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(1)  Concealed Handgun License - Original License

The 10 to 11 hour CHL course described immediately below is not intended to teach novice or inexperienced students how to shoot a handgun.  

Students with such need (as well as some "consciously incompetent" shooters) should consider the separate 5-hour course "Handgun Safety, Operation and Marksmanship 101", also available through the Community Activity Center (CAC) and Denton County Sports Association (DCSA). 

Saturday, July 19 or Saturday, August 9, 2008

8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Lunch break 11:45 to 12:15

"Classroom Segment Only" Cost: $110.00

The Texas Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Course requires two segments: "Classroom Training" and a "Demonstration of Proficiency" (shooting test). The "classroom only" portion of the CHL course is available at the CAC, with students having the option to complete the shooting portion locally with instructor Lonnie Ward or any other Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) certified instructor in the State. Minimum age requirement for class: 20 years, 6 months; minimum age of 21 before submitting application packet to DPS.

The classroom portion requires inclusion of not only handgun safety and child protective measures, but also non-violent dispute resolution and heavy emphasis on the legal aspects of concealed carry. Mr. Ward integrates a combination of books, videos, demonstrations, lecture and interactive discussions for rather fast paced coverage of "nice to know", "should know" and "must know" material on laws, mindset, tactics, skills and equipment.

Students need to bring their driver's license, an ink pen and a highlighter for use with the class handouts. Those who do not plan on getting lunch from the CAC concession will need to bring one (as the 30-minute lunch break is probably not long enough to be leaving the immediate area.) 

All students who successfully complete the classroom segment and 50-question written test at the CAC will be given a "Certificate of Training" (DPS Form TR-100) with Mr. Ward's signature indicating "PASS" for the "Classroom Training". Also included in the "classroom" fee above are the 2 required passport photos and notarization of the 3 affidavits in the DPS application packet. 

Mr. Ward will have "sign up" sheets available during and after classes for students who want to complete the "Demonstration of Proficiency" portion with him locally. Students who exercise this option may schedule a ($51.88) shooting session at a mutually convenient time at the DCSA private indoor range within a few days of the classroom completion. (DCSA is located 7 miles northwest of the CAC: 1/2 mile north of FM 407 at 409 Copper Canyon Road.)

While the instructor may integrate certain unloaded firearms for training purposes, students should not bring any personal firearms or ammunition into the CAC classroom.

DCSA's $51.88 pricing above includes the initial membership and range use fee, eye and ear protection, the required B-27 target and "Demonstration of Proficiency" - with no more than one other student shooting at the same time. ($76.88 for students who may desire the shooting test scheduled on a one-on-one basis and/or for students who request (at time of reservation) up to a 50-round "practice run" first on B-27 target at 3, 7 and/or 15 yards).

Students may bring their own (32 caliber or greater) handgun and (factory only) ammunition for the range session or will have the option of renting a 9mm Glock Model 19 or Kahr Model K-9 semi-automatic pistol and purchasing ammunition at DCSA ($15 total per 50 rounds).

Subsequent current cost of a 4-year "original" license is $140 (personal check or money order payable to Texas Department of Public Safety) for most individuals. (Those 60 and older and military veterans pay $70 for a 4-year license.)  While waiting that long is certainly not recommended, students (with non-electronic application payments) have up to 2 years from the first date of training to get their paperwork and payment submitted to DPS. Students who do apply with DPS on-line have up to 1 year to get the application materials submitted - or pay their state fee again.

"Original License" students have 2 basic options for obtaining the DPS CHL application packet. One option is to obtain a packet from the instructor in class, complete the application manually and pay DPS with a personal check or money order. The other option is to complete the application on-line and pay the state fee with a credit card, after which  DPS will mail the applicant the balance of the materials (for completion and return). Students who have obtained their packet directly from DPS should bring it to class for assistance in completion. 

Students who have applied on-line but not yet received their packet in the mail from DPS can still attend the class and get at least their TR-100 and passport photos. Such students may also want to print the 3 affidavits downloadable from http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/cr-84-87.pdf and bring to class for notarization. 

Per the 8 1/2" X 11" packet sheet entitled "FAST" (Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas), students are encouraged to subsequently get fingerprinted electronically to minimize the probability of the (blue-lined) fingerprint card being rejected when it hits the FBI. Students still have the option of getting fingerprinted manually by local police departments, yet should understand that, particularly in recent years, a large number of them done that way (and in CHL classes) have had such a high rate of rejection (further delaying the process) that DPS has "partnered" with http://www.L1id.com/IBT for electronic fingerprinting and card printing at specific offices in Texas. Their fee, by appointment only, is $9.95.

Some local police and sheriff's departments charge $10 to $20 for (generally manual) fingerprinting. Two cards are required with an "original" license application, just 1 card for renewal applicants. Flower Mound Police Department (and some other cities) do CHL applicant fingerprinting for free - at least for residents. In any event, students should not necessarily get fingerprinted before class because the individual taking the fingerprints must sign the back of one of the passport photos that will be taken in the CAC classroom. 

If you can answer "yes" to the 14 Preliminary Eligibility Questions here, then you are probably legally eligible for the Texas CHL. For answers to other "Frequently Asked Questions", see Texas Department of Public Safety Concealed Handgun License "Home Page": http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/chlsindex.htm and related links. If you still have a specific eligibility question after checking those out, you may call the DPS helpline at 1-800-224-5744 or send an email to chl@txdps.state.tx.us.

In answer to another frequently asked question "How difficult is the shooting test?":  Not all that difficult - at least for those who are at least "consciously competent" in safely handling and manipulating a (generally semi-automatic) handgun through 50 rounds of live fire in the presence of others. The B-27 target is a rather large silhouette. The first 20 rounds are fired from a distance of 3 yards. The next 20 rounds are fired from range of 7 yards. The last 10 rounds are fired from a range of 15 yards.

A perfect score is 250 points. A minimum score of 175 is required for a "pass". The shooting test is strictly "pass" or "fail" and that is the only score provided on Form TR-100. At instructor's discretion, students can have up to 3 opportunities to "pass". Students are given ample time to load between each series and start from the "low ready" position. At DCSA, the lights above the target are used for "fire" and "cease fire" signals. Each series begins with the target in the dark and then target is illuminated for x-number of seconds as signal to "fire". (The further away the target, the more time allowed.)

In simplified terms, students who - without violating any of the safety rules - can place 7 out of 10 rounds in 15 seconds on an 8 1/2" X 11" sheet of paper at 7 yards should have no problem with passing the shooting test. Instructor will have a sample of the B-27 target in class and explain the scoring rings and other details there and in a subsequent safety briefing at the range.

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(2)  Concealed Handgun License Renewal

 

Saturday, July 19

or

Saturday, August 9, 2008

 

1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

 

"Classroom Segment Only" Cost: $50.00

 

Existing CHL holders can join the afternoon segment of scheduled full length courses (described above) at the CAC to complete the required classroom portion for a CHL renewal. In addition to other required topics and a 50-question written test, during the last half of the day, instructor will focus on CHL law changes made in the last two sessions of the Legislature, particularly clarifications of House Bill 1815 and Senate Bill 378. 

Students need to bring their driver's license, existing CHL, the application packet (if in hand), an ink pen and a highlighter for use with the class handouts.

Current cost (payable to DPS) for a (now) 5-year "Renewal" license is $70.00 ($35 for military veterans and those age 60+). The CHL unit in Austin typically mails license holders a renewal application letter approximately 5 to 6 months before their license expires (on birthday). Current license holders should understand that the CHL unit, by law, has up to 45 days (and sometimes takes longer) to process a renewal license, so one should not procrastinate in completing a renewal class. If the new license is not received by one's birthday, CHL privileges no longer exist until the new license is "in hand".

CHL holders who have let their license lapse do have a one-year "grace period" to complete a renewal course and get the paperwork submitted to Austin. No CHL privileges exist until a new license is received, but starting completely over is not required.

While renewal license students can take the class at any point up to 6 months prior to expiration of their license, they cannot use an "original license" application in a packet supplied by instructor. Renewal students must obtain their renewal application directly from DPS (using one of the methods described in DPS letter mentioned above).

Renewal students but not yet received their packet in the mail from DPS can still attend the class and get at least their TR-100 and passport photos. Such students may also want to print the 3 affidavits downloadable from http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/cr-84-87.pdf and bring to class for notarization. 

Included in the "classroom" fee above are (1) instructor signature on the classroom portion of DPS Form TR-100, (2) two passport photos and (3) notarization of the 3 affidavits in the packet. 

Per the 8 1/2" X 11" sheet in the packet entitled "FAST" (Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas), students are encouraged to subsequently get fingerprinted electronically to minimize the probability of the (blue-lined) fingerprint card being rejected when it hits the FBI. Students still have the option of getting fingerprinted manually by local police departments, yet should understand that, particularly in recent years, a number of them done that way (and in CHL classes) have had such a high rate of rejection (further delaying the process) that DPS has "partnered" with http://www.L1id.com/IBT for electronic fingerprinting and card printing at specific offices in Texas for $9.95 (per pair of cards).

Some local police and sheriff's departments charge $10 to $20 for (generally manual) fingerprinting. Two cards are required with an "original" license application, just 1 card for renewal applicants.

Flower Mound Police Department (and some other cities) do CHL applicant fingerprinting for free - at least for residents. In any event, students should not necessarily get fingerprinted before class because the individual taking the fingerprints must sign the back of one of the passport photos that will be taken in class.

During or after class, students will have the option to promptly schedule a $51.88 shooting session at Denton County Sports Association's (DCSA) private indoor training facility at 409 Copper Canyon Road (7 miles northwest of the CAC.)  DCSA's $51.88 pricing above includes initial membership and range use fee, eye and ear protection, the required B-27 target and "Demonstration of Proficiency" with no more than one other student shooting at the same time. ($76.88 for students who may desire the shooting test scheduled on a one-on-one basis and/or for students who request (at time of reservation) up to a a 50-round "practice run" first on B-27 target at 3, 7 and/or 15 yards).

Students may bring their own (32 caliber or greater) handgun and (factory only) ammunition for the range session or will have the option of renting a 9mm Glock Model 19 or Kahr Model K-9 semi-automatic pistol and purchasing ammunition at DCSA ($15 total per 50 rounds).

(3)  Handgun Safety, Operation and Marksmanship 101

Tuesday, July 22 - 6:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 6 - 6:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 17 - 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Costs: $50 for classroom segment at the CAC.

$81.88 for subsequently scheduled 90-minute/100 round shooting segment at DCSA.

The objective of this course is for novice or inexperienced students to obtain the initial knowledge, skills and attitude to safely and responsibly own and operate a revolver or semi-automatic pistol.

For students with aspirations to obtain the Texas Concealed Handgun License (CHL), this "101" class can be taken at the before or after the CHL "Classroom Training" at the CAC.

While the instructor will integrate unloaded handguns and snap caps (inert training rounds) and lasers as aids for "hands on" work in the classroom, students should not bring any personal firearms or ammunition to the CAC.

Students will be welcome to bring their own handguns and ammunition to a subsequently scheduled session at Denton County Sports Association (DCSA) private indoor training facility (409 Copper Canyon Road; 7 miles northeast of the CAC). Eye and ear protection are included in the DCSA pricing above.

The subsequent fee to DCSA of $81.88 per student includes eye and ear protection, initial membership and range use fee and an approximately 90-minute/100-round shooting session with instructor (and no more than one other student shooting at the same time). Students who, for whatever reason, desire to complete their 1 1/2 hour shooting session with no other student present will have opportunity to schedule same for an additional $60.00.

"101 Class" students may bring their own handgun (of virtually any caliber) and (factory only) ammunition to the range session at DCSA only or will have the option of renting a 9mm Glock Model 19 or Kahr Model K-9 semi-automatic and purchasing ammunition at DCSA ($30 total including 100 rounds). If needed, 22 or 38 caliber revolvers and appropriate ammo can be made available.

Based upon mutual student/instructor discretion at the time, there may be an option for the last 50 rounds of this session to include the DPS CHL course "Demonstration of Proficiency". Note: This Texas CHL "shooting qualification" requires a minimum of 32 caliber. Students who test with a revolver will be issued a license to carry only revolvers (of any caliber). Students who test with a semi-automatic will be issued a license good for either a semi-automatic pistol or a revolver.