Official DPS stats on LTC for 2023

[Paladin]

Active License Holders and Instructors 2023 (PDF)

The number of LTCs has slightly declined and the number of instructors has slightly increased since last year.

[Paladin]

Looks like the number of Texas LTCs peaked in 2021, same year as Constitutional Carry went into effect.

[clarionite]

I have several past students who allowed their LTC's to expire during the pandemic. A couple have requested a class to get theirs back. I'm sure that's not an outlier.

[AF-Odin]

Dr. John Lott in his 2021 testimony before the Texas House Committee regarding permit less carry stated that for a while following passage, LTC applications would go down, but after a while and if advantages of having a license were better known that applications would eventually go up. I am still seeing a fairly constant steam of folks in my LTC classes.

[clarionite]

I don't regularly schedule classes. And only give classes via contacts through friends and family. So I'm not a good gauge of what's out there. I am getting requests for kids of friends and family who want to get their licenses at 18.

[ORIGINAL TEX]

I understood the premise behind "Constitutional Carry", but was not really a fan of it because I felt that if someone is going to carry a sidearm in public, I would prefer they understand the state's lethal force laws, deescalation tactics, and at least be able to hit what they shoot at. Even though I think the practical test is insanely easy, I have seen people completely miss the target at 7 yards and that was without the stress factor from an actual attack.

I encourage people to get their LTC/CHL and also a non-resident license (like Utah) that is honored by Texas, as a back up. There are also places you can carry with a license that are still illegal under constitutional carry.

I think it would be a good idea for the state to pass a law encouraging people to get the license, such as being exempt from sales tax on firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, etc.

Come to think of it wasn't the poll tax declared illegal a long time ago because it was a tax on a "right", so why is a tax on another "right" (read 2nd Amendment) allowed. Just saying.

One of the issues I have heard with constitutional carry, but do not know if true, is that if an officer sees someone carrying that that looks as though they may be a prohibited person (gang or prison tattoos associated with a probable felon), they cannot stop them and verify they have a right to even possess a firearm.

[Paladin]

Come to think of it wasn't the poll tax declared illegal a long time ago because it was a tax on a "right", so why is a tax on another "right" (read 2nd Amendment) allowed. Just saying.

Agree 100%

[C-dub]

I think it would be a good idea for the state to pass a law encouraging people to get the license, such as being exempt from sales tax on firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, etc.

Sounds like an interesting idea and I'd be for it, but what benefit would there be for the state to do such a thing? I'm not certain that "just because it would be a good thing to do" would be enough for politicians to get it done.

[Flightmare]

I think it would be a good idea for the state to pass a law encouraging people to get the license, such as being exempt from sales tax on firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, etc.

Sounds like an interesting idea and I'd be for it, but what benefit would there be for the state to do such a thing? I'm not certain that "just because it would be a good thing to do" would be enough for politicians to get it done.

Sounds good in theory. There are point of sale systems and reporting that would have to be updated. Additionally, you're talking about reduced "revenue" for the state. Revenue that will have to be made up for somewhere else. While I'd be all for the reduced revenue being made up for by reducing costs, I don't see the political will in Austin to even ATTEMPT something like this.

[oohrah]

One of the issues I have heard with constitutional carry, but do not know if true, is that if an officer sees someone carrying that that looks as though they may be a prohibited person (gang or prison tattoos associated with a probable felon), they cannot stop them and verify they have a right to even possess a firearm.

The LEO could perform a "Terry Stop", but would have to have more justification than just what you were wearing.