I was interviewed by the Carmel Chief of Police when applying for my LTCH. It was actually a very enjoyable experience. He really just asked me about my knowledge and familiarity with guns.
A bit of history.
When I got my first CCW permit back in 1984, there was a place on the application that asked you to list your reason for applying.
Is that a requirement for a LTCH? Hmmm... let's see...
Nope. Knowledge and familiarity with firearms is not required.
I wonder what (s)he would have said if the person applying had no prior experience with firearms?
Is that a requirement for a LTCH? Hmmm... let's see...
"(c) The officer to whom the application is made shall ascertain the applicant's name, full address, length of residence in the community, whether the applicant's residence is located within the limits of any city or town, the applicant's occupation, place of business or employment, criminal record, if any, and convictions (minor traffic offenses excepted), age, race, sex, nationality, date of birth, citizenship, height, weight, build, color of hair, color of eyes, scars and marks, whether the applicant has previously held an Indiana license to carry a handgun and, if so, the serial number of the license and year issued, whether the applicant's license has ever been suspended or revoked, and if so, the year and reason for the suspension or revocation, and the applicant's reason for desiring a license. The officer to whom the application is made shall conduct an investigation into the applicant's official records and verify thereby the applicant's character and reputation, and shall in addition verify for accuracy the information contained in the application, and shall forward this information together with the officer's recommendation for approval or disapproval and one (1) set of legible and classifiable fingerprints of the applicant to the superintendent.Nope. Knowledge and familiarity with firearms is not required.
(d) The superintendent may make whatever further investigation the superintendent deems necessary. Whenever disapproval is recommended, the officer to whom the application is made shall provide the superintendent and the applicant with the officer's complete and specific reasons, in writing, for the recommendation of disapproval.
(e) If it appears to the superintendent that the applicant:
(1) has a proper reason for carrying a handgun;
(2) is of good character and reputation;
(3) is a proper person to be licensed; and
(4) is:
(A) a citizen of the United States; or
(B) not a citizen of the United States but is allowed to carry a firearm in the United States under federal law;
the superintendent shall issue to the applicant a qualified or an unlimited license to carry any handgun lawfully possessed by the applicant."
I wonder what (s)he would have said if the person applying had no prior experience with firearms?
How about someone came into my office to ask permission to exercise a different constitutional right?
"Sir, have you voted before? Do you know the difference between the candidates? You know, I just don't have any confidence that you're going to be 'okay' with this whole voting thing, so I'm denying your application for a voter registration."
But, again, what would he do if the person said, "This is my first gun and I'm a brand new gun owner and know nothing about guns"?
Would the Chief deny him? Can he deny him? What part of the code allows him to do that?
But catch 22... guess what, in the state of Indiana you have to get the stoopid license before you can take your gun anywhere to be able to learn how to use it. So what purpose does the interview serve, really?
The role of the Chief is very clear in the code:
1. ascertain identity and address
2. has had a license before, if so has it been revoked
3. conduct investigation into official records and verify thereby the applicant's character and reputation.
4. get fingerprints
5. forward the information
What the code does not say:
1. Conduct an interview and verify thereby the applicant's character and reputation.
2. Conduct an interview and verify the applicant has sufficient knowledge and skill to carry handgun.
It is the Chief's prerogative to take the applications himself (most places a clerk does it) and I don't have a problem with that, but the implication that someone needs a certain level or familiarity is out of bounds, IMO, especially since you can't there from here without the license.
I go to staples to get a few copies made, and they said they can't make copies.
That's a bunch of hooey.
That's an individual's opinion, not store policy... If you don't have a scanner/printer and pink paper to do it yourself, try Office Max or Kinkos.
I did mine at Staples and I did Mr.Jet's copies there, too!
Should I go for 100% match pink paper? or something very close?
I'd get as close as you can get.
I can't even tell which one of my copies is actually the original. I doubt anyone else could either.
By the way...copies FIRST. Then sign. Then laminate.
That's a bunch of hooey.