Texas CHL for Florida CCW

BocaGlock · Post by **BocaGlock** » Fri May 12, 2006 12:26 am

Any info is most appreciated, particularly from those in the know.

In 7 short weeks I will be moving to Texas from Florida. For many years I've held a Florida CCW. While waiting for my Texas CHL to process, will the Florida CCW still authorize me to carry in Texas?

Both Florida and Texas recognize each others' permits and allow those residents of either state to carry while visiting the other state.

Thanks!!

Kalrog · Post by **Kalrog** » Fri May 12, 2006 7:57 am

Howdy and welcome, Boca! Not an IBM transplant are you (a decade ago IBM offered to move me from Austin to Boca and I had to turn them down - got a nice boost when I left them as well).

I would bet that you are safe from a CHL standpoint during the move. The question then comes about how long you are safe for. Would it be possible to get your FL license changed to a non-resident one? Don't know if that would be faster than waiting on the TX one, but it might keep you legal longer. And I know spending a day or two in a CHL class is the last thing you want to do when you are trying to unpack boxes and everything, but it might be needed.

BocaGlock · Post by **BocaGlock** » Fri May 12, 2006 9:11 am

Thanks for the welcome.
Not IBM here. I'm retired military, so I don't have to attend the CHL class.

Post by **Crossfire** » Fri May 12, 2006 9:39 am

Boca,

Sorry to disappoint you, but being retired military does not exempt you from attending the Texas CHL course. Everybody gets to take the class!

Kalrog · Post by **Kalrog** » Fri May 12, 2006 11:02 am

I believe it might get him a discount though... not on the class but on the license. I think "it depends" on his situation.

Kalrog · Post by **Kalrog** » Fri May 12, 2006 11:04 am

And how about we just post the link to find a lot of this information so we can quit guessing.

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

Post by **Crossfire** » Fri May 12, 2006 12:08 pm

Thanks, Kalrog! Its always best to have the official info!

nemesis · Post by **nemesis** » Fri May 12, 2006 12:29 pm

Currently serving Military and Seniors get a fifty percent discount on the cost of a CHL and everybody takes the class. Current Military and Honorably Discharged veterans can be exempted from the practical shooting portion of the training if they have taken and passed military firearms proficiency training within the last five years but you have to submit a form for exemption and provide documentation.

It's a lot easier just to shoot the qualification.

GC Â§411.1881. EXEMPTION FROM INSTRUCTION FOR CERTAIN
PERSONS.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a person may not be required to complete the range instruction portion of a handgun proficiency course to obtain or renew a concealed handgun license issued under this subchapter if theperson:

(1) is currently serving in or is honorably discharged from:
(A) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of
the United States or an auxiliary service or reserve unit of one of those
branches of the armed forces; or
(B) the state military forces, as defined by Section 431.001; and

(2) has, within the five years preceding the date of the person's
application for an original or renewed license, as applicable, completed a course of training in handgun proficiency or familiarization as part of the person's service with the armed forces or state military forces.
(b) The director by rule shall adopt a procedure by which a license
holder who is exempt under Subsection (a) from the range instruction
portion of the handgun proficiency requirement may submit a form
demonstrating the license holder's qualification for an exemption under
that subsection. The form must provide sufficient information to allow
the department to verify whether the license holder qualifies for the
exemption.

cyberj60 · Post by **cyberj60** » Fri May 12, 2006 7:56 pm

BocaGlock to fully answer your question you originally posted you should have your FLA. CWP address changed to your new Texas address then you can carry once you recieve your new permit. I chose to get only the FLA. CWP so I can carry in Alabama and save money. I am a Life Long Texas Resident and that is all I carry and it is still valid. As fast as Fla. is you should have your permit in hand sooner than your Texas Drivers License so much as the CHL.

jbirds1210 · Post by **jbirds1210** » Fri May 12, 2006 8:29 pm

Cyber, that sounds a bit fishy to me. I believe that if you are a "life long Texas resident" you need a Texas CHL. I look forward to hearing what some of the guys in the know have to share as their opinion!

I reserve the right to be wrong!
Jason

cyberj60 · Post by **cyberj60** » Fri May 12, 2006 9:18 pm

Jbirds I can prove my lifelong residency (born in Fort Worth) as well as I am 6th generation Texan to boot I (there is a county and city named for a multi-great uncle of mine here in Texas). I have checked with TX DPS and there is NO requirement I have to have a Texas CHL to carry in Texas as a resident so long as I have a Valid Permit/license from a state that there is full reciprocity with Texas. I am disappointed that Texas goes so far as to restrict from me a CHL just because I have student loan in default (it sure dosen't make me a criminal by any means) and Texas is the ONLY state that makes that requirement of an applicant. I have taken a Texas CHL course and I keep up to date on all current Texas Laws as well as those states I travel into and thru. Texas also charges one of the highest (if not THE highest) fees in the nation for the chl.

Does it make it any better than any other valid License?

BocaGlock · Post by **BocaGlock** » Fri May 12, 2006 11:08 pm

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I spoke with the Dallas office of Texas DPS (the Austin office was to busy to answer the phone). The woman there was helpful, but I question her knowledge.

She advised me that it all comes down to where one declares his residency to be and is entirely based on the drivers license. If a FL drivers license, then the FL CCW permits one to carry in TX based on the joint state compact. If a TX drivers license, one must obtain the TX CHL. She further adivsed that the FL CCW is NOT valid in TX if one holds a TX drivers license. As such, a new resident who has a valid FL CCW but obtains a TX drivers license CAN NOT carry in TX until the TX CHL is issued.

Geeze, I don't know if I can bear going 2 or 3 months "de-Glocked".

Further, everyone must take some portion, if not all of the CHL course in TX unless the active duty or retired military within 5 years clause for the range portion applies. (I early retired in 98)

There is NO waiting period. Meaning, a new TX resident can apply for the TX CHL the same day as the TX drivers license is issued.

Personally, I will have the option to choose either FL or TX as my primary residence in that I will be working in both states and have residents in both states. However, I'll likely switch to TX since my family will be living there.

Any new friends on here offer the CHL course in the Frisco / Plano area? Care to have a former A.F. Combat Controller go through your course during the second week of July?? Please advise.

Thanks again guys...

rodnocker1 · Post by **rodnocker1** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:18 pm

This is kind of off topic, but when clicking on the link Kalrog posted and then the conviction rates, was anyone else amazed that under the "Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by a License Holder" it showed 25 convictions for Licensed as opposed to 0 for nonlicensed for a percentage total convictions committed by license holder of 100%?

I don't mean to sound critical but it would seem to be sort of stupid to even show an unlicensed column or think that the percentage would be anything else just due to the nature of the charge (or is it just me?

).

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Sun May 14, 2006 1:10 pm

BocaGlock wrote:Thanks for the feedback guys.

I spoke with the Dallas office of Texas DPS (the Austin office was to busy to answer the phone). The woman there was helpful, but I question her knowledge.

She advised me that it all comes down to where one declares his residency to be and is entirely based on the drivers license. If a FL drivers license, then the FL CCW permits one to carry in TX based on the joint state compact. If a TX drivers license, one must obtain the TX CHL. She further adivsed that the FL CCW is NOT valid in TX if one holds a TX drivers license. As such, a new resident who has a valid FL CCW but obtains a TX drivers license CAN NOT carry in TX until the TX CHL is issued.

Geeze, I don't know if I can bear going 2 or 3 months "de-Glocked".

Further, everyone must take some portion, if not all of the CHL course in TX unless the active duty or retired military within 5 years clause for the range portion applies. (I early retired in 98)

There is NO waiting period. Meaning, a new TX resident can apply for the TX CHL the same day as the TX drivers license is issued.

Personally, I will have the option to choose either FL or TX as my primary residence in that I will be working in both states and have residents in both states. However, I'll likely switch to TX since my family will be living there.

Any new friends on here offer the CHL course in the Frisco / Plano area? Care to have a former A.F. Combat Controller go through your course during the second week of July?? Please advise.

Thanks again guys...

That woman does not know what she is talking about. You do not even have to BE a Texas resident to apply for and receive a Texas CHL. All one needs to do is obtain a Texas DL or DPS issued ID card and take a CHL class IN TEXAS. Period. In what state you have DL matters not.

Your out of state carry license from a state of reciprocity is valid here as long as it has not expired. Period.

KBCraig · Post by **KBCraig** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:08 pm

rodnocker1 wrote:This is kind of off topic, but when clicking on the link Kalrog posted and then the conviction rates, was anyone else amazed that under the "Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by a License Holder" it showed 25 convictions for Licensed as opposed to 0 for nonlicensed for a percentage total convictions committed by license holder of 100%? I don't mean to sound critical but it would seem to be sort of stupid to even show an unlicensed column or think that the percentage would be anything else just due to the nature of the charge (or is it just me? ).

It could be that they only listed convictions under the laws that only apply to CHLs. Forgive me for not posting the cite, but I'm short on time. At least one section of UCW begins with, "A licensee to carry a concealed handgun commits the offence of unlawfully carrying a weapon if..."

It wouldn't even apply to non-CHLs.

Kevin