Texans take out-of-state courses locally to get license to carry guns

Concealed Carry Institute offers online course

HOUSTON – Thousands of Texans are getting licenses to carry guns by taking out-of-state courses locally, often with less stringent qualifications, Channel 2 Investigates has learned.

In February, Channel 2 Investigates revealed a Florida gun class taught at a Humble buffet restaurant included less than 20 seconds of actual gun handling.

Channel 2 Investigates has found a course that is shorter, cheaper and never requires participants to attend a traditional in-person class with certified instructors.

The Concealed Carry Institute offers an online course that paves the way to obtain a Virginia gun permit, which is recognized in Texas, through a reciprocity agreement.

"See, the problem I have, philosophically, is once government starts telling you what the requirements are to exercise a manner of self-defense, they could require that everyone become an Olympic marksman," Robert Marcus, co-founder of The Concealed Carry Institute, said by phone.

Marcus's course cost $20 at the time Channel 2 Investigates took it and required watching a 90-minute video on safety, technique and Virginia gun laws, among other topics.

A 20-question multiple choice test followed. Fifteen correct or better nets a certificate, that can be enclosed with the Virginia out-of-state permit application.

Fingerprinting is not supplied by the course but required under both Texas and Virginia law.

The state of Virginia also does a criminal background check on applicants. The state of Texas has reciprocity and unilateral agreements with 42 other states.

Those who take the course should be warned that unlike Texas, Virginia does not appear to protect the names and addresses of those who hold a Virginia concealed handgun permit.

More than 4,200 Texas residents with Virginia permits are subject to that state’s publicly available records.

Texas prohibits the public release of identifying information for Texas license to carry holders.

Texas state Sen. John Whitmire, a veteran Democrat lawmaker from Houston, has said he plans to discuss reciprocity agreements with his colleagues next legislative session.

"We have a model, and people are circumventing it, and it's dangerous," Whitmire said.