I got my plastic in the mail yesterday! It took 98 days.
On March 6, I prepaid my application fee online and received my packet in the mail a week later (including the PIN). I took my class and sent everything to DPS on March 16.
During the first 2 months, I checked the status of my application online every single day (sometimes twice a day). I read everything I could find on the internet about the best practices of concealed carry and searched for my dream holster. I went to the range as often as possible to improve my skills. I read and reread the Texas Concealed Handgun Laws.
As time slowly crept by, my excitement faded and my frustration grew. Eventually, I stopped looking for the perfect gear and let my supply of ammo run out. By day 90, I had come to accept that this whole CHL thing wasn't going to happen anytime soon (if at all).
Then, yesterday, the nondescript envelope arrived in the mail. For a moment, the sky was blue, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and I was happy! I stood there staring at the plastic that I had waited so long to receive. I felt the need to do a little happy dance!
Suddenly, the music stopped and the warm sunshine was replaced with the harsh light of reality. Why is my head SO big in the picture??? As I placed it in my wallet behind my driver's license, I thought to myself, "Well, I guess no one's going to see that ID..."
On March 6, I prepaid my application fee online and received my packet in the mail a week later (including the PIN). I took my class and sent everything to DPS on March 16.
During the first 2 months, I checked the status of my application online every single day (sometimes twice a day). I read everything I could find on the internet about the best practices of concealed carry and searched for my dream holster. I went to the range as often as possible to improve my skills. I read and reread the Texas Concealed Handgun Laws.
As time slowly crept by, my excitement faded and my frustration grew. Eventually, I stopped looking for the perfect gear and let my supply of ammo run out. By day 90, I had come to accept that this whole CHL thing wasn't going to happen anytime soon (if at all).
Then, yesterday, the nondescript envelope arrived in the mail. For a moment, the sky was blue, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and I was happy! I stood there staring at the plastic that I had waited so long to receive. I felt the need to do a little happy dance!
Suddenly, the music stopped and the warm sunshine was replaced with the harsh light of reality. Why is my head SO big in the picture??? As I placed it in my wallet behind my driver's license, I thought to myself, "Well, I guess no one's going to see that ID..."