Applications spike for Texas concealed handgun permits

[Texasdoc]

Applications spike for Texas concealed handgun permits
03:28 PM CDT on Thursday, May 8, 2008
Associated Press

http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/05 ... 079f7.html

AUSTIN -- Texans are applying for concealed handgun licenses at a rate nearly 40 percent higher than a year ago, causing a backlog in new applications and permit renewals, according to a newspaper report.

The Houston Chronicle reported in its Thursday editions that state officials can't explain the surge in applications, while handgun instructors point to factors ranging from the looming presidential election to newly strengthened privacy laws for Texas gun owners.

The state is taking a month longer than the 60 days allowed by law to process original applications, the newspaper reported. Renewals are going 80 days past the mandated 45-day period.

"We're trying really hard, but there have been delays because of the tremendous increase in applications," said Tela Mange, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman.

Last week alone, the state reported processing 1,043 original applications but receiving 1,871 requests.

Last year, state lawmakers granted privacy to the 258,000 licensed gun owners in Texas by closing records that had been public since the concealed handgun law passed in 1995.

Ross Bransford, who trains 1,000 Texans a year to qualify for a concealed handgun licenses, said he believes election-year politics are a factor in the spike of applications.

He said Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, who is leading the race for his party's nomination is a friend of Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy, "and that scares everybody to death."

Alice Tripp, legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association, said she hears daily from frustrated members about the delay in getting licenses.

She said some have been put on hold for 45 minutes when calling DPS to inquire about their license.

"They are really quite alarmed and annoyed," Tripp said.

Concealed handgun licenses in Texas must be renewed every five years. Mange said the department is paying overtime and hiring temporary workers to reduce the backlog.

[StrykerDM]

Hey, the more of us CHLers and gun owners there are out there, the more political clout we have. This article was front page of the Houston Chronicle today, and it brought a smile to my face.

[Texasdoc]

I am waiting for my renewal and if its right its. I will be waiting for 5 months for a renewal's is wrong. DPS needs to hire more to process applications.

[Greybeard]

From recent student feedback: Numbers up because of (1) Just watching the news: as one lady said "the morning murder report". (2) Hitllary and/or (3) Obama.

And they are still sloooow in getting out packets to instructors. I'm just barely going to have enough for all of the students coming to a class Saturday. I ordered another 20 packets 7 weeks ago today which have supposedly been shipped, but have not yet arrived ...

[The Annoyed Man]

I've only had my license for a couple of months, but I sure hope they have this backlog ironed out by the time I need to renew!

[Briankey]

They Know exactly why Texans are getting CHL's, they don't dare mentioned All the Illegal Mexicans, and Crime associated with Mexican Gangs, drugs etc, are the reasons for the surge in Applications. They won't say it, But I will Proudly say it.

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The Houston Chronicle reported in its Thursday editions that state officials can't explain the surge in applications,

[Glock 23]

They Know exactly why Texans are getting CHL's, they don't dare mentioned All the Illegal Mexicans, and Crime associated with Mexican Gangs, drugs etc, are the reasons for the surge in Applications. They won't say it, But I will Proudly say it.

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The Houston Chronicle reported in its Thursday editions that state officials can't explain the surge in applications,

well, alot of it is certainly due to increasing crime - although I wouldnt pin it all on illegals. There are more than enough homegrown criminals around.

[Briankey]

Your right to some extent Glock, homegrown crime is a slight issue, but I do Pin it mostly on Illegals, I find it way to coincidental that with all the Immigration problems, you suddenly have an increase in CHL applications.
Let's not forget all the Drug cartels and drug wars along our borders, probably spilling over into our country. Heck yeah Mexicans are the reason Texans are arming up, don't know what the future holds.

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well, alot of it is certainly due to increasing crime - although I wouldnt pin it all on illegals. There are more than enough homegrown criminals around.[/quote]

[dustyb]

They Know exactly why Texans are getting CHL's, they don't dare mentioned All the Illegal Mexicans, and Crime associated with Mexican Gangs, drugs etc, are the reasons for the surge in Applications. They won't say it, But I will Proudly say it.

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The Houston Chronicle reported in its Thursday editions that state officials can't explain the surge in applications,

I think illegal aliens and the gangs are definitely a factor in the spike. The media goes out of its way not to give out the immigration status of suspects and criminals. I believe the upcoming elections are a factor also.

[Briankey]

Media doesn't cover Illegal crime much due to Political Correctness, everybody is so terrified to be labeled a Racist or Profiler, but in their heart they know the truth.
I talk everyday to Gang Members, mostly Mexicans in the Texas Prisons, and the Average Texan just don't know, again because the Media doesn't cover it. Gangs in Texas and other areas are way out of Control.
If you watch the History Channels Program called "Gangland" that's what you have here in Texas. Its getting worse, and the Gangs are spreading like a Cancer, their targets are our own children. The Mexican Gangs outweigh the Black Gangs such as Crips and Bloods. How long do you think the Black Dope dealers are going to Tolerate Mexican Dope dealers and Gangs Moving into their Neighborhoods in numbers?.
Arm up Texas, watch your Backs.
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I think illegal aliens and the gangs are definitely a factor in the spike. The media goes out of its way not to give out the immigration status of suspects and criminals. I believe the upcoming elections are a factor also.[/quote]

[Charles L. Cotton]

3. No racial or ethnic slurs. Descriptions of persons in actual events are fine, so long as it doesn’t constitute stereotyping.

11. Off-topic posts/threads: We have an experimental off-topic forum. Since they tend to cause the most problems for other boards, our "off-topic" sub-forum is not an "anything goes" area. Absolutely no discussions of religion, immigration/border security, abortion, race matters, or any other hot-button political issues. (Gun-related political issues can be discussed in other areas.)

Discussions about criminal conduct by illegal aliens is fine, but broad-brush stereotyping of all Mexicans is not. Also, this isn't the Off-Topic sub-forum, but Rule 11's warnings are still applicable.

I don't argue that crimes committed by illegal aliens, like the murder of an HPD officer and the trial of his murderer, are not a factor in the increase in CHL applications. That's a valid point. But arguing that non-illegal alien crime is minimal is totally unfounded and violates the above-quoted rules. With this hot-button subject, we must stick to verifiable facts. I'm not saying I disagree or that I agree with the premise, only that it is not going to be discussion in a manner that violates the rules.

Chas.

[Briankey]

Alright Charles, Understood, but either way, the Spike in Applications speak for themselves and People know the truth. I know the truth that comes from the Gangs themselves and their agendas.

Take Care
Brian

[aardwolf]

It's not just illegal aliens and locals. In the past couple of years, it seems like refugees from the east also contribute a lot to the crime problem. Talking to people in CHL classes is a good way to find out why there's an increase in applications. Unfortunately, gun owners may not want to talk with media companies that have a history of anti-gun bias and those media outlets might not print the truth if it goes against their prejudices.

I think increased applications are a good sign especially if we have increases after the car carry law passed!

[Charles L. Cotton]

Alright Charles, Understood, but either way, the Spike in Applications speak for themselves and People know the truth. I know the truth that comes from the Gangs themselves and their agendas.

Take Care
Brian

I'm with you 100% on the gang problem being a big part of the motivation for the increase. I know that from talking to LEO friends.

Chas.

[Briankey]

Its a very sad thing about Gangs Charles, I don't say the things I've said above to Stereotype, but, like you, who talks to LEO's, I talk to the Mexican Mafia members, MS-13 which is Mexican Mafia, and I talk to other Gangs,sure, they aren't gonna tell me everything, that's not in there best Interest, but they tell me enough. They tell me enough to Understand that People better change their weak, timid, everyday is a happy go lucky day mentality, No, people don't have to live in fear, Paranoia.
But folks better not be complacent, let down their guard. Criminal use intimidation tactics, a persons compassion, and good nature to their advantage to achieve their objectives which is to make you a victim.
Having a good heart isn't always a good thing.
I love the idea that More and More Texans are arming themselves, about time people starting to want to protect themselves.

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I'm with you 100% on the gang problem being a big part of the motivation for the increase. I know that from talking to LEO friends.

Chas.[/quote]