Under 21 CHL class?/ legality of out of state permit in Tx

[reality99]

I know obviously in Texas you have to be 21 to get your CHL, but is there a way I can take the class before I turn 21 so that I have less waiting time and am prepared to apply as soon as I turn 21?
Thanks!

[longtooth]

You may take the class 6 months before you turn 21. Dont fudge a day. Apply on line the day after your B-day.

[carlson1]

Welcome to the Forum. Let us know how your class goes. Where are you located?

[reality99]

Thanks for the quick answer and the welcome! I have been reading the forums for a while but never took the time to register.

I am a student at A&M so College Station is home most of the year, but "home" is DFW. I still have 16 months until 21st bday but it was something I had been wondering for a while and could not find a definite answer anywhere. I have been around guns all my life and have been shooting since I was 6 years old so I am looking forward to actually getting my CHL. I will either take my class at The Bullet Trap in Plano next winter break or at Champion firearms in College Station.

[CJD]

Wow I am in the same boat. I go to A&M and have to wait 13 months til I'm 21 :/ Hopefully the NRA's lawsuit against Texas (and BATFE I believe) to allow under 21 purchasing from FFL and obtain CHL will go through quickly in our favor!

[Thomas]

I go to A&M and I am 21. Hopefully HB 86 passes for y'alls benefit, because I plan to graduate in May

[texanron]

Welcome to the forum and good luck taking your classes! 13 months and 16months wait time........and I thought having to wait 60 days after taking my class was a long wait. I'm glad to see young folks taking their personal safety serious at a younger age. Thinking back I wish I would've obtained my CHL when I first had the chance.

[MasterOfNone]

I emailed DPS because the FAQ on the CHL web site appears to be based on the old 6-month valid period for CHL-100s.

The FAQ on the DPS website states:
"It is best not to take the course more than six months before your 21st birthday so that your proficiency certificate is current. Your application may not be turned in to the DPS until your 21st birthday."
With the proficiency certificate now valid for two years for an original CHL, can a student now take the training up to two years before his 21st birthday?

And the response:

The CHL 100 for originals is good for 2 years indeed and if the applicant is not 21 years old yet he can take the class earlier than 6 months but then he’ll have to submit all the paper work when he turns 21, like you said.
With the renewals the CHL 100 is good only for 6 months.

So it appears you can take the class earlier, as long as you CHL-100 is less than 2 years old when you submit your app after your 21st birthday.
But I wonder why one would take the class so early, especially with the likelihood of laws changing this year. Further, the class requirement could change between now and your 21st birthday.

[reality99]

I did a little more digging and found that magic 2 year number as well after I had started this thread. I don't plan on taking it now, 15 months in advanced, but will probably take it over Christmas break 5 months before my birthday. Taking it then will be easiest for me since I am a full time student and also work and don't have as much going on over break. I don't want to wait until there is a class I can attend over summer and get my chl 2 months after I turn 21. You think waiting 60 days was hell? Time will surely go slower once I get closer to 21 and will probably stop after I submit my application to DPS.

[wesw]

Depending how old you are now, I might suggest anout of state permit, many states issue at 18 , and some will do this by mail, see handgunlaw.us. I came accross this because I had a deferred adjudication and lost my texas chl for misdemeanor family violence, so I have to wait 5 years in texas to reapply, but guess what , Arizona issued me a license while I was on probation in texas, I told them the whole story, they just didn't care.

[reality99]

Depending how old you are now, I might suggest anout of state permit, many states issue at 18 , and some will do this by mail, see handgunlaw.us. I came accross this because I had a deferred adjudication and lost my texas chl for misdemeanor family violence, so I have to wait 5 years in texas to reapply, but guess what , Arizona issued me a license while I was on probation in texas, I told them the whole story, they just didn't care.

I knew some states would issue a CHL to 18yr olds, and I also knew that Texas had reciprocity with some of these states, but I didn't know if the "under 21" in Texas applied only to issuing a CHL, or carrying concealed with another states permit. Any links on this anywhere? Or further input from others that have done something similar? I will be 20 in a couple months and if this is a way around the age restriction in Texas I may have to take a road trip this summer!

edit: It looks like North Dakota will issue out of state licenses, and will issue a license to persons 18 years or older (a class 2 license). From looking around it seems as if Texas will honor ND licenses, but it doesn't specifically state either class 1 or class 2 nor does it exclude either of them. Anyone know anything about this? Also, I know obviously all the Texas gun laws will apply, but is there any disadvantage to doing getting a CCL this way? Other than perhaps an officer taking a little longer to figure out what's going on if I get pulled over and show him my license/ CCL? I would still be able to carry any location that was not marked 30.06, professional sporting event, airport, school, etc, correct?

Sorry for all of the questions but I had never thought about this possibility and I'm pretty excited about the chance I may be able to get my license a year earlier than I thought. The way I figure it, $300 for gas (and a lot of patience for a 20hr drive), $60 for a hotel for a night, $75 for the ND test and state license fee and I could get my license a year early. The average cost of a class in Texas is probably $80-100, and the fee is $140 so for only ~$200 more I can get a license now. Whos up for a road trip over spring break??!?

[CJD]

"Even if another state’s license is recognized here, the license holder is still subject to the regular rules and regulations governing concealed carry in Texas. For instance, another state’s license may be a “weapons” permit, entitling the holder to carry a wide range of firearms, or may allow someone under 21 to carry. While in Texas, that license holder may carry only a “handgun” as defined by Texas law and must be 21, just like Texas license holders, among other requirements."

Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas

https://www.oag.state.tx.us/alerts/aler ... 110&type=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[cbr600]

"While in Texas, that license holder may carry only a “handgun” as defined by Texas law and must be 21, just like Texas license holders, among other requirements."

Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas

It may have been true when he wrote that 6 years ago, but it looks like Texas law must have changed. According to Texas DPS records, there are now people younger than 21 with a CHL. I assume those licenses are valid, even though the licensee is not old enough to drink.

[CJD]

Those are military people probably. Military under 21 can get license.

[cbr600]

Right. Which invalidates the "must be 21, just like Texas license holders" remark, because there are now Texas license holders who are not yet 21.