Please call or email me if you have any questions or concerns after reading this page.

The class location has changed. See http://chl-tx.com/about-2/class-location/ for the location map.

Parking should not be a problem at the new facility.

Arrival Time

• Initial Applicants: Please arrive at 8:00am for check-in. I plan to be there a little earlier than that to set up.
• Renewal Applicants: Please arrive at 1:45pm.

If you arrive late, the rest of the class gets to vote on whether or not to allow you to stay, because the class time will have to be extended to accommodate you. The initial applicant class is 10 hours minimum, and the renewal class is 4 hours minimum by Texas law. I could lose my instructor certificate for violating that, so I won’t make any exceptions.

Classroom Attire

Dress comfy, in layers; the A/C unit tends to be either too warm or too cold, or alternating between both. Even if it is warm outside, you may want to bring a light sweater.

Range Appropriate Attire

The range is well-ventilated, but not air-conditioned, so the temperature in there will be within 20 degrees of whatever it is outside. This time of year, the range is fairly pleasant (it’s easier to heat than to cool).

Make sure your shirt or blouse buttons up high enough to prevent hot brass from going down your front. If you have an open-neck shirt/blouse, bring a crew-neck T-shirt to wear in the range, over,  under, or instead of, the shirt/blouse. Or wear a  scarf, or whatever it takes to keep hot brass out of your shirt. Wear CLOSED-TOED shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, etc, which expose any part of the foot are not allowed. Hot brass hurts your feet, too!

The range provides eye and ear protection, but if you have your own, it may be in better shape. If you wear glasses, that is considered adequate eye protection, but additional safety glasses may prevent your glasses from getting scratched. Bring a brimmed hat to wear in the range (baseball cap recommended, but any hat or visor that has a brim over the forehead will do). It helps keep hot brass from getting behind your eye protection or in your hair.

Please bear in mind that the range procedures are primarily for safety, and secondarily to get us in and out on time. Your 100% cooperation is vital for both. In the (rare) case that a student does not pass the range test on the first try (especially in renewal classes, but it does happen), I will have a repeat range test after the rest of the class is finished. There will be a $20 charge for the repeat range test, plus ammo fee if needed. If you are not sure you can pass the range test on the first try, you should seriously consider taking the NRA Basic Pistol Course.  CHL class attendees are assumed to already know how to shoot. This class will have some folks who attended my last NRA Basic Pistol class, and can tell you about it.

Handguns, Ammo

Bring your handgun UNLOADED in a case, and leave it in your car until range time, even if you have a current CHL (this is a requirement of the range owner). If you are being dropped off (or riding a motorcycle or any vehicle without a trunk) and unable to leave your handgun in a car, bring it to me and I will keep it for you. Try to bring at least 100 rds of ammo for your handgun (normally, you will only need 50). Be SURE(!!!!) you bring the correct caliber of ammo for your gun. If you don’t know how to check, email me and ask. If you wish to rent a handgun, please bring cash for the rental ($25 for handgun rental with 50 rounds — correct change greatly appreciated).  You will need to email me in advance of the class to let me know that you need for me to supply a handgun and ammo. If a second range test is required (i.e., you don’t pass the first time), the charge will be $20.

If you elect to defer taking the range test until you take the NRA basic pistol course, you will get a $20 discount on the NRA course, and free use of handgun and ammunition. Plus you get to leave the CHL class early.

Minimum caliber allowed for qualification is a .32. The range berm is adequate for a .357 magnum or .45, but please do NOT bring any caliber of handgun larger than a .45. If all you have is a 50-cal hand-cannon, you should consider renting a handgun from me if you can’t buy or borrow something between a .32 and a .45 for the class. If you have a speed-loader, be sure to bring it. If you don’t have a speed-loader, consider buying one.  You can get an adequate one for less than $10 at nearly any gun store. The really fancy ones go for about $30. They will save a lot of wear and tear on your fingers (and time in the range), and they are definitely worth the money.

We have had some problems with re-loaded ammo in the past, and its use is strongly discouraged. If you use re-loads, be sure to visually inspect all rounds. Neither I nor the range will be responsible for damage to handguns caused by reloaded ammunition, and if you have a handgun (or ammo) failure, you may have to rent a gun to finish the range test. The ammunition shortage seems to be over (for now), so you should be able to obtain factory-new ammo at relatively reasonable prices.

Other

The paperwork for renewals has been reduced. You should have a checklist from the DPS if you have already paid your license renewal fee to the state. The only form you should need to submit will be the CHL-100 certificate of training. Renewals no longer need to submit new fingerprints, and new photos are optional ($10).

You may bring one guest to audit the course, space permitting.  If the class is full, I may not be able to accommodate guests. Your guest must be a spouse, significant other, or a close relative, minimum age 18. There is a $20 charge for your guest. The guest will not receive a certificate, and will not be allowed into the range area. If you are bringing an auditing guest, confirm that with me at least a day in advance.

I will supply a light lunch (sandwiches & chips) so that you don’t have to leave the class to find something to eat. I will continue the lecture while you eat, so that we don’t have to add an hour to an already very long day. If you have special dietary needs, please brown-bag. You are welcome (encouraged!) to bring other (non-alcoholic) drinks and snacks to consume in class. There is a soft-drink machine near the building, which sometimes actually works, but don’t count on it having your favorite beverage. I ask that you carefully clean up afterward. The range doesn’t have any coffee, so if you are a coffee drinker, you will probably want to stop at your favorite coffee shop on the way to class. Or bring a thermos. The new facility does not have a refrigerator or a microwave.

I think that covers everything. If not, give me a call or email. Thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to meeting all of you in the CHL class.

Howard