Finally got mine...

[RogueUSMC]

I am posting this as a seperate thread for a few reasons...the first of which I think is the most important.

Reason one: Veterans Preference
This one does not apply to everyone but it is very important to those it is relevant to.

I applied on 2 Feb 2013 online. I had class completion, fingerprints and photos done by 15 Feb 2013 and mailed my packet.

DPS registered receipt of my packet 18 Mar 2013. This is when, to my understanding, the 60 day staute timeframe begins.

I see that they had 'Proof of Special Condition: Invalid' meaning that they were not accepting my DD214. I called to inquire as to why this was so as those were a copy of the original that the Marine Corps gave me twenty years ago. Turns out, there is a page 2 and a page 4 to the carbon copies of my discharge papers...one says when I was in, where I went, my awards and citations and such, etc. The other page has all of the above but it ALSO has 'Honerable Discharge' or 'General Discharge' or whatever near the bottom of the page. You NEED the copy that says what KIND of discharge or they will not accept it. I faxed them a copy of my discharge certificate on 18 Mar 2013 and they were cool. On 20 Mar 2013, it said 'Proof of Special Condition: Received'.

Reason two: The 60 day statute
If it is indeed a requirement (I read it as they will intend to do it in 60 days), it only applies if everything is as they need it when they get it. Being as there was a problem with my discharge papers, that 60 day statute may very well have flown out the window.

I have seen somewhere that if there is a problem with your packet, they can extend their turnaround time to 180 days (I do not know if this is accurate but would be understandable).

I was concerned as to when I would get my license because, the second week of June, I will be taking the teenagers from the church to camp in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, you cannot have a weapon in the vehicle with you unless you are licensed and I didn't wanna drive 4+ hours to Oklahoma, stay for a week, then drive 4+ hours back without my weapon.

Reason three: There are great people working for us
With the increasing frustration as it had been over 50 days in 'Background Check: Under Review' and all I got from calling DPS was, "it's in processing, please continue to wait." I got the feeling that the person answering the phone was looking at the same thing I was when I logged in. If this is the case, calling them is just wasting my time.

On 9 May 2013 I e-mailed Congressman Schaeffer's office and Senator Eltife's office about the matter. I was contacted by Matt Schaeffer's office that they were going to look into this. I then called Kevin Eltife's office and told them that they could belay worrying about it as Matt Schaeffer's office was already on it.

I got an e-mail from Sen. Eltife's office that evening that said the senator had told them to check into it anyway (he has a reputation for looking out for his fellow veterans). I was starting to wonder if it was a good move on my part siccin' both my senator and my congressman on them...lol

The following morning, Terri over at DPS gave me a call...she was wonderful to deal with. She informed me that there was a flag on my background check and that that was what was holding it up. But she said that this flag should have been cleared. She said she couldn't understand why it was still sitting there. She told me that she had gotten it taken care of and I would receive my license in 7-10 business days. The status changed to 'Background Check: Completed' 10 May 2013, then to 'Concealed Handgun License: Mailed' 13 May 2013 and had it in hand 18 May 2013.

I don't know who was working on my packet or whether they dropped the ball or what...but there are good people like Terri that will get things done for you.

Reason four: Use this to find out just WHAT your record has on it
During the above conversation with Terri, I found out that the issue that was flagged on my background check was inacurate. I disclosed an arrest that happened in 2001. I was driving under a suspended driver's license...it was suspended due to an accident in Hawaii in 1993 oddly enough (it's kinda a funny story).

But what DPS showed was a DUI...Terri said, "it was your DUI arrest in 2001 that you disclosed that was flagged." I said, "DUI!?!" She said, "that's what it shows." I said, "NONONONO!"

Nevertheless to say, I am dealing with the county court that reported this to the state to get this corrected...lol.


All that being said, I would not go e-mailing my congressman at the two week mark...lol. Let the folks do their thing. If you get to the 50+ day mark from the time it says your background check had started, THEN maybe start seeing if someone can get something done for you.

This is all just from my experience, you can take it for what it's worth.

Semper Fi,
Lee

[Gunner4640]

I sent my discharge in and had no trouble at all, bg was 5 days then mailed. Congrats
Dave-USMC Semper fi.