If you are trying to find out the Benefits of CHL Texas for Military Service Members then you came to the right spot. Belo in this article I try and explain it and as always you can contact us and we will walk you through anything.
A CHL or Concealed Handgun License is a license that you can apply for and be able to carry concealed legally.
It was a term used up until 2017 when it was absorbed under the License to Carry when open carry became legal.
As of 2017, both conceal carry and open carry are allowed in the state of Texas, so every Concealed Handgun License became into a License to Carry.
Up until 2016, the only option to carry a handgun in the state of Texas was concealed carry.
With the new law allowing open carry, the term Concealed Handgun License made no sense, so it was decided that the official term for a gun license in the state of Texas would be License to Carry.
This is a little confusing to not just those who are starting out, but even experienced shooters.
You should know that both terms are interchangeable and refer to the same thing. However, License to Carry is the official term used.
Requirements
To even apply, you must pass some basic qualifications.
- Pass both the classroom portion and shooting proficiency portion of your LTC/CHL training (Note: The classroom portion can also be taken online)
- Pass a background check
- To participate in the live-fire portion, one must be at least 21 years of age
- Must not be a felon or a fugitive of the law
- Must not have been determined to be delinquent in child support payment
- Must not have committed Class A or B misdemeanors
- Must be determined to have sound judgement and no mental or psychological restrictions.
- Must not be chemically dependent (e.g., Alcohol, drugs, etc.)
Now, that said, these are just the basic requirements to get an LTC/CHL.
How to obtain an LTC/CHL
Well, when applying for an LTC/CHL, you can go one of two ways.
First, you can do it the traditional method which means you have to go put gas in your care then drive to an in-person, book a session, and attend the class.
OR…
You can instead book our online class and it teaches you everything you need to know like the in-person class, except that you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Save you gas money to get to work or feed your family.
Doing a class online can not only just save you time, but it can put you at ease as well whilst doing the course at your own pace.
After completing this class, you must take a shooting proficiency test at a live-fire shooting range under the supervision of a live-fire instructor.
The shooting proficiency test cannot be taken without the live-fire instructor present.
Once you have passed the shooting proficiency test, you will be required to submit the License to Carry application to the DPS.
Are you Active Duty Military or a Veteran that has retired / left the service within the last 10 years? If so can can provide Texas DPS with proof of rifle or pistol training (range card) in place of being required to do the range portion. Active-Duty military can complete submit their documentation and not have to leave the house. I personally seen it done. Only thing you will have to leave home for is to get your fingerprints done.
Following that, all you need is to get your fingerprints and submit a certificate that you passed both the classroom portion and shooting proficiency portion of the training.
Benefits to Military service members
The above rules and regulations are for regular law-abiding citizens. However, if you are an active military service member or have previously served before, there are a few perks you get when getting your LTC/CHL.
If you are an active military service member or an honorably discharged veteran, you know how important it is to always have a firearm on or near you.
It is essential for both self-defense and to prevent crime from taking place. Now, there are a few perks about the Texas LTC/CHL you as a member of the military can take advantage of.
You can take it anywhere.
Yes, that is right…
If you do happen to be currently deployed overseas, you can still take it. All you need is a device and a stable internet connection.
Do make sure that who you are taking your class from allows this as most who provide LTC/CHL do provide this ability, but few may not.
Another major benefit military service members and honorably discharged veterans have is not being required to take a shooting proficiency test if applicable.
If you happen to be an active service member or an honorably discharged veteran and provide proof of either firearm familiarization training or some sort of range card or range scores, not dated more than 10 years prior by the military, you can avoid the shooting proficiency test all together.
This is particularly good as it not only saves you time but also your money.
Another benefit service members are entitled to is a potential void of the state license fee which is paid to the DPS.
If you are a current active-duty member, you will have to pay $0, and if you are an honorably discharged veteran, then you have access to a $25 state fee, which is a $15 discount on the regular $40 state fee.
The state fee is separate from the classroom charges.
Also, this benefit is limited to some LTC/CHL providers but if you or someone in your family is an active service member or an honorably discharged veteran, then they may also be entitled to a special discount.
Note, this is not provided by all LTC/CHL training programs, only a select number of them offer this.
The last benefit Military service members have is that if they are actively serving, the 21-year age requirement is waived for them in the State of Texas giving 18 year old’s the opportunity in obtaining their License to Carry.
This is just some of the general benefits active military service members or honorably discharged former service members have access to.
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