Getting a Handgun license in Philadelphia

[junglebob]

I read an couple of interesting posts on Thefireingline forum about getting a license in Philadelphia. Someone said that it can take 6 months and someone else said they have been know to illegally fingerprint CCL applicants. Considering I got my non-resident Pa license in 10 days including snail mail time form Centre County Sheriffs Department, I find that interesting. I can see the same thing happen in Chicago when we get concealed carry in Illinois if the police department or local sheriff issues.

Anyone from Pa want to comment?

[lildobe]

There are actually several Sheriff's on the eastern side of PA who are doing things that are technically illegal when issuing permits.

PA law states that it shall take no longer then 45 days to issue a LTCF. Delaware County and Philadelphia county are notorious about taking too long, as well as disseminating just plain WRONG information about the LTCF.

Things like telling license holders that their firearm MUST remain concealed at all times (PA is an Open Carry state and LTCF holders have no duty to maintain concealment) or that their LTCF is not valid out of the state of PA (Um... yeahhhhh...) among other things.

Delaware County is also notorious for contacting your EMPLOYER and TELLING them that you've applied for a LTCF and then asks about your character. They have also put the restriction that your "references" on your application MUST be Delaware County Residents. Both of which are WAY overstepping the bounds of their authority.

If you know people having trouble getting their permits (since PA is a Shall Issue state) have them sign up over at http://www.pafoa.org and post their problems.

Or they can post here and I will do my best to answer them.