Permit application - possible arrest

**r3dlined** · 04-29-2012, 05:58 PM

Hey all, first time posting here and I just got back from my NRA class to submit my pistol license application. I'm a bit nervous because I have read that even leaving off some sort of traffic conviction can cause a denial. Because of this I've run criminal background checks on three different sites to make sure I'm not leaving something off there they will find on their own. Does anyone know if these on-line searches are even accurate at all? The only two things I found under criminal was an infraction for operating a vehicle with lapsed car insurance which a fine was paid for. I "thought" was arrested back around 1999 for someone telling the copes I stole their kitchen table which was laughed out of court by the judge. I can't find any record of it on-line though, but I think I had my finger prints taken when i brought the table to the police station. I defiantly didn't have any mug shots or anything taken. I don't want to leave it off if they might find and disapprove saying I lied on the app, but it seems like it might not have been an arrest at all. Any suggestions on that one? Im going to list the DMV one as a conviction side the background checks do show that.

**dannyac** · 04-29-2012, 06:35 PM

They can see all now with the law thay are passing.But you should be all set nothing that bad you should tell them that way it does not make it look like you are hidding nothing

**r3dlined** · 04-29-2012, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by dannyac

They can see all now with the law thay are passing.But you should be all set nothing that bad you should tell them that way it does not make it look like you are hidding nothing

Yeah, my big question is should I just let them know or try to find the actual information for it from the courts first. I guess I can just call the state police office first before I submit to them and see what they say. Just surprised it didn't show up on three different searches.

**bigtig50** · 04-29-2012, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by r3dlined

Yeah, my big question is should I just let them know or try to find the actual information for it from the courts first. I guess I can just call the state police office first before I submit to them and see what they say. Just surprised it didn't show up on three different searches.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but are you hiding something? You obviously know whatever you did or didn't do without looking it up. If you are truly worried maybe you should ask one of the attorneys NES always refers to for gun related law. If you do lie, and get caught, you may be screwed.
JMO

Btw, I was arrested at age 16 for minor in poss. of alcohol, and when I tell the police for the application, they always say to don't even put it down. Don't know if that helps.

**r3dlined** · 04-29-2012, 07:04 PM

Not hiding anything at all, just not sure if it was an "arrest" or not. I was more looking it up to see if there was anything lingering like a parking ticket or something from forever ago that I might have forgotten about. I suppose it's safest to call the police and ask them if I'll need to list more details about it.

**bigtig50** · 04-29-2012, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by r3dlined

Not hiding anything at all, just not sure if it was an "arrest" or not. I was more looking it up to see if there was anything lingering like a parking ticket or something from forever ago that I might have forgotten about. I suppose it's safest to call the police and ask them if I'll need to list more details about it.

Yeah, like I said, I honestly was not being snide, just trying to help. I'm no expert but parking tickets and such have no effect. Just ask when you get to that question, tell them what it is, and go from there. The Tewksbury cops have always been cool in this regard. Do you live in a green town?

**r3dlined** · 04-29-2012, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by bigtig50

Yeah, like I said, I honestly was not being snide, just trying to help. I'm no expert but parking tickets and such have no effect. Just ask when you get to that question, tell them what it is, and go from there. The Tewksbury cops have always been cool in this regard. Do you live in a green town?

No sweat, it's just scary to read why people have been denied for little things after going through all the hoops and paying a lot of money to apply. I live in a very small town and the state police office is the local police. I just want to make sure I do my honest part so it doesn't look like I left something off there on purpose. On the application it simply asks if arrested and another question ask if convicted. Id think I need to list the infraction under convicted, but I guess safest bet is to ask the State Police before I bring in the app.

**bigtig50** · 04-29-2012, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by r3dlined

No sweat, it's just scary to read why people have been denied for little things after going through all the hoops and paying a lot of money to apply. I live in a very small town and the state police office is the local police. I just want to make sure I do my honest part so it doesn't look like I left something off there on purpose. On the application it simply asks if arrested and another question ask if convicted. Id think I need to list the infraction under convicted, but I guess safest bet is to ask the State Police before I bring in the app.

I agree with you. If I make a mistake I prefer it to be an honest one. It's the only way to go. Good luck with it.

**Rob Boudrie** · 04-29-2012, 08:10 PM

The only two things I found under criminal was an infraction for operating a vehicle with lapsed car insurance which a fine was paid for.

This particular statement is oxymoronic, as an "infraction" is by definition non-criminal. You need to find out of the offense was criminal, or a non-criminal civil infraction. The former must be reported; not so with the later.

I "thought" was arrested back around 1999 for someone telling the copes I stole their kitchen table which was laughed out of court by the judge. I can't find any record of it on-line though, but I think I had my finger prints taken when i brought the table to the police station.

If you were in a situation where it was "laughed out of court", it will be VERY hard to argue that you were not a "defendant" in the context of question 10 on the application. The fact you had to appear before a judge in a criminal matter means you were a defendant, and the answer is yes - unless you choose to play the VERY risky game of thinking the PD won't find out. Their access to records exceeds anything you can buy in an on-line search.

**r3dlined** · 04-29-2012, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Rob Boudrie

This particular statement is oxymoronic, as an "infraction" is by definition non-criminal. You need to find out of the offense was criminal, or a non-criminal civil infraction. The former must be reported; not so with the later.

I guess the on-line reports don't help very much. It's listed as an infraction, but again I guess it's safest to ask. I was going to list it under the "were you ever convicted question" just in case since it doesn't ask weather it was criminal or not, just if you were ever convicted which I would assume to be "yes"

If you were in a situation where it was "laughed out of court", it will be VERY hard to argue that you were not a "defendant" in the context of question 10 on the application. The fact you had to appear before a judge in a criminal matter means you were a defendant, and the answer is yes - unless you choose to play the VERY risky game of thinking the PD won't find out. Their access to records exceeds anything you can buy in an on-line search.

Yeah, Id rather not risk leaving it off, but Im guessing I need more information to put on the application than simply listing that I am unsure of the details.

It would be nice to have a completely squeaky clean record, but thanks for the support so far. Just being able to ask others is helpful.

Permit application - possible arrest

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