Military Assault Weapons Permit Fiasco
I have been stationed in California for 7+ years and have had a Military Assault Weapons permit the entirety of that time. There has never been any trouble and I renew it every year one time. The DOJ is usually good about sending the renewal 60+ days out,(my permit expires on the 6th of January). However this year, the renewal notice that I received is dated for the 6th of December and arrived at my house on the 10th. A little irritating, but normally all that is required is that I sign the forms return it. However, the new renewal states: I have to refill a new application, with military orders, a copy of my military ID, AND "Official letter signed by the permit holder's Base commander, establishing that a bona fide necessity for use of personal assault weapons in military sanctioned activates. The letter must include a current telephone number for the Base Commander's office." Really?
This is just preposterous, the original purpose of the MAWP is that it was unmerited to make military members surrender privately owned firearms due to the fact that they are stationed in CA. Not to mention the DOJ mailed this paper to me with less than 30 days until the expiration of my current permit, over the holidays. Then expect me to proved the above documentation before the 6th or I am in the wrong and posses illegal assault weapons. Also, the Military Permits for Active Duty Military Personnel Business Rules states in paragraph 5, subsection 5.01-5.02., that "DOJ will send a renewal application form to the permittee approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date of the permit." and "the permittee must submit the completed renewal application form to DOJ. DOJ must receive the renewal application no later than 30 days prior to the expiration date of the current permit." thanks DOJ!
Furthermore, this base commanders signature seems highly unwarranted. Plus, I'm not an 0-5+, so just walking into the base commanders office and having him sign a document the same day, even if he agrees to, is not possible. Turnaround time is probably along the lines of weeks, if not months.
I called the DOJ, they didn't answer their phone and the mail box says something along the lines of: mail box full, can't leave any further messages.
Who can I contact about this? I suppose I could call my state representative, but I don't think they would care. This situation just seems absurd, the DOJ is essentially forcing me to commit a crime, by their inability to process any paper work in a timely manner, which in turn is going to force me to own the weapons illegally.
Check your PMs
