So I've been guiding my uncle through the FID/PP process, and one of his references called him today and said they got the questionnaire in the mail from my uncle's local PD. The form asked questions such as:

 

- Why does this individual want to purchase a firearm?

- Why do you think this individual needs a firearm?

 

Are these types of questions even legal? I know that the form that my local PD mails out to my references asks very basic questions about my character, but nothing about why I want to buy a gun.

 

The reference was asking my uncle what to put down as answers to those questions, and in turn my uncle called me to see what I thought. I said to put:

 

- Target shooting at a state-approved range

- Target shooting at a state-approved range

 

I figured "home defense" would probably ruffle the feathers of the detective handling the process.

 

Any thoughts about this? Maybe this is common and I'm just completely ignorant about what types of questions are usually included in the questionnaires sent out by local PD's, but this is the first I've ever heard of questions like that. Thanks guys

I never seen the questionnaire myself ...

 

They shouldn't be asking questions as to why someone wants to buy a firearm! The reference is simply vouching for you, not your "wants" or "likes"!

I would have reservations about even filling that out. It's not mandatory and can only make it harder to get the fid/ pp's.

 

In my mind, I'd like to say who gives a rat's butt why, it's his right to have a handgun. but I am sure they wouldn't like that.

- Why does this individual want to purchase a firearm?

- Why do you think this individual needs a firearm?

 

Q1: I have no idea - perhaps you as the PD should ask him...

 

Q2: To exercise his inalienable rights...

Typical for NJ. Each towm has its own form. I have filled out a few for friends in different towns and not one of them was the same as another.

This sounds similar to Clifton PD's questionnaire. They asked my references a question similar to "Why should this person be issued an FID?"

 

I know it might sound trivial, but why wasn't the question phrased, "Can you provide any reason why this person shouldn't be issued an FID?" [Without arguing whether a questionnaire is appropriate at all]. To me, there is a difference in the questions. The first reflects a "rejected until approved" attitude and the second a "approved until rejected" attitude.

 

In the end, the statute leaves it to the Police Chief to see to it that the applicant is investigated. If my reading is correct, questionnaires are optional and calling employers is optional, unless there is a standing Executive Order on how to inventigate.

 

In my view (probably not NJ's view), your references should be able to leave that question blank and you should be approved. In the end, the response should be honest; your references should tell the nice detective why you think you need/deserve a gun in this state (/sarcasm).

Why should someone else determine MY need for a gun? How can the department hold me responsible for that need?? If the reference says target shooting and I want it for home defense? F-in morons.

This made me throw up in my mouth a little. I am truly disgusted. I will be asking the people I put down as references to show me the letters for sure now.

Can you imagine a similar permit required to read or write a book?

that's crazy... what township is that for?

Thanks for the responses guys. I was pretty taken back by those questions too. It's almost like asking, "Why do you think this individual should be able to exercise his right to free speech?" Or, "Why should this person have freedom of religion?"

 

Oddly enough, I heard today that they even asked his references questions about his employment status. I mean, why on earth should the references have anything to do with his employment status? That stuff is already answered on the initial application. Simply stunning. It wouldn't surprise me if they starting asking for blood type and boxer/brief preference too!

"for all lawful purposes" is a lovely standard answer

here is wahat we should do, dept's that ask questions like this we should petition the apropriate authority about the questions and try to keep issueing depts on topic and ask questions about character and not intended use.. copies of refrence sheets would also be good to use for examples..

 

sounds like a good job for our second amenment society.. I am going to have to make time to get out to these meetings.

Tony, that's a great idea. I really think there should be somewhat of a standard when it comes to the reference sheets/questionnaires instead of local cops making up the questions out of thin air.

definatly their needs to ba a standard.. I am going to try and make the next meeting.. race season is over going to be busy winterizing but time to get butt in extra gear..

[reposted from another relevant thread]

 

I actually got a copy of our form in hand. Here are a few excerpts:

 

- "Reference Questionnaire: Firearms Applicant"

 

- "Please answer all of the following questions and return this letter to the address below as soon as possible. Please consider the seriousness of the nature of this application when replying." [There's also a note explaining that companies can answer N/A to all of the questions.]

 

- "Would you consider this person capable of handling firearms properly?"

 

- "Do you know of any reason(s) now or in the past, why this person should not be issued a NJ Firearms Purchaser I.D. Card or Permit to Purchase a Handgun?"

 

- "Does this person consume alcoholic beverages? Excessive__ Moderate__ Seldom__ Not at all__ Unknown__"

 

- "Does this person have a violent or uncontrolled temper?"

 

- "To your knowledge, has this person ever been arrested?"

 

- "To your knowledge, has this person ever been involved in a Domestic Violence situation?"

 

- "If you have any other pertinent information regarding the character and/or advisability of the applicant owning a firearm, please explain on the reverse side of this letter."

 

According to my PD, this crap is a state policy, not theirs. And I believe them; my permitting officer's been nothing but professional, and has zipped right through the process, contacting me with updates. He expects the permits to actually come in less than 30 days after my application. This isn't an anti-gun department.