I spoke to Lt. Anderson for a little over an hour this morning.
It is exactly as James had posted. They recently started questioning as to whether they are following the letter of the law in issuing permits to foreign coutries (ie. Canada, mexico, Guam...)
Rest assured that Lt. Anderson favors issuing of permits to "Canadians" as it is easy for them to access our government police records to do brackground checks on Canadians. Plus the fact that Canada is a "friendly" nation and neighbor to the United States. It is not hs intention to create any sort of "ill will" between Canada and the U.S.
He also repeated that he believes that even if a change in policy were to be implemented, those Canadian applications in the system shold be issued for five years. He feels we paid for a service and we should be entitled to that service.
However, he is only a lowly Lt. at the BCI. The "Commissioner" has the big end of the stick, however Lt. Anderson's recommendations will be favorable towards Canadians.
Should the applications be "unfrozen" shortly, he will (as James stated) "Fast Track" all Canadian applications in the system as a sort of compensation for having been frozen in the first place. This would mean we could see a permit much sooner than the 60-120 day actual waiting period.
I gathered that his recommendation carries some weight with the Comissioner.
Their concerns seem to be with definition of "Non-resident Alien" status. As one of their requirements states something or other about "establishing residency". To which I retorted how can you in one breath brand someone as "Non-resident Alien" then talk about "establishing residency" in the same sentance? The only people who would fill this category would be a "student" who is attending college in the U.S.
The bigger issue was whether we as Canadians fullfill the requirement of being able to legally "purchase" a firearm in the U.S. (Importing our firearms on a Form 6NIA does not fulfill this requirement).
To the best of my knowledge for me to purchase a firearm and to take possession of it, I have to have established residency for 90 days. To my understanding, I can also "purchase" a firearm this afternoon from a retailer, pay for the firearm, have it shipped to a FFL who will then ship it to an importer (like Questar) who will eventually ship it to me. (After I have paid the FFL in the States and Questar, and the GST...). The fact that I can purchase a firearm in the U.S. even if I can't take it with me, "may" fulfill the requirement of a "person who is able to purchase a firearm AND ammo in the U.S.) The Form 6NIA gives me the right to purchase ammo in the U.S., even if I can't bring it back to Canada.
So it all seems to be a bunch of "bureaucratic B.S.", which is something all us Canadians have extensive knowledge about.
The Commissioner is conferring with the State lawyers and Lt. Anderson. They hope to have a decision ASAP so as to not penalize those who are waiting for permits.
I hope what I have written makes sense to those seeking answers.
Lt. Anderson was interested in finding out more about Questar and the process of Canadians purchasing firearms from the U.S. and as well as finding out what other U.S. states issue CCW's to non-resident's.
I will e-mail James to forward Lt. Anderson some info so that he can convince the Commissoner to continue the program for Canadians.
The red flags went up when someone wanted to offer the program in Israel. As it stands, Israel has dealings with some countires that are "un-friendly) towards the Unites States and it is next to impossible to do a proper backgound check on an individual from this country, much them same as trying to get factual information on a Mexican national.
My overall impression is that we (Canadians) are very well percieved at least by the BCI in the state of Utah. Lt. Anderson is doing everything he possibly can to unstick the Canadian applicants and we should optimistically get some concrete info very soon.
James should be the first to know of any developements. Hang tight.
