I submitted my application at the end of January and recently picked it up so it took about 19 weeks. I met with the Chief and Deputy Chief and wanted to share my interview and overall experience of the process for others who may have reservations about applying.
First you must submit a request with the Chiefs secretary to have a CCW packet created. The turn around time was about a day. The secretary is very nice and is quick to respond to emails and provide updates along the way. The packet includes application in addition to a list of relevant RI state laws and a check list of items needed. They use a modified AG form which requires the typical personal information, NRA qualification on an Army L target, 3 references, FBI fingerprint cards and a written letter with explanation of reason for permit. Everything needs to be signed and stamped by a notary which was probably the hardest part.
Along with my application I provided a some additional information which I would suggest. Prior to applying I completed a 4 day NRA handgun safety course and a 1 day Nevada CCW qualification class. I included both the Nevada and FL CCW permit that I received earlier in the year in addition to the certificate from completing the class. Part of my letter also explained my plans for continued training in addition for my plans for gun safety courses for the rest of my family, which I did do after my application was submitted and prior to my interview. I also included pictures of my gun safes which show my intention of safely storing firearms.
To drop the packet off you MUST first make an appointment with the Chiefs secretary in which you will need to individually review each required item to make sure that it is filled out completely, correctly and that nothing is missing. I was told I was one of the few who actually completed it correctly the first time and appeared to be the most prepared with the information included in my application.
Following dropping off the packet the detective division will run a background check with includes physically vising your references if they are close or in town. If they are out of town or state it involved a quick phone call confirming the information listed on the reference letter.
Next step was a home visit to indeed prove I was who I am and that I indeed live at the address listed on the application. Following this I had to sign a medical release form to collect my medical and I believe more specifically mental records for all the area hospitals in the states for what I assume to make sure I didn't have any drug, alcohol or mental related issues. This step took the longest time, which was probably about 6-10 weeks for all the hospitals to respond to the request. Legally I was told I do not need to do this but I have no records of concern and didn't want to hinder this process in any way.
After the detective division completed the investigation my application was finally passed off to the Chief for review and to setup an interview. I made an appointment and met with both the Chief and Deputy Chief. They were very welcoming and expressed appreciation for my attention to detail in my application. Before providing the permit they wanted to meet with me to understand who I was, what I did for a living and what my ultimate intentions where for applying for a permit. They in no way attempted to trip me up or convince me that I didn't need a permit. If anything they were very open and encouraged civilians such as myself to carry firearms to protect themselves and others. They also referenced a recent incident at a local mall where a CCW holder neutralized a threat. They just wanted to make sure that anyone that was permitted to do so was a upstanding citizens and was not a danger to themselves and others.
The main point they wanted to stress was the safety and responsibility that comes with carry a firearm and to reaffirm that I safely store and handle firearms. Accidentally losing a firearm, reporting it stolen and finding it a week later between my car seat and middle console would not be considered safe handling. That was was the example of what happened to someone who they denied earlier in the year simply because after reporting it stolen they never reported it found 12 months later until it came up in the CCW investigation by the detectives divisions.
The 30 minute interview was quick and easy. It was very much not what I expected which was an anti-gun rank explaining why I should withdraw my application. In the end I was glad to meet with the Chief and learned he was a supporter of CCW permits. It lead to a very interesting conversation and I believe the Chief also took away some valuable information sharing my training experience and personal mindset around firearms.
I am a firm believer in the 2nd amendment but I am also a realist in the sense that just because you have the right to do so doesn't mean have the mental capacity and required skills to safely carry a firearm. The point I made in my interview was that I personally didn't want to even apply for a CCW permit until I received adequate and basic training in operating and handling a firearm. Though the 9 full days of training I received this year is overkill for the purpose of a requirement, I believe it would be a good idea for RI to require at a minimum a 4 hour NRA safety course. I would also very much support a state sponsored safety course open to any resident paid for with my tax dollars. It is a fine line with any state regulations but for someone who feels they need a CCW permit it is very much a doable process and a far cry to what it was years ago when they flat out refused to even provide an application.
Overall I think the process was certainly more elaborate than it probably needs to be, but it certainly separates the individuals who want to put the time and effort into it. A FL CCW required a 4 hour class and I mailed away and received the permit in 7 days. It shockingly doesn't even require qualification which may be a bit too lax where the RI process is the polar opposite.
The only feedback I would provide if someone asked (and they didn't) was to remove the portion related to the notarizing EVERYTHING. Notary is general so unnecessarily difficult and pointless in my opinion that it seems like it is simply designed as a speed bump. Another example of a unnecessary and archaic bureaucratic process. I also wish the process was quicker but having previously worked at a municipality I can understand things don't move quick. Thankfully the DMV doesn't process these as it would waiting in like for 14 weeks for someone to tell me I am missing a cover sheet and to come back next year.
If you have any questions to the process, what I included in the application or help with reference numbers feel free to ask. Though I was personally well prepared and put a decent amount of time in effort into it by searching online resources and asking people, I can also understand why someone would pay someone like Daria Bruno for assistance. It is a small price to pay for someone who is unfamiliar with the process which would likely prevent any unnecessary delays.
First you must submit a request with the Chiefs secretary to have a CCW packet created. The turn around time was about a day. The secretary is very nice and is quick to respond to emails and provide updates along the way. The packet includes application in addition to a list of relevant RI state laws and a check list of items needed. They use a modified AG form which requires the typical personal information, NRA qualification on an Army L target, 3 references, FBI fingerprint cards and a written letter with explanation of reason for permit. Everything needs to be signed and stamped by a notary which was probably the hardest part.
Along with my application I provided a some additional information which I would suggest. Prior to applying I completed a 4 day NRA handgun safety course and a 1 day Nevada CCW qualification class. I included both the Nevada and FL CCW permit that I received earlier in the year in addition to the certificate from completing the class. Part of my letter also explained my plans for continued training in addition for my plans for gun safety courses for the rest of my family, which I did do after my application was submitted and prior to my interview. I also included pictures of my gun safes which show my intention of safely storing firearms.
To drop the packet off you MUST first make an appointment with the Chiefs secretary in which you will need to individually review each required item to make sure that it is filled out completely, correctly and that nothing is missing. I was told I was one of the few who actually completed it correctly the first time and appeared to be the most prepared with the information included in my application.
Following dropping off the packet the detective division will run a background check with includes physically vising your references if they are close or in town. If they are out of town or state it involved a quick phone call confirming the information listed on the reference letter.
Next step was a home visit to indeed prove I was who I am and that I indeed live at the address listed on the application. Following this I had to sign a medical release form to collect my medical and I believe more specifically mental records for all the area hospitals in the states for what I assume to make sure I didn't have any drug, alcohol or mental related issues. This step took the longest time, which was probably about 6-10 weeks for all the hospitals to respond to the request. Legally I was told I do not need to do this but I have no records of concern and didn't want to hinder this process in any way.
After the detective division completed the investigation my application was finally passed off to the Chief for review and to setup an interview. I made an appointment and met with both the Chief and Deputy Chief. They were very welcoming and expressed appreciation for my attention to detail in my application. Before providing the permit they wanted to meet with me to understand who I was, what I did for a living and what my ultimate intentions where for applying for a permit. They in no way attempted to trip me up or convince me that I didn't need a permit. If anything they were very open and encouraged civilians such as myself to carry firearms to protect themselves and others. They also referenced a recent incident at a local mall where a CCW holder neutralized a threat. They just wanted to make sure that anyone that was permitted to do so was a upstanding citizens and was not a danger to themselves and others.
The main point they wanted to stress was the safety and responsibility that comes with carry a firearm and to reaffirm that I safely store and handle firearms. Accidentally losing a firearm, reporting it stolen and finding it a week later between my car seat and middle console would not be considered safe handling. That was was the example of what happened to someone who they denied earlier in the year simply because after reporting it stolen they never reported it found 12 months later until it came up in the CCW investigation by the detectives divisions.
The 30 minute interview was quick and easy. It was very much not what I expected which was an anti-gun rank explaining why I should withdraw my application. In the end I was glad to meet with the Chief and learned he was a supporter of CCW permits. It lead to a very interesting conversation and I believe the Chief also took away some valuable information sharing my training experience and personal mindset around firearms.
I am a firm believer in the 2nd amendment but I am also a realist in the sense that just because you have the right to do so doesn't mean have the mental capacity and required skills to safely carry a firearm. The point I made in my interview was that I personally didn't want to even apply for a CCW permit until I received adequate and basic training in operating and handling a firearm. Though the 9 full days of training I received this year is overkill for the purpose of a requirement, I believe it would be a good idea for RI to require at a minimum a 4 hour NRA safety course. I would also very much support a state sponsored safety course open to any resident paid for with my tax dollars. It is a fine line with any state regulations but for someone who feels they need a CCW permit it is very much a doable process and a far cry to what it was years ago when they flat out refused to even provide an application.
Overall I think the process was certainly more elaborate than it probably needs to be, but it certainly separates the individuals who want to put the time and effort into it. A FL CCW required a 4 hour class and I mailed away and received the permit in 7 days. It shockingly doesn't even require qualification which may be a bit too lax where the RI process is the polar opposite.
The only feedback I would provide if someone asked (and they didn't) was to remove the portion related to the notarizing EVERYTHING. Notary is general so unnecessarily difficult and pointless in my opinion that it seems like it is simply designed as a speed bump. Another example of a unnecessary and archaic bureaucratic process. I also wish the process was quicker but having previously worked at a municipality I can understand things don't move quick. Thankfully the DMV doesn't process these as it would waiting in like for 14 weeks for someone to tell me I am missing a cover sheet and to come back next year.
If you have any questions to the process, what I included in the application or help with reference numbers feel free to ask. Though I was personally well prepared and put a decent amount of time in effort into it by searching online resources and asking people, I can also understand why someone would pay someone like Daria Bruno for assistance. It is a small price to pay for someone who is unfamiliar with the process which would likely prevent any unnecessary delays.