Gun Owners of America Takes Philadelphia to Court Over Delays in Concealed Carry Applications

Gun Owners of America (GOA) teamed up with ten Philadelphia residents to file a lawsuit against the city for unreasonable delays in the license to carry firearms (LTCF) processing.

“The Philadelphia Police Department is not accepting LTCF applications in a timely manner,” declared Val Finnell, Pennsylvania Director for Gun Owners of America. “At least two of our plaintiffs have received initial appointments for January of 2022 and that’s unacceptable.”

“The law gives them 45 days to issue a LTCF, but residents are waiting more than a year for an appointment just to turn in their application,” remarked Andrew Austin, attorney for the Plaintiffs. “It’s a standardized form made by the [Pennsylvania] State Police that some counties in Pennsylvania are accepting by email. There is absolutely no justification for this.”

The uncertainty coming from the Wuhan virus pandemic and the ensuing social instability have compelled record numbers of Americans to buy firearms across the nation. In Philadelphia, an individual cannot carry a firearm openly or concealed without an LTCF. Thanks to these prolonged delays in LTCF processing, new gun owners, or those with permits that are about expire, cannot legally defend themselves when they are outside of their house.

In a GOA update, the pro-gun organization noted that delays in LTCF processing are also present in other counties in Pennsylvania. GOA pointed out that the Allegheny County’s Sherriff’s office is already more than overflowed with permit applications

GOA is seeking a Writ of Mandamus against the City of Philadelphia Police Department, which can be read here.

Pennsylvania is middle of the road as far as gun rights are concerned and is a major battleground state in the 2020 elections.

It is smart for gun organizations to use the current Wuhan virus upheaval to talk about the benefits of gun ownership to first-time gun buyers and try to bring new prospects into their fold.

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