My town is awesome, back when I got mine there wasn't L1 yet. I walked into my local PD around noon. The clerk gave me the sheet, I filled it out while she radioed an officer to fingerprint me. I gave her my paperwork and money order and she said have a seat.
About 12 minutes later the JBT showed up, took me in back, finger printed me. Asked me what kinda guns I had, then said "I'm just curios, I'm kind of the resident gun nut, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." We talked guns for about 5 minutes. Then I took my fingerprint card. Went to the front desk and the clerk gave me my stuff and a big envelope and said put your money order in here for the state and mail it off.
At about 1240 I was at the post office, paid my postage and was back home before 1. I even stopped and got lunch form the local hotdog stand.
Took about 6 weeks for the pink paper to arrive, but the town of Cedar Lake has it right.
I can see an advantage in having the process go through local LE. In smaller communities where everyone knows everyone, LE more likely aware of who the trouble makers/hotheads/suspected(and with good reason) criminals are. This process gives LLE the means to justifiably "not approve" an application that would not raise any flags at ISP.
Scenario:
An applicant comes into the local station with their hair falling out, no fingernails, black teeth, sores, scratching and babbling incessantly, weighs 65 lbs, reeks of anhydrous ammonia and wants to pay with a combination of coffee filters, animal bones, copper tubing and wiring. There is nothing in the database alluding to any suspicious behavior.
Granted, the scenario may very well be far-fetched but makes my point.
On the other hand, I can also agree with your point when this part of the process is executed by some who overstep their authority and enforce their views in contrast to the law.
One could also argue that the "scenario" is invalid in that constitutional carry should be the law of the land...
My town is awesome, back when I got mine there wasn't L1 yet. I walked into my local PD around noon. The clerk gave me the sheet, I filled it out while she radioed an officer to fingerprint me. I gave her my paperwork and money order and she said have a seat.
About 12 minutes later the JBT showed up, took me in back, finger printed me. Asked me what kinda guns I had, then said "I'm just curios, I'm kind of the resident gun nut, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." We talked guns for about 5 minutes. Then I took my fingerprint card. Went to the front desk and the clerk gave me my stuff and a big envelope and said put your money order in here for the state and mail it off.
At about 1240 I was at the post office, paid my postage and was back home before 1. I even stopped and got lunch form the local hotdog stand.
Took about 6 weeks for the pink paper to arrive, but the town of Cedar Lake has it right.
West Lafayette PD makes you wait 2 weeks after giving them your L1 receipt before they will accept your $50. During that time they have a detective do a background check on you. After 2 weeks you have to call in for the BG check result, and assuming it's clear then you can go in and pay the local fee.
I'm currently at 1 week, 3 days, and counting..
I thought everything got sent to Indy anyways? Why not just deal with the state?
In re-reading your post, I wonder if it's that way because WLPD is the agency doing your background check, not just your L1 location.
Gloria over at the Sheriff's office is very efficient about getting these done, and Sheriff Brown is lucky to have her there.
I had a similar experience here in Mishawaka. Always been a good experience at the MPD. Wolds apart from the SBPD were I had to go one time to renew. That was a nightmare.