Concealed Handgun Licensing & Firearms Training

January 2nd, 2009 CLASS FULL

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

January 9th, 2009 CLASS FULL

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

January 16th, 2009 CLASS FULL

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

JANUARY 23RD, 2009

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

February 6th, 2009 CLASS FULL

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

February 13th,2009

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

February 27th, 2009

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

March 6th, 2009

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

March 20th, 2009

7:30am-5:00pm

1025 N. TX STE. 21-H / (Located at Palm Plaza 300 west Pike Street.)

PROFICIENCY COURSES HELD AT HOLE IN THE WALL SHOOTING RANGE

Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Training Specialists

Welcome to our Handgun & Firearms Training site. We are a full service concealed handgun training organization and members with the Texas Concealed Handgun Instructor Association. Our one-day training course, includes your notary, fingerprints (optional) and a shooting proficiency test at a certified DPS firing indoor/outdoor range.

The CHL proficiency test is to demonstrate to the instructors that you are indeed proficient with your handgun.

This course is not a Firearms training course. We provide individual firearms training if requested, student fees varied per 2-hour training sessions. Student provides handgun and ammunition for training sessions.

Getting a Concealed Handgun License

(we recommend to get the training first )

Qualifications

To qualify for a Texas CHL you must:

Be 21 years old. (Members and former members of the armed forces must be 18.)
Have a clean criminal history, including military service and recent juvenile records.
Not be under a protective order.
Not be chemically dependent.
Not be of unsound mind.
Not be delinquent in paying fines, fees, child support, student loans, etc.
Be eligible to purchase a handgun by completing the NICS check.
Complete required training.

More information on the specifics of qualifying are available on the Texas Department of Public Safety site.
Applying for the License

There are two preliminary steps to the application process, completing an application and taking a training course. These are concurrent; you can do either one first or both at the same time.

Completing an Application. There are two ways to approach this part of the process:

Submit a request by mail:

Your instructor should have application packages for mail submission. As an alternative you can also obtain the postcard Request for Application from a firearms dealer or DPS office, or download it (PDF) from our site. Fill it out and mail it to TDPS. They will run a quick background check and, if there aren't any problems, send you an application package.
Fill out the forms in the package.
Obtain passport photos and fingerprints, following the instructions in the application package. You must obtain photos before going for fingerprints.
If you have questions your training course instructor should be able to help.

Submit a request by internet:

Visit the Concealed Handgun Licensing & Instructor Certification Site at http://www.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdps/chl/common/jsp/welcome.jsp.
You will need:

Your Social Security Number.
Your Texas Driver License or Texas Identification card.
A valid credit card. (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express)

Complete the online process.
DPS will send you the application forms to complete. The forms available through CHL instructors cannot be substituted.
If you have questions call DPS at (800) 224-5744.

Taking a Training Course

Find a DPS Qualified Instructor. TCHA member instructors are listed on this site.
Take the training course. It will require 10 to 15 hours, and includes a written examination and a shooting practical. You must pass both with a score of 70% or better.

The written exam covers law, nonviolent conflict resolution, and handgun use and storage. It is not mainly about shooting.
The shooting practical requires you to fire fifty rounds from a handgun of .32 caliber or greater, including 20 shots at three yards, 20 at seven yards, and 10 a fifteen yards. If you shoot a semiauto you will be able to carry any legal handgun. If you qualify with a revolver you will be able to carry any handgun, including a revolver or derringer, except for a semiauto.

After you pass both tests the instructor will issue two copies of Form 100, which you must both sign.

Submitting your Application

Make sure all the forms that came in the application package are correctly completed.
Include the first copy of the Form 100. Do not send in the second copy.
If you have not paid online, you may send a personal check, cashier's check, or money order for the license fee. You may pay cash at DPS headquarters in Austin. NOTE: It is a very bad idea to bounce a check on the Texas DPS.
Send the package to DPS, and wait while they check your background and process your application. If there are no problems it will take about 60 days.
When you recieve your Concealed Handgun License check it over to make sure the information is correct.
New CHL Students: $120.00 includes notary, range fee's, fingerprints. (F.A.S.T. Services)
Renewal Students: $80.00
15% discount for ALL L.E. Officers
We do not charge extra if you need to use one of our pistols. You only need to purchase your own 50 rounds of ammunition.We provide all Eye and Ear protection and any other safety equipment.

Where Can You Take a Gun?

Civilian Carry of Firearms in Texas Nonlicensed Civilian Licensed Civilian

Location Long gun Handgun Long gun Handgun

Routine carry in public places not licensed to sell alcohol, and which are not posted with a 30.06 sign. Legal Misd. Legal Legal

A persons' own premises or premises under their control, including in their motor vehicle. (Handguns in a vehicle must be concealed.) Legal Legal Legal Legal

Employees at their workplace. Policy Policy Policy Policy

The premises of businesses licensed to sell alcohol. Felony Felony Legal Legal

A business receiving 51% of its income from serving alcohol. Legal Felony Legal Felony

School premises, without permission. Felony Felony Felony Felony

Professional sporting event. Legal Misd. Legal Misd.

Premises of a paramutual race track: horse or dog racing. Felony Felony Felony Felony

Voting place, including during early voting. Don't carry past the "No Campaigning" signs. Felony Felony Felony Felony

The premises of a courtroom, without permission. Felony Felony Felony Felony

Secure area of an airport, inside the metal detectors. Felony Felony Felony Felony

Correctional facility. Felony Felony Felony Felony

On another person's premises, after effective 30.06 notification. Misd. Misd. Misd. Misd.

On Federal Property. This chart reflects Texas law; the Federal government sets its own rules on Federal property. Obey all signs and call for information before visiting.

Persons who are not included in this chart:

Under Texas law CHL licensed judges and law enforcement officers can carry firearms almost anywhere, whether they are on or off duty.
On duty security officers must operate by security officer, not CHL, rules. An on-duty officer must be properly certified to carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.
Under Texas law parole and probation officers, in the actual discharge of official duties and as provided by their written policies, may carry a weapon almost anywhere in the state.
A guard at a penal institution, in the actual discharge of official duties, may carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.
Military personnel in the actual discharge of official duties may carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.