It's been a bit over two months since I had my prints taken for my initial FID and handgun permits. As I do not have a local PD, I filed everything with the staties (Kingwood barracks). So far, they haven't even contacted my references. How long should I wait before I do something, and what should I do after that time period? I know it varies a lot by jurisdiction, but I don't want to wait six months only to find out they lost it or something. I've even heard stories of people's permits sitting at the station for months because they were never notified they had come in. On the one hand, I don't want to be a pest, but on the other, I'd like to get my papers eventually. Would it help or hurt to check up on things?

It took 6 months to get mine & my references were done right away. It can't hurt to call and say that you asked your references and they said they haven't heard from the police.

 

Anyone disagree?

It's been a bit over two months since I had my prints taken for my initial FID and handgun permits. As I do not have a local PD, I filed everything with the staties (Kingwood barracks). So far, they haven't even contacted my references. How long should I wait before I do something, and what should I do after that time period? I know it varies a lot by jurisdiction, but I don't want to wait six months only to find out they lost it or something. I've even heard stories of people's permits sitting at the station for months because they were never notified they had come in. On the one hand, I don't want to be a pest, but on the other, I'd like to get my papers eventually. Would it help or hurt to check up on things?

 

I have heard that the State Police are the worst at getting you your FID card and P2P. It seems like most peopel wait from 4-6 months.

 

I say call once a week. Document everything you are told and whom you spoke to. It shouldn't take this long.

People may disagree with me, but sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease in a bureaucracy. When I lived in Jersey City ten years ago, the ONLY way I got my pistol permits was by going and asking the clerks every two weeks. If I didn't, I am confident that I would NEVER have seen those permits. As it was, the FID took me six months. I waited two years in Highlands for a FID change of address, and it never came. I got it in a month when I moved to Middletown.

I am not saying to be a jerk, but coming with a notebook and writing down who you spoke with and what they said, is a good idea for if and when you need to escalate to the State Police Firearms unit.

I say on day 20 to call and just inquire if everything is in order and see if there is anything that needed you attention, that would bring to your attention if there was something that they were waiting on, also it reminds them that you are still waiting on them. After day 30 and you don't receive anything, I would say call them once a week and just be nice and check on the status. While the guide line is 30 days, you don't want to go in there blazing, Hey it's 30 day WTF..

 

So in other words, I be calling and seeing what's going on, remember the squeaky wheel get the oil.

 

Harry

In jackson it took me 1 day short of 4 months so I can say I feel your concern with the wait. Like others say it doesn't hurt to get in touch with them after the 2 months since the process by the book is suppose to take 30 days.

Same here, took me almost exactly 6 months for my FID

 

pistol permits take me 3 months.

since the process by the book is suppose to take 30 days.

So if it's supposed to take 30 days but it always takes a lot longer, how is that OK? What I mean is, if the SOP is to take 2-6 times longer than they're legally allowed to take, shouldn't there be some kind of accountability? I'm not trying to be a dick, but it seems like this would be a slam-dunk lawsuit. Not for damages or anything, but to get a court to mandate that they must be quicker about the whole process.

 

In any event, I'll stop by the barracks on my way home from work and check up on things. I'll be as polite as possible, and I won't even mention this 30-day thing.

Letter emailed to my mayor this week:

 

Mayor XXXXX,

 

In March of 2010 I contacted you regarding DPW working overtime to cut fallen trees long after a storm had occurred. I'm sure that you've dealt with so many things since that time that you probably don't recall.

 

I am currently having an issue with XXXXXXXX Police Department regarding timely processing of pistol permits and hope that you can assist me. I submitted my application on May 10, 2011. This is not my initial application. I have made applications previously, initially in September of 2008. At that time I was told that when my application was processed, i would receive a letter in the mail informing me that my Firearms Purchaser Identification Card and permit were available. A letter never arrived by late January of 2009 so I went to inquire and my permits had been approved in mid December of 2008. By the way, pistol permits initially expire 90 days after initial issue... I submitted additional permits in late 2009, again, I never received a letter though I was assured that I would receive a letter indicating when my permits were complete. In mid 2010, I submitted permits again, this time, my third time through the process, was the first and only time I received a letter indicating that my paperwork was complete. In all cases, it took between 45 and 60 days to complete this process.

 

In any case, I have no problem with receiving a letter indicating that permits are ready, however, I do have a problem with the Police Department regularly exceeding the state mandated time period to perform and process the required documentation.

 

NJAC 2C:58-3f clearly states "Granting of permit or identification card; fee; term; renewal; revocation. The application for the permit to purchase a handgun together with a fee of $2, or the application for the firearms purchaser identification card together with a fee of $5, shall be delivered or forwarded to the licensing authority who shall investigate the same and, unless good cause for the denial thereof appears, shall grant the permit or the identification card, or both, if application has been made therefor, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application for residents of this State and within 45 days for nonresident applicants. A permit to purchase a handgun shall be valid for a period of 90 days from the date of issuance and may be renewed by the issuing authority for good cause for an additional 90 days."

 

I can tell you that XXXX township REGULARLY exceeds the thirty day requirement. I know for a fact that FBI background checks are regularly completed in less than 5 days. I just received an HSPD-12 card (Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12) in less than 3 weeks time. This card indicates that I have passed security clearances and can work in US Government buildings. I also have worked in FBI offices at XXXX - their background check took two days to complete... In this case I have no choice BUT to believe that we, the residents of XXXX ARE experiencing a purposeful delay consideration of our applications.

 

Currently, I am at day 49 of this process, in excess of the state regulation by 19 days. Yes, it's a fact that other towns take longer, some much longer, but by the same token, there are a few towns in NJ that are able to complete this process in under two weeks. I understand staffing is an issue in tight economic times, however, to have XXXXX PD regularly exceed a reasonable requirement for that which is permitted by the law (and some would argue is a Constitutional Right) is abhorrent. We both know that criminals do not follow legal process. If they want a firearm or anything else illegal, they find a way to get it, and do so just a few miles from the borders of our quiet town (in the biggest city in XXXXX County).

 

To date, I have contacted the XXXXX PD by phone several times to inquire about the status of my application. While we try to be polite, it seems that we are inconveniencing the respondent on the other side of the phone, and are often told, "You'll get a letter when your permits are complete." As you can see by my experience above, XXXX PD has a 33% success rate with sending these letters.

 

It's my hope that XXXXX sees that they are inconveniencing law abiding citizens. Good upstanding citizens. Citizens who vote right...

 

XXXX is a Red town in a Blue County, please help us keep it this way.

 

I hope that you can help me in exercising my rights in accordance with NJ law.

 

Some information redacted for obvious reasons. I received a reply the same day from the mayor indicating that he would look into this.

So if it's supposed to take 30 days but it always takes a lot longer, how is that OK? What I mean is, if the SOP is to take 2-6 times longer than they're legally allowed to take, shouldn't there be some kind of accountability? I'm not trying to be a dick, but it seems like this would be a slam-dunk lawsuit. Not for damages or anything, but to get a court to mandate that they must be quicker about the whole process.

 

In any event, I'll stop by the barracks on my way home from work and check up on things. I'll be as polite as possible, and I won't even mention this 30-day thing.

 

This is being fought and we are only as strong as the amount of members we have in the fight so you might want to check out the NJ2AS section here. It doesn't cost much to join a group that is specifically fighting for the rights of NJ Gun owners and any other help you can provide will only help.

 

Here is a direct link to them, and they are also members here on the forum: NJ2AS

 

Harry

i got my permit in 3 weeks one time in my town. never waited longer than 30 days for the others.

Good Luck fighting it out with a State entity! You know the deal! LOL. Howell, NJ... 3 weeks... done! Additional PP's... 30 days.... done. Howell PD was great!

This is being fought and we are only as strong as the amount of members we have in the fight so you might want to check out the NJ2AS section here. It doesn't cost much to join a group that is specifically fighting for the rights of NJ Gun owners and any other help you can provide will only help.

 

Here is a direct link to them, and they are also members here on the forum: NJ2AS

 

Harry

I actually donated to them yesterday. I didn't realize there was a membership. I wonder if they'd deduct the amount of my donation from membership dues?

I actually donated to them yesterday. I didn't realize there was a membership. I wonder if they'd deduct the amount of my donation from membership dues?

 

Not sure, but more than likely not but either way what ever money they get is put to a very good cause and anything any of us do only will only help US out in the long run.

 

Harry