New to PA, need to get my permit

[xd675]

Hey everyone!

I just moved in from North CA about 40 days ago, and want to continue to be able to legally CCW. This has been pushed to the forefront for me after several incidents that occurred near me. The process is very different from CA. My main issue being personal references, the only people that know me is people from work. I'd rather not try to use them as a reference for obvious reasons. What are my best options to get my permit ASAP?

Non-resident or resident?

Also, I am looking for a good private range near South Allentown. Any good ones?

[IV_Warrior]

Find out if your references have to be local. Some sheriff's require them to be local residents (and sometimes for a at least X years) and others don't. If your sheriff doesn't require them to be county residents, use people from back home who know you.

If the sheriff does require them to be local, find a good shooting range, go make friends. Sorry I can't help on the range, I've only been to Allentown a handful of times, and don't know where ANY ranges are, let alone "good" ones. I'm sure somebody here does, though.

[xd675]

Well I just found out PA has reciprocity with Flordia, and maybe other states, never thought of this option before. Anybody here done this?

How long does a non-resident permit last? Do I still need local references for this?

Thanks for the quick response, the sheriff in Lehigh requires local references, and I am hoping to get into a private gun club and get new friends and references there.

[axmdr40]

xd675,
I'm not sure but I believe to get a Florida non-res permit, you need to have a permit in the state in which you reside. There is no reason not to get your permit in PA, but yes getting a non-resident Florida permit will also allow you carry in more states via reciprocity agreements.

[fingers80002]

Hey everyone!

I just moved in from North CA about 40 days ago, and want to continue to be able to legally CCW. This has been pushed to the forefront for me after several incidents that occurred near me. The process is very different from CA. My main issue being personal references, the only people that know me is people from work. I'd rather not try to use them as a reference for obvious reasons. What are my best options to get my permit ASAP?

Non-resident or resident?

Also, I am looking for a good private range near South Allentown. Any good ones?

York Co. doesn't require local ref's, 1 of mine is from MD.

[Chevmeister]

xd675,
I'm not sure but I believe to get a Florida non-res permit, you need to have a permit in the state in which you reside. There is no reason not to get your permit in PA, but yes getting a non-resident Florida permit will also allow you carry in more states via reciprocity agreements.

Florida does not require a permit from your state.

Well I just found out PA has reciprocity with Flordia, and maybe other states, never thought of this option before. Anybody here done this?

How long does a non-resident permit last? Do I still need local references for this?

Thanks for the quick response, the sheriff in Lehigh requires local references, and I am hoping to get into a private gun club and get new friends and references there.

I have a florida permit if thats what your asking, but i also have a Pa LTCF. While PA honors the florida permit there is some dispute as if a PA resident with a FL non res permit is legal or not. The law says it is, but the local LEO sometiems disagree. Florida permits last 5 years and there are no reference requirements.

[DaveM55]

I'm just surprised to hear you lived in Ca and had a permit. I didn't think anyone got unless they were famous. Are you Joe Montana?

[ChamberedRound]

Last time I checked (over a year ago), the Lehigh Sheriff requires references to be Lehigh county residents. I work in Allentown, and a co-worker who lived in Lehigh county at the time wanted to get a permit. I volunteered to be a reference for him, but when he checked with the Lehigh Sheriff's office they told him he couldn't use me as one because I live in Berks county, and that references must be Lehigh residents. Not sure if the Sheriff's office has changed their tune since, but I would doubt it.

There's nothing in the law that specifically allows the Sheriff to do this, but nothing that specifically prevents him either.

[Gkgas]

Lehigh County asks for 2 Lehigh county references as of last February. Would have no reason to think they changed it.

[ChamberedRound]

Just realized I didn't really answer your question. IMHO, your best bet is to make some friends and get your resident permit. You're less likely to have a problem in PA with a resident permit as opposed to a non-resident one, especially given that many LEOs don't know the law with respect to either.