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Firearm Training in Arlington, Texas
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Firearm Training in Arlington, Texas

Frequently Asked Questions

DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer and do not offer legal advice!

LICENSE TO CARRY(LTC) FAQs

Yes. You must take the 4-6 hour class taught by a DPS certified instructor. The notification of completion form (CHL-100) you receive from the instructor must be sent to DPS with your other application materials.

The concealed handgun law sets out the eligibility criteria that must be met. Your application packet will list them in detail.

For example, you must be qualified to purchase a handgun under the state and federal laws. A number of factors may make you ineligible to obtain a license, such as:

  • felony convictions and most misdemeanor convictions that are less than five years old, (including charges that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication),
  • pending criminal charges,
  • chemical or alcohol dependency, certain psychiatric diagnoses,
  • protective or restraining orders,
  • defaults on taxes, governmental fees, or child support.

See Texas Gov’t. Code § 411.172.

The online application process also will include information about materials you need to return to the DPS to complete the process.

These include:

  • two recent color passport photos, (you may choose to have your current Texas DL photo used by writing on the CHL-6 form “Please use my Texas Driver’s License Photo. TXDL#——–“)
  • fingerprints taken by MorphoTrust USA, (these are electronically transmitted, you will not receive a copy) a copy of your Texas driver license or identification card,
  • notification of completion form (CHL-100) from a DPS-authorized CHL Instructor.

 

After receiving the online application and other required documentation and forms, DPS will conduct background checks of juvenile records for the previous 10 years, and of all adult records.

The department will make every effort to issue your license within 60 days or inform you that you did not meet the eligibility criteria. Once your application is complete, processing may take up to 180 days if your background check reveals potentially disqualifying events or information.
An initial CHL expires on the license holder’s first birthday following the four-year anniversary of the issuance of the license. In other words, an initial license is valid for four (4) years, and in many cases, for some additional months. All renewed licenses are valid for five (5) years.
Not necessarily. You may legally demonstrate handgun proficiency with a borrowed or rented handgun.

The range will rent pistols for a fee.  Your instructor will also rent a 9mm handgun for $45/per person for the range qualification, advanced notice is required and the rental fee must be paid prior to class day.

Yes, but you may NOT carry before you receive the license.
 
As of January 1, 2016 Texas is an open carry state. A License to Carry (LTC) is still required to carry a handgun openly or concealed in public, in some instances conceal carry may be the only option and businesses need to have legal and correct signage. Know your rights and know the laws.
Concealed means that the weapon cannot be visible, and that its presence cannot be discernible through ordinary observation. It is a criminal offense for a license holder to carry a handgun in plain view, or to intentionally fail to conceal the weapon.
 
As of January 1, 2016 Texas is an open carry state. A License to Carry (LTC) is still required to carry a handgun openly or concealed in public, in some instances conceal carry may be the only option and businesses need to have legal and correct signage. Know your rights and know the laws.

Handguns and other weapons cannot be carried at schools or on school buses, at polling places, in courts and court offices, at racetracks, at secured airport areas or within 1,000 feet of the premises of an execution on the day of execution.

The law also specifically prohibits handguns from businesses where alcohol is sold if 51% or more of their revenue is from the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption.

From locations where high school, college or professional sporting events are taking place.

On the physical premises (in the building) of a school or educational institution, and grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted. This may be extended to school board meetings, as well, depending on who is deciphering the law. (see Texas Penal Code § 46.03).

You may not carry handguns in hospitals or nursing homes, amusement parks, places of worship or at government meetings if signs are posted prohibiting them. (see Texas Penal Code § 30.06 requirements).

Businesses also may post signs prohibiting handguns on their premises based on criminal trespass laws. See Texas Penal Code § 46.035. (Judges, prosecuting attorneys, peace officers and parole officers should consult Texas Penal Code § 46.15 regarding exemptions from the “no-carry” rules of the Penal Code.)

Yes. If a peace officer reasonably believes a safety risk exists, he/she may disarm you. Be courteous and non-confrontational and follow directions IMPLICITLY!
Yes. Private property owners may give notice excluding license holders from carrying concealed handguns. Official Notice must comply with state mandates as described below.
 
If a CHL Holder carries a concealed handgun on posted property, they can be charged with criminal trespass by a license holder. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor, and if you are convicted, your license will be revoked.
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TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY (TCC) FAQs

The Firearm Carry Act of 2021 will take effect on September 1, 2021. Until September 1, 2021, a non-prohibited person who does not have a License to Carry (LTC) must continue to carry a handgun as if they were unlicensed, (e.g., Concealed in a motor vehicle, inside their house, on their property, NOT on their person in public, etc.).
Permitless carry means that a permit is not required to carry a concealed handgun. It is also known as “Constitutional Carry” or “Unrestricted Carry”. Constitutional Carry is a broad term applied to states that do not require a license or permit to carry a handgun. The general idea being that every person who is NOT prohibited by law from legally owning a handgun should be free to carry it openly or concealed in public and not fear prosecution for simply exercising their 2A right. Some states are fully unrestricted, meaning no permit is required for open or concealed carry. Other states are partially unrestricted, meaning that certain forms of concealed carry may be legal without a permit while other forms of carry require a permit. Each state sets the age limits as well as other restrictions.

The TCC (TEXAS Constitutional Carry) will allow persons 21 years of age or older to carry a firearm on person in public, who are NOT prohibited from possessing a firearm in a public place under Texas law and who in the last 5 years have NOT been convicted of: Assault Causing Bodily Injury; Deadly conduct; Terrorist Threat; Disorderly Conduct by Discharging a firearm; Disorderly Conduct by Displaying a firearm (brandishing); must not be prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under Federal law; TEXAS residency is NOT a requirement to Constitutional Carry.

For example, you must be qualified to purchase a handgun under the State and Federal laws. A number of factors may make you ineligible to constitutional carry, NOT ALL ARE LISTED BELOW, such as:

  • felony convictions and most misdemeanor convictions that are less than five years old, (including charges that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication),
  • pending criminal charges,
  • chemical or alcohol dependency,
  • certain psychiatric diagnoses,
  • protective or restraining orders,
  • defaults on taxes, governmental fees, or child support.

 

See Texas Gov’t. Code § 411.172.

Handguns only! Texas has simplified the weapon law. Unlicensed carrying of handguns will now be treated like long guns. With TCC, handguns can be carried openly in any holster or concealed(with or without a holster).
There are 2 ways to carry under TCC. Concealed: no part of the handgun is visible based on ordinary observation. EX: handgun is not visible while inside a pocket, bag, holster, case, or jacket. Open Carry in a holster: A handgun that is partially or wholly visible based on ordinary observation must be carried in a holster. EX: handgun is partially or wholly visible while being carried in a belt holster, shoulder holster, ankle holster, appendix holster, pilot holster, chest holster, or backpack holster.

Handguns and other weapons cannot be carried at schools or on school buses, at polling places, in courts and court offices, at racetracks, at secured airport areas or within 1,000 feet of the premises of an execution on the day of execution.

The law also specifically prohibits handguns from businesses where alcohol is sold if 51% or more of their revenue is from the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption.

From locations where high school, college or professional sporting events are taking place.

On the physical premises (in the building) of a school or educational institution, and grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted. This may be extended to school board meetings, as well, depending on who is deciphering the law. (see Texas Penal Code § 46.03).

You may not carry handguns in hospitals or nursing homes, amusement parks, places of worship or at government meetings if signs are posted prohibiting them. (see Texas Penal Code § 30.06 requirements).

Businesses also may post signs prohibiting handguns on their premises based on criminal trespass laws. See Texas Penal Code § 46.035. (Judges, prosecuting attorneys, peace officers and parole officers should consult Texas Penal Code § 46.15 regarding exemptions from the “no-carry” rules of the Penal Code.)

Yes. If a peace officer reasonably believes a safety risk exists, he/she may disarm you. Be courteous and non-confrontational and follow directions IMPLICITLY!
Yes. Private property owners may give notice excluding license holders and TCC from carrying firearms. Official Notice must comply with state mandates as described below.
 
If an LTC Holder carries a firearm onto private property that has posted effective signage (30.06/30.07/46.03), they can be charged with “criminal trespass by a license holder”. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor, and if you are convicted, your license will be revoked.