Westmoreland sheriff resumes walk-in applications for concealed carry gun permits

After nearly two years of Westmoreland County residents having to make an appointment to acquire a permit to carry a concealed gun, Sheriff James Albert said walk-in applications once again are being accepted.

Since March 30, 2020, because of social distancing recommendations connected with the coronavirus outbreak, the sheriff’s department has required residents seeking to acquire or renew permits to call for an appointment.

“I’ve been getting a lot of inquiries about it, studied it and decided to go back to permitting walk-in applicants, effective immediately,” Albert said.

Appointments had been spread out Monday through Friday in 15-minute increments. Recently, many who made appointments have not bothered to attend, he said.

“I checked (Monday). And out of 60 appointments, we had only 28 people who had reserved a spot show up,” Albert said.

Applicants can now apply between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays when the courthouse is open at the sheriff’s office, located in the basement. Applicants who want to apply from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays still are required to call the sheriff’s office in advance so security can let them into the courthouse.

Walk-in permit applicants also are being accepted by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. The office’s firearms division is on the ground floor of the Allegheny County Courthouse, at 436 Grant St. in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The Westmoreland sheriff’s office also will resume its satellite permitting events throughout the county, Albert said. The first is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Latrobe Municipal Building, 901 Jefferson St. Those coming to this event will be required to wear masks.

Applications for the event can be printed out and completed in advance. The gun permit paperwork can be found on the sheriff’s department website, co.westmoreland.pa.us/352/Firearms-Permits.

Licenses are valid for five years.

For more information on the permits or process, call the sheriff’s department at 724-830-3457.