Unlike some states, the procedure for obtaining a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms (Often called a concealed carry permit. I’ll just call it a permit.) is reasonable and straightforward. Pennsylvania is what’s referred to as a, “a shall-issue state.” Essentially that means that a Pennsylvania permit shall be issued to anyone who applies provided they meet the legal requirements and pay the fee. Pennsylvania permits are issued to residents and non-residents that are at least twenty-one years old. Non-residents must first have a permit in their home state in order to obtain a Pennsylvania permit. The permits last five years. There are no training requirements. Getting a permit is a matter of appearing in person, submitting the proper paperwork, paying the $20.00 fee and passing the background check. It’s all done in one trip and you walk out with a smile along with a bright and shiny new permit. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department even stays open until 8:00 PM on the second Wednesday of each month for the convenience of permit applicants.
In Cumberland County, PA this is how you get it done:
- Complete and sign the application. This includes identifying two non-family references.
- Submit the application along with the fee in person to the County Sheriff’s Office at the following address:
1 Courthouse Square
3rd Floor, Firearms and Licensing
Carlisle, PA - Bring you PA drivers license or PA ID card; and
- Be prepared to have your picture taken for the permit.
Directions to the office: Enter the new courthouse through the main doors, go through security (including the metal detector), and get on the elevator. Go to the 3rd floor, when you get off the elevator, turn right and go to the first office on the right. You’ve arrived at the Firearms & Licenses Division of the Sheriff’s Office. That’s the place where it all happens. Be patient, the process has multiple steps. They must make sure that the application is properly completed, they will take your picture for the permit, they will print the permit and they can’t speed up the background check. It all takes some time. But, it’s pretty painless and I think you’ll find the staff to be helpful, friendly and professional.
You can fill out the paperwork in the office. But, it’s better to get all your ducks in a row before you get there. To make it easy, here’s a link to the Sheriff’s instructions for how to apply: https://www.ccpa.net/DocumentCenter/View/31913/License-to-Carry-Firearms-Application-Instructions
Here’s a link for the application form itself: https://www.ccpa.net/DocumentCenter/View/3075/License-to-Carry-Concealed-Firearm-Application?bidId= Note that the form is two pages. Both pages must be submitted.
Additional information is available at the Cumberland County webpage. Here’s a link to the license to carry firearms portion of their page: https://www.ccpa.net/3094/License-to-Carry-Firearms
If you don’t live in Cumberland Country, PA contact your Sheriff’s office for their procedures.
Stay safe out there.
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