How do you get a concealed carry permit in Pittsburgh?

Getting Started…

For many individuals, the task of obtaining a concealed carry permit is daunting and one that can be shrugged as “too much of a hassle.” The average person may think that there must be an extensive process that would not be worth the comfort and safety of legally carrying a firearm. There is good news and bad news to the aforementioned assumptions…

The bad news is that many people fall victim to this lack of action. However, the good news is that this misconception about obtaining a concealed carry in Pittsburgh could not be further from the truth. By the end of this brief read, the simplistic nature of obtaining a concealed carry in the Steel City will be a pleasant surprise.

The Application

The first step in obtaining a concealed carry permit in Pittsburgh is to print and fill out an application. As many applications for various permits are lengthy and filled with unnecessary red tape, the concealed carry application is different. The application is two pages long, and requires typical personal information along with the name, address, and telephone number of two references outside your family. A good suggestion for these references would be a former employer or someone who can speak well on your character and morals. A simple google search can direct an individual to the application to be printed and populated.  

Once the application is complete, next will be the enclosure of $20 cash in your application. As far as permits go, $20 cash is a small price to pay for the peace of mind and protection provided by legally carrying a firearm.

Going to the Sheriff’s Office

The next step will consist of turning in your application to the Sheriff’s office located in downtown Pittsburgh at 436 Grand St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. 

The turnaround process of successfully being approved for a permit can take as little as fifteen minutes! However, the key is the time of day chosen to head down to the Sheriff’s office.  Ideal times of day include earlier in the morning or middle of the day between 2:00 and 4:00 PM. The only times that are not ideal to turn in the application would be around lunch time and 5:00 PM, as this is the typical time people are free to take care of matters at the Sheriff’s office. The individuals who work down at the office are kind and make the process painless.

If all clears with a background check, they’ll have your picture taken and your official conceal carry permit printed in a matter of minutes.

There’s little doubt that the process of obtaining a concealed carry permit is worth the time and money, but what are the benefits that one receives? First, a permit allows for anyone concerned – other citizens, law enforcement and so on – that the person carrying the gun is a legal owner and carrier. This may seem like a given, but it is the paramount purpose of the concealed carry permit.  The entire process is grounded in the rights outlined in the Second Amendment of the Constitution. If you are a law abiding citizen in the city of Pittsburgh, getting your concealed carry is a process well worth the (little) time and money.

Gun Stores In Pittsburgh

If you are looking for a new handgun to go along with your concealed carry permit, Johnson’s Gun Depot in Greensburg has you covered. We have the most expansive inventory in the area and are always getting new things in. Give us a call or stop by to see if we have what you need!