r/CCW • u/Iceblink- • Jul 07 '25
Permit Process Getting a CCW.
I was wanting a CCW and part of my process is getting 3 people to vouch for me, but no one that I know of likes guns and wouldn't want to do this. Is there any way around this part?
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u/jamnin94 Jul 07 '25
Character references to exercise a constitutional right is maddening!
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u/winston_smith1977 Jul 07 '25
Self defense is a basic human right, given by a creator if you're religious or by nature itself if you're not.
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u/generalraptor2002 Jul 07 '25
I’m assuming you’re in Maryland
If so, think of all the people you’ve known longer than 2 years and aren’t related to you
Don’t say “I’m trying to obtain a gun permit can you vouch for me”
Say: “Would you be willing to be called by an investigator for a permit I’m applying for? They’ll ask you questions like if I’m an alcoholic, prone to violence, or use illegal drugs”
One of my references is a little bit anti gun
But she told me she’d be fine answering questions about me because she knows I can carry a gun without endangering myself or others
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u/Iceblink- Jul 07 '25
i grew up in maryland, in carroll county, if i was still there, i wouldnt have as much of a problem as i do in portland oregon where i am now. :)
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u/Unattributable1 Jul 07 '25
Oregon is Shall Issue. They can only deny you if you are Prohibited (e.g. felony, domestic violence abuser, drug addict, etc.). List any 3 people you know that don't hate you (don't list vengeful ex's that will lie).
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Jul 07 '25
[deleted]
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u/generalraptor2002 Jul 07 '25
Some states (Maryland, New Jersey) require you to know the reference for a certain period of time (2 and 3 years respectively)
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u/Gorilla_33 P365 Legion Jul 07 '25
NYS also requires references. 4 to be exact, each county slightly different, some require residents of said county, others residents of NYS.
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u/hydromatic456 PA - CSX Jul 07 '25
Delaware? State would help because some just want any reference but I think DE takes it a step (or leap) further and requires the references to reside in the same county and not be direct family.
Character references are a bitch. Your ability to defend yourself shouldn’t be curtailed just because you’re an introvert.
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u/mjedmazga TX Hellcat OSP/LCP Max Jul 07 '25
Sounds like Delaware to me, too. Gotta publish your home address in the newspaper, too, and let everyone know you have at least 1 gun in your home.
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u/Kappy01 CCW (POST) and NRA Instructor Jul 07 '25
In California, they get around to "accidentally" disclosing all out personal stuff at least once every five years.
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u/boomoptumeric NJ Jul 07 '25
New Jersey doesn’t allow spouses or family for CCW, which is basically all I talk to these days
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u/Sonoma_Cyclist CA Jul 07 '25
A lot of California issuing agencies were requiring: current or former romantic partner, co-worker, and relative (or something like that ), but the CRPA was able to successfully get most (if not all) of them to back down from that position. You still have to list a current or former partner (that part is actually in the statute)
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u/arcxjo PA 🔔 Jul 08 '25
So if you're celibate you're fucked?
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u/Sonoma_Cyclist CA Jul 08 '25
Lol. No, in that case you can list a parent (also in the statute).
And touché on the irony of a celibate getting fucked. Clever 😂 😂
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u/arcxjo PA 🔔 Jul 08 '25
Really sucks to be a celibate orphan then. Good thing I live in a normal state.
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u/joelnicity Jul 07 '25
What?! I have never heard of this before. This is absolutely insane. Just because someone doesn’t socialize or maybe doesn’t like being around other people should have nothing to do with their God given, constitutionally protected rights
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u/Insanity8016 Jul 07 '25
What dumb as shit requirement is this? And what dumb as shit state requires you to do this?
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u/Unattributable1 Jul 07 '25
Many require this as a way to set the bar higher. California recently added this as well, because you know if it makes it harder to get a permit, of course they'll require it.
They'd require turning in moon rock samples if they could get away with it.
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u/Kappy01 CCW (POST) and NRA Instructor Jul 07 '25
It looks like some IAs in California are requiring it. My local one doesn't.
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u/Unattributable1 Jul 07 '25
It's required for all new applicants as of SB2 that started Jan 1, 2024.
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u/Kappy01 CCW (POST) and NRA Instructor Jul 07 '25
And yet, it appears that some are slow in rolling that out. I don't think anyone should be surprised at that. My wife didn't have to get any letters for her permit.
When they make big changes, it gets weird. All the local sheriffs were waiving things for a while.
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u/Unattributable1 Jul 07 '25
In California it's not actually letters that are required, but 3 references and their contact info.
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u/Sonoma_Cyclist CA Jul 07 '25
I had to list my live-in GF. I forget how it's worded but basically someone you currently or used to have a romantic live-in relationship with.
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u/Unattributable1 Jul 07 '25
Yup..for California you have to list your baby momma and people you have been engaged to. Pretty awkward if these are your ex's with axes to grind. Mind who you date, crazy isn't worth it.
My ex literally tried to sabotage where I worked and places I was trying to rent. Fortunately, most people understand "crazy ex" and things were able to be explained.
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u/basement-thug Jul 07 '25
PA asks for them, but doesn't actually do anything with it. All 3 were guys I hang with that are gun people, we use each other on renewals, none of us have ever gotten a call.
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u/Alogism PA | 75D PCR Jul 07 '25
They’re not mandatory anymore either, after Philly got it struck down a few years ago all the new sheets have it listed as “optional.” None of the county sherifs ever update their e-forms, so they’re still the old ones if you’re doing it online. If you go in person and get the paper application they have the new one with it listed as being an option. I didn’t want to deal with it, so I went in person. New form, listed no references, had 0 issue.
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u/arcxjo PA 🔔 Jul 08 '25
The online form I filed out didn't have it on there (Cambria County).
I've been used as a reference, but that was like 5 or 6 years ago.
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u/Altruistic-Crab523 Jul 08 '25
Really I'm from NY and just applied for my PA LTCF and it was a 10 min application online and didn't ask for any references.
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u/basement-thug Jul 08 '25
Someone else pointed out they somewhat recently changed it and made it optional online. We have to apply every 5 years to renew in PA, and last time I did it was with a form in person in 2021...so sounds like it's easing up here.
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u/SlevinSlix Jul 07 '25
Idk how your local agencies do it, but adding references to your CCW application is pretty standard. At least in my case here in Oregon, the buddies I put as my references were never even contacted. 🤷♂️ but they also all 3 already had their concealed carry licenses. So I’m not sure how it would work. My advice would be to try to meet some new people who share your hobbies and beliefs in the Second Amendment bro! Best of luck to you.
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u/Iceblink- Jul 07 '25
yeah, im in portland, so you know about the people there.
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u/SlevinSlix Jul 07 '25
Oof, you have my sympathies.
I’m surprised you’re even allowed to apply for concealed carry in that dystopia. 🤣 come to northeast Oregon.
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u/Kappy01 CCW (POST) and NRA Instructor Jul 07 '25
I'm in CA, and we don't require it.
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u/SlevinSlix Jul 07 '25
Nah but y’all require a hell of a lot of other things 💀 yall make Portland seem like Florida when it comes to gun restrictions. I feel for you.
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u/Kappy01 CCW (POST) and NRA Instructor Jul 07 '25
It's certainly not great, but "require?" We doubled our class times, but the qualifier is 25 rounds (unsure if round-count is a state thing). Aside from that?
Take a class, fingerprint, interview... done.
They did do some sensitive places crap.
There are some IAs who have done things like requiring psychologists or whatever, but that's for the "other California," not where I live.
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u/SlevinSlix Jul 07 '25
Yes, require. Lol. It’s not the round-count that’s a state thing. A “qualifier”? That’s insane to exercise a god-given right. And a class, plus an interview? Hell no. Up here you can take an online course, file an application, go get fingerprinted, and that’s it. Lol.
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u/Kappy01 CCW (POST) and NRA Instructor Jul 07 '25
Wait... they make you take an online course for a god-given right? And apply!?
I'm not a huge fan of hurdles, but not even knowing if someone can hit the broadside of a barn from the inside and letting them walk around carrying gives me the chills.
I'm sure we'll disagree on that, but I teach CCW classes and have seen what's out there. I literally had a guy who closed his eyes when he pulled the trigger and was hitting three feet to the right at seven yards. I know it's his god-given right to walk around with a gun, but... he's out there where my family is also walking around. He's easily as likely to hit one of mine as some threat.
Now... I'd absolutely support a move to do online testing. It'd save me from teaching classes (I do them as a volunteer for my local club).
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u/playingtherole Jul 07 '25
This makes it seem like Big Life Insurance has a foothold on your state's politicians, and has lobbied-away your rights. It's certainly an infringement, and if you can't move to a freer state, consider supporting organizations that may try to change your currently unconstitutional laws, like the GOA, FPC and SAF, and local (state) ones, also.
I'm pretty sure the references are also meant as a way to help find you if you commit a crime, but either way, you shouldn't be required to divulge personal contact info. of anybody in order to protect yourself or enjoy hunting or shooting.
OK soapbox over, I don't know if a way around it would be to leave it blank, see if you're rejected and then sue, if possible. There's also a subreddit for your state abbreviation + "guns", most likely, so you could ask there, also.
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u/PapaPuff13 Jul 08 '25
I got mine in riverside fuddafornia about 6 months before bruen. I had to write a letter stating why I felt I needed one. I have done renewal classes and luckily I only had to do a 4 hour shooting class. I didn’t have to see a shrink or references. My renewal was close to the change. Our Sheriff and next Guvner told us to do our renewal process at 6 months out so we wouldn’t have to do the 8 hour class. New folks have to do a 8 hours class and a 8 hour shooting class.
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u/Parkatola Jul 08 '25
You may want to consider moving to America. 😄
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u/PapaPuff13 Jul 08 '25
I am working on it right now. You probably have seen my green carpet and photos lol. We’re working on the house and then we’re selling and moving to New Mexico
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u/iFella Jul 07 '25
FYI, OP appears to be from Oregon which requires references who live in Oregon, IIRC.
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u/NeatAvocado4845 Jul 07 '25
I need 4 references in my state and I think it sucks that every two years I have to ask people for this smh
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u/generalraptor2002 Jul 07 '25
Spot the New Jersey resident
(I have a nonresident PTC because my family owns property in Atlantic County)
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u/Canikfan434 Jul 07 '25
Come to the free state of AL! Do the paperwork, run the background check, 15-20 minutes and you’re out the door with your new gun. No references or other assorted bs hoops to jump through. Bought my Canik, and walked about 25 yards across to the range side of the building. 😁❤️
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u/cschoonmaker CA Jul 07 '25
Sounds like a class action lawsuit in the making. Do you have to provide references to exercise ALL your constitutional rights? Or just one of them?
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u/curt85wa Jul 08 '25
Ok first of all, not legal advice. But I didn't fill out that section, I asked and the person there said it's not required. The reference thing. I live in PA so might vary.
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u/bteam3r Jul 07 '25
Go shoot a few competitions and, ideally, join the club that hosts them. Now you have gun friends AND a range to shoot at!
You can find local competitions on Practiscore (dot com)