+1 for the Department of Safety

[midtennchip]

Yes, I know . The Department of Safety??? Let me explain.

I've been working with a client to clear up some issues (particularly a 20 year old charge in a Western state that would not have disqualified the client) that came back on a background check during the HCP application process. Client came to me a little late in the process and I was scrambling to appeal the DOS's denial of the permit. Because I couldn't get the information I needed from the other state in time to appeal the decision, I contacted the DOS to see if they would keep the application open until I could get the information from the other state. By statute, the DOS cannot hold open the application (or give additional time to file an appeal). However, there was a particularly helpful person (and I'm sure she doesn't want me publishing her name) at the DOS that got us through the process and got the HCP isssued the day before the application was closed. She jumped through some hoops and was VERY responsive to emails and phone calls. That saved the client a second application fee and a second trip through the HCP course.

It isn't often you get someone in one of these departments to go the extra mile for someone they don't know, but she did. If this experience was with a private company, I would rate the "customer service" experience an A+.

[vontar]

Good to hear someone was helpful inside the system.

I joked with a friend when I apply I hope I haven't touched something in the past and left a finger print that comes back to haunt me for something I have no idea about. He joked back that is why he don't want to apply. At least I hope he was joking.

Since I have never been arrested, spent a night in jail, never had anything more serious then a spending ticket/failure to yeild ticket. Very sure I am in the clear. Heck, never stood before a judge even as a junenile. Just can't believe I have waited until now to apply.

[Fallguy]

Between the above and the recent post of permits being issued within 3 weeks of the application.....have to say it looks like the HCP office is getting their act together. Kudos to them!

[Guest 6.8 AR]

It's good to hear about this kind of thing. You, Chip, and the DOS employee.

[tnhawk]

There does seem to be a different attitude at the Department of Safety concerning handgun permits during the last ten years. Other government agencies would do well to make similar changes.

[Guest archerdr1]

A friend of mine, whom I had the opportunity of talking into getting his HCP took the course on June 8, didn't get his fingerprints/application in until 2 weeks ater, but got his permit two weeks after that. I was amazed and am thinking about sending a letter of thanks to the DOS.

[Glock30]

Last summer, mine was issued 10 days after application was filed and was received in the mail a week after that. Net turnaround of 3 weeks. With all the long wait times I'd heard about, I was VERY impressed with the ease of process and fairly quick turn.

[vontar]

I think there was a big rush on HCP when Obama was elected. I think the rush may have slowed down and the DOS has had time to caught up which has helped them get the average down to 3 weeks from what people are saying, minus the renewals.

[Guest 270win]

When I moved from Arkansas to TN, the Memphis DOS office on Summer forgot to send a copy of my Arkansas concealed handgun license to the main office in Nashville to process my TN permit. I actually received a call from Nashville about 3 weeks from filling out the paperwork in Memphis for switching out my permit (I didn't have to do prints or a class). The lady was very polite and asked me to fax a copy of my Arkansas license to her office and I would receive my TN permit in roughly a week or two...sure enough I got it in about a week.

The Memphis office on Summer had no idea what in the world they were doing when I was moving here from out of state....they did not understand that I had a valid out of state license pistol license and only had to pay fifty bucks...they had to call Nashville and still screwed it up.....I'm surprised I was even able to get a driver's license. I'm so glad I was able to renew my DL on the internet to bypass those goofballs in Memphis.