Am I going to have trouble getting my CHL?

[WSimons]

Hey, guys. Recently just started reading here and figured I'd post. Took my class, mailed my docs/photos, submitted the application, paid my dues, got my prints taken, all that good stuff...
Now. I just need to know...
When I was about fifteen, I was arrested for punching my 17 year old brother in the arm. My mom called the cops, they brought me in for "assault." I spent a few (read: 2-3) days in a juvenile detention center, was put on some sorta probation, and that's about it. This happened up in Michigan.
I've never been denied a firearms purchase in the past, though I do frequently get delayed... but not always. Aside from that, my record's spotless.

So. Am I going to need to try and scrounge up dispositions and all that good junk? Or is it not likely? Or is it safe to say I threw away a couple hundred bucks on the course and application?

Edit: To the extent of my knowledge, those charges were expunged from my record. Read the first six words of that sentence carefully... Is it possible just because I was brought in, fingerprinted, etc. that I get delayed nearly every time. The "delays" seemed to have stopped once I hit 21, but last month I tried to snag a great deal on an Olympic Arms 1911 ($200, good fit and finish. If nothing else a viable project gun in the making) and... bam! Delayed again!
If the charges were for all intents and purposes thrown out, did I do more harm than good listing them on the application?

[Munk]

Your mom called the cops and had you arrested for "fighting" with your brother??? Glad my mom never did that... I would have been sentenced to life.

[WSimons]

In short, yes. He swung at me, I hit him in the upper arm. I got cuffed and stuck in the back of a squad car. There's a reason I left Michigan and went to the opposite end of the country.
But with all due respect, I don't think at this point the validity of the charges have no real bearing on the situation, unfortunately...
I'm really anxious to get some responses on this so I can take any necessary action to get this over with quickly, or at the very least set my expectations realistically. Anyone got any serious thoughts on this?

[Thomas]

It's a Saturday night, I think you might have to wait for one of the more knowledgeable folks to answer.

Until then, welcome to the forum!

[Jumping Frog]

Well, first of all, it is clear that you are OK from a federal misdemeanor domestic violence standpoint. A sibling is not one of the "defined parties". BATFE FAQ here: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/misdeme ... lence.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you were 15 when it occurred and you are over 21 now, it has been more than 5 years so even if it is considered a misdemeanor conviction it does not disqualify you from a CHL. So you did not "throw away a couple hundred bucks on the course and application".

Regarding: "If the charges were for all intents and purposes thrown out, did I do more harm than good listing them on the application?"

You qualified that with "to the extent of your knowledge". Thus, since you are unclear, it is clearly safer to disclose it, provide the disposition, and get cleared for the license. Better safe than sorry, especially since the incident does not disqualify you.

[blackdog8200]

FYI your record doesn't get "expunged" without effort on your part. Usually a lawyer, working with your judge to expunge the record.

Stuff done as a child or adult that might have resulted in a Defered Adjudication conviction / dismissal doesn't "go away" either. You must go back and apply to the court to do so.


Once the record is "expunged" keep in mind it is still visible to the DPS and FBI etc. if you apply to be a police officer or other deep background check positions etc. Maybe even a Medical License as well.....

IANAL YMMV

[C-dub]

Unbelievable! I would have been a lifer felon for all the stuff I did to my brother.

[CC Italian]

Man there has been a lot of these "got in trouble when I was young posts lately". I can relate being that my brother is less then two years older but I can't imagine the cops getting called for brothers getting into a scrape. Must have happened a lot I guess? You should be ok but don't take my word for it.

[CC Italian]

Reminds me of when parents get in trouble your spanking. Beating is one thing but spanking, come on. I am in my early 30s and I told my parents a few months ago that I don't think they spanked me enough when I was young! Some things should just be dealt and kept in the family!

[smtimelevi]

Agreed, stuff like that is none of the state's business.

[WSimons]

BG and prints still pending. Been over 3 weeks from date of submission now.

[dalto]

BG and prints still pending. Been over 3 weeks from date of submission now.

That's not completely out of the ordinary.

[tbrown]

BG and prints still pending. Been over 3 weeks from date of submission now.

That's not completely out of the ordinary.

Many members waited more than 60 or 90 days.

[C-dub]

BG and prints still pending. Been over 3 weeks from date of submission now.

That's not completely out of the ordinary.

Many members waited more than 60 or 90 days.

Yup. I think my first one was just over two months and my last renewal was in the 4-6 week range.

[mec]

It will probably still say "background search pending" when your license arrives in the mail