A question on the Indiana County sheriff's policies.

[Aran]

http://www.countyofindiana.org/shgunper.htm

Q. Who are qualified references?
A. References must be:
1. Residents of Indiana County for at least 3 years.
2. Must be 21 years of age.
3. Cannot live in the same household.
4. Cannot be a relative by blood or marriage.

Point number one there.

Is that something they can actually require? I understand 2-4, but I don't see anything about number one anywhere but their website unless I'm just too tired for reading comprehension. Which is always possible.

They didn't, however, mention that when I went in and got the paperwork in the office, so I don't know how strongly they hold to that policy.

Thanks for any answers you can offer.

[knight0334]

#1 is out of line in my opinion.
#2 I cant find any legal requirement that the person be 21
#3 is typical across the state.
#4 is somewhat understandable, seeing how a biased opinion might be expected from blood/marriage relatives.

[Zef_66]

The only problem I have is with #1. All the rest are standard.

[ChamberedRound]

The only problem I have is with #1. All the rest are standard.

They may be standard, but NONE of these requirements are outlined within the text of the UFA regarding licensure. They're all out of line IMHO. Unfortunately, because of the text which states the issuing Sheriff must perform a background check on the applicant, these criteria, with the exception of #1, have become a de facto standard.

[knight0334]

I just thought of something, under the UFA the PA State Police creates the standard for which the document is drawn up. If the Sheriff's doesn't match the PA State Police's - then there is a violation of the UFA as to who has authority to dictate what should be required.

[danp]

A few months ago I contacted the Indiana County Sheriff regarding some "non-standard" requirements in their LTCF application process. Looks like I should be contacting them again...

[Michele]

What I would like to know is why the LTCF app requirements differ so much from county to county. I was under the impression that all of PA would have the same requirements, and require the same information.
I'm wondering if its not up to the individual sheriff what he prefers.
Hummmm.......

[Emptymag]

What I would like to know is why the LTCF app requirements differ so much from county to county. I was under the impression that all of PA would have the same requirements, and require the same information.
I'm wondering if its not up to the individual sheriff what he prefers.
Hummmm.......

Shocked the sh!t out of me too when I started hearing all of the variations in different counties.
Seems something that's valid anywhere in the state would have some type of uniformity in the application process.

[billamj]

What I would like to know is why the LTCF app requirements differ so much from county to county. I was under the impression that all of PA would have the same requirements, and require the same information.
I'm wondering if its not up to the individual sheriff what he prefers.
Hummmm.......

I think that is primarily an effect of the UFA being overly vague on the requirements for the background check that the CLEO needs to complete. That is how some Sherriff's offices get away with a higher than "normal" turndown rate and others manage to take the entire 45 working days to approve. If you get an anti in office in any county, that county is hosed because the legislature didn't spell things out in detail.

[Michele]

I guess I got real lucky here in Erie county.
I had no problem whatsoever. From what I understand the sheriff here is very very pro gun!
My experience was painless and pleasant. I used NYC references and put down unemployed. He never checked my references!
And being brand new to PA I figured he would have checked me out big time, especially being fresh from NYC.
Everyone pack your bags and move to Erie County now. Oh, and bring your snowblowers!