Question for any Washington citizens on the board who've applied for and/or received their permit:
I went down to the Seattle Public Safety Building a few weeks ago to apply for my permit. I can't say there were any real problems, but there was one thing that kind of raised my eyebrows a bit: at the beginning of the application process, the woman at the desk asked me what I needed the permit for.
I told her that I simply felt it was important to exercise all my rights as a free citizen, and she began lecturing me about how the permit was a privilege, not a right, and how I needed a better reason to get a permit. I was surprised by this, because I thought that due to the "shall-issue" nature of Washington law, they were not ALLOWED to ask you this question. I paused, decided it was really not worth arguing with this person who I was looking for assistance from, and said "To protect myself and..." Then she cut me off, said, "OK, fine" in a very curt manner, and went about getting the paperwork together. The rest of the application process went on without a hitch, as I did my best to be pleasant, and I don't expect there to be any further problems. (I've never even been talked to by a cop.)
Now, my understanding of the rules may have been incorrect, and perhaps they can ASK you, but can't DENY you the permit simply because of your answer... but it sounded as though if I didn't come up with a better answer, she was not going to deal with me. I also wonder if perhaps I was treated with less respect than might be the norm due to my age (I just turned 22), and my appearance. (No tattoos or piercings, but I do have a goatee which many older people seem to despise.)
Anyway, I am just curious if I am being too sensitive about the whole thing, and what other peoples' experience with the bureaucrats on this type of matter has been.
------------------
"He who goes unarmed in paradise had better be sure that that is where he is."
-- James Thurber
[This message has been edited by Terrato (edited 06-30-2001).]
I went down to the Seattle Public Safety Building a few weeks ago to apply for my permit. I can't say there were any real problems, but there was one thing that kind of raised my eyebrows a bit: at the beginning of the application process, the woman at the desk asked me what I needed the permit for.
I told her that I simply felt it was important to exercise all my rights as a free citizen, and she began lecturing me about how the permit was a privilege, not a right, and how I needed a better reason to get a permit. I was surprised by this, because I thought that due to the "shall-issue" nature of Washington law, they were not ALLOWED to ask you this question. I paused, decided it was really not worth arguing with this person who I was looking for assistance from, and said "To protect myself and..." Then she cut me off, said, "OK, fine" in a very curt manner, and went about getting the paperwork together. The rest of the application process went on without a hitch, as I did my best to be pleasant, and I don't expect there to be any further problems. (I've never even been talked to by a cop.)
Now, my understanding of the rules may have been incorrect, and perhaps they can ASK you, but can't DENY you the permit simply because of your answer... but it sounded as though if I didn't come up with a better answer, she was not going to deal with me. I also wonder if perhaps I was treated with less respect than might be the norm due to my age (I just turned 22), and my appearance. (No tattoos or piercings, but I do have a goatee which many older people seem to despise.)
Anyway, I am just curious if I am being too sensitive about the whole thing, and what other peoples' experience with the bureaucrats on this type of matter has been.
------------------
"He who goes unarmed in paradise had better be sure that that is where he is."
-- James Thurber
[This message has been edited by Terrato (edited 06-30-2001).]