Welcome. Whap. Glad to have another local on the boards.
Although people are expressing what may seem very different views regarding this, I think there are some common threads that you need to consider.
Because I can't do this using a Socratic dialogue, please bear with me. I am not trying to sound "preachy" or "telling you what to do"; the method of communication does not really allow anything else.
# 1
Theoretically, Bailenforcer and davidmcbeth are correct, but I think you know that.
Bailenforcer is correct that, in the eyes of many who follow a literal, interpretation of the US Constitution and couple that with the understanding promulgated by many, if not all, of our country’s founders, what you have done is only stating the truth and have roused the beast in doing so.
In support of davidmcbeth’s point, since you were given a CPL at one point in time, and one of the legal requirements is that the person applying be a US citizen, you must have met that requirement at one point in time. Therefore, since the Federal Government has specified a specific process that needs to be followed in order to renounce one’s citizenship”. Unless you have done as required, your “citizenship” has not changed. A county board does not have the authority to over-ride federal law in regards to citizenship...if this is the reason they deny your CPL. We don't know this yet but I don't think they would argue that point when there is a much easier point that they could argue more likely to be successful. (I'll get to that later)
#2.
We live in a society in which a majority of people, especially those in power, do not acknowledge #1. Actually, not only do those people not acknowledge the truth of #1, they actively oppose those who espouse such views in the most strenuous way possible…up to, and including, violence. Since it can come to that, perhaps a better word for it would be “war”. So, imho, you have provoked a fight and are now having second thoughts about that decision. Personally, if I am going to possibly have to wage a battle, in whatever form my adversary may appear, I try to prepare for possible reactions to my activities and develop counter-actions. Much like a chess game, I think in order to win a battle a person must be able to effectively predict your adversary’s behavior and plan for those possibilities. This is shown by my choice to carry a pistol and it is found in my researching law to understand what I may be up against in any confrontation.
It appears you may not have done that. Perhaps you believed that Michigan is “shall issue” and if you meet verifiable criteria, they would never deny a person the privilege of getting a CPL? Perhaps you mistakenly believed that since Ottawa County is a “Republican Stronghold”, you thought the elected leaders with an “R” in front of their name actually supported your rights, if even in a small way, and would hand out CPLs with wild abandon?
You could not be more incorrect.
You chose the one county that has repeatedly denied CPLs to people otherwise qualified…even under their very demanding rules. There have been a few who have come here to ask for help or just complain about Ottawa County. I feel for you, but unless you are willing to spend massive amounts of money on attorneys and have a few years to fight this, you will most likely lose. Don’t believe me, see:
HEINDLMEYER v. OTTAWA CTY. CONCEALED WEAPONS LIC. BD.
DOCKET NO. 255738.
707 N.W.2d 353 (2005)
268 Mich. App. 202
http://www.leagle.com/decision/20051060707NW2d353_1752
The law says:
(7) The concealed weapon licensing board shall issue a license to an applicant to carry a concealed pistol within the period required under this act after the applicant properly submits an application under subsection (1) and the concealed weapon licensing board determines that all of the following circumstances exist:
* * *
Issuing a license to the applicant to carry a concealed pistol in this state is not detrimental to the safety of the applicant or to any other individual. A determination under this subdivision shall be based on clear and convincing evidence of repeated violations of this act,2 crimes, personal protection orders or injunctions, or police reports or other clear and convincing evidence of the actions of, or statements of, the applicant that bear directly on the applicant's ability to carry a concealed pistol.
((M.C.L. § 28.425b (7)
)
The CPL board reads this as: “If we feel based on the information we have that you’re a danger to this com¬munity, we will reject your application,”
See pg 2 of this article:
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/x1849222828/Who-s-packing-heat-and-why?zc_p=1
So, I sincerely wish you luck in your attempt to mitigate your behavior which, imho, was not very well thought out…considering you are now regretting it. You would most likely prevail, but the cost will likely be exorbitant. Their argument would most likely be that by sending that letter to the board, you have given them "clear and convincing evidence" that "bears directly on the applicant's ability to carry a concealed pistol". SO, prepare to argue against that...if that is the reason that they denied the CPL.
