TimesLeader.com

In the know........... said...

Hmmm......the 2nd Amendment and the PA Constitution says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed..... Of course that means squat when you have to get a piece of paper in order to do so. Unless of course the sheriff closed down for two weeks. Does this mean crime is taking a two week break too???

January 3, 2009 at 1:05 AM

Jeff said...

I feel bad for Savokinas. He's a good guy and has been doing a great job. It's a shame his office and others have to suffer the consequences of the unfair cuts. Unfair because Ciavarella's courts REFUSE to comply with the cuts. Ciavarella's courts are OVERSTAFFED and have been for years. Maybe Savokinas can borrow some of the fat from Ciavarella to do at least the clerical work.

January 3, 2009 at 6:50 AM

Jerry Atric said...

On a positive note, the new lettering and graphics on the sheriff's fleet look great. Then again the old graphics looked fine as well. Was it really necessary to spend $400 to $600 just to change the colors from blue and white to yellow and green? Although the sheriff's name emblazoned all over the vehicles is a nice touch.

January 3, 2009 at 8:44 AM

WOW said...

The line for c.c.w. permits is big now wait and see the back log,,, I do belive that the sheriffs office has 45 days under law to aprove or disaprove them GOOD luck to those applying now.. The poeple of losser county suffer AGAIN

January 3, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Pringle Hill said...

This is pure garbage, the Sheriff's department is over-staffed and has been for years. Now the Sheriff is cutting services such as handling gun permits. Maybe we should cut the Sheriff's services off all together and get a new sheriff who can handle the job without crying.

January 3, 2009 at 9:10 AM

nv said...

It is a shame that the people in the county will suffer because of the commissioners short sightedness. Then later in the year we will see them spending money like it is going out of style.

January 3, 2009 at 9:18 AM

nv said...

For the record he is limiting the hours that they are available. he does not have the power to limit how many will be given out. As a matter of fact he has 45 days to issue the license to carry a firearm. This is state law, not county. Also Pa. is a shall issue state. This means that he shall issue.

January 3, 2009 at 11:37 AM

Greg Rotz said...

This is a serious issue. The Sheriff, however well-intentioned, does not have the discretion to suspend this process, even temporarily, or to extend the turn-around time (beyond the 45 days permitted by law) because of staffing issues. Imagine if a Sheriff attempted to suspend prisoner transport for two weeks, to save the money normally spent on the gas.

January 3, 2009 at 11:53 AM

Jakeleg said...

not being a luzco resident, it doesn't affect me, however, from observation, the sheriff ought to be careful. there have been many lawsuits filed and handily won over a sheriff's decision to limit or disallow the permitting process. but, this is what comes from the people of luzco voting in a guy who has no idea what he's doing. live and learn, i guess.

January 3, 2009 at 12:01 PM

Sally said...

See....you all can do it!!! Start thinking smart and you can accomplish anything!!!

January 3, 2009 at 1:36 PM

Pundit said...

What's wrong with that Sheriff? We the People should come first in our lawful right to self protection. Issue the permits. Worry about the criminals and the Judges already caught later. Get the priorities straight. People have the right to self protection.

January 3, 2009 at 1:41 PM

Richard Banks said...

This is a real problem. The county has now jeopardized the ability of the sheriff's Dept to comply with their legal obligation to issue Licenses to Carry Firearms in accordance with 18Pa.C.S.6109 If the SO cannot make the necessary adjustments to ensure they comply with the law, in addition to all their other obligations such as prisoner transport, court duties, etc, then the SO and county will face possible lawsuits and injunctions. The county needs to cut funding to some of it's seemingly countless other programs (that are not required by law) to ensure the Sheriff's Department has the resources required to fulfill their legal and critically important obligations to the citizens. Shame on (as usual) Luzerne County commissioners for this lack of judgment.

January 3, 2009 at 2:03 PM

Hugh McGee said...

The sheriff is jerking the public around when he pulls a stunt like this. This behavior is typical of politicians and ranking government administrators when their departments get cut. Anyone, except those convicted of violent crimes, should be able to carry a gun if they want. A permit to do so by a government agency is baloney.

January 3, 2009 at 10:16 PM