Posted on 05/08/2008 5:14:46 AM PDT by FooBarBaz
AUSTIN — Demand for concealed handgun licenses has risen nearly 40 percent in Texas in a year, an increase being attributed to many factors, even presidential politics.
Though the exact cause may be unclear, what's certain is that the spike in applications has caught the Department of Public Safety unprepared.
The state is taking a month longer than the 60 days allowed by law to process original applications and 80 days longer on renewals, which are supposed to be handled within 45 days.
"We're trying really hard, but there have been delays because of the tremendous increase in applications," said Tela Mange, a DPS spokeswoman.
She said the department is paying overtime and hiring temporary workers to reduce the backlog. Mange said she doesn't know why applications last month were 39 percent higher than they were in April 2007.
But Ross Bransford, who trains 1,000 Texans a year to qualify for a concealed handgun license, said he believes the looming 2008 election is a big factor.
"People are not sure what's going to happen after the election," said Bransford, who owns Austin-based CHL-Texas.com. "Both Democratic candidates are anti-gun in one fashion or another."
He said Sen. Barack Obama, who is leading the race for the nomination, is a "friend of (Democratic Senator) Ted Kennedy, and that scares everybody to death."
Other instructors mentioned an increased interest from young adults after last year's Virginia Tech massacre and recent changes in Texas law about carrying concealed weapons.
In 2007, lawmakers granted privacy to the 258,000 license holders by closing records that had been public since the concealed handgun law passed in 1995. They also extended the so-called "castle doctrine" defense to persons who use a gun to protect their vehicles, in addition to their homes.
45 minutes on hold
Alice Tripp, legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association, the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, said she hears daily from frustrated members about the delay in getting licenses.
She said some have been put on hold for 45 minutes when they called DPS to inquire about their licenses.
"They are really quite alarmed and annoyed," Tripp said. "They sat on hold, and had gotten no answers."
Last month, she took her group's concerns to a meeting with DPS officials, Gov. Rick Perry's legislative director Ken Armbrister and House Law Enforcement Chairman Joe Driver.
Driver, R-Garland, is demanding weekly reports from DPS on license applications. During the week that ended Friday, DPS said it processed 1,043 original and renewal applications but received 1,871 requests.
"I was very surprised at how far behind they are," Tripp said.
Renewal every 5 years
She said she can't understand why it is taking so long for renewals, because people with handgun licenses are continually checked against criminal databases and other records. Licenses must be renewed every five years.
"If you find yourself subject to a protective order, someone will knock on your door and take your license," she said.
Mange urged license applicants to use the DPS Web site to enter basic information required on the permit. Tripp said her members who have used the Web site tell her it does not speed the process.
Tripp said there is no grace period for expired handgun licenses.
Everyone seeking a license, and certain renewals, must take classes that cover safety, state law and conflict resolution. They must submit fingerprints, which DPS sends to the FBI for a background check, and a photo. They must carry their license when they carry a concealed handgun. There are some restrictions as to where concealed handguns can be carried in Texas.
Applicant's suspicions
Ron Freeman, a CPA who lives in Wimberley, said he was asked twice to redo fingerprints that were taken at a local constable's office.
He finally agreed to DPS' suggestion that he use an electronic fingerprint device run by a private company.
"I have a feeling that the Department of Public Safety is using the process as a filter to keep people from even having a gun," said Freeman, 60, who moved to Texas from Arizona last year.
Marsha McCartney, who represents the North Texas Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said she was surprised to learn that so many more Texans are applying to carry guns.
However, McCartney said she is more concerned about an expected battle in the next legislative session over whether the law should be changed to allow college students to carry guns on campus.
Not sure if they meant to say that 1 in 6 own guns, or that 1 in 6 had a CHL.
They knew EXACTLY what they were saying. I am just surprized they didn't say "Walking around with hidden guns". Much scarier that way, no?
Yet, voters and in particular voters on the Left insist that government should deliver more essential services. How long would Wal-Mart last if it took 125 to process any customer transaction? How many seconds would it take to fire any manager who declined to take whatever staffing action to eliminate such a delay?
There is no way in hell 1 in 6 ANYBODY is walking around armed. A lot of people who get licensed to carry a firearm never do after initial tests of doing so. It is too uncomfortable, too inconvenient and too much responsibility. People go through the motions and then don’t bother to carry. I have no scientific data but I suspect that 2 in 100 Texans carry a gun on a regular basis, even if 1 in 6 is licensed to do so.
Anybody have reliable statistics about this?
The folks on KLBJ in the morning are fairly conservative; Even Sgt. Sam, who’s at least a half-a-fascist, is 100% on target when guns are concerned. I did not hear anything I’d regard as scare tactics on the radio.
Ah...it took almost 6 months to get mine.
There’s no way it can be argued that this process, even when it’s working at the prescribed speed, isn’t an unconcstitutional infringement. 60 days? Training requirement?
In Pennsylvania (Philadelphia excluded), you can do the whole thing in half a day. You just need to go to your local police station to have them fill out a card that basically says they’re not aware that you’re involved in any criminal activity. Then you take the card to the CCW office in the county courthouse, plunk down a few bucks ($15 last time I did it, for a 5 year license), get your photo taken (no fingerprints), they run a NICS check, and assuming NICS doesn’t flag you, you walk out with your license 5 minutes later, after the photo dries and they stick the photo and card through a laminator.
And I’ve complained to the CCW office that even THAT process is an infringement, because they don’t have any evening or weekend hours, making it difficult for people who work a normal office schedule. And of course, the requirement to get a license at all is an infringement.
At any rate, given that Texas law specifies a time limit, I don’t expect anyone will get in legal trouble for not having a valid CCW license, as long as they applied 60/45 days earlier. And I think every CCW holder and overdue applicant in the state should take up open-carry 24/7 until the system is at least in compliance with state law.
I've noticed around here that they antis like the "loaded concealed handgun" phrasing. I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't object if the darn things had no bullets in them. :/
I was born and raised in New Jersey. I'm just glad that my new masters here in Texas generously allow me to pay a fee, take training, pass tests, and get background checks so that I'm permitted to adequately defend myself. :-P
I don’t know about “walking around,” but I drive around armed. I keep my Mossberg in my truck at all times.
Thats the nice thing about Texas, you can carry long arms just about anywhere.
It is up 80% here is VA.
I would be surprised if it's even that many, but then you never know...and that's the psychological deterrent that makes CCW's so appealing. Stay friendly out there...or else.
People are worried about an impending Democrat government. Registering your right to carry a gun and thus implying your ownership of guns seems to be self defeating if that is the reason for it, though. Under the circumstances it would seem to be more prudent to buy guns from private parties and stock up on ammo and reloaders an don’t tell the government anything.
Yep.
Good point.
I was stopped for speeding last weekend. (Texas DPS gave me a warning ticket.) I told the DPS officer I had a CHL and provided it to him with my Drivers License. He handed the CHL back to me and asked if I had it in the car, “Yes Sir, always, Do you wan to see it”. His answer, “No, just don’t go for it!”
I thought he was courteous and professional.
BTW, I do frequently carry inside businesses, depending on where I am going, etc.
Last time mine was nenewed was for five years!
In your post about KLBJ, you said it was fairly conservative, but then you say that Sgt Sam is half-fascist.
Which is it?
Conservatism is the opposite of Fascism (which is socialism)?
Next question: Is there really a conservative station in Babylon on the Colorado???
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