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It started up shortly after the CHL laws were passed as the Texas Concealed Handgun Instructors Association (TCHIA). If memory serves me right, Karl Rhenn, an Austin instructor was the President the first or first couple of years. Then Dan West was the President for a number of years. Right from the very beginning it allowed non instructors with CHLs to join. Their goal was to ensure quality standardized instruction to put a good light on the whole program. You have to remember that it was a new "unproven" law and program when it started that no one knew for sure if it would stay in place. I don't think the DPS was altogether very happy about being assigned to run the program, especially since it was to be self funding. TCHIA helped put a polish on the thing IMHO and resulted in a better program. An association informing the DPS that something needed to be changed or improved had a lot more clout than individuals making the same complaint. I also think TCHIA was instrumental in getting some grey area questions about the law answered. When it started up a lot of guys (and gals) spent a lot of their own time and money getting it on its feet. I have not been a member for about 5 years, but when I was they put on very good annual meetings with seminars, speakers, vendors, etc. I don't know anything about them pushing for shorter requalification periods, but do remember that the general consensus was that the test was a tad too easy. Think about it. If someone barely scrapes by on their third attempt, and then becomes involved in a shooting where an innocent third party gets hit - the media will have a field day. I personally think it should be a bit tougher or that a basic NRA pistol course (or equivalent) should be required before taking the CHL course. Remember, it is not a shooting class. You should already be a competent shooter before you get there. TCHIA has always had the ear of the DPS and TSRA. Many of the improvements in the program, especially the instructors program came out of TCHIA. The membership dues are reasonable and I guess they realized somewhere along the line that it might suit all concerned better if it wasn't thought of as just an instructors' association. If the membership is $20, that is a pretty good deal. I think it used to be more like $50. IMHO it was a good organization with CHL holders best interests in mind last time I attended.

TEX