Luzerne County resuming gun permit applications with new format

The Luzerne County Sheriff’s Department will resume acceptance of gun permit applications May 11, but with a different format due to the coronavirus, the county announced Thursday.

The county had suspended applications for licenses to carry firearms on March 17, largely due to concerns about too many people waiting in lines.

Under the new plan, permit seekers must place all required application paperwork in a sealed envelope and deposit it in a box set up at the county courthouse on River Street between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Applicants will be contacted within 45 calendar days with a date and time to appear in person for their photograph and electronic signature to be recorded.

The advance drop-off and requirement for appointments to complete the process will eliminate crowds not permitted during the pandemic, county Sheriff Brian Szumski said Thursday.

“We’re trying to open up the process, but we can’t have a mad rush,” Szumski said.

His office processes approximately 7,000 to 7,500 license requests for county residents annually, he said. Each license is good for five years.

The Uniform Firearms Act, Section 6106(b)(12), allows a six-month “grace period” for individuals with expired licenses who are otherwise eligible for renewal of their license, the county said.

According to the release, the following items must be placed in the sealed envelope by license seekers: a fully completed application; a contact phone number where a message can be left about the license; a copy of the applicant’s current and valid driver’s license or photo identification card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation bearing the same address stated in the application; and a certified check or money order in the amount of $20 made payable to the Sheriff of Luzerne County.

Immigration papers and other additional documentation must be provided by applicants who are not U.S. citizens.

Those seeking renewal of licenses to sell firearms must email their application and a signed copy of their federal firearms license to mike.melber@luzernecounty.org.

The sheriff’s office will contact dealer applicants with further instructions to complete the renewal process at a later date because state police are not processing these applications by phone, the release said. Applications for new licenses won’t be accepted until the office reopens to the public.

Applications for precious metals licenses will only be accepted and returned by mail. Submissions must include completed applications and a $50 certified check or money order payable to the Sheriff of Luzerne County.

Online links to all applications have been posted on the sheriff’s section at www.luzernecounty.org.