Texas CHL

[CaptainTom]

04/29/2009 - CHL class
05/01/2009 - Mailed application to DPS
05/11/2009 - Check Cashed
06/17/2009 - PIN Received by snail mail
08/04/2009 - Application Approved Application Completed - license issued or certificate active
XX/XX/2009 - Plastic in Hand

Next is the famous "Wally Walk".

So you got your CHL.

We assumed that you have already chose a proper holster, mag pouch (or suitable combination of substitutes) and cover garment and played dress-up in front of a mirror a couple of hundred times. But now, it is time to go live in the real world. It is time for you to go to WalMart!

1) You must park your vehicle at least 50 yards from the entrance of a regular WallyWorld (75 yards for a SuperCenter.) As you head for the entrance, you must perform a scan of the area including checking under parked vehicles for BG’s (Bad Guys.) Remember, grandma in an electric wheelchair is not a drive-by threat.

1A). Upon exiting car, surrepititiously adjust sidearm. Now don't touch it again unless your pants are about to fall off. Then tighten your belt

2) You MUST drive the shopping cart. No substitutes are allowed. Negotiating aisles full of screaming kids dropping cans of Chef Boyardee while Mom is on the cell phone and trying the latest Rosie O’Donnell Makeup & Fragrances is a good test of patience and self-control.

3) No quickies! Your stay at WallyWorld must last no less than 45 minutes. You can hang out in automotive and even double check the Rapala lures to see what’s new to kill an allotted rest time of 10 minutes. The rest of the time you must be on the move. An exception is made if you are with your significant other and she goes for the White Sale madness. You must park, wait and be ready to back your mate if things get hairy with the pillow throws or allergenic bedspreads.

4) You are gonna buy stuff so pick items from the top and bottom shelves to test your cover garment. Your mate can assist you and point out any deficiencies. If you are alone and store security or the cops have not arrived by the time you check out, you passed this test.

5) Check out: make sure you choose the busiest register. People will stand in close proximity and you must bear it with patience and avoiding contact. Beware of the people suddenly remembering a forgotten item and sending their mates to fetch it. They usually will brush against you on the way to get it.

6) Meal Time! If your WallyWorld serves Nachos, go ahead and get yourself a big serving of the suckers and wash it down with a Sam’s cola. If McD’s is the choice at the premises, get fries, onion rings, apple pie and a large Coke. ALL MEALS MUST BE CONSUMED ON SITE! No To-Go’s or you will be disqualified.

7) When you leave, repeat the scanning of the parking lot. Remember that now you are also dealing with a shopping cart that rattles like and old train and wants to go right all the time. Do not lose track of your surroundings because of this. If you have a car, open the trunk and introduce all your bags while facing outwards. Pick up Trucks: lower the tailgate and do the same. Keep scanning, you never know where the BG’s might be.

8) REMEMBER: Yellow lights = WallyWorld Security. Red Lights = Cops.

9) - Make test fall on floor in busiest area - near register or anywhere crowded. See if concealment can still be maintained. If you lose that then go back to GO and do NOT collect $200

10) Restroom break (even if you don't have to go), go through the motions, figure out what your going to do with your gun, while sitting on the commode

Now I have to go back and brush up on the Rules.

[jgrindal]

Grats on the permit.
Enjoy it - I will never be allowed to get one =(

[CaptainTom]

I am not going to be a day to day 'carrying' person but just want to be ahead of the curve when they decide that you can no longer get this license.
I do have hand guns and carry them in my car, etc. Even though it is generally legal to carry them in your car, when I go out of state the CHL will help me avoid the pitfalls of law enforcement.

[jeffro20]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I am not going to be a day to day 'carrying' person but just want to be ahead of the curve when they decide that you can no longer get this license.
I do have hand guns and carry them in my car, etc. Even though it is generally legal to carry them in your car, when I go out of state the CHL will help me avoid the pitfalls of law enforcement.

Meaning cops may look the other way when you are out of Texas?

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by jeffro20

Meaning cops may look the other way when you are out of Texas?

Texas has reciprocity with most of the other states that have CHL's.

[ChuckW]

Congratulations Tom! I'm exactly 1 month behind you in the process; I mailed my application on 6/1/09 so I will 'hope' to see plastic one month from now.

I will not be an everyday handgun carrier either, the CHL will be just handy to have on an as needed basis.

If you actually do your Wally Walk it would be entertaining if you took a photographer friend along to document your adventure!

[Truckman]

If memory serves, on your third renewal you won't have to sit through the renewal class, just do the prints, photos and paperwork...And your third renewal will be for ten years not four like the first two...That change in the law was not in effect on my third renewal but next time I get to skate...I've had a CHL since its inception in Texas...Ben

[Kalrog]

I think the renewals are 5 years, not 4. If it were 10, we would lose the NICS exemption.

And Tom - I take it you are a member at TexasCHLForum.com? Those rules look familiar.

[ronocnikral]

congrats, mine expired while i was chasing a silly dream of being a ski bumb. I used to pack heat all the time, especially since I was living in New Orleans after katrina. Never had to use it thank goodness, but it made me feel a lot more comfortable and probably look a lot more confident (which is what it is all about anyways). i'm excited for you to get the plastic in hand.

[Truckman]

Originally Posted by Kalrog

I think the renewals are 5 years, not 4. If it were 10, we would lose the NICS exemption.

And Tom - I take it you are a member at TexasCHLForum.com? Those rules look familiar.

You are correct, my info was a little out of date...Renewals went from 4 to 5 years in 2005...To clarify my 10 year comment, on the third and subsequent renewals an applicant is not required to take a renewal class or obtain a proficiency certificate more than once in ten years (info here)...The license itself is still five years preserving our NICS exemption...Ben

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by Kalrog

I think the renewals are 5 years, not 4. If it were 10, we would lose the NICS exemption.

And Tom - I take it you are a member at TexasCHLForum.com? Those rules look familiar.

Yes I am. I go by Fotopro over there.

[janikphoto]

I still want to get mine, but haven't committed the time/effort to do so. I will eventually, though.

[Brains]

I figured one item on the Wally World test would be to not shoot any of the patrons ;)

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by Brains

I figured one item on the Wally World test would be to not shoot any of the patrons ;)

Now that would ruin the whole thing

I suppose that if you can restrain yourself from dropping one of the clerks, or another customer while at Wally World, you are ready for carrying in Detroit or Miami after dark !! Maybe the State should make that a requirement ?

[CaptainTom]

Couldn't resist posting this.

This is usually how it goes in Texas.