Goal #1 - Ease of Renewal

[KBCraig]

I don't know if the Virginia license is a NICS substitute, but wouldn't those changes eliminate the Texas CHL for NICS?

[Tom]

I don't know if the Virginia license is a NICS substitute, but wouldn't those changes eliminate the Texas CHL for NICS?

Perhaps, I don't know. But given the option I would take the permanent
license over the NICS. Others would probably go the other way.
Is there any reason that there couldn't be two types of CHL here; one
NICS, one not?

I do enjoy seeing the push that is taking place in other States, and here,
to make continous improvements in the CHL's. Even if all of the battles
aren't won, it keeps the pressure going our way.

Kind Regards,

Tom

[Charles L. Cotton]

If that passes in Virginia, then that State will loose virtually all reciprocity with other states including Texas, in addition to losing it's NICS exemption.

There's not a chance it would even get introduced in Texas, much less passed. Our friends in Austin wouldn't touch it! The State would loose the revenue and the lack of a renewal background check and law update will never fly. We'd have a better chance repealing 42.06 as it applies to handguns, but keeping the CHL for reciprocity and NICS (a la Alaska), but that's not happening anytime soon either.

Regards,
Chas.

[Tom]

If that passes in Virginia, then that State will loose virtually all reciprocity with other states including Texas, in addition to losing it's NICS exemption.

There's not a chance it would even get introduced in Texas, much less passed. Our friends in Austin wouldn't touch it! The State would loose the revenue and the lack of a renewal background check and law update will never fly. We'd have a better chance repealing 42.06 as it applies to handguns, but keeping the CHL for reciprocity and NICS (ala Alaska), but that's not happening anytime soon either.

Regards,
Chas.

Given that the folks in VA are not uninformed on these issues I do wonder
what they are up to. Reciprocity and NICS aside, it seems a bold move.
I'll send a note to Philip Van Cleave (VCDL) to see what he says about
this.

Thanks for your take on this Charles. Not surprising that revenue jumps
into the discussion. Just try to wrangle a few bucks away from any
agency and watch the result.

Kind Regards,

Tom

[Charles L. Cotton]

Not surprising that revenue jumps into the discussion. Just try to wrangle a few bucks away from any agency and watch the result.

That's for sure!! I can't recall the exact year, but around 2001 DPS had an $8 million surplus from CHL fees. Yet every attempt we make to lower the overall CHL fees runs into a stone wall. We'll eventually get there, but not until the budget deficit years are over.

Chas.

[Tom]

If that passes in Virginia, then that State will loose virtually all reciprocity with other states including Texas, in addition to losing it's NICS exemption.

There's not a chance it would even get introduced in Texas, much less passed. Our friends in Austin wouldn't touch it! The State would loose the revenue and the lack of a renewal background check and law update will never fly. We'd have a better chance repealing 42.06 as it applies to handguns, but keeping the CHL for reciprocity and NICS (ala Alaska), but that's not happening anytime soon either.

Regards,
Chas.

Given that the folks in VA are not uninformed on these issues I do wonder
what they are up to. Reciprocity and NICS aside, it seems a bold move.
I'll send a note to Philip Van Cleave (VCDL) to see what he says about
this.

Thanks for your take on this Charles. Not surprising that revenue jumps
into the discussion. Just try to wrangle a few bucks away from any
agency and watch the result.

Kind Regards,

Tom

I heard back from both Philip Van Cleave, and the bill sponser, Delegate
Scott Lingamfelter.

Philip said (I am paraphrasing) that he didn't know if the sponser had
looked into the reciprocity issue, but thought the bill was a plus for
Virginia CHL holders.


Delegate Scott Lingamfelter said the following:
"Reciprocity is unaffected. I had our legislative folks verify this.
Hook 'em Horns!
Scott"

A couple of items jump out of this short note:
1. He doesn't appear to be an Aggie;
2. It appears that we may have a misunderstanding brewing on the
reciprocity issue. I am making the assumption that Charles is correct
in his assessment that this bill in Virginia will kill TX reciprocity, and
perhaps many other States as well.

OK, now what?

Tom