Legal?!?! HELL NO!!
After reading this I sent Mr. Ford an email inquiring as to the provisions and procedures for obtaining a firearms purchase certificate. I will update here when I get his response. Frankly I think Mr. Ford spent too much time living in Iowa as the Sheriff there may deny a permit to aquire for cause, but he had better show VERY good cause. Iowa's laws are more lenient on a permit to aquire, though they have loosened up on the permit to carry concealed which also serves as the permit to aquire!
OK, first thing to do if you can afford to is to hire an attorney. If not, then maybe someone here knows one who can help a bit, and if all else fails people who know how to read like myself can help you.
This Ford guy sounds like an IDIOT, and I don't care what your reasons are for missing the hearing, you need to reschedule as you have been denied a right without due process of the law, in violation of your 14th amendment rights! If they refuse to grant you another hearing, then apply for another firearm purchase certificate, and let them deny you again. In fact, I would go down to apply carrying a firearm in accordance with SSC local municipal codes. When they deny this second permit, then appeal and cite the relevant statute. I am not an attorney, but am very well versed in firearms law and would even help you write a statement for your appeal. This is BULLYING, he is the big fish in the little pond, and he wants you to know that you carrying a gun in his jurisdiction is not welcome.
Well it's time for you to let HIM know that his bullying is not welcome. I would notify the local media, the city attorney, and mayors office too when you appeal. Larry Myhre of the Souix City Journal may be a little help, or he may know of another reporter there who would be sympathetic to your plight. Here is the big thing though, apply again, and wait for the denial. Do nothing else UNTIL AFTER you file your appeal. Once you have that with them, turn up the heat. Send a copy of your appeal to the city attorney, the mayor, and then to the county sheriff and county attorney telling them you wish to file a complaint as your rights have been violated and you wish to press charges. Then make your complaints and appeals known to the media citing the law as it stands. Whether the media likes guns or not, they cannot sit idly by while you are denied a legal right unlawfully.
If you want and/or need my help, and I will contact people with the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association too to see if they can help out, send me a PM.
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--Moderator edited personal attack--
Little good will come from insulting people, publicly on-line. Follow the law,yes, but do so in a responsible and professional manner.