Allegheny County - New, Speedy LTCF Processing

[Emptymag]

I needed to get my LTCF. It's been expired for a while, so no renewal this time around.
I went and checked out the sheriff's website to look for business hours and found none. Nice. Oh well, I could always call if I needed.

What I did see that piqued my interest was the following...

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PENNSYLVANIA LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED FIREARM:
**** DUE TO THE INCREASED SPEED AND EFFICIENCY OF THE PA INSTANT CHECK SYSTEM (PICS), AND THEREFORE THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, WE HAVE TRANSITIONED TO A
ONE-STEP PROCESS ****

Both NEW and RENEWAL Applicants need ONLY do the following:
1. Appear in-person with a valid and accurate PA Drivers' License or PA Photo ID Card.
2. Completely fill out an application (all information MUST match your ID and two references with complete address and phone numbers are REQUIRED.)
3. Upon approval, payment of $20.00 in the form of CASH ONLY is required.
The aforementioned three-step process should be completed in five to ten minutes and your license will be issued the SAME DAY.

Interesting.

I had my wife drop me off and drive around rather than paying $20 to park in a lot somewhere.
As I walked into the courtyard where the water fountain is I hit the stopwatch timer on my phone, and went in the door that is clearly marked with a white sign stating "SHERIFF'S FIREARMS PERMITS ENTRANCE".

There were three guys ahead of me.

When it was my turn I handed him the form I had filled out ahead of time and was asked for my driver's license. The license was swiped and handed back to me. He looked over my form to see that it was complete and asked me to stand in front of the wall for my photo. "click"
He keyed something into the keyboard (assuming teh state background check) and about 3 seconds later announced, "approved."
"OK, fill out your name on this blue card and I'll fill out the rest, and I'll need twenty dollars."
Done and done.
A few seconds later he turned and grabbed my laminated LTCF from the machine and handed it to me with a "Have a good one - see you in five years!"

I walked out the door, took out my phone and stopped the timer.
07:17 total time INCLUDING waiting for the three guys who were in front of me.

WOW!



I'm a little ticked that they changed my "reason" to carry from "Constitution motherfucker!" to "Self Defense".



Actually they DID change it. I selected "Other" from the list but on the actual LTCF it says "self defense". (as they have done in the past as well)



Anyway, I didn't see any mention of the faster service on the forum so I figured I'd mention it. I don't know when they implemented the "speedy LTCF", but I'm glad they did.
I could have left my car sitting in the middle of the street running and been out before the light changed!

[streaker69]

They're doing it wrong. They're supposed to take your fingerprints, you supply the photo at your cost and then they'll determine if you have any outstanding parking tickets to see if you're worthy enough to carry. You should go back and complain.

[JoshIronshaft]

That's awesome!

[gghbi]

So how long did you have to stand by the curb waiting for Mrs EM to drive around the block and pick you up?

[Deleted]

A few seconds later he turned and grabbed my laminated LTCF from the machine and handed it to me with a "Have a good one - see you in five years junior!"
!

Fixed it for you!!

[JDA58]

Good to know!

[QuackXP]

Was your photo a piece of shit with a significantly pink tint to it? Or did they fix that to?

Nice to see they got a more streamlined process in place finally.

[HiredGoon]

They're doing it wrong. They're supposed to take your fingerprints, you supply the photo at your cost and then they'll determine if you have any outstanding parking tickets to see if you're worthy enough to carry.

As well as making him get a police check card AND pay for that too

[Sgt.K]

.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PENNSYLVANIA LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED FIREARM:

**** DUE TO THE INCREASED SPEED AND EFFICIENCY OF THE PA INSTANT CHECK SYSTEM (PICS), AND THEREFORE THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, WE HAVE TRANSITIONED TO A
ONE-STEP PROCESS ****

Both NEW and RENEWAL Applicants need ONLY do the following:
1. Appear in-person with a valid and accurate PA Drivers' License or PA Photo ID Card.
2. Completely fill out an application (all information MUST match your ID and two references with complete address and phone numbers are REQUIRED.)
3. Upon approval, payment of $20.00 in the form of CASH ONLY is required.

The aforementioned three-step process should be completed in five to ten minutes and your license will be issued the SAME DAY.

Am I the only one who caught this?

[HiredGoon]

Also from that website... they DO care if you have parking tickets:

DENIAL CRITERIA

In addition to receiving a "DENIED" status by PICS, your application will NOT be accepted by the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office if you:

1. Have an open case with ANY court (including traffic citations, parking tickets, fish and game, etc)
2. Have a closed case with ANY court with a remaining case balance. This is to include payment arrangements made with any court. Fines and court costs MUST be paid in FULL before your application will be accepted.

** Any applicant that still has a yellow postcard from the old two-step process should just pick up their license as previously instructed.**