Character references in allegheny county

[Spectre6]

I am going to apply for my carry permit pretty soon, and im curius if anyone has any insight into the character references they want here in Allegheny. What sort of references do they want? I know they dont want direct family.. would it help to provide references of people that have carry permits? former bosses? peers? co-workers? shooting buddies?

I would really like to hear your experiences.

Im probably just over-thinking, But I have found in the past that bieng as prepared as possible when trading paper-work with the government pays off.

[RUDY850]

Not from Allegheny. But a boss and a friend is what I used. 18 years ago but that should not matter.

[Statkowski]

I used a neighbor across the street and the police chief's wife. As long as the references used aren't criminal elements, you're good to go.

Actually, the references used don't even have to live in Allegheny County, or Pennsylvania for that matter.

Allegheny County issued 8,729 LTCFs in 2005 (down from 10,081 issued in 2004).

[LittleRedToyota]

also, they don't actually call the references...or, at least, they did not call mine.

all they did was run the computerized background check and then issued my permit on the spot...took all of 15 minutes.

[danp]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

also, they don't actually call the references...or, at least, they did not call mine.

My guess has always been that they only call references if something shady shows up in your past that they can't automatically disqualify you for.

[ChamberedRound]

I used two co-workers as references. Neither are LTC holders, and neither are shooters or hunters. However, they supported my right to carry, and were more than willing to provide references.

In the end, I think the sheriff's office is just looking for people to vouch for one's character, once they've done a PICS check and determined one is legally eligible for the permit.

FWIW, the Berks County Sheriff's office issued by permit in 14 days, and they never contacted my references.

[27hand]

I used a neighbor who is a shooter and a good friend (he looks like a long haired biker construction grunt----- wait, he IS a long haired biker construction grunt).

Neither one got a call.

In the past I used another friend who was a business owner and a buddy who is a nurse at AGH.

27hand

[wewo]

In Monroe County they require two references in Monroe County and they send a postcard to them with about 7 questions along the lines of how long you know him, is he of good charchter, does he abuse alcohol or drugs. My neighbor (who I carpool with) got his postcard the day after I applied, I was with him when he picked up the mail. I go to pick up my LTCF Friday.

BTW, anyone aware of whether the Sheriff properly required that the references be in County?

[Statkowski]

"BTW, anyone aware of whether the Sheriff properly required that the references be in County?"

18 PaCS 6109d is silent on the subject, as is the PSP form to be used. Any requirement by the sheriff that references be in-county or in-state would be exceeding his/her authority.

[wewo]

Thanks Stat