Texas Senate Considers Reducing Class Time for Gun License

[Syntyr]

I placed this here as it seems to be more specifically related to Texas CHL as opposed to general political issues... Apologies if this is in the wrong place.

So the Texas senate is considering reducing the number of required hours to obtain a CHL. This is fine by mine I am an advocate of constitutional carry but I think you should get training. Regardless the article says that this would help prevent people from just going "online" to obtain a CHL...

"Both believe reducing the classroom time needed to obtain a handgun license would encourage more Texans to go through the training instead of obtaining a gun license online or out of state." http://www.ktrh.com/articles/houston-ne ... -11146983/

So my question is - Where does one go "online" to get a CHL? I have mine and I am not trying to subvert the law or anything I am just interested in where this reporter thinks that one can get a CHL online... To me this seems like ordering your CHL badge!!! I get the Utah license and obtaining it can be considered valid in states that offer reciprocity but an online CHL... Just doesn't compute!

[JALLEN]

I have Utah and Florida permits. You don't get them "online" exactly but the requirements are not onerous. I can't recall what the training requirements were because California, Utah and Florida requirements were all done in the same class, maybe a morning's worth.

As appealing as Constitutional carry sounds, I think people need to have some training, particularly in legal standards for use of force. Shooting someone because you are mad at them will get you in a lot of trouble, and many people don't understand that.

Infringing on your rights by making you smarter is a lot less onerous than some of these restrictions about magazine capacity, barrel length, evil features, ID to buy ammo etc.

[OldGrumpy]

I think you can get VA CHL online.

[nightmare69]

Texas being such a pro-gun state I think its ridiculous all the hoops we have to jump through in order to get a CHL. There are more liberal states that it is much easier to get a CHL or states like Arizona where no permit is required to open or conceal carry. If you have to get a license or permit to carry a firearm then they have just turned our God given 2A right into a privilege like driving.

Before anyone says "well I think everyone should have to go through class and or training to get a CHL otherwise you will have more crimes committed by CHL holders" I want you to show me hard proof such as FBI crime stats supporting your claim.

[treeman]

I guess I'm one of those that doesn't think the current requirement is too tough. As far as more crime if it were easier, I wouldn't say that, but I would anticipate more stupid mistakes from those not understanding the Texas Regulations. I think if something costs you more (i.e. have to give up something) you take it a little more seriously.

[anygunanywhere]

The second amendment clearly states that the right to keep and bear arms must cost money and require you to carry a piece of paper or plastic with you.

Wait! No it doesn't!

Anygunanywhere

[Dragonfighter]

The second amendment clearly states that the right to keep and bear arms must cost money and require you to carry a piece of paper or plastic with you.

Wait! No it doesn't!

Anygunanywhere

This. I just love it when members of our community say that they would require more "hoops" if it were up to them. If I haven't forfeited the right to self defense by being a violent felon, I should not be restricted from self defense by arbitrary "requirements" even if I am infirm or stupid.

[Beiruty]

The second amendment clearly states that the right to keep and bear arms must cost money and require you to carry a piece of paper or plastic with you.

Wait! No it doesn't!

Anygunanywhere

I know your logic behind absolute 2ndA support, however, until US schools start teaching firearms safety, marksmanship, and survival skills, then you cannot expect a person who never touched a pistol/revolver to get a CHL and has no clue what do with his firearm to start toting a handgun. US Schools are bringing up kids with the mentality of let us run from trouble. If assaulted then run and tell someone about your need for help.
NRA firearms safety and basic pistol and basic rifle courses should be taught at schools.

[mojo84]

The second amendment clearly states that the right to keep and bear arms must cost money and require you to carry a piece of paper or plastic with you.

Wait! No it doesn't!

Anygunanywhere

I know your logic behind absolute 2ndA support, however, until US schools start teaching firearms safety, marksmanship, and survival skills, then you cannot expect a person who never touched a pistol/revolver to get a CHL and has no clue what do with his firearm to start toting a handgun. US Schools are bringing up kids with the mentality of let us run from trouble. If assaulted then run and tell someone about your need for help.
NRA firearms safety and basic pistol and basic rifle courses should be taught at schools.

I don't think this is the schools' responsibility. I want them to focus on the basics with which they are finding sufficient challenge as it is.

[steveincowtown]

The second amendment clearly states that the right to keep and bear arms must cost money and require you to carry a piece of paper or plastic with you.

Wait! No it doesn't!

Anygunanywhere

I know your logic behind absolute 2ndA support, however, until US schools start teaching firearms safety, marksmanship, and survival skills, then you cannot expect a person who never touched a pistol/revolver to get a CHL and has no clue what do with his firearm to start toting a handgun. US Schools are bringing up kids with the mentality of let us run from trouble. If assaulted then run and tell someone about your need for help.
NRA firearms safety and basic pistol and basic rifle courses should be taught at schools.

I don't think any of these are taught in the Texas CHL class, and I would think that some instructors here would attest that they CHL class is not intended to teach any of these.

[nightmare69]

I know your logic behind absolute 2ndA support, however, until US schools start teaching firearms safety, marksmanship, and survival skills, then you cannot expect a person who never touched a pistol/revolver to get a CHL and has no clue what do with his firearm to start toting a handgun. US Schools are bringing up kids with the mentality of let us run from trouble. If assaulted then run and tell someone about your need for help.
NRA firearms safety and basic pistol and basic rifle courses should be taught at schools.

Show me crime stats in states where no permit is required to open or concealed carry where they have had problems with people carrying getting into trouble cause they didn't know how to handle a firearm.

[anygunanywhere]

The second amendment clearly states that the right to keep and bear arms must cost money and require you to carry a piece of paper or plastic with you.

Wait! No it doesn't!

Anygunanywhere

I know your logic behind absolute 2ndA support, however, until US schools start teaching firearms safety, marksmanship, and survival skills, then you cannot expect a person who never touched a pistol/revolver to get a CHL and has no clue what do with his firearm to start toting a handgun. US Schools are bringing up kids with the mentality of let us run from trouble. If assaulted then run and tell someone about your need for help.
NRA firearms safety and basic pistol and basic rifle courses should be taught at schools.

The second amendment does not mention any of that other stuff you have listed there either but it does mention a well regulated militia. Regulated means trained. So yes, in a manner it does infer training, but it is not an absolute requirement. When the wording was penned you could buy, make, and carry openly or concealed anything you wanted. I believe that is constitutional carry. When you start your own country you can put in any requirements you desire. The US Constitution does not have any.

Anygunanywhere

[baldeagle]

I think you guys are entirely missing the point. At one time in this country every man was responsible for his own actions, good or bad. If bad, he suffered the consequences. Therefore it behooved him to know the law, understand the difference between right and wrong and comprehend his responsibilities toward other citizens. Today, we are taught that everything is someone else's responsibility. E.g. It's the police who protect you, so you don't have to know anything about guns. In that environment, it's foolhardy to expect people to return to the former state without some training in what that means.

If you want constitutional carry, you first must fix the culture.

[GeekwithaGun]

I think you guys are entirely missing the point. At one time in this country every man was responsible for his own actions, good or bad. If bad, he suffered the consequences. Therefore it behooved him to know the law, understand the difference between right and wrong and comprehend his responsibilities toward other citizens. Today, we are taught that everything is someone else's responsibility. E.g. It's the police who protect you, so you don't have to know anything about guns. In that environment, it's foolhardy to expect people to return to the former state without some training in what that means.

If you want constitutional carry, you first must fix the culture.