Posted: 2/15/2008 11:32:03 AM EDT
| This is my first post on this website and I would like to thank everyone in advance for any guidance given. My question is: Will owning a class III short barreled rifle show up on a police department background check and if so, will it reflect negatively on me? Thus far in my life I have done a decent job at boosting my chances of getting an LEO job; clean record, military, in school for CJ. I don't have an SBR but I am considering getting one. Getting an LEO position is really competetive where I live and I would hate to do something that would hurt my chances. Does anyone have any experience with that or do background checks and have any guidance. Thanks. |
| In our department this would not be an issue. Decisions to hire are subjective though. If you own an SBR do it legally, keep your mouth shut about it, and for heaven's sake don't put down "I own a short barrelled rifle" under SPECIAL SKILLS on the PD's application. Some SGT behind a desk might see that and flip out (subjectivety). Keep yourself away from alcohol related stupidity, keep your finances clear (no defaults) and when they ask you a question answer it honestly. Don't minimize anything especially on personal history statements. If you have had anything to do with any of the heavy drugs/narcotics in the past five years, waiit five more years and re-apply. GOOD LUCK. |
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I agree with this dude completely. I have many friends who are cops and they have told me that so many folks who apply to be cops talk about their involvement or expertise with guns in the belief that this will somehow score them points with a department. Don't even talk about it. At the academy, act like you've never even seen a gun. I have done this for the past 20 years as a junior college and now a high school teacher. To even say the word gun at work causes eyebrows to raise. Wait until you get hired, are trained and off FTO. then talk guns all you want to. I am sure you will find a group of "gun guys" at whatever you department you go to work with. |
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I think you'll probably be fine. Like the last two posters have said, don't wear it on your sleeve. The other thought I would ask you to consider is this...Would you really want to work for an agency where your affinity for firearms was considered a liability? Good luck, welcome to the site, steer clear of General Discussion for a while, and new guys have to buy beer. It's the rule. Ask anyone here, they'll confirm it. |
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Great line about pretending you know nothing about guns while in school. I kept my mouth shut, but the shit hit the fan when they caught me cleaning my Glock with carburetor cleaner. I mean it hit the fucking fan, threatened to throw me off the range, out of the academy (regional academy, not my department's instructors), the works. Didn't matter what I'd done for years in the army, didn't matter shit. So, like a good little soldier boy, I said "yes ma'am!" and put away the carb cleaner... til the end of range week. Now, I clean my guns how the fuck I want, and my bosses don't give two shits, as long as I'm cleaning them. |
| I can't imagine why owning a SBR would red flag you during the hiring process. If they're legal in your state you're otherwise "qualified" to own NFA items then go through with it. A III trail may show up when they run one on you during the background but I can't see it being a problem. Certainly there are administrators & investigators ignorant to all things NFA, but a question & answer session should clear that up. I echo the recommendation that you don't need to broadcast it if it's not solicited & that goes for anything else as long as you're not hiding any criminal skeletons. Otherwise you should be g2g. |
I did and got hired.....I dont think having NFA weapons will in anyway bar you from a job as an LEO....now if like said above you mention them every chance you get...you might not make it. I have found times when talking guns with the instructors is just fine....just dont be that "I KNOW MORE THEN YOU ABOUT GUNS" type of guy to the instructors teaching you firearms. Im lucky though in that my agency has top notch in house training with range instructors who really know their shit! And as far as class3 stuff is concerned....alot of the guys I work with have SBR's, MG's, Silencers....the works....hell one of the Detectives is a class3 dealer, who offers EXCELLENT pricing to employees!! The funny thing is most guys just email the Chief Deputy (He does CLEO signoffs) find out when he's available and walk in and have him singoff their paper work. |