RANT
Let me know if I am missing something here, or if anyone else has run into 'issues' with the ISP website. Take some of this with sarcasm and friendly needling, but still real frustration.
I decided to apply for a Lifetime CCW. I already have a 'Federal CCW' via HR218 - being a retired LEO and qualifying annually (Thank You phylodog - your crew is awesome!) Just wanted the added coverage, because I have talked to some LEOs that are clueless about the Federal law.
I go to the ISP website and start the process. One of the options is 'Retired Law Enforcement', state fee waived! Kewl, can spend $75 on ammo or something else. I complete the app, pay my fingerprint fee and get my prints taken. Call up my local agency to finish the process and ask them what proof do I need as to my retirement status. "You have to have a minimum of 20 years to be considered 'retired." *needle scratch*
"I have 15 years and retired on disability." - NOPE!
"Here's the number for ISP...."
Me: "Hello ISP guy... retired.. disability...blah-blah-blah."
ISP: " Get a letter from your department as to the length of tenure and disability status."
Me: "I worked for 3 departments."
ISP "Get a letter from every one on letterhead. And we will send it to legal for a determination."
I could not find ANYTHING on the ISP Firearms website explaining/defining what constitutes 'retired'. Their website is sorely lacking, and IMNSHO sucks, on many levels. I was honorably retired and have a CA CCW and HR 218 also covers retirees due to job related disability.
I try and contact the departments (this was during the holidays) and it was a frickin' hassle..... grumble... no letters as yet. So, I decide, hey I'll just go down there, switch over to the 'regular' CCW application, and pay my monies. I head to my local agency (as it says to do on the ISP website) last Friday - NOPE!
Local agency has me get on my cell phone, log in and switch my application type (actually they did it for me - awesome customer service). Now it says "$75 State Fee Due" OK..... I'll pay it -- NOPE!
The local agency can't take my state fee $$, there is no way to pay it via the website! They call ISP and they are stumped. Go home. A couple days later, I have VM from locals, ISP says they reset my app and I can pay online now - NOPE.
I send e-mail to ISP asking how to GIVE THEM THEIR DAMN MONEY (which I shouldn't have to do, but I won't get into a 2A rant). I even point out this on their website:
Effective January 1, 2017, The Indiana State Police Firearms Licensing Unit will no longer accept payment for firearms license applications, duplicate license requests or manual inked fingerprint cards by mail. If a payment or fingerprint card is received by mail, it will be returned to the applicant.Application payments must be made electronically through the Fireaems License Application Portal. Please contact your Local Law Enforcement Agency for special circumstances.
It says the only way to pay is via the 'Fireaems (sic) License Application Portal' NOPE!
PS: I did point out to them that they misspelled 'Firearms'....
It is the same portal that tells me I owe, but does not give me anyway to pay online.
I send an e-mail and I get a response...
"Sir in researching your inquiry the ability to add a payment is inactivate at this time you will need to submit your payment by mail the Indiana State Police can not accept Personal Checks."
Hello! Your website clearly states as of 1/1/17 (we are beyond that date) you won't take my payment via mail, and will send it back! Which is it? (At least they fixed their typo on the website - I checked)
You would think in this day and age they could have a hyperlink in their 'disclaimer' to take you to the payment portal, but not in Indianapolis. NOPE!
I mean isn't one of the strengths of government is how to take We the Peoples' money?
I am going to call them today. I think I will just start over from scratch and see if that will work. I'll keep you posted.
End RANT
Let me know if I am missing something here, or if anyone else has run into 'issues' with the ISP website. Take some of this with sarcasm and friendly needling, but still real frustration.
I decided to apply for a Lifetime CCW. I already have a 'Federal CCW' via HR218 - being a retired LEO and qualifying annually (Thank You phylodog - your crew is awesome!) Just wanted the added coverage, because I have talked to some LEOs that are clueless about the Federal law.
I go to the ISP website and start the process. One of the options is 'Retired Law Enforcement', state fee waived! Kewl, can spend $75 on ammo or something else. I complete the app, pay my fingerprint fee and get my prints taken. Call up my local agency to finish the process and ask them what proof do I need as to my retirement status. "You have to have a minimum of 20 years to be considered 'retired." *needle scratch*
"I have 15 years and retired on disability." - NOPE!
"Here's the number for ISP...."
Me: "Hello ISP guy... retired.. disability...blah-blah-blah."
ISP: " Get a letter from your department as to the length of tenure and disability status."
Me: "I worked for 3 departments."
ISP "Get a letter from every one on letterhead. And we will send it to legal for a determination."
I could not find ANYTHING on the ISP Firearms website explaining/defining what constitutes 'retired'. Their website is sorely lacking, and IMNSHO sucks, on many levels. I was honorably retired and have a CA CCW and HR 218 also covers retirees due to job related disability.
I try and contact the departments (this was during the holidays) and it was a frickin' hassle..... grumble... no letters as yet. So, I decide, hey I'll just go down there, switch over to the 'regular' CCW application, and pay my monies. I head to my local agency (as it says to do on the ISP website) last Friday - NOPE!
Local agency has me get on my cell phone, log in and switch my application type (actually they did it for me - awesome customer service). Now it says "$75 State Fee Due" OK..... I'll pay it -- NOPE!
The local agency can't take my state fee $$, there is no way to pay it via the website! They call ISP and they are stumped. Go home. A couple days later, I have VM from locals, ISP says they reset my app and I can pay online now - NOPE.
I send e-mail to ISP asking how to GIVE THEM THEIR DAMN MONEY (which I shouldn't have to do, but I won't get into a 2A rant). I even point out this on their website:
Effective January 1, 2017, The Indiana State Police Firearms Licensing Unit will no longer accept payment for firearms license applications, duplicate license requests or manual inked fingerprint cards by mail. If a payment or fingerprint card is received by mail, it will be returned to the applicant.Application payments must be made electronically through the Fireaems License Application Portal. Please contact your Local Law Enforcement Agency for special circumstances.
It says the only way to pay is via the 'Fireaems (sic) License Application Portal' NOPE!
PS: I did point out to them that they misspelled 'Firearms'....
It is the same portal that tells me I owe, but does not give me anyway to pay online.
I send an e-mail and I get a response...
"Sir in researching your inquiry the ability to add a payment is inactivate at this time you will need to submit your payment by mail the Indiana State Police can not accept Personal Checks."
Hello! Your website clearly states as of 1/1/17 (we are beyond that date) you won't take my payment via mail, and will send it back! Which is it? (At least they fixed their typo on the website - I checked)
You would think in this day and age they could have a hyperlink in their 'disclaimer' to take you to the payment portal, but not in Indianapolis. NOPE!
I mean isn't one of the strengths of government is how to take We the Peoples' money?
I am going to call them today. I think I will just start over from scratch and see if that will work. I'll keep you posted.
End RANT