We moved from one IN county to another this year. Two years ago, I got my CCW in Indianapolis, which was essentially a big-city bureaucratic paperwork process. IN is a shall-issue state.
My wife has "been meaning to" get her CCW but just got around to it this year when we moved to a smaller community in IN. Here, the sheriff wants to meet personally with every applicant. There was a three week wait for an appointment, so she just had her meeting today.
She took her certificates from NRA personal protection pistol training to show him, and did a bit of research on IN self defense law in case she got questioned about that.
She said he was friendly, pro-gun-owner, and supportive. He said "It is not my job to judge your motivations for wanting to carry a pistol." He told her that guns are potentially dangerous, but alo potentially life saving and praised her decision to get her CCW. He also praised her decision to get training although it is not required by IN law.
In general she said it was a positive experience. She came back motivated to practice more - not because the Sheriff criticized her or anything, but just because she was impressed by the importance of being proficient as possible.
My wife had our 2-year old son with her, and the Sheriff scored some points by encouraging her to teach him to shoot when he is old enough and generally being attentive to the kid. Outside his office when the interview was over, he took my wife to where she had to do her paperwork and told the people in the office "this little guy will be the youngest citizen we've ever issued a pistol permit to."
I'm glad this went well and glad it had good effects on my wife and her motivation. At the same time I had some reflections on this process and wanted to get feedback from the THR gang.
1) Although I can't see any bad motives here and I'm grateful we have a pro-RKBA CLEO in our community, I can't help reflecting that the Sheriff's policy of meeting all applicants personally could delays the application. However, it did take several weeks to process my application through Indy, and I think it is quite possible that the smaller community buraucracy gets things done quicker than they do in Indy. That has been our experience with other gov't departments since we moved.
2) One of the Sheriff's motivations here might be that his system gets gun owners to meet him and find out that he is a supporter of gun rights. Maybe part of his motivation is electioneering.
3) I think my wife is what most LEOs would consider a "good candidate" for CCW - knowledgeable about guns, has taken training, very sober responsible and law-abiding, we keep our guns in a safe at home, etc. I wonder how the Sheriff handles other kinds of applicants. For example, my personal opinion is that training should not be a legal requirement, but should be strongly recommended. Maybe he takes these meetings as an opportunity to make recommendations like that.
4) + or - having to meet with the Sheriff, I am grateful to live in IN after reading all the "adventures" other folks have with CCW applications (or not even having the option in some places).
5) Also grateful to have such a practical sensible and responsible wife, especially after reading about the "adventures" other people have with their spouses/squeezes.
My wife has "been meaning to" get her CCW but just got around to it this year when we moved to a smaller community in IN. Here, the sheriff wants to meet personally with every applicant. There was a three week wait for an appointment, so she just had her meeting today.
She took her certificates from NRA personal protection pistol training to show him, and did a bit of research on IN self defense law in case she got questioned about that.
She said he was friendly, pro-gun-owner, and supportive. He said "It is not my job to judge your motivations for wanting to carry a pistol." He told her that guns are potentially dangerous, but alo potentially life saving and praised her decision to get her CCW. He also praised her decision to get training although it is not required by IN law.
In general she said it was a positive experience. She came back motivated to practice more - not because the Sheriff criticized her or anything, but just because she was impressed by the importance of being proficient as possible.
My wife had our 2-year old son with her, and the Sheriff scored some points by encouraging her to teach him to shoot when he is old enough and generally being attentive to the kid. Outside his office when the interview was over, he took my wife to where she had to do her paperwork and told the people in the office "this little guy will be the youngest citizen we've ever issued a pistol permit to."
I'm glad this went well and glad it had good effects on my wife and her motivation. At the same time I had some reflections on this process and wanted to get feedback from the THR gang.
1) Although I can't see any bad motives here and I'm grateful we have a pro-RKBA CLEO in our community, I can't help reflecting that the Sheriff's policy of meeting all applicants personally could delays the application. However, it did take several weeks to process my application through Indy, and I think it is quite possible that the smaller community buraucracy gets things done quicker than they do in Indy. That has been our experience with other gov't departments since we moved.
2) One of the Sheriff's motivations here might be that his system gets gun owners to meet him and find out that he is a supporter of gun rights. Maybe part of his motivation is electioneering.
3) I think my wife is what most LEOs would consider a "good candidate" for CCW - knowledgeable about guns, has taken training, very sober responsible and law-abiding, we keep our guns in a safe at home, etc. I wonder how the Sheriff handles other kinds of applicants. For example, my personal opinion is that training should not be a legal requirement, but should be strongly recommended. Maybe he takes these meetings as an opportunity to make recommendations like that.
4) + or - having to meet with the Sheriff, I am grateful to live in IN after reading all the "adventures" other folks have with CCW applications (or not even having the option in some places).
5) Also grateful to have such a practical sensible and responsible wife, especially after reading about the "adventures" other people have with their spouses/squeezes.
