Tag: concealed carry

Texas Concealed Handgun License

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texas chl class

Persons with Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL) take notice, new Texas legislation has passed affecting CHL issuance, where CHL holders can carry and requirements of renewal.

Texas law allows citizens to carry concealed handguns for self-protection with the issuance of a license to carry concealed. The following is a summary of the new laws, and all effective dates are Sept. 1, 2013 unless otherwise noted:

CHL Classes

Previous law required a ten hour Concealed Handgun License Certification Course outlined by the State Department of Public Safety.
With the new legislation class time is reduced from a minimum of 10 hours including range time, to 4-6 hours not including range time. It allows Texas CHL holders renewing their license to take the classroom instruction and the written exam online. Shooting instruction and techniques will be eliminated from CHL classes as of September 1, 2013.

CHL Renewal

After September 1, CHL renewals will no longer require a renewal class. To renew your license you will have to register with the state, pay the renewal fee, and sign an “information form” confirming you are knowledgeable of use of force and concealed handgun laws. This legislation eliminates the one year grace period after licenses expired. If your license to expires, you will have to attend a class as a new student to be re-issued a CHL license. Renewal applications can be submitted on the internet. This legislation reduces the CHL renewal fee for certain honorably discharged veterans, current members of the state military forces, certain peace and correctional officers to $25.

Weapons Categories

Non semi-automatic and semi-automatic license categories have been eliminated.

Hotels with Restrictive Firearms Policies

Hotels are required to tell patrons in advance of any restrictive firearms policies.

School Employees

CHL holders who are employed by a school district or charter school who receive additional training, and have written authorization from their employer, will be allowed to carry a concealed handgun inside the school of their employment.

Currently the Department of Public Safety has not established this new curriculum and training requirements.

This legislation makes it illegal for college campuses to institute policies restricting CHL holders from leaving a firearm in their vehicle on a college campus or in parking lots.

Display of a Firearm

The phrase “Intentional fail to conceal” is changed to “Intentional display of a handgun”. It clarifies that the display of a concealed handgun is authorized to prevent the use of force, not just the use of deadly force against the CHL holder.

Fingerprinting

The Department of Public Safety must provide the means for people who live in a county with a population of 46,000 or less and are not within a 25-mile radius of a facility capable of processing digital or electronic fingerprints to submit their fingerprints. Fingerprints are required to apply for a CHL.

Seized Firearms

Seized weapons not returned or claimed by the owner can be sold at a public sale. Only a licensed federal firearms dealer can purchase the weapon, and proceeds go to the law enforcement agency that seized it.

Social security

Applicants for a concealed handgun license will not be required to give their Social Security number to the Department of Public Safety.

Interchangeable Guns Allowed

The new legislation allows CHL holders to carry a weapon that may be of a different category than they demonstrated handgun proficiency with prior to being issued a CHL. If you qualified with a revolver, you were limited to carrying a revolver. Earlier law stated that if someone qualified with a semi-automatic weapon, they could carry either a revolver or a semi-automatic. If they only qualified with a revolver, then a revolver was the only gun that could be carried. The new legislation lifts that restriction.

School Safety Task Force

The new legislation provides for a School Safety Task Force that will examine how to improve emergency operations planning and will develop a school safety certification program. Provides for the task force to be comprised of the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management or a designee; the training director of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University-San Marcos or a designee; the chairperson of the School Safety Center or a designee; and the agency director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service or a designee. Effective immediately.

Handgun Instructors

Provides certification for qualified handgun instructors in school safety training in the areas of the protection of students, interaction of license holders with first responders, tactics for denying an intruder entry to a classroom or school, how to increase accuracy with a handgun under duress. The certification course will require between 15-20 hours of instruction.

School Marshalls

The “Protection of Texas Children Act” creates a school marshal position in public K-12 schools and charters. Marshals will be allowed to carry a gun, and their identity would only be known to the school’s head administrator and law enforcement. When working in a classroom or around children, the school marshal’s weapon will be locked away but within reach. Effective immediately.

For those CHL holders who wish to take the popular field instruction that will be eliminated on Sept. 1, contact your local CHL class facility to register for available classes in August.

Product Spotlight: The Glock 17

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glock 17

The world of firearms is a vast one and the realm of handguns is a vast one too. With myriads of variations and permutations, there truly is a handgun for every taste, style, and occupation. However, amongst the many different handguns, few ever gain enough traction to thrive in the public arena. Whether for high costs, weight, or unreliability; these constructs struggle to find a niche where they can build a following. The Glock 17 is not one of those handguns. Designed by a team of weapons experts assembled by Gaston Glock nearly thirty-five years ago, the Glock 17 has stood the test of time better than nearly every handgun in its class. Here are a few reasons to love the Glock 17.

1. Maneuverability

Scaling-in at under one and a half pounds, the Glock 17 is a light, maneuverable alternative to most of its contemporaries. Designed with heavy use of polymer-based materials, the Glock 17 takes the prize for comfort and handling in the handgun department. With a muzzle length of seven and a third inches, you can trust that this weapon’s going to go where you want and fast.

2. Magazine

Typically, a gun that’s light on size is also light on ammunition—not the Glock 17. With a seventeen-round magazine capacity, you can think less about how many rounds you have left and more about the target. Plus, this extra ammo has no affect on the aesthetics or the handling of the gun, keeping the height at a snug five and a half inches and the width at a sleek one and a quarter inches. It’s the best of big and small with this semi-auto handgun.

3. Reliability

There aren’t many specs you can throw out to demonstrate just how reliable the Glock 17 truly is. Suffice it to say that it is used by more police and law enforcement personnel than any other handgun in the world. The whole design itself is very simple with only thirty-four parts in the entire design. This reduces malfunctions and complex fixes. When you’re in a crunch, you do not want your gun to misfire. Neither do the cops, which is why they choose this handgun.

Get Your Glock 17 from GrabAGun

There is a lot more that could be said about this Glock: its rifling, patented safety mechanism, and extra features just to name a few. However, the maneuverability and reliability are at the top of the list. If you want a high-quality weapon that you can trust, go for the Glock 17 at GrabAGun and pick up your 9mm ammo as well!

The Diversity of the 1911: “1911 For Sale”

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1911 for sale at grabagun.com

Saying “1911 for sale” is like saying “car for sale” or “dog for sale”—it’s much too vague to be useful. Ever since its patent expired some decades ago, the 1911 has grown into a vast line of semi-automatic pistols, being produced by nearly every major gun manufacturer in the world. There are 1911’s with different calibers, grips, sights, setups, slides, magazines, materials, and much more! So, if you’re looking for that “1911 for sale” sign, you may be searching for more guns than you think. Here are a few helpful hints to narrow that “1911 for sale” to something more specific.

Explore Your Options

Once you realize that the realm of 1911 pistols is vast and varied, you will have to narrow your choices before making a purchase. One of the best ways to do just that is taking a trip to the gun range. Most ranges will have at least one 1911 that you can try out before closing the deal. When you’re at the range, pay attention to the nuances of each pistol you try. How does the grip feel in your hand? Is the recoil too abrasive or too light? Do you like the setup of the pistol? Keeping questions like these in mind will help you form opinions and preferences that will be useful when it comes time to make your choice.

Keep Your Purpose in Mind

Many shops offering a 1911 for sale will carry it in multiple models. If you’re looking for a recreational model that you plan to use on the gun range alone, then you’ll want to search accordingly. If you’re looking for a 1911 to add to your collection at home, then maybe you’ll want to check out the historical models. Remembering the purpose of your new pistol will keep you from over-spending on a pistol you don’t need as well as help you narrow down your list.

Pick a Caliber to Fit The Need

1911 pistols originally came in .45 ACP , but are now also available in numerous calibers from .22 long rifle and .38 super to 9mm and 10mm. If ammo cost is going to be an issue, then perhaps 9mm will be your best choice. A 1911 for sale could come in any of these sizes so be sure to know what caliber you are getting. In any case, know that you have options when it comes to bullet size. However, more importantly, know the costs and benefits of each.

1911s For Sale at GrabAGun

Whether you get a Rock Island 1911, Remington 1911, or Kimber 1911; this pistol could be a lot of different things. With a myriad of purposes, calibers, and prices; the 1911 represents an impressively diverse array of handguns. When choosing your first, be mindful of the wide array of choices that you can make. Take your time and do some experimentation. You’ll be seeing “1911 for sale” signs for a while to come.


The Best Handguns For Concealed Carry

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GrabAGun has great deals on semi-auto handguns and ammo for sale. In honor of these great deals, I thought I would spend some time discussing concealed carry weapons. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this topic. I’ve put a few of my favorite concealed carry weapons below.

Handguns For Sale at GrabAGun

Kahr CM9

concealed-carry-weapon
I’ll start with a good economical choice: the Kahr CM9. I know what you are going to say. When buying an item to protect yourself and your family, saving money is not the best thing to go on. But this is a very solid 9mm pistol that holds 6 rounds and has a 3 inch barrel. The CM9 is super light at 15.9 ounces. It has a longer trigger pull for extra safety in this conceal carry weapon. That being said, it really is a good value if budget is an issue for you.

Smith & Wesson Shield


concealed-carry-weapon
A new player in the concealed carry weapons market is the Smith & Wesson Shield. In early April 2012, Smith and Wesson announced and released a new M&P pistol. This is an ideal concealed carry weapon. Not only does it have a 3.1-inch barrel, but it also has an 8-round capacity. The other feature that makes this pistol superior to many other concealed carry weapons is that it is less than an inch thick. The S&W Shield weighs in around 19 ounces so it is very easy to conceal. This is a great shooting pistol that comes in both 9mm and .40. The only issue with this pistol is your ability to purchase one! They should become easier to find later in the year, but right now they are few and far between.

Springfield Armory XDS


concealed-carry-weapon
The final concealed carry weapon I would like to highlight is the 2012 offering from Springfield Armory, the XDS. The Springfield Armory XDS is around 1-inch thick with a 3.3-inch barrel. It’s roughly the same size as the Shield but weighs slightly more at 21.5 ounces. The two great features of this pistol are the fiber optic front sight and the fact that it is a .45! This pistol shoots as well as a full size Springfield Armory XDM with a trigger that feels very similar to its larger XDM brother. In my opinion, the XDS is the ultimate concealed carry weapon.

Semi-Auto Handguns From GrabAGun

Since we are all different shapes and sizes with different shooting preferences, what works for me may not work for you. Before making your final decision on a concealed carry weapon make sure you like the way the weapon looks, feels, and shoots. Go to GrabAGun for the best handguns, .45 ACP ammo, and holsters for sale today! Want to keep up with our gun store news? Go to GrabAGun.com to sign up for The Freedom Team Newsletter for daily gun and ammo deals.