Fingerprints may be requirement for handgun

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | September 4, 2002 | HAROLD NEDD

[tarawa]

Fingerprints may be requirement for handgun
By HAROLD NEDD, The Virginian-Pilot
© September 4, 2002

SUFFOLK -- Residents soon could be required to get fingerprinted every time they apply for a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The City Council is expected to vote today on the measure that a gun-shop owner triggered when he recently applied for a new five-year permit.

Richard Harris, who's been carrying a concealed weapon since 1974, reapplied in August for his new permit.

When asked for his police-issued fingerprint card, the 57-year-old former councilman pointed out that no law in the city requires it. City officials agreed.

But as a result, the council is considering an ordinance that makes fingerprinting a condition for a gun permit.

``I can go along with it the first time,'' said Harris, who has moved his gun shop from downtown Suffolk to the city of Ivor. ``But after that, I don't see the necessity of it. I don't like being treated like a criminal, which is what that makes me feel like.''

Last year, 190 residents applied for handgun permits, said Circuit Court Clerk Henry C. Murden.

Under the proposed ordinance, anyone applying or reapplying would be fingerprinted.

City Attorney C. Edward Roettger Jr. stated in a proposed ordinance sent to the council that the city is required by law to expunge records from a fingerprint within 21 days of completing the application. The ordinance will allow the city to gather updated information when doing criminal background checks on applicants, including those who are reapplying, Roettger wrote.

[11Bush]

When I applied for my CCW here in Virginia I was required to produce two copies of fingerprints obtained from the sheriff's office. One copy was used for a local check and the second was sent to the FBI for a second 'national' check.

Seems to me that if they want additional copies they can contact the FBI who I am sure retained their copy. The FBI also has the, IIRC, four sets that were taken during my active duty years.

[Springman]

When I got my .357 in Detroit 16 years ago, I had to have my fingerprints taken, and I do not have a CCW. Then again they had to "keep my .357 for 3 weeks to do a saftey inspection!!"

[umgud]

When I got my CCW, I had to provide proof of residence, SS card, Drivers lic, DD-214. They fingerprinted me with ink and later scanned my fingers for electronic prints. It was a 2 month process.

[BfloGuy]

Hmmmm, last I knew, fingerprints weren't required to get an abortion or to make a speech in public.

Maybe I should keep my mouth shut.

[therut]

I personally think CCL's are unconstitutional. I had a hard time talking myself into getting a permit to carry. I had to be fingerprinted,pay a fee and take a shooting class and sign a loyality pledge to my state. I thought it was much to do aboout nothing except 120.00. The reason I finally caved in to do it was I did not want to be arrested and NEVER be able to own or carry a firearm again if I did not. So yes the government won. Before this law was passed in Arkansas it was not aganist the law to carry concealed. Now it is if you do not play the game and be permited to do so. Did the constitution win in this case???

[umgud]

I agree with your assessment. We shouldn't need a permit. In Il you can barely own a handgun and crime is rampant in the major cities. In Vermont you can carry concealed without a permit and their crime rates are extremely low.

[serinde]

When I got my CHL they took two sets of fingerprints, one for the DPS and one for the FBI. When I renew, they will need another set for the FBI. Supposedly they don't keep them. Yeah right. At least DPS admits that they will stay on file.

[angkor]

I personally don't see how the prints are any more or less useful than the standard NCIC background check, except to determine whether one lived under an alias and had previously been printed using that alias.

[CJ Wolf]

next comes the ban on the unsafe 357 turn em in boyz or face the music, we know where you are....

[glc1173@aol.com]

Here in North Carolina, CCW permits require fingerprint checks through the FBI.

The local sheriff takes your fingerprints - but it's that FBI check that makes it take two to three months to get your CCW permit.

GUN REVIEWS free from ad-money bias - emphasizing woman-friendliness of tested guns!

[ZULU]

The People's Republic of New Jersey is way ahead on this one - they do it for long gun and shot gun permits and have done so for many years.