ACSO - Firearms

CAREFULLY READ ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS BELOW TO ENSURE THERE ARE NO ERRORS ON YOUR APPLICATION AND YOU HAVE SUPPLIED ALL OF THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION AND IDENTIFICATION TO THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

1. Applying is ALWAYS a two-step process. Whether you apply in person or take advantage of our NEW mail/e-mail application program, each applicant will need to appear in the Sheriff's Firearms Office to receive their license upon approval.

2. Applicants can only renew up to 60 days before their expiration date and six (6) months AFTER their expiration date.

3. Upon sending in your application, DO NOT re-file for at least 45 days.

WHICH KIND OF APPLICANT ARE YOU?

NEW APPLICANTS

RENEWING APPLICANTS

Primary Identification - (A CURRENT Pennsylvania Drivers License OR a CURRENT Pennsylvania Identification Card)
Secondary Identification - (Voters Registration, Vehicle Registration, Current W-2 Form, PA Hunting/Fishing License OR Professional License issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)
NOTE: The primary and secondary identification MUST have the same address on both.
Two References - ( MUST include FULL Name, FULL Address & Phone Number; CANNOT be family member and MUST live in Pennsylvania.)
NOTE: Reference MUST be printed on the firearms application.

Primary Identification - (A CURRENT Pennsylvania Drivers License OR a CURRENT Pennsylvania Identification Card)
Secondary Identification - (Previous Permit which can be no longer than 60 days expired.)
NOTE: The primary and secondary identification MUST have the same address on both.
Two References - ( MUST include FULL Name, FULL Address & Phone Number; CANNOT be family member and MUST live in Pennsylvania.)
NOTE: Reference MUST be printed on the firearms application.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO APPLY?

E-MAILING APPLICANTS

MAILING APPLICANTS

When using the e-mail process to send in your application, please save your application as a .pdf file onto your hard drive and then send that file as an attachment to the Firearms Office at the e-mail address below.

Also, DO NOT FORGET to attach copies of your identification, as well as references to the e-mail.

firearms@alleghenycourts.us

IMPORTANT: INCOMPLETE OR INCORRECT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY IDENTIFICATION ON APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE PROCESSED.

1. Print out the application on one sheet of paper. Make sure you print the application out on the front and back.

2. Mail Copies of your primary and secondary identification with the application to the following address:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
ATTN: FIREARMS
436 GRANT STREET, ROOM G8
PITTSBURGH, PA 15219

IF YOU ARE A NON-US CITIZEN...
NOTE: If you are applying for a firearms permit and you are a Non-US Citzen, you MUST apply in person.

1. IMMIGRATION CARD / PAPERS
2. IMMIGRATION NUMBER
3. LAST THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF A UTILITY BILL (IE GAS, ELECTRIC)
(MUST HAVE NAME AND CURRENT ADDRESS LISTED)
4. TWO (2) FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION (LISTED ABOVE)
5. TWO (2) REFERENCES (LISTED ABOVE)

FIREARMS FEES
NOTE: All Firearms Fees MUST be paid in CASH ONLY.

NEW & RENEWAL PERMITS -	$25.00
RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PERMITS -	$2.50
* DO NOT SEND PAYMENT WITH YOUR APPLICATION * Pay when you pick up your permit. You will receive a YELLOW CARD in the mail if you have been approved.

NOTE: THE FIREARMS DIVISION WILL BE CLOSING AT 12 NOON ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2009 AND CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

The Sheriff's Office Firearms License Division handles license to sell firearms and license to carry firearms.

By state law the Sheriff has the responsibility to process all applications to carry handguns in Allegheny County and to issue license to all those applicants who qualify, based on an extensive background investigation done by the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff also licenses all firearms dealers in the county.

It is illegal under Pennsylvania law for anyone to sell or otherwise deliver a firearm to "any person under the age of 18 years, or one he has reasonable cause to believe has been convicted of a crime of violence, or is a drug addict, a habitual drunkard, or of unsound mind."

Crimes of violence include murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, arson, extortion accompanied by threats of violence, assault by prisoner, assault by life prisoner, and kidnapping.