Questions I get asked every week

Texas has permitless carry — not constitutional carry. They are not the same thing, and it is very easy to get a felony under the confusion of the two.

Permitless carry doesn't cover every person, every place, or every situation. A License to Carry gives you the best chance and the knowledge needed to stay lawful: where you can and cannot carry, what the law says about use of force, what your responsibilities are, and what happens after a defensive incident. It also opens up 37+ other states.

• Legal clarity — you know the boundaries instead of guessing at them
• Reciprocity in 37 or more states besides Texas
• Carry in some places permitless carry does not reach — the Prohibited Areas for Firearms course goes deeper on this
• Exemption from the federal NICS check when you buy from a dealer, so purchases go faster
• You've been formally trained on use of force, which matters enormously if you ever have to explain a decision

Eighteen. You have to be at least 18 years of age or older to obtain a License to Carry from the state of Texas. A lot of people assume it's 21 — it isn't.

37 or more states besides Texas, through reciprocity agreements. That list does shift as states change their laws, so check the current Texas DPS reciprocity map before a road trip — and remember that carrying legally in another state means following that state's rules while you're in it. If you drive or fly a lot, the Transporting a Firearm course is worth the hour.

No. First-time shooters are the whole reason I teach the way I teach. I have successfully instructed thousands of new students how to carry with confidence, and every single one of them started exactly where you are.

Basic instruction — grip, stance, sight picture, trigger, safe handling — is included at no extra cost. Other instructors make you pay $200 for a basics course before you're even allowed to take the LTC class.

Rentals are available and they include ammunition. Honestly, this is the better way to do it if you're new — shoot a few different handguns during the class and buy the one that actually fits your hand instead of the one somebody at a counter talked you into.

Classes generally start at 9am on a weekend morning and run the classroom portion and the range qualification in the same day. Plan on the day, not on a couple of hours, and don't schedule anything tight right after.

Valid ID, your handgun and holster if you have them, 50+ rounds of factory ammunition, eye and ear protection, closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen and water. Renting? Then just ID, eyes and ears — the rest is covered. Full list is on the class page. Not sure about your holster? There's a whole Holster Selection course on it.

50 rounds at a B-27 silhouette — 20 at 3 yards, 20 at 7 yards, 10 at 15 yards. It's a marksmanship standard, not a tactical test, and people pass it who have never shot before that morning. We work through the basics first if you need them.

Yes. The online course is available 24/7 and covers the classroom portion. When you finish it, message me and we schedule your range day to qualify. Details here, or browse every online course I offer.

Message me and I'll break the whole thing down for you — it depends on whether you're doing the in-person class or the online course, and whether you need a rental.

What I can tell you plainly: the range qualification is a separate charge from the course, and that charge covers range use, your target, ammunition, and the rental firearm if you need one. I've kept it fairly affordable on purpose. Local businesses have also sponsored discounts on classes before, so it's always worth asking what's running.

Send a message and I'll put your name down. Seats are limited every class and they go fast — most are 50 to 75% reserved before I even announce them publicly. If a class is already full, ask to go on the cancellation list; spots do open.

Here in Del Rio. Students come in from Laughlin, Brackettville, Comstock and around Val Verde County. Message me for the exact location and start time for the class you're booking.

Yes — the License to Carry gift bag includes the class fee, firearm rental and ammunition fees, a Wade's Tactical hat, a patch and two LTC pens. Delivery available. It has turned into a Del Rio Christmas tradition, and it's a much better present than another gift card.

EZ Pawn on Veterans. I get asked this every week and the answer never changes — best prices in town, and the inventory is full of pistols, rifles, shotguns and revolvers. Ask for Juan. They do layaway too if the funds aren't there right now.

Yes. Wade's Tactical is fully equipped to handle coachable children learning proper firearms safety on the range — supervised, structured and at their pace. My own son started young, doing it the right way. If there are kids in the house, also take a look at the Firearm Security & Storage course.

I install pistol optics, sight them in, and teach you to shoot fast with one instead of hunting for the dot. I also do Cerakote refinishing and sight installation — tritium and fiber optic for day and night visibility. More here.

Yes — Wade's Tactical offers the California CCW course and renewal, plus the Florida CWL, for both residential and non-residential applicants. See all the license courses.

Good. Send it. I'm free to answer any question you might have, whether or not you ever end up booking a class. Message me here.