Sep 10, 2015 2 min read

After reading your Aug. 27 editorial, “1 in 6 in Washington County packing a gun,” I have to respond.

According to the law, an applicant has no need to convince the sheriff’s department of a need to carry firearms. The applicant must have a valid driver’s license or state identification and fill out an application. The law states the sheriff shall investigate the applicant and shall issue a license if the applicant passes an investigation and no good cause exists to deny the license. Of the $20 fee, Pennsylvania gets $15 and the sheriff’s department gets $5, hardly an incentive for the sheriff’s office.

When I was explaining the process of renewing an expiring permit at a seminar referenced in the editorial, I encouraged the participants not to wait until the day before the permit expires to try to renew it. It can take two to three weeks to get the permit renewed. What I explained in the seminar was that I have processed up to 100 applications a day between people renewing their permits, new applications, processing completed applications and actually issuing permits. I never implied I issue 100 permits per day.

For you to suggest I issue permits for money is completely irresponsible and insulting.

In Pennsylvania, if a non-prohibited person wants to carry a firearm to protect themselves or their family, they can.

Donald Jones

Washington

Jones is a sergeant and firearms instructor with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.