What is the advantage?

TIA

Makes buying guns faster than not having one

Legal carry in most other states with CHL reciprocity

First two nailed it. If either of those are important to you, get it. If not, dont.

But take a defensive pistol class or two either way.

Having one may or may not have helped in not getting a traffic ticket before.

In my mind, not necessary. Always people on both sides of the fence, but if you can carry now without one, not worth going through it to me. And I was thiiiis close to going through a class a few years ago.

its a polite and succinct way to inform law enforcement i am armed and have passed a background check

I really appreciate that our trainer, a small-town sheriff, did a great overview of carrying. Both legally - what our responsibilities were, places we couldn't carry, where you could get into trouble vs where you were well within your rights, and practically - ie self-awareness is a much more effective method for keeping you from getting killed than a weapon used in self-defense. Very little time was spent on how to effectively carry and shoot a firearm.

Many of those lessons have stuck with me for years. I think any responsible person should want to hear those talking points if they plan to carry.

I think you still get more respect from law enforcement if pulled over. They know you've been checked and are not a threat to them just by saying, "I'm armed and have an LTC" while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. In my experience, they relax and then tell me to do whatever.

My wife got one even after the bill was passed because I didn't want her driving my vehicles with handguns in the console and her not having the LTC. She doesn't routinely carry but if I for whatever reason need her to take mine -- or drive my car -- we're all set.

Everyone 21 and over in Texas who is legally eligible should get one. But you do what you want. And it isn't open carry that changed things but constitutional carry. Open carry changed the CHL to the LTC.

BenTheGoodAg said:

---

I really appreciate that our trainer, a small-town sheriff, did a great overview of carrying. Both legally - what our responsibilities were, places we couldn't carry, where you could get into trouble vs where you were well within your rights, and practically - ie self-awareness is a much more effective method for keeping you from getting killed than a weapon used in self-defense. Very little time was spent on how to effectively carry and shoot a firearm.

Many of those lessons have stuck with me for years. I think any responsible person should want to hear those talking points if they plan to carry.

---

I didn't really appreciate my instructor, rather than instructing us in the helpful things listed above, allowing Texas Law Shield to give us the hard sell for prepaid legal services for an hour.

You do you...my opinion is even if you can open carry doesn't mean you should...I don't want to advertise that I'm carrying...it seems that most people I see open carry want the attention not necessarily protection...just like having a gun manufacturer stickers on your vehicle...

91AggieLawyer said:

---

I think you still get more respect from law enforcement if pulled over. They know you've been checked and are not a threat to them just by saying, "I'm armed and have an LTC" while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. In my experience, they relax and then tell me to do whatever.

My wife got one even after the bill was passed because I didn't want her driving my vehicles with handguns in the console and her not having the LTC. She doesn't routinely carry but if I for whatever reason need her to take mine -- or drive my car -- we're all set.

Everyone 21 and over in Texas who is legally eligible should get one. But you do what you want. And it isn't open carry that changed things but constitutional carry. Open carry changed the CHL to the LTC.

---

Please dont say the words "I'm armed" to LE, ever. That's a good way to start a bad day. Just hand over your DL and LTC and let them take the lead.

The classes are completely worthwhile. Going through the legal aspects of carrying - and the consequences of shooting - are important for any carrier.

There are some places that will only allow LTC holders to carry.

gigem70 said:

---

There are some places that will only allow LTC holders to carry.

---

those places will never know if people are smart. if people cant figure this out idc

JSKolache said:

---

91AggieLawyer said:

---

I think you still get more respect from law enforcement if pulled over. They know you've been checked and are not a threat to them just by saying, "I'm armed and have an LTC" while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. In my experience, they relax and then tell me to do whatever.

My wife got one even after the bill was passed because I didn't want her driving my vehicles with handguns in the console and her not having the LTC. She doesn't routinely carry but if I for whatever reason need her to take mine -- or drive my car -- we're all set.

Everyone 21 and over in Texas who is legally eligible should get one. But you do what you want. And it isn't open carry that changed things but constitutional carry. Open carry changed the CHL to the LTC.

---

Please dont say the words "I'm armed" to LE, ever. That's a good way to start a bad day. Just hand over your DL and LTC and let them take the lead.

---

Maybe not "I'm armed", but my class instructor told us to inform the officer that you are carrying and where the weapon is. I think this is smart. If you tell them you have a weapon and where it is, then they know you are not trying to surprise them with it.

I was stopped in New Mexico over the summer and I told the officer I had my Texas LTC and the pistol was in my console. He said "As long as it stays there, we will both be all right" Gave me a warning a few mins later and we were on our way.

And I agree with the statement that it helps with tickets. I have been stopped a few times for speeding and so far (knock on wood) have only gotten warnings. I think the LTC is an easy way for them to know they have a law abiding citizen that may just have a heavy foot. With the riff-raff they have to deal with these days, they are probably happy to have someone who is not a real threat.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

---

BenTheGoodAg said:

---

I really appreciate that our trainer, a small-town sheriff, did a great overview of carrying. Both legally - what our responsibilities were, places we couldn't carry, where you could get into trouble vs where you were well within your rights, and practically - ie self-awareness is a much more effective method for keeping you from getting killed than a weapon used in self-defense. Very little time was spent on how to effectively carry and shoot a firearm.

Many of those lessons have stuck with me for years. I think any responsible person should want to hear those talking points if they plan to carry.

---

I didn't really appreciate my instructor, rather than instructing us in the helpful things listed above, allowing Texas Law Shield to give us the hard sell for prepaid legal services for an hour.

---

That's sucks. I like the classes that are geared towards "you have a gun and already probably know how to use it. Here's how not to be a dummy and hopefully not need it at all."

I have not been in but a precious few situations where my weapon could have "fixed" an issue but also made life harder for me….or gotten be killed. I appreciate having the big hammer if needed but the confidence to deescalate a situation and maintain control. Those are the classes and instructors I enjoy. I've had them but the "git r dun" discount operations are more like your experience.

I certainly appreciate your line of thinking but I've just found it better to leave all of that off the table and do only as instructed. In my experience, I've given them both licenses and at that point he knows I'm good to go but also knows I am possibly armed. Only one officer has asked me if I actually was, and when I told him he just said "ok, please just keep your hands on the wheel" while he did his thing. I did that.

Chris Rock had an informational video on proper police interaction.

I got the license and will maintain it mostly for reciprocity purposes. I've not been stopped yet but do have a heavy foot and expect to be on any trip I take which is usually to south Texas.
I'm thinking that when they arrive at your vehicle and see your hands on the wheel holding two IDs, that they pretty much know why you are doing that. If they don't immediately ask, I'll most likely mention that it's a carry license.

I would proffer that if you ever wound up in legal situation; having the LTC would at show.you have given some consideration to scenarios wheteby use of the said weapon was justified.

Wife and I are taking our LTC class next month. Also doing personal training beforehand with an instructor.

Insurance is mentioned above. I've looked at several options online. What program is best?

water turkey said:

---

What is the advantage?

TIA

---

Another advantage beyond those listed above is that the LTC is a 2nd form of personal identification, in the event you need one and don't have or carry a passport.

Campus carry, if that's applicable to you.

In addition to the above,

If you have kids and ever drop off/pick up school, Texas LTC allows you to carry into the school area (not into the building) otherwise you're subject to federal gun free school zone act limitation of 1000ft from the school (not that it often comes up as a real issue...)

You also can avoid arrest if you ever accidentally carry to a TSA checkpoint. I know we never would do it, but I've heard too many stories of people who would never make that mistake either, just good insurance. You would still be subject to civil fines.

Basically, a lot of it come down to you want legal protection in more areas or not.

Lots of good reasons for taking the class mentioned here. People violate the Federal "Gun Free" school zone all the time and don't even know it because "constitutional carry".

I'd say one of the best reasons for taking the class is to actually get some exposure to what the laws in Texas say. The level of ignorance is astounding.

As with everything, not all instructors are created equal so do a little homework. When I renewed my certification a couple months ago, another instructor reached out to me to do the qual. He was proud of the fact that he was in the very first CHL instructor course back in the day. Within the first minute on my range I find myself looking at the muzzle of his revolver and nearly lost my mind when he pulled out a carpenter's belt to "holster" said revolver. He will never step on to my range again nor should he instruct anyone about anything related to firearms.

All good reasons presented here to get the license.

Better question... is there a good reason NOT to get it?

I took the class back in the very beginning. At the time livescope ng in Marble Falls, I had to make appointment in HSB to get prints, then go to Burnet to Sheriffs office for something else, criminal record or something. That combined hassle along with the thought of getting on another list caused me to just not continue. 10-15 years later I decided that I'm most likely on plenty of lists, and the process became much simpler, so I did class online and qualified with instructor friend. Maybe two years later Constitutional Carry and o kinda don't need but glad I got it and will keep it.

A prosecutor will argue it the other way. If you have it you should have known better, had a greater duty etc.

Do you have to retake a class to renew? Mine expires next year.
I looked it up online and saw that I would have to retake a class and shooting proficiency. WTF. Did this just recently change?

No. DPS should send you a renewal notice about 6 months before the expiration. Just do the renewal process online. As long as your photo and fingerprints on file are good, you won't have to do anything else.

jrb2019 said:

---

No. DPS should send you a renewal notice about 6 months before the expiration. Just do the renewal process online. As long as your photo and fingerprints on file are good, you won't have to do anything else.

---

Well that's good. Hopefully what I read on line is bull crap.

https://texascarrycourse.com/articles/texas-chl-renewal-process-in-2023

AgEng06 said:

---

All good reasons presented here to get the license.

Better question... is there a good reason NOT to get it?

---

I have acquaintances that refuse to get a LTC because they do not want to provide the government any information (e.g. finger prints) over and above what they may already have. I'm not taking this position, but some people do.

DPS Troopers and lots of other departments know you have a CHL before they ever stop you. They run your license plate usually before hitting the lights.

JSKolache said:

---

91AggieLawyer said:

---

I think you still get more respect from law enforcement if pulled over. They know you've been checked and are not a threat to them just by saying, "I'm armed and have an LTC" while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. In my experience, they relax and then tell me to do whatever.

My wife got one even after the bill was passed because I didn't want her driving my vehicles with handguns in the console and her not having the LTC. She doesn't routinely carry but if I for whatever reason need her to take mine -- or drive my car -- we're all set.

Everyone 21 and over in Texas who is legally eligible should get one. But you do what you want. And it isn't open carry that changed things but constitutional carry. Open carry changed the CHL to the LTC.

---

Please dont say the words "I'm armed" to LE, ever. That's a good way to start a bad day. Just hand over your DL and LTC and let them take the lead.

---

I haven't been pulled over in about 10-ish years but in the '90s and 2000s, at least, the police would ask you if you were armed. I just tell them up front. There's nothing wrong with it. Never had a problem -- or a ticket for that matter -- since I've had a CHL. And I've had one since 2000. (Slowing down probably helped, too).

aggiez03 said:

---

I was stopped in New Mexico over the summer and I told the officer I had my Texas LTC and the pistol was in my console. He said "As long as it stays there, we will both be all right" Gave me a warning a few mins later and we were on our way.

---

Glad you had a reasonable officer pull you over, but New Mexico is a state that is likely driven to/through often by people on this board and I would NOT suggest someone disclose the information that you did in that scenario.

The laws for driving with a firearm in New Mexico are that it can't be loaded nor can it be accessible by any person(s) in the vehicle.

Edit: It was pointed out I am wrong. This is only true if driving through reservation land.