Dewhitewolf

I flew out of Newark with a checked firearm. I had no issues. Agent simply had me fill out a declaration that it was unloaded, then he escorted me to the TSA station. The TSA agent put it through an x-ray scanner, then gave me thumbs up, and I was on my way. I picked it up at my destination (Nevada) without any issues either. No problems on the way back either. As I tell everyone, visit the TSA website and print out all the information on traveling with firearms. Then print out the airline's policy on firearms. Then you'll have all the rules you'll need.

I went to RTSP today for the first time. It was nice to see their state of the art target movers (don't know what those are called). It's even nicer that they're not that far from me!

I was a member of NJCSD. My problems there were more about the other posters. Just like on here, there was not enough unity of members; too many people shooting down good ideas without consideration, basically adopting the defeatist attitude of NJ. My problems were NOT with the "management." It was with the same complainers we all know who complain that they can't get involved because it's too far, too early, too late, too hard, bad day, or it just won't make a difference. With all that division, it's no wonder the organization lost its momentum. And who wins? the antigun organizations, who continue to steamroll us. All because of petty differences.

UPS won't pick up handguns from a private residence (at least they wouldn't when I sent my pistol to the manufacturer for servicing). They require handguns to be shipped only from a shipping hub (NOT a UPS store). Overnight only. They will ship it back direct to you from the manufacturer, with a signature receipt required (person signing must be 21 or over).

Wow, I never thought of that. By that logic, you couldn't go to a movie theatre, since they charge admission. I wonder why that was chosen as a criteria.

I have the problem of cross dominance, (right handed, but left eye dominant) so I have a tendency to just close my left eye. I can shoot with both eyes open if I just turn my head, but this seems to upset NRA instructors. The NRA recomended is to shoot with the hand of the dominant eye. But, I choose not to do that; it's too unnatural for me. I have taken NRA pistol and rifle. In both courses I was instructed to shoot lefty because of this. However, outside of those courses I ignore that advice. My shooting is just fine.

Wow, that's great. Mount Olive PD took over six months. Anytime I inquired as to why, they would just select an excuse of the day (we're waiting on your references; we're waiting on the state; we're waiting on the FBI; we're waiting on your employer; etc. etc.). Amazingly, after I filed my complaint with the mayor and township administrator, I received a phone call two days later telling me everything was ready for me to pick up. Everything must have magically resolved itself!

Ditto what the others said--don't do it. Let me take it further with a sample scenario. Let's say you decide to carry your firearm (open or concealed, doesn't matter). If someone tries to rob you or commit some other crime against you, you pull your firearm to defend yourself. You WILL be arrested once the police arrive. Now, in order for you to prove self defense, you have to prove that your conduct up to the point of the use of force (whether merely pulling the gun out or actually firing) was 100% lawful. In order to do that, you have to disprove the charge against you of unlawful possession of a weapon (carrying it without a permit). That is an affirmative defense, where the burden of proof is on you. Can you prove that your possession of a firearm in common areas of a condo building was lawful? If you can't, then not only does the unlawful possession charge stick, but you also cannot assert self defense. That means that the jury will only hear that you unlawfully had a gun and used it. To repeat what the others said, DON'T do it!

I'd recommend Gun for Hire. They have multiple level classes (beyond First Steps) and they can even help with your FL license application. Best of luck to you!

I fully agree with your first statement about how useful it is. I just wish I had known at the time, and I might have pursued a degree that might actually have landed me a real job. However, most of my courses were taught by either retired police officers or by practicing attorneys. That may not be the case anymore with the college I went to, or at other colleges. The point I was making earlier was that there ought to be some kind of seminar required before entering a criminal justice major--basically to tell students that job opportunities are slim and they shouldn't expect a miracle after they graduate. Also, explain to them that careers in law enforcement are NOT limited to criminal justice majors; agencies now are looking for diverse backgrounds. One last point I'll make is that none of my courses even introduced material that was specific to NJ, such as reading over a few NJ statutes. Wouldn't that make sense in a criminal justice course? Instead, we were learning about the history of mug shots, and biographies of the first criminologists, nothing that would be useful towards policing. While they were teaching us terms like felony and misdemeanor, they left out that NJ law doesn't use these terms. Instead, NJ law uses the terms crime and offense.

Yes, my FL license does have my (NJ)address on it. FL must have changed the appearance of the licenses by not putting addresses on it anymore. I would still suggest that you update your address with FL, because otherwise they'll only have your old address on file. I found a helpful link for you from the FL Dept of Agriculture (the agency that issues the license) that actually requires you to update your current address: http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/license/changes.html

Welcome, Rob. I too live in Morris County. I know I can't wait for the new range to open (I have no clue where it is--it's best that the owners keep it a secret until they open).

Federal buildings are still pretty much off limits to those who carry. One notable exception is national parks, which thanks to changes in federal law, now allow persons to carry within the park, as long as the person is compliant with state and federal laws. However, I heard that buildings within the national parks (ranger stations, museums, welcome centers, etc.) are still off limits.

Wow, I'm actually in shock that a government agency would refund any money at all!

I read somewhere in the manual that came with the FL license application packet that you do have to notify if you change addresses. However, getting a new card with the new address is optional, for a nominal fee. Not sure about PA's law, but I know some states only allow their residents to carry if they have a license issued by the state, and they can't get around it just by getting a FL license. I know Colorado has this rule. So I would echo the suggestion of getting the PA license, and still keep the FL license.

Ah, becoming a police officer in NJ. That's what I wanted to do, back before the cruel world of retail crushed my spirit. Back when I entered community college, I thought I'd get a police job right out of graduation. How naive was I! It wasn't even until after I graduated and joined the local volunteer fire dept and ambulance squad (thinking that would boost my chances) that I even heard the term civil service test. I was like, wtf is that? You'd think that would be mentioned at least once during a criminal justice program, but no. After realizing how competitive it was, and that I had really no credentials that made me stand out, I eventually gave up and let go of that dream. I'm not saying that to sell myself short, but rather to acknowledge the reality that I am from the dime-a-dozen category of wannabees. Personally, I think that the colleges should offer an entry seminar into the criminal justice program to inform incoming students that the job market for police officers is slim. Had I known, I might have just selected a different major and career path, because those criminal justice courses haven't really done anything for me, careerwise or otherwise (ok, I'll admit it makes me feel smarter when watching shows like Law & Order, but that's as far as it goes).

That makes some sense; it probably is true to some degree. That's probably where I filled in the less than ideal answers. Still disappointing, though, knowing that with my score I won't even be considered.

I took the exam back in december. I thought I did pretty well. I definitely took my time, read the questions carefully, and my score was not the least bit impressive. Could someone explain how the scoring system works and what kinds of answers they are looking for?

You may ask for a mortgage pre-qualification statement when scheduling appointments with potential buyers, but an open house means an open house--anyone can walk in, qualified or not. One advantage of requiring appointment, is that as the seller you may request a mortgage statement; you can even ask for it to be faxed to you ahead of time (these are all reasonable and legal requests you may make as the seller). If your seller is using a buyer's agent, be sure to ask for that information regardless of what the agent says (if the agent gives you a hard time, you may file a complaint with the RE office, or with the local association of Realtors). RE agents have a legal duty to respect all requirements of the buyer and seller, regardless of whom they are representing. (On a side note, make sure any buyer's agent understands up front whether or not you plan on paying any of his/her commission; you are not obligated to pay for an agent representing the buyer). Another thing to consider is that with an open house, people tend to sign fake names to the register (you should keep a sign in sheet for everyone who looks at the house, even with an open house). Therefore there is no way to know for sure who is coming in. Requiring appointments and paper statements is more likely to deter someone with criminal intentions (too much effort). While a mortgage statement may not necessarily determine anyone's criminal intent, criminals tend to not like paper trails (such as those created with real estate relationships).

I'm definitely going to this one! I'll try to drag some friends too (willingly or not!)

I should be able to make it. I'm using some time off that week.

My advice is to keep a low profile and don't attract attention. If anyone asks you at the course, just say you drove up that morning. Other than that, if anything unexpected happens, do not consent to any searches.

I shipped a handgun to the manufacturer for servicing. They emailed me the instructions, including the address and authorization number (to be printed out and placed on the shipping box). I had to take it to a UPS hub (shipped overnight express only). When it came back, it came to me directly (adult signature required). No issues. I boxed it myself, drove it to the hub (box in trunk), and the guy at the counter took care of the rest. Then he gave me a tracking number.

I have a P226 in 9mm and I love it. I want to get a P229, but with the DAK trigger (double action only). I believe you'll be more than satisified with either--they're both quality guns. The P226 is less ideal for concealment, though. Just FYI.

I had this same problem in Mt. Olive back in about 2000 or so. They told me no permits/FID's could be issued because the chief was on medical leave. When I contacted the state police (to find out if there was a way I could have it done through them), they told me that the next guy in line could sign it, no problem. Of course, the next guy in line ("acting" chief), didn't want to do it. Ultimately, the officer who handled my paperwork told me to just forget about it. He also said that I was lying and that I never called the state police at all, that I was just making that up. That day I walked down the hall to the mayor's office to file a formal complaint against the police dept., the officer who repeatedly gave me a hard time over the 8 months I was waiting, and all the comments he said to me. Two days later, I got a call saying I could pick up my permits.