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Course/Licensing Fees

• Price breakdown for Champion Firearms Certification Course:
  • New Applicant: $75.00
  • Renewals: $50.00
• State Licensing Fees (must be paid directly to the Texas DPS):
  • New Applicant (not applying under exemptions): $140.00
  • New Applicant- Reduction of Fees (applying for license discount under active military, senior citizen or indigent): $70.00
  • Renewal Applicant (not applying under exemptions): $70.00
  • Renewal Applicant Reduction of Fees (applying for license discount under active military, senior citizen or indigent): $35.00

Course Schedule (Itinerary)

The classroom section will incorporate both new and renewal students together, except renewals will be given the opportunity to depart early.  We ask that all students check in by 7:15 am the morning of the class so class can begin promptly at 7:30 am.

Course Itinerary

Course Dates

Upcoming Course Dates (2007) (FAQ)

Services Provided

We provide the following services:

• Free Fingerprinting - $10.00 Value
• Free Passport Photos - $10.00 Value
• Free Notarizations - $15.00 Value
• Free Range Qualification - $25.00 Value
• Free State Certificate - $5.00 Value
• Free Range Practice - $10.00 Value
• Free Loaner Handgun - $5.00 Value
• Free Eye & Ear Loaner - $2.00 Value

Note: ammunition is sold separately, and is not included in the price of the course. And, loaner handguns must use ammunition purchased from our range.

Prerequisites

Application Packet

• We will provide first- time applicants with an application packet the day of the course (not before).
• A renewal packet must come directly from the DPS, and is unique to the applicant (it is a pre- coded for the renewal applicant). Although a renewal need not have the packet to take a renewal course (we will have the fingerprint cards, passport photos and notary ready), you will certainly need the numbered packet application form before you can send off for the renewal license.
• All students must know how to shoot before the class: instructors are prohibited from teaching students how to shoot as a part of the course. If you need to learn how to shoot, please hire one of our instructors prior to the day of the class.
• Students must be eligible to receive a license: please see "Eligibility" for further details. Disclaimer: it is the responsibility of the student to ensure eligibility prior to the class. No refunds or credits will be issued due to ineligibility.
• Soft chair. Although, we have plenty of chair for all students; some like to bring their own seat cushion or padded chair for comfort.

The Shooting Test (Range Proficiency)

The following is the actual shooting exam:

• Twenty shots will be fired from 9 feet:
  • The first exercise will be fired in (5) stages. One-shot will be fired during each stage. The shooter will have 2 seconds to complete each shot.
  • The second exercise will be fired in (5) stages. Two- shots will be fired during each stage. The shooter will have 3 seconds to complete each stage.
  • The third exercise will be fired in a single stage. This is a five-shot exercise. The shooter will have 10 seconds to complete this stage.
• Twenty shots will be fired from 21- feet:  
  • The fourth exercise will be fired in a single stage.This is a five-shot exercise. The shooter will have 10 seconds to complete this stage.
  • The fifth exercise will be fired in two distinct, continuous stages. 
    
    • The first stage will be fired as a (2) shot exercise. The shooter will have four seconds to fire this stage.
    • The second stage will be fired as a (3) shot exercise. The shooter will have six seconds to complete this stage.
  • The sixth exercise will be fired in (5) stages. One shot will be fired during each stage. The shooter will have 3 seconds to complete each shot.The seventh exercise will be fired in a single stage. This is a five-shot exercise. The shooter will have 15 seconds to complete this stage.
• Ten shots will be fired from 45- feet:
  • The eighth exercise will be fired in two distinct, continuous stages
    • The first stage will be fired as a (2) shot exercise. The shooter will have six seconds to complete this stage.
    • The second stage will be fired as a (3) shot exercise. The shooter will have nine seconds to complete this stage.
  • The ninth and final exercise will be fired in a single stage. This is a five-shot exercise. The shooter will have 15 seconds to complete this stage.

Reasons for Failure on the Shooting Range

• Firing more shots than instructed to, or firing before the "fire" command is given.
• 174 or less total points scored on the exam.
• Unsafe conduct: horseplay, accidental discharge, gun pointed anywhere other than down range, incompetence with the handgun or unable to maintain control of yourself or the handgun.

General Information

• The shooting exam will consist of 50 total shots, yielding a maximum perfect score of 250.
• With respect to the "Standard B-27" CHL range qualification target, every shot placed inside the "8" ring (the second concentric circle-center of mass) will be credited for 5- points. All 50- shots in the "8-Ring" = a perfect score of 250 points!
• Any shot that is placed in the "7" ring (between the first and second concentric circles) will be given 4- points.
• Any shot place outside the "7" ring, but still on the body, will be given 3- points.
• Missed shots, or shots not registered on the "body" zone, will yield 0 points each.
• When all shots are counted, a score of 175 (70%) or greater is required to pass the shooting test.
• On the "Standard B-27" target, "X" marks the spot" and will be your aiming objective. This is the "bull's-eye" (the absolute concentric center of the rings) of a B-27 target.
• The closer to the center of the concentric center (the numbered rings) on the target that you shoot, the higher your score will be.
• Each missed shot, whether due to malfunction or otherwise, may not be made up.
• If you have a jam or malfunction, safely clear your weapon, and then continue the shooting exercise.
• Otherwise, each missed shot will be deducted from the total score at the time of grading.
• Absolutely do not load your handgun until instructed to do so.
• And, do not fire your handgun until instructed to shoot.
• A verbal "fire" command will be given to indicate when it's time to shoot.
• When your time has elapsed on each stage, a verbal "cease- fire" command will be given.
• A stage is a timed shooting sequence.
• The time will elapse silently. In other words, we will not go into a countdown mode between "fire" & "cease- fire" commands.
• An exercise, quite simply, is the total number of stages in a shooting sequence. For example, a (5) stage exercise of 1-shot will require the shooter to fire a single round, five separate times. In other words, the verbal command will be given to...
  
  • "fire" [1- shot]
    
  • "cease- fire",
    
  • "fire" [1- shot]
    
  • "cease- fire",
    
  • "fire" [1- shot]
    
  • "cease- fire"
  • "fire" [1- shot]
    
  • "cease- fire"
  • "fire" [1- shot]
    
  • "cease- fire".
• Any shot taken after the "cease- fire" command is given will be counted as zero points.
• Any shot taken before the fire command is given will result in an automatic failure.
• Fire only the appropriate number of shots between the "fire" and "cease- fire" commands.
• Firing more shots than required by a stage will result in an automatic failure.
• Firing fewer shots than required by a stage will result in a deduction of points equal to the number of shots missed multiplied by 5 points. In other words, 2- missed shots missed equals ten points deducted.
• After each exercise, when the last shot has been fired:
  • Drop your magazine (or open the cylinder).
  • Ensure the slide is locked back (or the cylinder is visibly open).
  • Lay the gun down on the table in front of you and wait to be instructed to reload and/ or continue the exercise.
• Only one magazine will be allowed on the range for the proficiency exam.
• Your aiming objective will be "center of mass". Headshots are to be avoided.
• Other than the firing line, make sure your handgun remains safely unloaded.
• Students have a maximum of 3 failed attempts per class before having to return at a future course to try over again.
• Safety is our number one priority- please make it yours!
• Any unsafe or potentially hazardous conduct will result in the automatic ejection from the class.

The B-27 Qualification Target (Click for larger image)

Learn How to Shoot

Special Note: Instructors are prohibited from teaching students how to shoot as part of the concealed handgun course. If you need to learn how to shoot, please contact one of our instructors to book a shooting lesson.

Click Here for Handgun Instruction

The Classroom

The classroom section will incorporate both new and renewal students together, except renewals will be given the opportunity to depart early (see itinerary below).

Enrollment

General Information:

• Our course enrollment is limited to 30- students per class.
• To enroll, we require a minimum $25 deposit per seat.
• You may stop by our store to register in person, or simply mail us a deposit check. Please be sure to confirm the course date at the time of registration.
• At this time, we are unable accept credit card deposits by phone (unless already registered via online registration).
• However, we will honor verbal registration over the phone, provided we receive a deposit check within 1- week.
• If we do not receive a deposit when the week is up, we will attempt to contact you by phone to confirm that a check has been sent. If a deposit is not received, the seat will automatically go to the next person on the waiting list.
• Because our classes tend to fill quickly, please register at least a month in advance.
• If your first preference with a course date has already been filled, choose an alternative date.
• If you are unable to make the course you signed up for, deposits are transferable.
• Simple call in advance and request that you be transferred to a future class that will work better with your busy schedule.
• "No shows", without prior notice, will be transferable one time. A second "no show" will result in the forfeiture of the deposit. And, deposits are non- refundable.
• Once enrolled in our course, a store representative will call you the Monday before the schedule course date to confirm your seat in the class and provide last reminders on the process.
• The classroom section will incorporate both new and renewal students together, except renewals will be given the opportunity to depart early (see itinerary below).

Eligibility

The Latest from the DPS

Subject: Concealed Handgun Licenses for Out of State Residents

Effective September 19th, 2006, the DPS will no longer issue Texas identification cards to non- residents. Out-of-State concealed handgun license applicants will no longer be able to submit a Texas I.D. card with their application. The non-resident licenses will now appear with a "blank-spot" in the DL/ID spot until a more permanent solution is implemented. Valid concealed handgun licenses for Texas residents must still contain a valid Texas driver's license or I.D. number in the designated portion of the license.

Subject: New Range Qualification Target

Effective January 1, 2006, all CHL qualifications will be conducted using a B-27 target, therefore please discontinue using the old TX-PT targets. The TX-PT targets are no longer acceptable.

Traveling

Myth: Recent legislation made it legal to carry a handgun in your car without a license.

Fact: House Bill 823 created a legal "presumption" for traveling with a handgun. This new Texas law placed the burden of proof on the prosecutor to demonstrate that the defendant was guilty of one of the following:

1. Breaking a law outside the traffic code
2. Not a member of a criminal street gang ("gang- banger")
3. Was not in a private vehicle
4. Did not have the handgun "concealed"
5. Was prohibited from possessing the handgun in the first place.

The following is from the Department of Public Safety:

New Law on Carrying Firearm while "Traveling" (House Bill 823, 79th Regular Legislative Session, amending Penal Code Sections 2.05 and 46.15)

In Texas, it is generally unlawful to carry a handgun in public, including within a private vehicle. However, Texas also recognizes several exceptions. One such exception is applicable when the citizen is "traveling." "Traveling" has never been defined by the legislature. Texas courts have said that in general, the determination of whether a citizen is traveling is to be determined on a case by case basis, depending on the specific circumstances. Texas courts have generally considered the distance, time, and mode of travel in determining whether the citizen is traveling and have found "traveling" to generally encompass overnight travel, through multiple counties. The change in the law, effective September 1, 2005, places the burden of proof on the State rather than the citizen as to whether or not the citizen was traveling. In other words, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the citizen was NOT traveling, rather than the citizen having to prove that he or she WAS traveling. The new law also describes the circumstances under which a citizen will be presumed by a jury to be traveling. Some local law enforcement and prosecuting agencies have indicated that they will continue to make arrests and file charges when they encounter citizens carrying handguns in motor vehicles and will allow juries to determine whether citizens were traveling. DPS has no authority to determine or to comment on how this law will be enforced by the various local law enforcement and prosecuting agencies in the State of Texas.

The following article is from the Houston Chronicle:

By CLAY ROBISON Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN - Motorists arrested for carrying pistols in their cars without a concealed handgun license will continue to be prosecuted in Houston, despite a new law that purports to give them a legal defense, Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal said Monday.

Although the sponsor said the law should reduce the number of arrests for unlawful handgun possession, Rosenthal said it won't change enforcement practices in Houston after it goes into effect on Thursday.

"It is still going to be against the law for (unlicensed) persons to carry handguns in autos," the district attorney said, adding that the new legal defense can still be challenged by prosecutors.

The new law, enacted during the regular legislative session last spring, seeks to clarify a longtime law that allowed Texans to carry handguns while traveling, a qualification that was subject to a number of inconsistent court interpretations over the years.

Keel said he hoped the law will prompt police officers to think twice about arresting motorists who meet the new legal presumption and spare them the expense and "indignity" of arrest and prosecution.

Otherwise, he said, "They basically are going to arrest innocent people and make them prove their innocence."

Rosenthal and Rob Kepple, executive director of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, disagreed.

Rosenthal said the new presumption about "traveling" doesn't define what constitutes traveling and can be challenged in court by prosecutors, leaving it to juries to decide verdicts "based upon the facts of the case."

A prosecutor could summon witnesses to successfully argue that a defendant wasn't traveling because he was simply "driving around the corner for a carton of milk," Kepple said.

"I really don't think (the law) should affect how police officers respond in arresting somebody," he added.

Houston Police Department spokeswoman Johanna Abad indicated Houston police were going to take their advice from Rosenthal's office.

Unlawful possession of a weapon is a class A misdemeanor punishable by as much as one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine. Rosenthal said most cases are resolved through plea bargains.

The prosecutor said he asked Gov. Rick Perry to veto the bill because "taking weapons off the street is a pretty good deal." He said his office handled about 5,000 weapons cases of varying degrees of severity last year.

Tripp called Rosenthal's opposition a case of "sour grapes ... and a threat to the general public."