes them 2 months just input information.

My father argued the same thing. He's bigwig in aviation development and has to get faa and all other clrearances, but couldn't believe it would take me this long to get a chl when he can get clearance to travel in his own vehicle in heavily secured areas of airports, within a day.

I don't think I'd trust enough to pay extra. Since they always say it's around a 60 day turn around, they'd get it to you in 55 and say they got it there early, when apparently a lot of guys are getting them now within less time. better off just wait. just my 2 cents.

[donster5]

Me, I just take the class, do the paperwork, and the world will turn...in other words, no, i'm already "paying" for something that is already mine given by the 2nd amendment...what you have spent now is more than T. Jefferson did....