Search articles from thousands of Examiners
Write for us
Dallas Politics DC Gun Rights Examiner
This article is part of Washington DC's Info 101
DC Gun Rights Examiner

DC City Council enables residents’ easy access to mail order handgun carry permits 101

February 15, 5:56 PMDC Gun Rights ExaminerMike Stollenwerk
4 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe


Get alerts when there is a new article from the DC Gun Rights Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.
Email Address


  Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use

In my last column I highlighted the draconian nature of the DC City Council’s changes to the District’s gun control laws quietly passed in December, 2008 amidst all the Presidential inaugural hubbub. But here’s the silver lining  – the Council’s repeal of the Police Chief’s discretionary authority to issue gun carry permits makes district residents eligible to obtain mail order handgun carry permits from Pennsylvania

Here’s why
Pennsylvania requires non-resident applicants to possess a home state carry permit, unless the home state or district does not issue carry permits. Only Illinois, Vermont, and now DC refuses to issue gun carry permits. At least Vermont has a good excuse in that no permit is required to carry a handgun in Vermont, even concealed.
And while it’s true that District residents could always apply for mail order handgun carry permits from such states as Virginia, Florida, and Utah, all of those states charge a significant fee and require both fingerprinting and some proof of training. Pennsylvania on the other hand requires neither proof of training nor fingerprints, nor, thanks to a federal lawsuit I won a few years ago with the help of the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund, disclosure of your social security number.
The acceptance of other states’ gun carry permits (normally only required to conceal guns) has not matured like the acceptance of driver’s licenses which is now universal between states. As a result, many gun owners hold 2 or more carry permits to maximize the number of states in which they can carry their handgun.  As this map at HandgunLaw.us illustrates, Pennsylvania’s permit is accepted by many states.
So how do you apply?
Here’s how –under the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act, Pennsylvania sheriffs and the Philadelphia Police Chief are required to issue a “License to Carry Firearms” to all applicants unless the applicant does not pass the background check. But some Sheriffs are more friendly to non-residents than others, and the most friendly Sheriff is Denny Nau of Centre County, home to Penn State’s Nittany Lions.
Happy Trails,
Sheriff Denny Nau
Sherriff Nau’s web link outlines the following easy process to apply:
·         Fill out the Application (consider humoring me and write “not disclosed if any” in the block for optional disclosure of SSN). 
·         Photos not required now but will be soon
·         Submit a copy of a governmentally issued photo-ID (driver’s license is the norm) and proof of address if the ID does not list your address.
·         Include payment of $26.00.
·         Mail it off to: Centre County Sheriff's Office, 213 East High Street, Bellefonte, PA, 16823

 


 

Comments

Name:


Comments:
characters left

NOTE: Do Not Alter These Fields:

Recent Articles

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Only hours ago Somali pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama in International waters. But unlike last April, when the ship was taken captive, this time …
Friday, November 13, 2009
Americans will be able to carry loaded guns in National Parks starting on February 22, 2010 thanks to the Coburn Amendment which was attached to the …

Things to see and do

House of Blues Gospel Brunch
22 Nov 2009 - 12 pm
House of Blues - Dallas
More music »
Curious George LIVE!
NOKIA Theatre at Grand Prairie