Firearm application procedure draws fire

[blaster668]

http://www.thederrick.com/Derrick/5.shtml

Firearm application procedure draws fire


But the Venango County Sheriff's office is defending its requirement of a written statement and an interview.

The application procedure in Venango County for a license to carry a firearm is drawing fire from some quarters.

But the sheriff's office is standing by its guns and defending the procedure.

In Pennsylvania, anyone 21 years of age or older can apply to the sheriff (or in a first class city, the chief of police) for a license to carry a concealed firearm.

According to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the form of the application and its content must be uniform across the state and must be based on a form prescribed by the state police.

The form may contain provisions, not exceeding one page, to assure compliance with the law.

In addition to the application form, however, the Venango County Sheriff's office also requires a written statement of the reason for applying and possibly, an interview.

Those extra elements have some crying "foul," including one reader, who argues in a letter to the newspaper that the sheriff is "overstepping his legal authority" with the procedures.

But Chief Deputy Dave Morris said the sheriff's office is simply doing its job.

"There is an application form. That's part of it. But that's not it in its entirety," Morris said.

The crimes code requires the sheriff to conduct an investigation of the applicant, he said.

That investigation shall look into whether the applicant has a record of criminal conviction; is under indictment for or has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than one year; or is among those expressly precluded by law from possessing, using, manufacturing, controlling, selling or transferring firearms.

The investigation must also include a criminal background, juvenile delinquency and mental health check as well as a look into "whether the applican't's character and reputation are such that the applicant will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety."

"The sheriff is required to conduct an investigation on persons applying for a license to carry," Morris said. "That investigation can include an interview."

"We are required to look into their background," he said, indicating that such factors as a history of violence would help to determine if a person might pose a danger to society.

"It's not just a simple application. We would be remiss if we didn't look into this. We take this very seriously," he added.

"Sometimes it requires an interview," he said of the application process.

Some applicants are randomly chosen for interviews each year, he said.

Others are conducted "based on what what shows up in the criminal record check or field investigation," he said.

"It's nothing personal," he added. "It's nothing to do with gender or race or ethnicity or anything like that."

"But anything that shows up (in the background check) and triggers a reaction, we're going to look into," he said.

The office is required to act on an application within 45 days.

Morris said the office has "never failed to act within the 45 days."

The case they are referring to is the stink I've been bringing up about this matter. You can read more about in this thread http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-car...view-ltcf.html

[jerkin]

Keep on 'em man! Rep sent.

[jediofdark]

I agree, keep on them. They get to twist the law and procedure any way they want to and are never called on it. They ought to start getting on the other counties for the crap that they pull. For sure I give you some Rep. ++++

[mrjam2jab]

Firearm application procedure draws fire


But the Venango County Sheriff's office is defending its requirement of a written statement and an interview.

The application procedure in Venango County for a license to carry a firearm is drawing fire from some quarters.

But the sheriff's office is standing by its guns and defending the procedure.

In Pennsylvania, anyone 21 years of age or older can apply to the sheriff (or in a first class city, the chief of police) for a license to carry a concealed firearm.

According to the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the form of the application and its content must be uniform across the state and must be based on a form prescribed by the state police.

The form may contain provisions, not exceeding one page, to assure compliance with the law.

In addition to the application form, however, the Venango County Sheriff's office also requires a written statement of the reason for applying and possibly, an interview.

Those extra elements have some crying "foul," including one reader, who argues in a letter to the newspaper that the sheriff is "overstepping his legal authority" with the procedures.

But Chief Deputy Dave Morris said the sheriff's office is simply doing its job.

"There is an application form. That's part of it. But that's not it in its entirety," Morris said.

The crimes code requires the sheriff to conduct an investigation of the applicant, he said.

That investigation shall look into whether the applicant has a record of criminal conviction; is under indictment for or has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than one year; or is among those expressly precluded by law from possessing, using, manufacturing, controlling, selling or transferring firearms.

The investigation must also include a criminal background, juvenile delinquency and mental health check as well as a look into "whether the applican't's character and reputation are such that the applicant will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety."

"The sheriff is required to conduct an investigation on persons applying for a license to carry," Morris said. "That investigation can include an interview."

"We are required to look into their background," he said, indicating that such factors as a history of violence would help to determine if a person might pose a danger to society.

"It's not just a simple application. We would be remiss if we didn't look into this. We take this very seriously," he added.

"Sometimes it requires an interview," he said of the application process.

Some applicants are randomly chosen for interviews each year, he said.

Others are conducted "based on what what shows up in the criminal record check or field investigation," he said.

"It's nothing personal," he added. "It's nothing to do with gender or race or ethnicity or anything like that."

"But anything that shows up (in the background check) and triggers a reaction, we're going to look into," he said.

The office is required to act on an application within 45 days.

Morris said the office has "never failed to act within the 45 days."

Is it just me.....or did he just repeat himself...multiple times...???

[jediofdark]

Is it just me.....or did he just repeat himself...multiple times...???

Maybe he likes to hear himself.

[Warpt762x39]

Is it just me.....or did he just repeat himself...multiple times...???

It's just you but I'm pretty sure it's just you that notices it

[Azzy]

Keep on him, and if that doesnt work, elect a new sherrif.

[Warpt762x39]

Keep on him, and if that doesnt work, elect a new sherrif.

He could always get him to resign. It's already happened in two counties that I know of.

[blaster668]

Keep on him, and if that doesnt work, elect a new sherrif.

Already done! He lost in the primaries.