March 25, 2020
For immediate release

GOA to PA Sheriffs: Don’t Suspend the Right to Self-Defense

“By denying constituents the ability to seek and obtain a Pennsylvania LTCF, a sheriff denies them not only the ability to protect themselves and their families during this time of uncertainty, but also denies them their constitutionally protected rights.” — GOA’s Erich Pratt and Dr. Val Finnell

Springfield, VA – Gun Owners of America (GOA) today sent a letter to every Pennsylvania sheriff urging him or her to not suspend the processing of licenses to carry firearms (LTCFs).

GOA’s Senior Vice President Erich Pratt and Pennsylvania Director Dr. Val Finnell jointly wrote:

“By denying constituents the ability to seek and obtain a Pennsylvania LTCF, a sheriff denies them not only the ability to protect themselves and their families during this time of uncertainty, but also denies them their constitutionally protected rights.

“All sheriffs’ offices within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania face the same challenges as does your office, related to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Importantly, some offices have not taken the drastic steps of ceasing to process LTCF applications. Rather, many have taken other precautions designed to limit contagion, while still performing their essential task of assisting Pennsylvanians with obtaining licenses to carry. For example, some offices have shortened hours, limited locations for permit applications, or developed ways to process applications through the mail or by appointment…

“However, if you have suspended such operations, we urge you to consider such alternatives, rather than the drastic, unlawful, and unconstitutional decision to cease processing LTCFs, which denies your constituents the ability to exercise an enumerated constitutional right.”

GOA sent the letter right after two grassroots campaigns that activated Pennsylvanians to speak up for the right to keep and bear arms. The GOA campaigns included alerts urging sheriffs to process LTCFs and to elected officials encouraging them to support legislation like Constitutional Carry.

The letter to the sheriffs can be viewed here.

Erich Pratt, Dr. Val Finnell or another GOA spokesperson, is available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.

— GOA —