Texas LTC Legislation

[GaryS]

Texas Moves a Step Closer to Making the Right to Bear Arms More Affordable with Free License to Carry Fee

Wednesday afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced the pre-filing of a Texas Senate Bill that, if passed, would eliminate fees associated with obtaining a license to carry (LTC) permit in the Lone Star State.
Currently, the cost to obtain a permit is $140 and to renew is $70.

More information at the link.

[GaryS]

Some people find the costs an artificial barrier to exercising their 2A rights.

There is no other right enumerated in the Bill of Rights that has a permit or cost attached thereto. The Second Amendment is often treated as a second class right. This is just a small step towards eliminating that.

[TX-Dennis]

Another bill has been prefiled that would institute permitless carry. Will it pass? I don't know, but if it does the governor will most likely sign it. I really like Gov. Abbott. He's a straight up guy and very pro gun.

[Ozark Marine]

Man, for years, decades I thought Texas was a open and CCW state.
Missouri will have the no permit CCW carry 1/1/17. I just renewed my CCW.
Like I've said before, MAN I love this state.

[GaryS]

If anything, he is more Pro 2A than was Gov. Rick Perry. Which is not easy to do.

Constitutional Carry will be nice, although my home state permit is recognized by TX now.

Originally Posted by TX-Dennis

Another bill has been prefiled that would institute permitless carry. Will it pass? I don't know, but if it does the governor will most likely sign it. I really like Gov. Abbott. He's a straight up guy and very pro gun.

[TXSWFAN]

Originally Posted by TX-Dennis

Another bill has been prefiled that would institute permitless carry. Will it pass? I don't know, but if it does the governor will most likely sign it. I really like Gov. Abbott. He's a straight up guy and very pro gun.

Currently, having a LTC eliminates the NICS check and allows carry in those states that have reciprocity. If we do get Constitutional Carry and a LTC is no longer needed, does anyone know how it affects those two things?

It would seem that it would nullify both.

[hoc9sw]

Reciprocity is often based on the other state having equal or similar conditions for a permit. Some states lost that with TX because of age - allowing under 21 military to carry, no permit required, being the two most recent I recall.

State laws are all over the spectrum, so impact of going "constitutional carry" could block reciprocity in some states. I see lots of Attorney General opinions coming from those changes.

[hardcase60]

Originally Posted by TXSWFAN

Currently, having a LTC eliminates the NICS check and allows carry in those states that have reciprocity. If we do get Constitutional Carry and a LTC is no longer needed, does anyone know how it affects those two things?

It would seem that it would nullify both.

I'm going out on a very flimsy limb and use common sense. IMHO, a LTC would continue to eliminate the NICS check and allow carry in reciprocal states until it expires. The question then becomes will DPS continue issuing renewals for an LTC that is no longer mandated by law? My best guess is NO because funding for that part of the agency could no longer be justified. The legislature MIGHT want to attempt and move the renewals (for those who desired to keep their LTC) to an agency called the Department of License and Regulation. An agency in Texas which has long been a joke. Not sure how that would work since to my knowledge they are not authorized to access LE data bases. That renewal would of course be fee based but might be minimal. Example $25.00 for three years. These are simply the ramblings of a retired cop. hardcase60

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by TXSWFAN

Currently, having a LTC eliminates the NICS check and allows carry in those states that have reciprocity. If we do get Constitutional Carry and a LTC is no longer needed, does anyone know how it affects those two things?

It would seem that it would nullify both.

Great question, but ive no definitive answer. I often discuess that with a group of coffee friends, but the opinion is--as long as one is alegal gun-owner--then no worry on the paperwork. It I think? means that no paperwork--ID is needed to buy guns?? but im not sure how it actually is? Maybe someone from Arizona can answer this clearly????

[hoc9sw]

Originally Posted by the ringo kid

... but the opinion is--as long as one is a legal gun-owner--then no worry on the paperwork. I think? means that no paperwork--ID is needed to buy guns?? but im not sure how it actually is? Maybe someone from Arizona can answer this clearly????

In TX a CHL / LTC holder has to fill out the paperwork, but does not have to wait for an approval. That may not seem like a big deal, but as I see it, it is. I traveled internationally for years, and I'm on lists no one has ever heard of because of the places I had to go. That CHL makes my life much easier.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by hoc9sw

In TX a CHL / LTC holder has to fill out the paperwork, but does not have to wait for an approval. That may not seem like a big deal, but as I see it, it is. I traveled internationally for years, and I'm on lists no one has ever heard of because of the places I had to go. That CHL makes my life much easier.

Im still waiting for mine to come in. I want to see first hand (next gun purchase) what kind of "power" ill actually have.

[joeintexas]

Originally Posted by the ringo kid

Im still waiting for mine to come in. I want to see first hand (next gun purchase) what kind of "power" ill actually have.

It really does make a firearm purchase easier, you fill out the paperwork, pay the FFL fee and walk out the door with your new gun. The wait without the CHL is hours, sometimes days.

[TX-Dennis]

Originally Posted by joeintexas

It really does make a firearm purchase easier, you fill out the paperwork, pay the FFL fee and walk out the door with your new gun. The wait without the CHL is hours, sometimes days.

Maybe I was just lucky, but every firearm I purchased before obtaining my license was completed in a matter of minutes rather than hours or days.

Since obtaining my license the purchases haven't really been any quicker for me. I still have to fill out the paperwork, and the store personnel still have to double check the form. They just do not have to call it in or type it into the computer. Smaller stores usually called in for a background check where larger stores did so online.

At any rate the time savings for me has been negligible since I've never experienced a delay prior to obtaining the license. Your mileage may vary.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by TX-Dennis

Maybe I was just lucky, but every firearm I purchased before obtaining my license was completed in a matter of minutes rather than hours or days.

Since obtaining my license the purchases haven't really been any quicker for me. I still have to fill out the paperwork, and the store personnel still have to double check the form. They just do not have to call it in or type it into the computer. Smaller stores usually called in for a background check where larger stores did so online.

At any rate the time savings for me has been negligible since I've never experienced a delay prior to obtaining the license. Your mileage may vary.

Every one of mine happened almost instantly cept three. The first one I couldnt take home right away (my P-38) because of that stupid wait time thak clinton put in place-but, the FBI guys told me to come back the next day and I did and it was mine.

The other two times--only took 1-15 minutes eack thanks to the system being as busy as it was thanks to gazillions of people buyiung their guns at the same time I was. Usually im cleared to go-before the phone call ends.