About to move... what is the timing?

[JALLEN]

As announced on the other thread, I will be moving to Texas in a few months.

At what point should/can I begin the process for the CHL, so as to not waste time once I am there as a resident?

I suppose as soon as I have bought a place I can get a D/L, even if the permanent move is sometime away, re-register the cars, etc.

Any hints?

TIA

[snatchel]

You can apply for your CHL now, online, before you even move here. I'll post a link below where you go to the DPS website and begin the process.

Once you have knocked out the online portion, they will mail you a packet with a checklist. Hold on to all of that stuff... you will need it later.

You will get a screen that pops up at the end of the application to schedule fingerprints. I'm not sure if you will be able to do that part in CA or not... someone here should be along shortly to tell you. It reccomends using FAST fingerprinting service.. anyhow. If you can do that, great... if not, you can always schedule yourself to get them done upon arriving.

Online app and fingerprinting done, find a CHL class. Several of the forum members are certified, and come highly reccomened throug this site. They are located all over TX, and some of them even travel. They post their upcoming classes in another part of the forum, i'm sure you have seen them.

The CHL class is an 8 hour ordeal, but very informative. I can't stress enough to pick a good instructor.. I took it with some guy here in town and frankly, I learned nothing and the instructor was aweful. I'll never do that again. If I must traavel somewhere to find an adequate, reccomended instructor from this forum I will. Anyhow. Upon completion of the 8 hour class, you immediately go to the range to qualify with your weapon. You can qualify with a semi-auto or a revolver, but it is the general concensus of this forum that qualifying with a revolver is a waste of money, because you will only be able to carry a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-auto, you can carry either a semi-auto or a revolver. For future reference, you are not required to exclusively carry the weapon you qualify with. You can even borrow someone elses. There is a lengthy explanation on this that can be found on the DPS website.

Upon completion of the class, and range qual, the CHL instructor will provide you with a CHL-100 which will be mailed off with the packet that DPS sent you to begin with. You will also need 2 passport photos if they are not provided by your instructor-ask the instructor before you go and pay for them yourself.

I will go and find the list of requirements that will be mailed in and redirect you there, along with the DPS website and where to start the application. Once the packet is mailed, your CHL will arrive via postage in a 30-45 day timeframe... and recently, folks have been recieving their licenses sooner.

[snatchel]

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... il#p422550" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

^This thread gives requirements and updated procedures

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... sindex.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

^This is the Texas DPS website, where you will start your online application.


Hope this helps. If you have any questions direct them here--You will find that there are some very knowledgeable folks here with the info you need..... and also feel free to contact the TX DPS for word from the "Horse's Mouth."

[snatchel]

I just had another thought:: Sorry. Triple post

If you do not already have a gun and holster, I suggest looking now. Handguns for the most part are easy to come by, and except for custom stuff--there really isn't a wait. If you plan on buying a Dan Wesson, Les Baer, or other custom 1911, plan on waiting a month or six...

Holsters can be a different story. I know several holster suppliers make them on request, by hand. Because of this, their wait times can range from 2 weeks to 3 months. The time you are waiting to move back would be a great time for you to get a holster on order if you plan on going that route. Off the top of my head, I believe CrossBreed is something like a 6 week wait.

[apostate]

My suggestion is to start ASAP, especially if you don't have a Cali license. Apply online. Schedule a class (and finger prints!) during a house/apartment hunting trip to Texas. If they issue your CHL before you move, it only costs $25 to change the address. ($12.50 if you're 60+)

[DocV]

You could, I suppose, get a non-resident permit now then convert it to a resident permit. That just seems like it would as complicated and successful as spray painting a cat.

When the CHL web site application sends you to schedule fingerprints it also lists a number of dates that you can select. Just pick one that fits with your schedule. Or, you can opt to locate a CHL class and schedule that. Once you have completed the class you can fill out the app and schedule prints. Either way will work. Don't forget that those of us who are chronologically gifted get a discount for our application. (Also don't forget to claim your homestead exemption for your real estate :) ) I couldn't figure out how to get the veteran's deduction from the online application but did not need it as you get only one discount and they are all the same amount.

The CHL class is more of a 10 hour ordeal. You have a range 'experience' somewhere in those 10 hours and you will have time for lunch, etc. Other than not wanting to sit for the next several days my class and instructor were top-notch and interesting.

If you need a custom pistol there are some dealers that have stock, such as Les Baer 1911s, in stock. I found a new Ed Brown and had it in my grubby paws in a couple of days. Builds are a different story. I have a custom order blued Brown 1911 carry in process. I might have it by Christmas. Custom holsters are, indeed, a long wait. Alessi says 10 weeks for my new leather.

[JALLEN]

Thanks for all that info. I had a CA permit until it expired last year, one of the very few here in San Diego. I also have Florida and Utah permits, a choice of IWB holsters and pistols already to go.

Just reading how easy this is, compared to here anyway, makes my eyes water. Getting permit here for ordinary people is essentially impossible. I got one because I am an attorney and a business owner and could claim I had had death threats as a foreclosure trustee. I had to get letters from folks who knew me, show all kinds of business documentation, jump through hoops, even a letter from my wife(!) and once I had the permit, only three pistols could be listed, by make, model and serial number, so if the permit had Sig P226 Serial No. 1234 and I was caught with P226 serial No. 4321, same make and model, I was a felon to be, no more gun forever. The cost all in was well over $500.

I guess that is one of the benefits of the real estate debacle... I got no death threats in 2010, or last year. It's an ill wind that blows no good!

I'll start the process this week.

[Jumping Frog]

You could, I suppose, get a non-resident permit now then convert it to a resident permit. That just seems like it would as complicated and successful as spray painting a cat.

That is a lot easier than it sounds.

I was traveling to Texas for the new job months before I actually moved, carrying on my non-resident PA and UT licenses. So I simply got the training one fine Saturday, applied, and had my Texas non-resident CHL 3 months before I actually established residency. After I moved here, I got my Texas Drivers License and then updated my CHL information with the new driver license and address. Piece of cake.

[apostate]

Easy peasy Japanesey and if JALLEN is over 60, the address change fee is only $12.50

[JustMe]

Just a thought--do you have any relatives already living here that you could use as a temporary residence until you find a house?

[MasterOfNone]

I also have Florida and Utah permits

This seems to greatly reduce the urgency.

[JALLEN]

Fortified by the initial info here, I went online last night and applied for the Texas CHL. It took about 15 minutes, start to finish. I've had more hassle registering for some websites!

Are you sure this is the government, and not some scam set up to harvest all my secret numbers?

I was astonished. It was nothing compared to the multi-week process I endured getting my CA permit. No letters of recommendation, no business documents to prove you own a business, etc., no statement of "good cause", no series of interviews with condescending Sheriff's Office bureaucrats with the perpetually skeptical demeanor, treating every word you say as dubious, or a likely falsehood, waiting patiently for some trivial misstep to deny the permit. I spent upwards of $500 on my CA permit.

This one cost only $70, as I am both a veteran and a senior. I have to complete the process by taking the class, getting fingerprinted and photographed, and furnish a color copy of my CA D/L. No worries there!

Imagine the government treating a life long honest, law abiding citizen, a rather distinguished citizen, if I do say so myself, like something other than a common criminal! I'm liking this more and more.

Things seem so common sense... they probably demand ID to vote or something, too, and no state income tax.

[JustMe]

Welcome Home!

[JALLEN]

Just a thought--do you have any relatives already living here that you could use as a temporary residence until you find a house?

All my relatives live in Texas, except my kids and granddaughters who are native San Diegans.

We made an offer on a place today, will travel there for inspections etc. at the end of the month and close escrow probably by mid February, assuming the negotiations go smoothly.

We are planning the move probably for sometime in May, most likely.

[snatchel]

Just a thought--do you have any relatives already living here that you could use as a temporary residence until you find a house?

All my relatives live in Texas, except my kids and granddaughters who are native San Diegans.

We made an offer on a place today, will travel there for inspections etc. at the end of the month and close escrow probably by mid February, assuming the negotiations go smoothly.

We are planning the move probably for sometime in May, most likely.

If you are able to extend your stay here a day or so, scheduling and completing the class should be quick work. I'd say knock it out while you can!