You Applied for a Texas LTC? Now You Play the Waiting Game (But Hopefully Not the Waiting Forever Game)
Ah, the Texas License to Carry (LTC) application process. A thrilling tale of permission slips, background checks, and the soul-crushing suspense of... waiting. We've all been there, staring at the mailbox like a lovesick puppy, wondering if that official envelope finally holds our golden ticket to concealed carry freedom.
Fear not, my fellow Texan gun enthusiasts! While the wait times for a LTC can feel like watching paint dry (especially when the paint is a particularly slow-drying variety), there are ways to check the status of your application and maybe, just maybe, appease the gnawing anxiety.
Hold Your Horses (Unless They're the Kind You Want a License For)
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of status checks, let's address the impatient trigger finger (figuratively speaking, of course). The Texas Department of Public Safety (affectionately known as the DPS) doesn't offer real-time status updates. So, refreshing your application page every five minutes likely won't jog their system into giving you an answer any faster.
Instead, channel your inner zen master and be patient, grasshopper. The wait times can vary depending on workload and background check processes, but generally it can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks.
Alright, Alright, I Get It. How Do I Check Anyway?
Now that we've established you shouldn't be camping out by your mailbox (unless you're expecting a particularly large and exciting package, in which case, congratulations!), here are the two ways to check the status of your Texas LTC application:
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The Online Portal: This is where you submitted your application in the first place, so why not head back there? You'll need your driver's license or ID number, date of birth, and phone number or email address you used during application. If you see a message like "In Process" or "Pending," well, that means you're still in the queue.
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Calling the DPS LTC Hotline: For those who prefer the human touch (or maybe just find staring at a screen excruciating), you can always dial 512-424-7293. Be prepared with the same information you'd need for the online portal, and be patient – hold times can vary.
Remember: Don't pester the poor DPS folks with daily calls. They have a lot of applications to process, and each time you call, it bumps someone else further down the line (it's like the line at the grocery store, LTC edition).
Bonus Tip: Embrace the Waiting Period with Texan Flair
Look, the waiting period is inevitable. But why not use this time to truly embrace your inner Texan? Here are a few ideas:
- Perfect your two-step. You'll need those fancy footwork skills when you line dance at that sweet honky-tonk with your LTC.
- Learn to say "howdy" in ten different ways. Because variety is the spice of life, y'all.
- Brush up on your knowledge of Texas trivia. Impress your friends with little-known facts about the Alamo (or maybe who invented the chicken-fried steak, that's a good one too).
By the time your LTC arrives, you'll be a true Texan through and through, ready to concealed carry with confidence (and maybe a killer two-step).
