TexasCHLforum.com

Hey yall. I have been looking into getting a CHL. Im a West Texas resident and really dont know a lot about the process except the exspense.
The Texas License cost a lot and I found out I could get a Utah license for a lotal of about $150.. I did call the DPS and found even though im a Texas resident , the Utah license is accepted.
So far the only difference I see is the time consumed and the expense.
Any info you can share would be helpful.
Thanks

Better to get TX CHL. You learn TX Penal code(laws). If you can't afford the $120 for the CHL course or the $140 for CHL fee, I would recommend to stick carrying in your house and your car for FREE! under the so called MPA.

With a TEXAS CHL, you can drive through school zones legally.
(I know, maybe no one ever enforces the Federal GFSZ, but I prefer to stay on the right side of the law even at 3:00 A.M. when no one is around out on a country road, I still wait for a green light too.)

Time spent learning TEXAS laws is worth it.
Cost spread over 5 years is small.

People you pay about $30 to $40 a month, $480 a year, to leave your electric water heater breaker on.
Turn it off, or put a timer on it, when not using it if the money is a problem.
Not even mentioning Dish/cable/cell phones/fast food and etc. ways people blow "just a little" every month.

I"m retired, old, disabled and on a fixed income, but I'll always remember my dad told me:
"If your (monthly/steady) outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep becomes your downfall.
So, at an early age, I trimmed my monthly expenses and am able to afford pretty much anything I desire, if I want it enough.

Getting the CFP as an adjunct to the CHL is a really good idea. Getting the CFP as a means of skirting the CHL is a really bad idea, and thanks to people who market this tactic (for their own profit), the Texas Legislature is beginning to take notice - and they don't like having their prerogatives thwarted. You risk doing damage to the cause.

Look at it this way.... What vices do you have that would pay for your CHL if you suspended them for a couple of months?

There are a few states that do not recognize a Texas CHL, but do recognize Utah. But, there are a few states that do not accept a non-resident permit (IE, you live in Texas, but have a Utah permit, they do not accept that). Do some research and weigh the pluses and minuses of those two situations.
There is always the risk of running into an ignorant LEO either while in Texas or out of state. Confusion may result if you've got a Utah permit and are a Texas resident. You can beat the rap, but not the ride.....
If you do get a Utah permit, you need to still study and learn the Texas laws. Ignorance of the law is never a defense, and get caught in a 51% establishment, inside a school building, etc etc and you'll be sorry.
Given the choice, I'd just go with the Texas CHL first.

MR Redneck wrote:Hey yall. I have been looking into getting a CHL. Im a West Texas resident and really dont know a lot about the process except the exspense.
The Texas License cost a lot and I found out I could get a Utah license for a lotal of about $150.. I did call the DPS and found even though im a Texas resident , the Utah license is accepted.
So far the only difference I see is the time consumed and the expense.
Any info you can share would be helpful.
Thanks

If you happen to be a Veteran or some other exceptions you usually get a break on classes and you do get a break on the State fee.

you really need to save your money and take the Texas CHL course and apply for the Texas license. If you can't afford to do that then one can assume that you can't afford ammunition to become proficient in the use of your carry weapon. Not a good thing.

Lots of interesting advise and im thnakful for it.
The first being the legislature comment. If legislature has issues with anyones choice of license, then that just shows the negativity that they promote. I for one dont agree with the state charging for self defense.
The second being LE officers not know the Utah license is accepted by Texas residents. Well, I have experianced this issue on several different subjects and I agree that could create a problem.
Third is the money. Sue I can come up with the money, but now days I simply try to stretch it out as far as I can. Im no different than anyone else, I have bills piled up and im simply trying to use my money as effictivly as I can.
All of the advise is very good and i'll consider those comment. Except for the Legislature issue. Legislature is elected by Texans and should represent the people who put them in office.
I did look at the Utah licenses state acceptance last night. I found New Mexico doesnt accept it , but I can open carry in New Mexico without a license. I prefer open carry anyway. I just wished Texas had the same.
Im still a little confused by the school zones comment. Texas has a castle doctrine and considers your vehicle to be an extension of your home. Its legal to conceal carry in your vehicle in Texas, so I really dont see what the issue is there.

MR Redneck wrote:Lots of interesting advise and im thnakful for it.
The first being the legislature comment. If legislature has issues with anyones choice of license, then that just shows the negativity that they promote. I for one dont agree with the state charging for self defense.
The second being LE officers not know the Utah license is accepted by Texas residents. Well, I have experianced this issue on several different subjects and I agree that could create a problem.
Third is the money. Sue I can come up with the money, but now days I simply try to stretch it out as far as I can. Im no different than anyone else, I have bills piled up and im simply trying to use my money as effictivly as I can.
All of the advise is very good and i'll consider those comment. Except for the Legislature issue. Legislature is elected by Texans and should represent the people who put them in office.
I did look at the Utah licenses state acceptance last night. I found New Mexico doesnt accept it , but I can open carry in New Mexico without a license. I prefer open carry anyway. I just wished Texas had the same.
Im still a little confused by the school zones comment. Texas has a castle doctrine and considers your vehicle to be an extension of your home. Its legal to conceal carry in your vehicle in Texas, so I really dont see what the issue is there.

Thats why you need to stay and read this forum. You will learn about all the little nuances of Federal and State law that boil down to only valid CHL carriers can carry in a school parking-lot. The MPA or Castle Doctrine does not apply there as I understand it.

I have my Utah non-resident CFP (2yrs), and just went through my Texas CHL course last month…my license is in the mail from DPS!!!! Let me dismiss some of the false information discussed here. If you search out the proper instructor you will get the proper training. Most of the Texas CHL instructors do their own thing anyway. The Texas CHL class I just went through was horrible, the instructor sat around all day and talked about himself and how mad at the world he was and taught the class near nothing all day. I thought to myself, I hope these folks in here with me take it upon themselves to learn the law, because they surely did not get taught it in this class. I learned so much more from my Utah class than my Texas class. I even had to shoot in my Utah class. My Utah class covered all of the Texas laws….in great detail. In fact, it was basically the Texas renewal class. I hear all this talk of wanting people to know the law and they should, and wanting people to qualify…shooting a gun. For crying out loud people Ray Charles could pass the Texas CHL shooting requirements. Some of the people in my recent class scared me when handling a gun, it was very obvious they had never shot before, and they passed with flying colors.

If the State of Texas and or Texas CHL instructors feel short changed by a fast more affordable concealed permit from another state, that the State of Texas allows to be a valid permit in Texas, change the laws. When you get this done remember you are only hurting people who are predominately likeminded as you and I. What about the idea of evaluating if you are charging too much for your license or your overall process to obtain a license in Texas. I understand that Texas has boat load of money it can’t do anything with from CHL licenses.

And for those wondering why I got my Texas CHL, it’s only because our country “ALWAYS OILS THE SQUEAKY WHEEL” and Utah non-resident CFP’s will go away in Texas. I hope all you pro gun Texans that have been sitting around complaining feel good about yourselves, mark it up as another victory for the anti-gun folks.

Thanks for confusing me Safety1. I don't understand the gist of your post!

safety1 wrote:I learned so much more from my Utah class than my Texas class. I even had to shoot in my Utah class. My Utah class covered all of the Texas laws….in great detail. In fact, it was basically the Texas renewal class.

If you learned all about Texas law in your Utah class, then the instructor wasn't teaching what he was supposed to teach.

Safety1,

It seems that you regret or at least resent taking the Texas CHL course. From what I have read and heard, some instructors are better than others from both a coverage and an engagement level. I would not recommend using that same instructor for your renewal classes in the future if you can find a different option.

The issue many people, including many here on the forum, have with the non-resident Utah CFP for Texas residents stems from the course requirements. The Utah requirements do not include Texas laws (but your instructor covered them to a degree anyway). The Texas CHL course requires coverage of Texas laws. You seem to have been fortunate in your choice of a Utah course instructor, and less so for the Texas course. This does not mean that anyone who supports Texas CHL first for Texas residents is out to hurt the cause of keeping and bearing arms here in Texas and elsewhere. I understand a certain logic in your comment, but also understand the logic of the camp you are accusing of hurting the cause. It is a simple matter of course requirements -- regardless of any additional material that might be covered.

For the sake of perspective, it is important to remember that instructors and student are people. As such, they are imperfect and the lessons learned by the student are dependent not only on the material covered but also by the manner it is covered by the instructor and the manner it is received by the student. From your description, you had a great experience and a lot of take aways from the Utah course but the same is not true for the Texas course you took. Different day, different instructor, rolling out of bed in a different way and it could have been the other way around.

Safety1,

Are you a Utah CFP instructor?

You may be right WildBill!!