letter to judge

[kiridoku]

Huge compliments to DOJOMAN on this post. I've seen the same post on the GLOCKTALK forum as well... not sure if the posters are the same person or DOJOMAN nicked it from elsewhere but regardless - awesome, level headed, reasoned advice.

I'd recommend following it. It didn't hurt my request for a full CC license.

I'm not afraid of writing but the prospect of what to say on this dang letter to the judge had me s-t-u-m-p-e-d.
DOJOMAN's template got the wheels turning and had a couple suggestions I wouldn't have thought of.

Six days after submitting my letter (along with the completion certificate for the county's new unrestricted permit class --$200 later), I got my 'Hunting & Target' removed.
Now, I'm not sure if the judge is getting swamped and doesn't meet with each person any more or if my letter was so brilliant that he thought, "oh this guy's obviously a good guy, I'll just let him have it" (ha-- not bloody likely!) but no meeting was requested. I even ended my letter with "...I respectfully request that my Pistol Permit be amended to remove the "Hunt & Target" restriction and would welcome the opportunity of a brief meeting at your convenience...." since I thought the face time was the final capper to the whole process.

My understanding is that he meets ALL unrestricted applicants for a little sit-down, asks how you store your guns & just gets a general feel for you. A LEO told me this and the county's web site says it is a definite step in the process as well.

Anyway, thank you DOJOMAN.

p.s. I'm a BJJ/judo guy myself. Who knows, maybe we've rolled around in our pj's trying to choke each other unconscious. Without eye contact, of course. lol

I applied for my ccw in Onondaga county(which is by far the hardest outside of NYC) and this is the format I used. The best, non legal advice I can offer is be honest. Good Luck to you.

The Honorable Judge ------------------

Dear Judge ---------

My name is -------. I have resided in --------- County since--------.

I write in regards to my New York State Pistol License #-------- issued by Judge ---- ------ in ------- County.

1. Tell him who you are
2. What is your experience/training
3. Do you have prior experience carrying - (do you carry 'legally' in other states etc.)
4. Do you understand the law (article 35 and such)
5. Will you obey the law
6. Do you understand the (tremendous) responsibility
7. What are some of the reasons you want to carry - (List some activities)
8. How do/will you protect your firearm from theft out of your vehicle - (There may be times you have to leave it in the vehicle, even if you think not, answer this question)
9. How do you protect your firearm from theft out of your home.

I respectfully request that my Pistol Permit be amended to remove the (------- type) restriction and granted carry/conceal.

Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely,

(Hand Sign the Letter here)
Your Name Typed

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[kiridoku]

Oh, and in regard to the OP's OP (from 14 months ago. sorry.):

I have always heard that we should NEVER mention 'self defense' but that may be just for the original permit. Must've heard that 20x. (I do agree, though, that we should stow that 2nd Amendment stuff.)

The LEO I spoke with (extensively) told me that the judge knows why we/I'm applying for full carry so don't BS him.
Maybe we all just play the *wink wink* game and the licensing officer plays along when issuing the HUNT & TARGET permit but now that we're asking to sit at the big boy table with the adults we can all talk straight with each other?
If this'll help anyone, my verbiage was, "...I would like to have the option, as a means of protecting myself and/or my family, to carry a handgun concealed in accordance with all New York State laws..."
I am not a courier, don't own a gas station and didn't even try to give a justification for wanting to protect myself.

He approved it.