CHL expires today

[baldeagle]

I applied for renewal a while back but have not yet received it. The state website is devoid of any useful information regarding the status of my renewal.

Am I required to stop carrying until I have the new CHL in hand? Or am I ok to carry since I have applied for renewal?

[n5wd]

I applied for renewal a while back but have not yet received it. The state website is devoid of any useful information regarding the status of my renewal.

Am I required to stop carrying until I have the new CHL in hand? Or am I ok to carry since I have applied for renewal?

It's my understanding of the law that you have to have, in your possession, a valid CHL before you can legally carry a handgun concealed. Until the license arrives in your mailbox, you're stuck with the privileges everyday Texans have -- MPA and carry on your own / your controlled property plus to/from a sporting activity.

[jamminbutter]

Per DPS website FAQs #32

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/CHL/faqs/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

32. My Concealed Handgun License (CHL) has expired, and my renewal application is in process. Can I carry a concealed handgun while I am waiting to receive my new license?
No. There is no grace period or extension for an expired CHL, even if your renewal application has been submitted. You must wait until you receive the CHL before you are allowed to carry a concealed handgun.

[baldeagle]

Thanks. Should have looked that up myself.

[Jumping Frog]

Thanks. Should have looked that up myself.

That is one reason I maintain a Utah non-resident license (renewals are $15/5 yrs) and a Pennsylvania non-resident license ($20/5 yrs) with staggered renewal dates.

If my TX license expires or is lost, then I still have carry options.

[Pawpaw]

I applied for renewal a while back but have not yet received it. The state website is devoid of any useful information regarding the status of my renewal.

Am I required to stop carrying until I have the new CHL in hand? Or am I ok to carry since I have applied for renewal?

Log in to the website like you're trying to check on the status. If you see a link to change your address, your license is on it's way to you.

[The Annoyed Man]

Thanks. Should have looked that up myself.

That is one reason I maintain a Utah non-resident license (renewals are $15/5 yrs) and a Pennsylvania non-resident license ($20/5 yrs) with staggered renewal dates.

If my TX license expires or is lost, then I still have carry options.

[rbwhatever1]

Awesome idea to stagger two Licenses! I will apply for a Utah License immediately thanks to this post!!

[Jumping Frog]

Awesome idea to stagger two Licenses! I will apply for a Utah License immediately thanks to this post!!

I took the 4 hour Utah training class to get the Utah license.

Some choices for non-resident licenses that are valid in Texas include:

• Arizona ($60 new, $43 renewal, accepts TX license as proof of training)
• Virginia ($100, may accept TX training or require a one hour online training course)
• Pennsylvania (generally $20, but requires visiting the PA county sheriff in person and must have Texas CHL)
• Utah ($51 new, $15 renewal, requires Utah training from Utah certified instructor, typically $100 for training, and must have Texas CHL)
• Florida ($112 new, $102 renewal, accepts TX CHL training.)

Personally, I think getting an AZ non-resident license is the easiest choice. Even though Utah renewals are the cheapest, it takes 25 years to have the cheaper renewal cost offset the up front training cost.

[RetNavy]

Awesome idea to stagger two Licenses! I will apply for a Utah License immediately thanks to this post!!

I took the 4 hour Utah training class to get the Utah license.

Some choices for non-resident licenses that are valid in Texas include:

• Arizona ($60 new, $43 renewal, accepts TX license as proof of training)
• Virginia ($100, may accept TX training or require a one hour online training course)
• Pennsylvania (generally $20, but requires visiting the PA county sheriff in person and must have Texas CHL)
• Utah ($51 new, $15 renewal, requires Utah training from Utah certified instructor, typically $100 for training, and must have Texas CHL)
• Florida ($112 new, $102 renewal, accepts TX CHL training.)

Personally, I think getting an AZ non-resident license is the easiest choice. Even though Utah renewals are the cheapest, it takes 25 years to have the cheaper renewal cost offset the up front training cost.

Went to sheriff office today to do fingerprints for the Arizona Licence. Filled all the required spaces on the cards before leaving. Had to do new ones over there since they print out the cards and all the info I filled in would have been typed over.. So before getting prints done check to see if they do the ink prints or the electronic ones

[RoyGBiv]

FYI... AZ non-res is valid for 5 years = $60/5 = $12/year (New) or $43/5=$8.60/year (renewal).
FL non-res is valid for 7 years = $112/7=$16/yr (new) or $102/7=$14.5/yr (renewal).

The FL fees are higher per year, but it looks worse than it is until you consider that you get an extra 2 years between renewals with a FL license.
I'm still on the fence about which way to go (FL or AZ) when my FL permit expires again.... Mom lives in FL and I rarely visit AZ. TBD.

[tacticool]

Personally, I think getting an AZ non-resident license is the easiest choice. Even though Utah renewals are the cheapest, it takes 25 years to have the cheaper renewal cost offset the up front training cost.

Utah also has the hidden cost of maintaining a Texas CHL but Arizona has no such prerequisite to issue or renew.

[rentz]

that arizona permit is a pretty nice deal, based on their site all you have to do is go to your local police dept get fingerprinted and mail in the forms with a check and wait for the license.
not a bad deal for a backup

[RetNavy]

that arizona permit is a pretty nice deal, based on their site all you have to do is go to your local police dept get fingerprinted and mail in the forms with a check and wait for the license.
not a bad deal for a backup

When I did mine the fingerprinting was in the secure part of the jail... Was asked by the detention deputy what they were for and told him that it was for an Arizona permit... Mentioned it was a back up for my Texas CHL and they didn't even asked if I had a weapon on me.... ( left in truck )

[Greybeard]

I had Pennsylvania as backup. Unable to renew recently due to change of having to be done in person.