Texas residents are still reeling from Hurricane Harvey, but there’s just been a bit of good news for gun owners in the Lone Star State: Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Department of Public Safety to issue free replacements of the License to Carry a Handgun (LTC) card and the Private Security Board (PSB) licensee card for residents who lost them or had them damaged as a result of the deadly storm.
“As Texas begins the recovery process, we are prepared to respond to a wide range of issues to help victims of this Hurricane,” Governor Abbott said in a press release. “By eliminating burdensome fees to replace these important licenses, Texans can focus on rebuilding their lives and communities.”
All residents who live in counties that received a gubernatorial disaster declaration and are active Texas LTC or PSB license holders can apply for the free replacement cards. If you plan on getting a replacement, you need to call the Regulatory Services Division contact center at 512-424-7293 to get the fee waived. The service isn’t available online. The standard cost of replacing the LTC is usually $25, while getting a new PSB under normal circumstances would run you $15. Cardholders should also be prepared to provide proof of identity.
To see the full list of counties covered by the disaster declaration, visit gov.texas.gov.
A Department of Public Safety spokesman told the Texas Tribune they didn’t have an estimate on the number of license to carry cards that were lost or damaged as a result of Hurricane Harvey.
As the Tribune notes, the news comes just days after a new law went into effect that reduces the cost for first-time carry licenses from $140 to $40, while the renewal fee has also been lowered from $70 to $40.
