License To Carry
Where do I go to apply for a Texas LTC?
- Texas Department of Public Safety Handgun Licensing
- You have to be 18 to apply. You may take the course when you are 17 1/2 years old. (www.dps.texas.gov/section/handgun-licensing/faq/eligibility-faqs)
- The class fee with Talon Firearms Training is $70. The State will charge $40 (some exceptions apply) for the license and $10 for fingerprints. $120 total.
- The first license is good for 4 years plus the number of days until your birthday. Subsequent licenses will renew every 5 years on your birthday.
- You should receive a notice approximately 6 months before expiration. Go to the Texas DPS website and renew there.
- A good question without a good answer. I have had students get theirs back in 7 days while others take 8 weeks or more. The DPS is getting better at getting them out faster.
- While the shooting test is not that difficult, the LTC class is not the time to learn to shoot a gun. Please see our Basic class to learn to shoot.
- When your license expires you cannot carry your firearm until you receive your new license. If it has been expired for less than one year you may renew it on the DPS website. Licenses that have been expired for more than a year are invalid and you must take the LTC class again.
- You may take the class with a .22 caliber or larger. Most people use .380, 9mm, .40, or .45 caliber. It is recommended that you use a caliber that you are likely to use for self-defense. Once you receive your license you may carry any caliber you wish.
- I like to say the LTC class allows you to be certified to carry a handgun legally. "Qualifying" comes from training and the LTC class doesn't really train you. All LTC holders should practice often and go to training at least every year.
- No practice is allowed before the test
- While these optics can be beneficial in a self-defense situation, they are not allowed to be used for the shooting test.
- Red dots are allowed as long as they do not magnify the image.
- While that is unlikely, you will have three opportunities each to pass the written and shooting tests.
- There used to be two different licenses depending on what you shot the test with. That is no longer true. You may shoot the test with either a revolver or a semi and carry either one.
- Absolutely! There is no vending on site so bring what you'd like. Non-alcoholic of course.
Pistol Classes
Can I take the classes in any order I like?
- The Basic, Essential, and LTC classes may be taken at any time. All other classes have prerequisites and must be taken in order.
- We don't like to be yelled at either. We present the class with patience, knowledge, and respect. There may be times that the scenario training demands loud voices or urgency for stress inoculation but the general class is presented in a calm manner.
- Maybe... but not likely. While we strive to make you a better and more competent shooter, levelling up to a SEAL is going to take a lot more practice and training than we can offer. May we suggest you try the U.S Navy recruiting office.
- I've been shooting for a lot of my life and a lot more since I got my license and subsequently became an instructor. Every time I go to training, real training not just punching holes in a target on a static range, I learn how much I just don't know and push myself to be better. Then I go to the next training....I'll never be "good enough".
- Generally we limit the classes to ages 14-17 (with parent present) or older. Exceptions by individual case.