TexasCHLforum.com

Well, I had an interesting conversation with my oldest daughter tonight. She says she is interested in getting her CHL. This was a slight shock to me because she was the one who did not want a rifle when she was younger and did not like guns. She wanted archery equipment instead when she turned 10 (my family tradition is a .22 rifle on the tenth birthday). I guess the military does change you because she qualified with her M16 and now is looking at this idea.

So, now I have a question I cannot verify very quickly. I know the general limit on age is you have to be 21. But I thought you could also get a CHL if you had completed an enlistment in the military, even if you were under 21. Does anyone know how this applies of if I am just wrong?

Also, what is the license fee for a veteran who was just discharged? Her discharge date is 25 January 2008, her birthday is 20 July. Does she get it for half price now? When the bill was being discussed I thought it had free for some time after discharge.

Finally, how about an instructor in the San Marcos area? I could go to either Austin or San Antonio if there are none closer. Any recommendations. I will need a very good one because I will probably go through the class with her and get mine (just to avoid NICS checks) and want to be able to keep my mouth shut in class about minor mistakes (I no I won't be able to if they get too bad - like the no drinks at all as the law).

Found this thread, but it doesn't list the bill number. Will keep looking.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... s+free+365

Steve,

I tried to paste HB 233 here, but the strike-outs didn't show, making it very confusing.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/ ... 00233F.htm

Within 365 days from discharge, the license fee is waived.

After 365 days, it is reduced by half.

18 for military or veteran.
§ 411.172. (g) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(2), a person who is at least 18 years of age but not yet 21 years of age is eligible for a license to carry a concealed handgun if the person:
(1) is a member or veteran of the United States armed forces, including a member or veteran of the reserves or national guard;
(2) was discharged under honorable conditions, if discharged from the United States armed forces, reserves, or national guard; and
(3) meets the other eligibility requirements of Subsection (a) except for the minimum age required by federal law to purchase a handgun.

Free for a year after honorable discharge. Half price after that.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... tute07.pdf

Just to add to what others have correctly stated here - she is good to go at 18, and her CHL fee will be waived for 1 year after her discharge, then half price forever after that.

To get the fee waived or the reduction, you must include with the application, a copy of your military ID and a copy of either your LES or DD214. You can also get the shooting proficiency waived if you include a copy of recent range qualification form (I don't remember what that form is called). These copies do NOT have to be certified.

Also, as an aside, I would be honored to have the two of you in a class here. Not close to San Marcos, but a weekend trip to beautiful North Texas wouldn't be a bad thing!

srothstein wrote:Well, I had an interesting conversation with my oldest daughter tonight. She says she is interested in getting her CHL. This was a slight shock to me because she was the one who did not want a rifle when she was younger and did not like guns. She wanted archery equipment instead when she turned 10 (my family tradition is a .22 rifle on the tenth birthday). I guess the military does change you because she qualified with her M16 and now is looking at this idea.

So, now I have a question I cannot verify very quickly. I know the general limit on age is you have to be 21. But I thought you could also get a CHL if you had completed an enlistment in the military, even if you were under 21. Does anyone know how this applies of if I am just wrong?

Also, what is the license fee for a veteran who was just discharged? Her discharge date is 25 January 2008, her birthday is 20 July. Does she get it for half price now? When the bill was being discussed I thought it had free for some time after discharge.

Finally, how about an instructor in the San Marcos area? I could go to either Austin or San Antonio if there are none closer. Any recommendations. I will need a very good one because I will probably go through the class with her and get mine (just to avoid NICS checks) and want to be able to keep my mouth shut in class about minor mistakes (I no I won't be able to if they get too bad - like the no drinks at all as the law).

Wow, that is great news Steve.

I am happy for both of you, and proud as well.

My daughter is just about the same age as yours, but already has her CHL. She asked to get hers too...(kinda shocked me), I never pushed her to get it.

I wish we lived a bit closer to one another, I bet my daughter would like to "hang out" with yours, she is a staunch supporter of our military folks.

srothstein,

More power to your daughter!

As for instructors: Don't know anyone in San Marcos, but I got my initial and renewal with Sammy Miller of San Antonio. I have to renew again this year, probably will go back to Sammy even tho I now live in Seguin. Here's his website:

http://www.concealedhandgun.com

Sammy was an SAPD officer, is now an investigator for the DA's office. When I took the first two classes, he had a prosecuter from the Bexar County office there to cover lethal force issues. I see from the website that he still has the prosecutor, and now has a judge do some instructing also.

I found him friendly and knowledgeble. His wife brings donuts and coffee and handles a lot of the paperwork. Has another guy skilled in fingerprinting to do that prints. He holds court in Grady's BBQ restaurant on Bandera, so lunch break is easy. (!) I don't see it mentioned on his website, but he can generally rent out a semi-auto for qualification if you don't already have one (I am sure that doesn't apply to you!). Renewals attend the morning part of the course with initial students, then can wander off or stay, as you prefer, then come back for the range part. Renewals qualify first.

Hope this is of some help.

elb

Thanks for the help. I thought I remembered it the way you all found it for me. She will get hers for free (just the cost of the class and qualifying). I need a letter from the Chief (not too hard to get) and I pay $25.

And you know, a trip up to north Texas sounds like a nice way to kill a weekend. I will have to see when she wants to go and how far.

Yes she can get her CHL before she turns 21 as with any current, former etc military. Yes she does qualify for reduced or no cost fee to the state. Lone Star Gun Range is the closest range to San Marcos. About 25 miles. The Instructor that we use is http://www.chl-texas.com. They teach 2000+ per year. (Ross & Dottie Bransford) You can check out the range at http://www.ctxpta.com.
Matt

Thanks Matt. I actually had forgotten about your range up there (I was there once when we had the Austin meet) even though i live in Luling. I will probably be up there with her for some practice before we sign up for a class.

This is a minor issue, but tell her to be careful about reciprocity or other recognition of Texas CHLs. Some states will not honor them if the CHL is under 21.

Chas.

I'm a vet and i didn't realise my license fee was 1/2 price fer life i wonder i i cn get a refund if i send a copy of my dd214

dukalmighty wrote:I'm a vet and i didn't realise my license fee was 1/2 price fer life i wonder i i cn get a refund if i send a copy of my dd214

I thought the new fee structure went into effect Sept 1, 2007. so it's doubtful.

San Marcos - a touch of a drive to Giddings for http://www.krtraining.com Full menu of classes

This is the same circumstance under which I received my CHL. The only difference is that I am not enlisted, I am in ROTC, and in the Reserve. Since this is the case, I don't get a LES or that DDwhatever. I provided a W-2 Form from my taxes, and that was sufficient to prove that I am a member of the Military.

I tried to purchase a firearm just recently (last summer) with my CHL. Technically, the State does not care that I am not 21, the problem comes with the background check. From what I was told, I cannot get a Federal Background check until I am 21, thus I am not able to purchase a firearm until then. Anyone know if this is true or not? This is what the store clerk told me.

Ammo is a completely different issue as well. I can't wait for another 1.5 weeks. I will be 21 then, and this will be a non-issue.