In an effort to clear up a lot of confusion, I thought I’d write a quick post to explain several issues that play no part in the decision to grant or deny a gun permit.

1.  There is no difference between a purchase permit and an FID card.  There is only one version of the STS-33 so it doesn’t matter if you are applying for a purchase permit, FID card, or both.  The law is exactly the same for both.  The only difference is the purpose of each permit.  Its not easier to get one or the other.

2.  It doesn’t matter why you need it.  Some people seem to think that the police care why you need a gun.  There is nothing in the law that allows this to play a part in the decision.  Its nobody’s business why you need one gun or another.  Explaining that it is for hunting or home defense will not increase your chances.

3.  Training courses.  The police don’t care if you are a firearms expert or if you don’t know the first thing about guns.  Thus, proving that you know how to safely handle firearms or something similar will not increase your chances at all as there is nothing in the law that allows this to be considered.

4.  Length of time between a previous event and now.  As I mentioned in a previous post, it doesn’t matter that you DWI, TRO, criminal charges, etc, etc, was from a long time ago.  Most questions say “have you ever”.

5.  Your opinion on the system.  I realize this system sucks but unless your opinion about it isn’t really going to solve the problem or change how the police handle your application.  I realize some people need to vent but others seem to want to argue about the system.  You can fight to change it but until it is changed, it is what it is.

6.  Character letters.  Unless an attorney directs you to provide one document or another, presenting additional info is not going to help you.