Letters of recommendation

[LkWinnipesaukee]

A friend of mine is applying for his FID card (Its a MA thing )

He needs 3 letters of recommendation. So far he has 1. Because I have my FID card, he wants me to write him one.

My questions- Will my letter be considered valid? I am under 18. And would a letter from a family member be valid?


Thanks

 

[Huddog]

Totally depends on MA law, with which I am not familiar. Sorry

 

[bdutton]

It's not a MA law. It is a local law enforcement hoop that you have to jump through.

While a family member may be acceptable, it is likely that the LEO is looking for professional references. i.e. co-workers/boss, local gun range officials, even police officers.

All you can do is your best effort to comply with the 'requested' information.

Write your letter. Just don't put down your age, but be honest.

 

[Tory]

No such requirement

First, NO "letters of recommendation" are required; only two references.

Second, NO references are required for a mere FID card, as is expressly stated on the application form itself.

Your buddy is being jerked around.

 

[Mr Weebles]

1st Post

LkWinnipesaukee, I agree with Tory. Your friend is definitely being jerked around. The law specifically states that only 2 references are necessary for the application. Many local Chiefs have been adding their own requirements to the process which is in direct violation of Chapter 140: Section 131(g). Violations of paragraph (g) by an issuing authority are punishable under Chapter 140; Section 131(k). Please see below:

Chapter 140; Section 131(g) …The application for such license shall be made in a standard form provided by the executive director of the criminal history systems board, which form shall require the applicant to affirmatively state under the pains and penalties of perjury that such applicant is not disqualified on any of the grounds enumerated above from being issued such license.

Chapter 140; Section 131(k) ... Whoever knowingly issues a license in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than two years in a jail or house of correction, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

All of this information is taken directly from GOAL's website (www.goal.org). if your friend has not yet joined them, he should do so immediately. They are the only group fighting full time to maintain what few rights we Masachusetts gun owners have left.

Finally, if you live in NH you may not be acceptable as a reference for your friend. When I applied I used two friends but they were MA residents and had their own permits.

EDIT: I assume that your friend is applying for a Class A or B permit since, as Tory points out, references are not required for an FID.

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

No he's my age and applying for an FID card.


I think I'll go down to the station with him. The form showed space for 2 references, and a seperate form (summarized below) stating that:

To: ALL applicants of pistol permits, renewal of pistol permits, and FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION CARDS

From: (The police chief in my town)

"In keeping with recently established guidelines (??) the following must be completed prior to the issuance of any gun permits."

...

6. Submit three letters of reference from persons willing to be contacted in the event of a background check

What should we say to them?

 

[Mr Weebles]

Don't Say Anything to Him

I would have your friend give a call to the folks at GOAL (508-393-5333) and ask them what he should do.

The second form sounds like something he put together himself, which is not allowed. See my previous post. GOAL had an investigation recently regarding local Chiefs adding requirements to the process and are asking the Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety to investigate each offense.

 

[Tory]

Typical local PD power-tripping

The statutorily-authorized, state-issued form says two references. Period.

That same form says references are NOT required for FID cards. Period.

The chief is exceeding his authority. He gets away with it because people put up with it.

Period.


NOTE: This forum HAS a legal section. Why are you not using it?