I spoke with one of my references today and he told me that the letter from CHPD asked why I wanted to purchase firearms, if he had ever been with me when firearms were present, and the form had to be notorized.

 

Also, it asked him if I had ever been committed to a mental institution.

 

Is this normal?

I spoke with one of my references today and he told me that the letter from CHPD asked why I wanted to purchase firearms, if he had ever been with me when firearms were present, and the form had to be notorized.

 

Also, it asked him if I had ever been committed to a mental institution.

 

Is this normal?

 

No

Wow, that is creepy. My references told me that they've been asked to vouch for my good character, and also to specify for how long they've been knowing me.

 

Perhaps there is enough weird stuff about the reference letter forms to warrant a standalone data collection and study by NJ2AS.

I've seen worse. To my way of thinking by stating what the reference letter is for is a breach of confidentiality as prohibited in the NJAC. This is supposed to be an investigation into the applicants character - firearms need never be mentioned. But even the NJSP reference form indicates the nature of the investigation, so why should we expect our local PD's to do any better. Attached is an old example (NOTE: The Governor) of the NJSP letter - probably still using the same thing.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

NJSP Reference Form.pdf

This afternoon I received a phone call from East Brunswick police following up on my willingness to act as a referee.

 

The (cheerful and friendly) officer asked me:

i) how long I had known the applicant and

ii) did I have any reservations about their being able to own firearms

 

That was it. Kudos to EB police!!

G

Hey, brother. Good to see you again! I didn't make it to Firing Line tonight.

 

Is it normal for those questions to be asked? No.

 

Is it normal for Cherry Hill? Yes.

 

Is it wrong? Yes.

 

Do it anyway and NJ2AS will get around to Cherry Hill eventually.

 

Answer this for why you want to purchase firearms: "For all lawful purposes."

Answer this for being in your presence: "No." Or take your friend to Firing Line and have him say "Yes."

And yes, it must me Notarized. TD Bank will do it for free if you are one of their customers. Or give me a call if you still have my number. My wife is a Notary, she will do it for free.

 

All the best, man.

I will keep asking this question... Why do I need a character reference to get an FID or P2P? How is that legal that I can denied my 2nd amendment rights because of a character reference?

And yes, it must be Notarized. TD Bank will do it for free if you are one of their customers. Or give me a call if you still have my number. My wife is a Notary, she will do it for free.

 

All the best, man.

 

Do all reference letter inquiry responses need to be notarized, or does it vary from town to town?

I was a reference for a friend in cherry hill I had to fill out the questionnaire I didn't have to get it notorized but I did get a phone call from the chief asking how long I knew him and what kind of person he was. This was about 5-6 years ago things must have changed or they are just doing like every other township makeing crap up as they go along.

If they asked me why you were buying a firearm I would say either, because he wants to or because he can.

If they asked me why you were buying a firearm I would say either, because he wants to or because he can.

 

Like I said: you can't argue with "For all lawful purposes."

 

Cherry Hill required Notarization since a new chief was sworn in. I spoke with him about it. Basically he said that he wasn't going to sign anything unless he was 100% sure that person and their references were legitimate.

 

Personally, I think it is just another way to reduce the volume of applications. It's another pain to go through. Like I said, is it wrong? Yes. Will NJ2AS get to them eventually? Yes.

some pd's used to do a home visit of the reference. that can cause some delays just trying to schedule

Cherry Hill required Notarization since a new chief was sworn in. I spoke with him about it. Basically he said that he wasn't going to sign anything unless he was 100% sure that person and their references were legitimate.

 

That is laughable. I know of someone who filled out Cherry Hills reference letter, sent it to the applicant, who took it to his friend who notarized it. He then mailed it in. 100% SURE?

Hey, brother. Good to see you again! I didn't make it to Firing Line tonight.

 

Is it normal for those questions to be asked? No.

 

Is it normal for Cherry Hill? Yes.

 

Is it wrong? Yes.

 

Do it anyway and NJ2AS will get around to Cherry Hill eventually.

 

Answer this for why you want to purchase firearms: "For all lawful purposes."

Answer this for being in your presence: "No." Or take your friend to Firing Line and have him say "Yes."

And yes, it must me Notarized. TD Bank will do it for free if you are one of their customers. Or give me a call if you still have my number. My wife is a Notary, she will do it for free.

 

All the best, man.

 

Yeah, I figure I'll play along with all their games until I have my P2P and FID in hand, then start talking with people there about our town not being in compliance with state law. At least that way they cant "lose" my paperwork.

 

Asking why I wanted to buy a gun really pissed me off. Why should I have to justify my desire to exercise a Constitutional right? I was tempted to tell him to put down something to the effect of "none of your damned business," but decided that was a bad idea and told him "recreation."

 

I just got back from Firing Line, actually, and I think I am getting better.

 

50 .22s at 7 yards, all but 2 are inside the 10 ring, and I can only make out about 10 distinct impacts, the rest is just a giant ragged hole .

I will keep asking this question... Why do I need a character reference to get an FID or P2P? How is that legal that I can denied my 2nd amendment rights because of a character reference?

 

It is not a right if you need to ask permission. If you need to ask permission it is a privilige.

 

That is laughable. I know of someone who filled out Cherry Hills reference letter, sent it to the applicant, who took it to his friend who notarized it. He then mailed it in. 100% SURE?

 

Well, the notary is NOT supposed to notarize any document that is not signed in his presense, so there's that.

Do all reference letter inquiry responses need to be notarized, or does it vary from town to town?

 

It is an illegal additional requirement. There are a few PD's that are doing this - most notably Cherry Hill.

Well, the notary is NOT supposed to notarize any document that is not signed in his presense, so there's that.

 

And here we have the difference between Theoretically and Realistically..

I had to go to Red Bank and interview in person when I was used as a reference. I got asked a lot of sketchy questions like "why does this person even want a gun" and "how often do they drink". I finally told the guy "you know I was the one who introduced them to firearms right?". That ended the questioning.

Do they have to go through the reference checks all over again if I am applying for an additional p2p? Already been through the FID and p2p this year. Thnx

Do they have to go through the reference checks all over again if I am applying for an additional p2p? Already been through the FID and p2p this year. Thnx

 

Most departments do. You will hear of a few that don't if it's the same ones used time and time again, but very few do that.

Robbinsville Twp did not even check my references...all 3 times. In Robbinsville, references are ONLY required for your initial permit,

the following permits you request they do not need references anymore, just their names and addresses on the State Police form.