Local PD wants gun info on alarm permit

[jb7706]

Just moved and went to get a permit for my home alarm system. The application wants information including firearms, haz mat and dog info. I wouldn't say that my owning guns is a secret given that anyone can google my name and find my IDPA stats, I sit on the board of one of the largest ranges in the state and the state has DROS records for handguns and long guns I have purchased. I would say that I'm a bit conflicted about submitting gun information to a LEA. I understand that they want officers to know about dogs and other possibly threatening issues at a home or business, I'm just not sure that my guns should be a condition that I must disclose. I'm assuming they are concerned about my firearms falling into the hands of a bad guy and being used against them during an alarm response.

What would you do? Tell local LEA you are a gun owner and <tin foil hat> possibly flag your existence?</tin foil hat> Tell them nothing and hope a bad guy didn't get into your safe before the cops responded to an alarm?

[jamesob]

it's so when your alarm goes off and l.e respond they know there are weapons in the house. it's up to you wether you list them or not. i personally wouldn't.

[Vinz]

its pretty vague, It doesn't ask for specifics just if there is a firearm present at this location.

If they did want specifics then I would probably list the cheapest one I have. Mossburg 500 12 ga, then mention that I own a boat. LOL


Vinz

[Seesm]

More than 1 is all I woudl say...Or yes I have 1.

[Untamed1972]

If you have registered handguns then they'd be able to look you up in the system anyway.

Is it a "yes" or "no" question or do they want a list of everything you own? If it's just ye or no and you already have registered handguns then they already know the answer to that question anyway.

They prolly just want to know if there is s chance of meeting an armed homeowner if they are responding to an alarm call.

I understand your reservations....I'd prolly have them too....but it could work to your benefit (ie not getting shot by accident by responding LEOs) should they ever hafta respond to an alarm call at your house.

[zinfull]

I would think a yes will get them to the house quicker.

jerry

[grammaton76]

They probably also want to know so they can triage. "Oh, this household has guns? If we've got two calls coming in, we can live with someone else's TV getting stolen, but we don't want to get shot by this guy's guns down the road if we don't respond quickly and catch the guy stealing them."

[AirborneStranger]

I would just put "yes", no need to list off everything

[thempopresense]

After reviewing the application in your link, I would check yes. They aren't asking for make/model/stored location. They just want to know what kind of response to give in case your alarm does go off.

If you came home and your alarm was going off, would you enter your own residence yourself knowing that a burglar could have one of your firearms and hiding in a closet?

[pingpong]

I would say yes just so they don't show up ready to shoot the first guy they see with a gun (assuming they look up the permit before responding to the call).

[jb7706]

I ended up just marking that there are firearms here and noted that I am an NRA certified instructor. Hopefully that will be read as "I have guns and know how to use them safely." Never intended to list make/serial, wasn't asked for and would not be provided in any case.

I don't predict any trouble, I bought this house in this area specifically to get away from drive by's, Mexican gang wars and pit bulls coming over my fence (all of it next door.) I did more than a little research on crime in the area before I bought this new house. I'm going with the chance/hope that there will be more cops here faster if they know guns are at risk. I considered adding that I own a boat and am terribly clumsy around water but figured that would be over the top. Like I said, I'm not a closet gun owner.

[B Strong]

I would check the yes box, with the explanation that 'I'm a target shooter" - If they want more detail than that, let them ask.

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

I would just put "yes", no need to list off everything

all i would put as well.

[Turbinator]

By the way, kudos to the OP for taking action to improve his neighborhood location. Too many people complain but don't actually take action. This is a good example of taking control of your own destiny, so to speak.

Turby

[jb7706]

By the way, kudos to the OP for taking action to improve his neighborhood location. Too many people complain but don't actually take action. This is a good example of taking control of your own destiny, so to speak.

Turby

Thanks, but I really had no choice. I have two little boys, both less than 5 at home. The first time a .45 ACP slug puts a hole in the gas meter 10' from your youngest kids window at 3 AM you take notice really frackin fast. From that moment on it was all about working with the cops to get as much done with them as possible while working every angle possible to get the heck outta Dodge ASAP. In that time the house next door was shot up another two times, and I nearly had to shoot one of their 5 pit bulls in my own back yard after it hopped a 6' fence. For months I lived with a .45 on my hip and a 12 ga within arms reach at all times while in my own home. It was hell and I don't ever care to repeat it.

This has all cost me dearly in treasure and credit, but the way I see it credit and money can come back. Dead kids do not. As much as I'd like to take credit for taking control of my life I can't. This situation has driven the fact home that I am not in control in a very real way. Sometimes being a good husband father and protector means, God forbid, pulling the trigger. Sometimes it means you retreat and run like h3ll so that you and your kids live to see another day, even if it means you have to swallow your pride and ask for help. But for the grace of God and help of family I would still be there hoping to not find my kids dead in their own beds.

It truly does only take one bad apple to ruin the barrel, and one gang infested house to destroy a neighborhood. I know it will happen to someone else, though I pray it never does.

Lessons I learned/reinforced:

Gang bangers don't give two hoots about killing innocent little kids.
Bangers are cowards. All the training and guns in the world are meaningless when they don't stick around long enough for you to react. They can shoot you or your kids and be gone and there is next to nothing you can do about it.
Never buy a house in a brand new neighborhood. Ever.
Save money for a rainy day, it may save your families life.
Nothing beats a house in a safe neighborhood.
Keep your LEO buddies close. You never know when they or their connections will help.