Just had a bad meet and greet

[artthestampede]

I just met my background investigator for the sheriffs dept. to go over my packet.

He saw that I had a non resident CCW permit and more than 7 registered guns (I sold most of them, so why are they still registered as mine?) and talked to me like I was a crazy psycho. He asked me if I was a gun nut and said normal people don't have that many guns... He also implied I was weird for getting a CCW permit.

Needless to say I was getting a little bit agitated but kept my cool. He told me to write a page on each explaining why I have a CCW and why I have a lot of guns. I gave a very calguns answer!

But isnt it weird that law enforcement looks at people with guns unfit to be officers??

[sorensen440]

There are many in law enforcement that dont like public firearms ownership

[rayra]

It isn't law enforcement. It's risk-phobic political appointee and lawyers that push that HR nonsense.
I would have told that sum***** that unless they were deliberately trying to provoke an unbalanced reaction that their assertions were just plain rude / uncalled for. That number of guns is meaningless.
And if familiarity with arms is considered a NEGATIVE for police employment, well then that's a sad commentary on the department. If such a ********* politically-correct mentality is wide spread in teh management of that department, you should probably consider applying elsewhere.

[TonyM]

Plus, do you know how many lunatic "gun nuts" they have to weed out of the application process that may not be stable?

I am not kidding, many apply just for the perceived power trip and a CCW.

Just like interviewing anywhere, you need to screen your candidates and make sure you only get the best. That's probably what they were doing with you to test you.

[45DAVID1]

Did you mention the zombies?

[hawk1]

And maybe he was just checking to see if you are a nut and your reaction...

[Two Shots]

He's just giving you a hard time to see how you handle it.

[Ironchef]

I would have told that sum***** that unless they were deliberately trying to provoke an unbalanced reaction that their assertions were just plain rude / uncalled for. That number of guns is meaningless.

And you probably would have failed said entrance examination. I'm guessing the reasoning behind gun and out of state ccw ownership would fall under the "trigger finger" category and potentially unsafe deputy who would draw down on too many people instead of perform proper interview skills.

[moulton]

Did you mention the zombies?

Now THAT would be EPIC

[redcliff]

I just met my background investigator for the sheriffs dept. to go over my packet.

He saw that I had a non resident CCW permit and more than 7 registered guns (I sold most of them, so why are they still registered as mine?) and talked to me like I was a crazy psycho. He asked me if I was a gun nut and said normal people don't have that many guns... He also implied I was weird for getting a CCW permit.

Needless to say I was getting a little bit agitated but kept my cool. He told me to write a page on each explaining why I have a CCW and why I have a lot of guns. I gave a very calguns answer!

But isnt it weird that law enforcement looks at people with guns unfit to be officers??

What county was this in? I have a *lot* more than seven registerred handguns and they never mentioned a word about it up here.

[eltee]

And maybe he was just checking to see if you are a nut and your reaction...

Quite possible. I worked background investigations for a while. Part of the recruitment process included stressing the applicant inc. pushing buttons. The response letter should indicate that in the general scheme of things, the number of guns owned is not considered "alot" by much of law abiding America. In other words, don't fall into the "guilty knowledge" word trap by accepting his (real or feigned) determination that your seven guns constitutes "alot" of guns. Simply include in your response that guns, like tools, are different and used for different purposes.

During the "discrepancy interview" phase of a background investigation, they will nitpick everything you've submitted to find errors or omissions, even if they are honest mistakes (i.e., dates off a little, forgot a teacher's name, wrong name for former supervisor, etc.). It is part of the process. On the out of state CCW, just tell them the truth, you travel and having a legal option to carry when traveling through unknown territory was good insurance. Stress that you have received training, etc. on the legal and moral use of a deadly weapon and have been proficiency tested.

Also, asking if an applicant has or has applied for (inc. denials) a CCW is standard, as is asking about guns owned. The number of guns owned or having applied for or gotten a CCW has not been an issue in my jurisdiction, it is just part of the process. We've had instances where an applicant didn't declare a gun but the computer check revealed a gun in his name. He showed that it was PPT via a dealer and DROS'd, and the computer didn't show it. Not his fault. We've gotten hunters and gun enthusiasts with MANY guns in their collection, the number of guns was never the issue in my experience.

[emc002]

Are you in San Bernadino County?

[dfletcher]

And I suppose there's a chance he may have been screwing around with you to gauge your reaction. If getting hot & bothered about being called a gun nut is your reaction, how would you handle what happens on the street may be his approach, correct?

[Greg-Dawg]

Sorry to say...that you just have to be VERY hopeful to get in despite this. LEOs look down on that stuff, which is stupid. They want you to come into the academy with a clean slate...no gun knowledge what so ever; they don't want you to bing in your know-it-all gun facts.

Fortunately, I was accepted to the Long Beach PD, but I only had one gun in my possession and no CCW. Some applications mention if you have a CCW or not.

Good luck.

My background investigator was really cool. In my formal interview, at least you weren't interviewed by a pregnant LEO who was on the rag, and an old volunteer that asked if you think you were Rambo.

[artthestampede]

It was for LA county. I never showed my agitation and kept cool throughout the entire time.

I also applied for LAPD so I hope my meet and greet goes better with them.