TexasCHLforum.com

This may not be the proper place to post this, but it's one of the more active areas in this forum, and I need some pretty quick advice, so here goes:


I'm a law student in Houston, and I was considering taking the CHL course this weekend because I probably won't have a lot of free weekends to do it once the semester starts. However, when I was a freshman in undergrad I had some minor legal problems. No felonies or anything like that, we're talking a couple of low grade misdemeanors. This was about 5 years ago, so I'm right around the time the statute of limitations pursuant to Texas CHL eligibility would expire for even the highest-grade misdemeanor offenses. Problem is, I don't really know how my offenses translate into Texas Penal Code language because I received them when I was going to school out of state, and that state's classifications don't align with Texas'.

So, bottom line is I don't know if I'm going to be eligible or not, and I was wondering if there was any way for me to find out before spending $300ish on paperwork and the class. I already made this mistake one time about 3 years ago and was denied based on these misdemeanors, and I don't want to get screwed again. Since then it appears the law have changed slightly, and I just don't know if I'm eligible yet or if I should wait until next summer.

Is there someone I can call or a site I can go to to verify my eligibility before I waste a bunch of money again? I've been looking around and I haven't found any real answers. I really would like to get my CHL someday soon, and my dad keeps harping on me to get it as soon as possible so that I can carry on my person and not just under my driver's seat.

Thanks guys!

Ya may get some voice mail run-around, but call DPS at 800.224.5744. Once ya get a live person, ask to speak with someone in Legal. Have all ya paperwork in order and be prepared to give em all ya have for best chance of a straight answer "from the horse's mouth". And be sure to make note of the person ya talk to.

PM sent.

Chas.

There's a huge reason why come NRA-election time, Mr. Cotton gets my vote.

I don't know the gentleman, a live on the other side of this state from him. However, it's fantastic to have one with such a knowledge-base and certain avocations that looks after this site, but more importantly lends a watchful eye and ear to questions regarding the ever-in-motion subject of law and 2A interests.

Thanks Mr. Cotton.

I'm finished..almost.

I'm just going through this whole Tucson lunatic rampage event with my family and individually; like everyone else I suppose.

Then I see this OP's topic posted, and there is Mr. Cotton lending an ear and some time.

Now I'm done. Thanks.

I fully agree! I'm definitely trying to have a brief talk with him about it tomorrow.

I tried the DPS hotline, got the runaround twice and left some messages, nobody has called me back yet. I'm not holding my breath.

Keep calling them, be patient and have time to sit there on hold for while! During my application process I had to call to make sure I had my info in order. . . the wait was frustrating but the 2 times I got someone on the phone they were forthright and professional.
Bottom line is I got the answers I needed confirmed and it was 38 days mailbox to mailbox for my plastic.
Good luck with your CHL, like most things in life it isn't easy, but it's worth it!