Texas CHL loophole - Get your CHL online, no firearms training required

[JimThornTX]

Just saw this story this morning on my local news this morning. Apparently Texas recognizes Virginia CCW licenses, and Virginia allows you to get a CHL online without attending a firearms safety course, or ever holding a firearm at all. And it only costs you $39.95.

Link to news story: http://www.ketknbc.com/news/online-chl-courses-honored-in-texas-but-is-it-safe

Link to online CHL course: http://www.concealed-carry.net/

[skipper]

Sounds good too me. Texas should re-run a background check for a fee and issue the liscense.  The article made it sound like it was more about money.

[Twmaster]

Your title makes it sound like you can get a TX CHL online. Obviously not so. However, as TX honors VA CCW you can carry in TX.

I've been wondering about the legality of that if you are a TX resident.

[CheapShot]

I Googled this topic and found some related discussion on TexasCHLForum.com Some of the folks that post on there are actual Texas CHL instructors.  The jist I got from the discussion on there was "Heck, it's a loop hole. Go for it." The sentiment being that a state mandated 10 hour class is a little overkill to just read over a law, which you can do for free. So get the non-resident VA license. Read up and follow the Texas CHL laws, and you're good to go.

One caveat to living in Texas w/ an out of state CHL is that when you purchase a firearm you'll have to submit to a background check. If you were holding a Texas CHL, the background check is waived for the purchase.

[DenStinett]

One reason I like the Utah Carry Permit
The only States that don't recognize Utah?s Permit are;
California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina
Nevada withdrew their reciprocity because the Utah Permit is too easy to get

[Twmaster]

Something else the, ahem, 'reporter' failed to note...

The permit fee for Virginia is $100. to that makes the process just as spendy to get a VA permit as a TX permit.

[Twmaster]

This 'loophole' for TX is not the only one. If you are an LE, current or former military, have a hunting license or any other recognized training you can get an AZ non-res permit. And last I looked it was only $60 for the AZ permit.

So as far as the 'safety' claim AZ can be just as frightening as a hunter's ed course does not include live fire....

[CheapShot]

Something else the, ahem, 'reporter' failed to note...

The permit fee for Virginia is $100. to that makes the process just as spendy to get a VA permit as a TX permit.

The Texas DPS fee for the CHL is $140.

[Twmaster]

Yes and add the $39.99 to the $100....

[Czeetah]

Yes and add the $39.99 to the $100....

A penny saved is a penny earned

 

[JimThornTX]

Read the article and watch the video. I can't confirm this but based on the article and the video after you pay the fee for the online course, and pass the test, you take your certificate that you print from your home computer to the local court house and get your CHL. Nothing is ever said about sending the state of VA any money.

Also, go to the CHL website and see what it says:

"The instruction consists of 65 minutes of our time-tested handgun safety class, followed by a 20 question test. Upon completion, for Virginia, simply print out your certificate and take it to your local circuit court to proceed with your application. Virginia Non-resident application packets are available through the Virginia State Police. In Colorado, Iowa and Oregon, take your certificate to your county Sheriff's office and apply there."

Now this would imply that if you live in Colorado, Iowa, or Oregon, you just take your certificate straight to your local Sheriff's office and get your CHL without having to send off for the VA non-resident application packet. And if this is the case, Texas may be the same way, just not mentioned by name on the website.

[Twmaster]

In the middle paragraph there is verbiage that indicates you must apply for the permit in VA.

"...for Virginia, simply print out your certificate and take it to your local circuit court to proceed with your application"

There is similar verbiage in the red highlighted bit you posted.

"In Colorado, Iowa and Oregon, take your certificate to your county Sheriff's office and apply there."

All this course does is satisfy the training requirements for application.

You can be 100% certain they are not going to just give you a CHL, CCW or whatever it might be called without a background check etc.

[Twmaster]

This is from the FAQ page:

"10. How do I apply for a resident Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit?
Apply through the clerk?s office of the circuit court in the city or county you reside. Some localities require fingerprinting, some don?t. By law, the court must issue your permit within 45 days from the acceptance of your application. Localities set the fee for the permit they issue, but under no circumstance may they charge more than $50.00."

[Cesar]

As cool as it may sound to get a CHL/CCW/CPL/etc without training, as it may be a valid option for some people, it is not a good idea to issue one to an untrained (at all) person, or one with bad judgment.

Nonetheless, in USA - it is a Constitutional RIGHT to bear arms, as taken from Constitution itself:
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed".
Technically, requirements to have a CHL or so are in violation of Constitution. Courts are also often in violation of Constitution.

As once was said:
"There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law."

[JimThornTX]

You can be 100% certain they are not going to just give you a CHL, CCW or whatever it might be called without a background check etc.

Alabama doesn't require a background check for a CCW permit - http://www.concealandcarryhq.com/index.php/alabama-concealed-carry-laws

"While a background check for an Alabama conceal carry permit is not required by law, this is a common practice that many sheriffs use to comply with the May Issue law guidelines for the Alabama Pistol Permit. However, the receipt of an Alabama concealed carry permit does not count as a valid National Instant Criminal System background check for the purpose of purchasing a firearm."

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=49331

Quote from member gandog56 - "I walked into the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, and in 23 minutes walk out with my permit. No fingerprints, no coming up with a reason for me to get one [CCW permit]. Just a picture taken to put on the ID and I was through!"