News

January 3, 2009

Sheriff limiting gun applications

Because of county layoffs, gun permit requests won’t be taken for 2 weeks.

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

Because of county personnel cuts, the Luzerne County Sheriff’s Department will not accept gun permit applications for two weeks.

Sheriff Michael Savokinas sent out a press release Friday saying he needs to revamp the department since county officials announced staff cuts to help balance the budget.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience during this time of transition,” Savokinas said. His directive is in effect until Jan. 19.

A deputy and a civilian, both part-timers, oversaw the gun permit division in the department, accepting applications every week day until they were laid off. They were among 20 part-time employees and three full-time clerks in the sheriff’s office who lost their jobs during county layoffs that took effect Thursday.

Another full-time vacancy created by the retirement of a deputy will not be filled.

Savokinas said he is rotating a handful of deputies to cover bailiff duties at the courthouse – transporting prisoners and processing the gun permit applications.

“I had to completely retrain individuals to carry out these duties,” Savokinas said. “We have deputies now only handling courtroom functions, but also clerical.”

He called it a “bad decision” to lay off the part-time employees because his department will spend more on overtime costs to handle all their duties, Savokinas said.

Once applications are accepted again, Savokinas will limit the drop-off period from noon to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. There is a $31 permit application fee – $15 of which goes to Luzerne County and the remainder to the state police and sheriff’s deputy training commission. People can download an application from the county’s Web site, www.luzernecounty.org

Anyone who had previously applied for a permit and has been informed the permit is available may pick it up next week. Hours are 4-8 p.m. Monday through Friday on the second floor of the sheriff’s office, 200 N. River St.

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7159.

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