Current Weapon-Carrying Laws in Texas & Constitutional Carry

---

The Florida CHL Course – Recognized in 35 States Including Texas!

• 2 - 4-hour class
• 1-page application!
• No testing, written, or shooting to qualify!
• Gun discharge on-site supervised by weapons expert and uniformed officer

• We furnish gun/ammo—NO CHARGE!
• Passport photo processed on site and ready to go when you are
• FBI fingerprints (on-site) by FBI fingerprint specialist uniformed officer!
• Certificate of completion allowing you to carry any gun sold to the general public!

HB 48 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013), HB 485 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013), HB 698 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013), SB 864 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013), HB 1349 (Effective Jan. 1, 2014), HB 3142 (Effective Immediately), HB 3370 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013), SB 164 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013) CHL Process Overhaul for First Time Applicants and Renewals. 

The process to apply for a concealed handgun license, as well as to renew, has undergone significant modifications. For new applicants, SB 864 has changed how the class is taken. 

The length of the classroom instruction is reduced to a minimum of 4 hours, not including range time. New applicants will still have to take the class in person. Under HB 48, to renew a CHL, all you have to do is submit a renewal application on the internet, pay a fee, and sign an acknowledgment of an "information form" that describes state law regarding when a CHL holder can carry a concealed handgun and the use of deadly force. 

HB 1421 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013), SB 1189 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013)

For better or for worse, one of the first bills to be signed by the governor was the bill regarding the auctioning of seized weapons, HB 1421. This bill allows law enforcement agencies to sell seized weapons at public auctions. Only licensed firearms dealers are allowed to purchase these seized firearms at such an auction, and the proceeds of the sale would go directly to the law enforcement agency. This is a new law that will require close scrutiny; while the bill could be enforced in a just and fair manner, the temptation and motivation for abuse by agencies with low budgets are high.

There are also new procedures for the seizure of weapons by police officers from the mentally ill, described by SB 1189. If the officer has reason to believe and does believe that the person is mentally ill and that because of the mental illness, there is a substantial risk of harm unless the person is immediately restrained, then the officer may seize any firearm found in possession of that person.

There is a very involved system regarding the receipt of the seizure and how to reclaim the firearm if you've been released or have received inpatient mental health care. Of note is the fact that, after you've been said to be released, the law enforcement agency will conduct background checks to verify that you may still lawfully possess your firearm.

HB 2407 (Effective Jan. 1, 2014), SB 299 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013), HB 1862 (Effective Sept. 1, 2013)

Restoration of a Ward's Rights  

A ward in Texas is someone who is determined by the courts to be incapacitated and will therefore require a guardian. 

A result of becoming a ward is that you lose the ability to purchase firearms. If a ward's capacity was completely restored, that is to say, they are no longer incapacitated, and a court has made or is making such a finding, HB 2407 establishes some guidelines regarding the reestablishment of their rights to purchase a firearm. 

4HrLTC.com is truly on the cutting edge of all things concerning licensing. When we started our 4-hour program, we were scoffed at, called traitors, and some even tried to accuse us of running contrary to the law. Those complaints by our fellow Texas DPS-certified instructors were unfounded and resulted in a meeting with Texas DPS Investigators. What came out of that meeting in early 2013 was our advice on several ways to streamline its program, but more importantly, on how to shorten the Texas CHL class, which had become a marathon of 10-15 hours to what became law passed in the Texas legislature and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry. Most of it came into effect Sept. 01, 2013. Our small part in helping reduce the Texas class to only 4 hours, plus removal of the revolver’s semi-auto designation, has helped Texas instructors tremendously, but we have a long way to go. They did not drop the contract with Morpho Identity (the digital fingerprint company Texas is beholden to), which is one of the major stumbling blocks for Texas citizens in completing their Texas CHL application.

What takes place is: You complete your Texas class at a local vendor, spend $38.50 for a box of ammo to pass the shooting test, and depending on whether that instructor is beholden to the gun range, another $10–$25 for gun range usage, you get passport photos, maybe not; notary, who knows? 

What we do know for a fact is you have to make a reservation with Morpho, and more times than not, you have to take off work because they only work Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM as of this posting and pay $10 for the abuse. It is the FBI that authorizes all concealed weapons licenses in the United States. No state has the authority to issue without first being approved by the FBI. With that in mind, read the following as it pertains to a concealed carry permit/license.

Hinojosa, Criminal Justice:
S.B. 481 author/sponsor's statement of intent:

Texas has signed reciprocal agreements with Florida and Tennessee, allowing citizens with concealed handgun licenses issued by Florida or Tennessee to legally carry concealed handguns in Texas and vice versa.

"This agreement will allow licensed Texans to travel freely in the states of Tennessee and Florida while enjoying the same or similar privileges their licenses give them at home," Davis said. These reciprocity agreements—the fifth and sixth Texas has reached with another state—were made possible by 1997 changes to the state's concealed handgun law.

Texas also has reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Louisiana, Arizona, and Oklahoma. "Texans should remember that weapons laws vary from state to state, and before traveling, license holders should educate themselves about laws in other states that govern where and when they can legally carry their concealed handguns," Davis said.