Surprises when asking for Character References...

[stephpd]

references

I needed 5 here in Delaware. My friends weren't any problem. Good thing I couldn't use my wife. She hates guns. Doesn't want to think about them or the dangers out there. Not sure if she will ever come around. Her mom just got a ccw but that doesn't seem to matter.

As far as the references, Delaware requires 5 but doesn't even contact them. I asked everyone after getting the ccw and not one was contacted.Most of them are guys I work with and none had a problem with me carrying even though none of them own a gun. But with all the crime around the place we work they understand why it might be useful.

 

[Zoomer]

Sorry to hear about your problems. I too am from NY (Suffolk County LI) and waited 11 months to get my restricted (Sportsman) pistol license. 2 of my 4 references were hesitant to sign my application (They were afraid of future liability and me going "postal" at work!!??). Oh well. A long talk at the pub over a coulple of frosty ones where I stated my case and they signed the form. The police did indeed contact 2 of my four references - including 1 of the reluctant ones. All went well and after an excruciatingly long wait I am the proud owner of twins! A Kimber Gold Match 45ACP and a S&W 629 44 mag both stainless!! I can only CCW while on the way to and from the field or to and from an approved shooting facility under the "sportsman clause" on my permit. If I carry at any other time I get arrested and forefeit my pistols and permit.

On a side note the police contacted my wife (after the 4 references were approved) and told her I was in the process of obtaining a pistol permit. They asked if she had any problems with there being a weapon in the house, her feelings towards my owning a gun, etc., etc. If she wanted to she could have put a kabosh on the whole process. Good thing she likes guns and hunting as I have Blackpowder rifles, numerous shotguns (waterfowl, Skeet, deer) and lots of rifles.

 

[Rinspeed]

Sorry to hear about your problems. I too am from NY (Suffolk County LI) and waited 11 months to get my restricted (Sportsman) pistol license.

Zoomer,

Does your permit say restricted on the front?

 

[Zoomer]

No But under class/type it says "Sportsman".

 

[macadore]

I have former friends from NYC. They became former friends when they found out I owned firearms. They seemed to believe that firearms were living creatures that ran around killing people. Totally irrational, but also totally self righteous.

 

[Gunnerpalace]

Stover954rr sounds to me like it is easier to go to the moon in a cardboard rocket ship than to get a CCW in NY, my advice would be to move or failing that wait to see what Heller says and maybe the laws will reverse.

 

[WVMountainBoy]

Wow...just wow. We don't need the references for CCW here in WV, but most of my friends (other than the LEO's) have their permit. My best friend, whom grew up 5 doors down from me is the only non-owner of a "real" firearm, and even he has a thing for high-powered air rifles.
Now if 4 of my friends had similiar reactions I would be hurt that they refused to say I'm responsible enough for CCW...I'd probably want to evaluate myself and see if there was something wrong with me that my crew felt that way...Now if one of them handed me a line about "you don't need it" I think that friend would need to spend some time listening to my radio and phone calls at work. Thank goodness West Virginians haven't put so much faith in the gov. to be so sheepish and so codependent on protection

 

[wqbang]

I find it hard to find 4 people here that don't have a handgun.

 

[Shawnee]

Hi Stover...

It may really be a situation in which people are refusing because they are afraid if something ugly happens THEY might be somehow held responsible (as in sued or prosecuted). That wouldn't surprise me in states like New York.
Just a thought.

 

[jaydubya]

On an aside, as a boy I lived one winter at Fort Niagara, New York (now a state park) and two at Fort Missoula, Montana (ditto). Because of those three winters, I have no great problems with the fact that the San Diego County Sheriff hates to authorize concealed permits. I'll be playing golf with some of you snowbirds real soon now. Y'all come.
Cordially, Jack

 

[distortion9]

If I carry at any other time I get arrested and forefeit my pistols and permit.

Just as a heads up.....

While you could get arrested you SHOULD NOT be arrested. You are licensed by the State of NY to legally carry a loaded weapon on your person. Period.

Suffolk County places restrictions on where and when you can carry. These restrictions are administrative in nature and not "laws", they are "rules".

If these "rules" are broken, and you are caught, they could yank your license but you won't be arrested (unless the officer is looking to jam you up). If you are arrested, it won't stick....you broke no law.

Another heads up....

Always be "on the way to or from a range".

There is a "24 hour" range in Freeport. http://www.freeportrevolver.com/

Did you know that you are also allowed to stop for non alcoholic refreshments while going to or from the range (7-11 for a Big Gulp or coffee...Mc Donalds at the mall...etc)? You are also allowed to meet or stop for car pooling reasons ( stop by a friends house to pick them up or drop them off..."I'm just sitting here waiting for my buddy, we're going to the range")

It's all right there in your Suffolk County pistol license handbook
http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/Police/Pistol_ License_ Handbook-020505.pdf

 

[BobMcG]

Nice friends. Just remember that the next time they want a favor from you.

Thank goodness I didn't experience any problems. I had good friends as my four references. Three were LEOs and one was a Justice of the Peace. It went quick and smooth. This was three decades ago though and people thought a bit differently about firearms, hunting, etc. back then. The county had a good pro-2nd Judge then too but not anymore.

 

[LightsOut]

I had good friends as my four references. Three were LEOs and one was a Justice of the Peace. It went quick and smooth. This was three decades ago though

Not surprised it was that long. Most jurisdictions won't allow you to use any LEO as a character reference. At least that's the case in the NY area.

 

[mnw42]

PA requires three references, but I don't recall the Commonwealth having a residency for them. Regardless, I have a fairly long list of people I can use that all live within 10 miles and I have know for 5+ years.

I'm not surprised they ask for character references, but I am surprised that they any gave you a bad word. Think about it... would you put down some one who wouldn't like you having a pistol on you?

 

[alsaqr]

Sounds like it is time to take a bunch of folks out of your Rolodex. Don't forget to delete their numbers from your cell phone.

 

[skarpenz]

I sure am glad I live in Georgia. $51 and some finger prints/personal info and you'll have your permit to carry a month and a half later.

 

[ViperJon]

I live in Suffolk County as well, and seem to be going "to and from" the range a lot..

Has me wondering if there are any known cases in Suffolk of someone with a "sportsman" restricted license actually having it pulled because they got spotted carrying. NOT flashing or brandishing but just spotted and had some good citizen call a cop. I seriously wonder what would happen. I'm betting that most cops would take you aside and send you on your way, (assuming you are not wanted for something or have a reason for them to hold you) unless you gave them a good reason to bust your balls.

I mean really, how can they prove your not on your way to a range somewhere anytime of the day or night, you could be heading upstate or to a private gun club. And now that the actually carry restriction has been so obviously "loosened" from years ago (ie stopping to eat, picking up something at the mall etc) I'm starting to think the whole carry issue has become clouded here.

Opinions?

 

[AZ Outlaws]

Anywhere in Arizona... walk into the gun shop, pick out what you want, do the paperwork and 9 times out of 10, if you don't have a record you walk out with it on your hip, open carry right then and there.

Then schedule yourself for an 8 hour CCW class ($75.00) then send the application with a finger print card off to the State Police ($60.00 for 5 years) and within a week or so you have your permit to carry concealed.

I took the class on a Saturday, mailed off the application Sunday had had my CCW permit in my hand by Thursday afternoon. They had my weight wrong on the permit so I called in the corrected information and a replacement permit was in my hands in two days.

Oh, and the next time you buy a gun, just show the store your CCW permit and driver’s license, pay for the gun and walk out the door. It don't get any easier….

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I won't blast your political choice...

That's your choice and the way I see it, we look at issues, the candidates, the lies they pronounce on the issues, then pick whom we believe to be the lesser of evils. Fair enough. That's what's so good about our country. You get to make your own vote decisions.

As for references, Hell, I guess it's time to move out west and get new friends.

Think I'm kidding? People have moved across this country for much less than having a home with less restrictive handgun laws.


Washington is a 'shall issue' state. No class required for a CWP. And that permit is good across the whole state. Recognized by many other states. If you have one, there is no waiting period when buying a hand gun. Otherwise, there is a waiting period for dealer purchases. Private party sales are same day with or without CWP.

-Steve

 

[Seiko]

Sounds to me like you need better friends......

They have their convictions and thats fine. But I choose not to associate myself with people who don't believe a man has a right to protect himself and his home.

 

[Educated Hillbilly]

Stover954rr,

So sorry to hear about your predicament. Just one more reason not to live in one of the Sheeple states. If you want you can move down here to KY, I have some land you can lease until you get on your feet (HONESTLY). Move and move fast from NY, will only get worse. Hope everything works out for the best.

 

[Dobe]

am talking about people I have know my whole life turning me down, simply because they do not believe in the ownership of hand guns. I have received a number of responses such as "Russell, if I thought that anyone could be trusted/responsible with a hand gun it would be you, unfortunately I do not believe in them and thus can not justify supporting anyone with owning one." or the very popular, "what do you need one of them for?"

It is a matter of culture and publicity. In the south, that would be considered ridiculous.

 

[Javelin]

These are your friends because..... ?

 

[nicki]

Ex New Yorker myself

Never had opportunity to try for NY handgun permit myself, I left for military service and never went back.

Hate cold weather which is why I am in California. Yeah, I know, California.

My gut feeling is your friends are probably highly educated or should I say highly indoctrinated.

When California had a vote to ban handguns in 1982, support was highest among highly educated, people with advanced degrees.

People with advanced degrees are indoctrinated against guns as well as other traditional American values, and that is probably what happened with your "friends".

As far as you supporting Ron Paul, I agree with you 100 percent.

He is the only candidate who will discuss the Fed Reserve, our crashing dollar, how our foreign policy is putting us further into debt to our friends, the Chinese.

Right now we owe them 1 trillion dollars. How long do you think it will be before they start influencing our domestic and foreign policies.

If we don't do what they say, they could dump their dollar reserves on the world market and crash our economy.

Unless we change our foreign policies and our stupid domestic policies that are bankrupting us, we will face economic chaos.

It is not a matter of if, but when.

Under such a climate, emergencies could arise and all of our rights may be curtailed to maintain social order.

The German people did elect Hitler when their backs were up against the wall and the American people would do the same.

Nicki

 

[Blackbeard]

My advice would be to ask the 4 friends ahead of time if they'll say "yes". Same thing for job references. Don't put them down as references until you know what they'll say.