Posted: 1/14/2007 10:43:33 PM EDT
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I am in the middle of the hiring process with the local Sheriffs Office and one of the steps is a questionaire about your personal history. It was a multiple choice questionaire that covered criminal history, credit history etc.... Well, one question asked "How many handguns do you own? (A) 0 (B) 1-2 (C) 3-5 (D) More than 5 That one I answered B as I own a Beretta 92 and a S&W J frame The next question kind of confused me as to (1) how to answer it and (2) how to explain it in an interview It asked: How many assault style weapons do you own (AR15, Uzi, AK-47, etc)? (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3 or more. I answered 3 or more as I own one 20" and 2 stripped lowers. I know when I get in for an interview they will ask me why I own "so many assault rifles." How do I answer this question tactfully, and without them thinking I am gearing up for WW3? |
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Personally, I think if I saw those questions on an application, I'd go somewhere else. It probably sets the climate for the agency. This will likely come up during the psych part of your process when you interview with the shrink. I never had a questionaire on this, but my shrink during my hiring process asked me how many firearms I owned. I forget what I answered, but no matter what you answer, the shrink will say something along the lines of "Why so many?". I responded that firearms are like golf; the same way you don't drive with a sand wedge, I don't hunt with a .22. Each firearm I own has a specific purpose. Keep in mind that your conversation with the psych may come up in your polygraph, so let your conscience be your guide. IMO the stripped lowers are not firearms in a common sense, but since they are legal firearms, you were compelled to answer truthfully. It's sad, but I understand many new cadets going through the academy nowadays have never fired a handgun. Luckily, they never asked how much ammo I stockpile, as they wound up offering me the job. |
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Those questions were on my Johnson-Roberts test. Supposedly a pretty standard national test that gets used. One of the guys that applied with me is a gun collector and big 2nd Amendment fan. Also all round good guy. So of course he answers D to both of those questions, affirmative on having a conceal carry permit, and having carried a weapon for protection. So, he gets asked about it, answered honestly and got cleared. I had something similar except lower numbers on the weapons. Made it very clear I don't want to get eaten by a mountain lion, so yeah, I have carried a weapon for protection while out hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking. I also happen to like shooting as a form of recreation. Just as some people like to race cars, sky-dive, run marathons, or another such activity. I did get asked about it, and those were my answers, and I was cleared. It's not about being paranoid, it is about being prepared. I've run into several mountain lions, been accosted by a moose, run into several more bears, and had a nasty run-in with a badger. These things all happen, didn't need to use my weapon, but was sure glad I had it with me just in case it did get worse than it was. ETA: I'm from a pretty gun-friendly part of the world and this question was on the background portion of a gun-friendly department. As I said, I was cleared, so I don't think they were too worried about me. |
h the same thing and I have an interview with them next week and I have more guns.
| I don't remember any questions like that on my department civil service exam. There were several on the psycho exam. I just answered truthfully and let it fall wherever it goes. If the agency doesn't want me because I lawfully enjoy firearms then I don't want that agency. FWIW, I had a bunch more than you do and I was hired. |