TexasCHLforum.com

FY 2008 is the latest posted....2009 stats will be interesting....

Here's about the best you can do....

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... tsfy08.htm

Demographic reports

The problem at DPS is not necessarily that they are intentionally seeking to use their "discretion to violate the law." The problem lies with the priority that is being placed on CHL applications and the background checks by upper command. When the CHL program began, DPS had a number of Troopers who were assigned specifically to do nothing but background checks. As time went by, those troopers were reassigned elsewhere - primarily back on the road. Now for the most part, the troopers doing the background checks have that duty along with other assignments as well. For example the CHL troopers in Garland and Hurst (only one at each office) also have to man "the Duty Office" where the public can come in and meet with a trooper about issues such as warrants, obtaining fingerprints, etc. This duty restricts how much time they can really dedicate to completing CHL applications. In my opinion until the upper command staff gives CHL applications a higher priority and Troopers are assigned full time with no other duties other than CHL investigation, the delays will continue.

HGWC wrote: All they have to do is use their discretion to define the local background checks such that all applications are completed within 60 days, and grant the licenses as required by law within 60 days. They're simply defining the local background checks such that they cannot be completed in 60 days, and the law doesn't allow them that discretion. .

Could you explain what you mean by "defining background checks"?

You can go on the DPS website and read the minutes of the monthly Public Safety Commission Meetings. The status of the CHL delay is often addressed. Ms. Fulmer is aware of the situation as is the Public Safety commission.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/calendar/index.htm

From the June 18 meeting:


CHAIRMAN POLUNSKY: Thank you, Ms.Tripp. Coincidentally, I had a discussion with Colonel Beckworth on this general topic yesterday. It is kind of an issue that certainly needs to be addressed. It's kind of a phenomenon that, at the same time as we influx in applications that have come in recently, that more or less parallels the great number of increased purchases of firearms in this country over the last several months, which is, in essence, from what I understand, overwhelming the system here. Colonel Beckworth, could you just briefly respond? You may want to get into a more detailed response after this meeting, but I think you have some basic information that would be of interest.

MR. BECKWORTH: We realize the significance of the increase in the number of applications that we were receiving. We have several temporary employees trying to address the backlog. Normally there are about 64,000, 65,000 applications
processed annually, so far this year, we have approximately 48,000 applications in the process. We have a significant backlog. Yesterday we authorized and approved to hire 60 temporary employees to come on board July the 8th. When those employees come on board, we're going to go ahead and try to address that backlog by August the 31st. On the back side of that, we've asked the Highway Patrol to add additional troopers all over the state to do the background, and in addition to the background, we're asking them to go to the county clerk's office, the district clerk's office, the sheriff department and look for better ways to be able to track that information they need to complete the background. We believe this effort over the next 60 days will help us address the backlog. We're going to try to put an automated system in place to address the issue....

DPS email addresses : First name.last name@txdps.state.tx.us

Valerie Fulmer is the Chief of Administration - the CHL Bureau falls under her command.

It was fairly common knowledge internally for at least the past two years that Steve McGraw was going to be the next DPS Director. He was Gov Perry's preference; Perry appointed new DPS Commissioners and Chairman to reach his intended goal. This "nationwide" search for a new Director was merely a sham and a waste of $1 million.