Springfield, VA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Due to the legal action supported by Gun Owners of America (GOA), the Philadelphia Police Department Gun Permit Unit (GPU) began accepting applications for a license to carry firearms (LTCF) via electronic mail as of Monday, December 7, 2020.
GOA was the first gun rights organization to file suit against the City of Philadelphia for excessive delays in issuing LTCFs in the wake of the COVID crisis.
Gun Owners of America, Inc., et. al. vs. City of Philadelphia and Commissioner Danielle M. Outlaw was filed on October 5, 2020. The lawsuit sought to force the City to accept and process LTCF applications within the specified time required by law. Additionally, our motion for peremptory judgment gave the City the option to accept applications via alternative means, like other counties are doing across Pennsylvania.
Almost immediately, the GPU responded by putting on a second shift of detectives who began taking applications five days per week in order to speed up processing.
However, on November 18, 2020 the City of Philadelphia closed the GPU. Upon request from GOA attorney Andrew Austin, the City Solicitor informed the Court of Common Pleas of the reason for the closure and that they would be reopening the GPU on December 7, 2020. When the GPU could not physically reopen, they shifted to taking applications via email which is consistent with the relief sought by GOA in the motion for peremptory judgment.
“While it was unfortunate for the officers, the COVID exposure was proof-positive that the City’s system did not work,” said Andrew Austin, attorney for GOA and the ten plaintiffs suing the City. “The City represented to the Court that the unit would reopen on December 7th, and when they couldn’t do so, they had no other choice but to concede and begin accepting applications by alternate means.”
“I’m also pleased that the GPU is beginning to accept LTCF applications again,” said Dr. Val Finnell, Pennsylvania Director for GOA. “We are reminding applicants that the GPU has 45 days to issue their LTCF. If not, I’ve asked them to contact us if they experience delays.”
Other gun rights organizations also sued the City of Philadelphia. On November 20, 2020, the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) sued the City in Federal Court taking a constitutional approach. The joint threat of GOA’s mandamus and FPC’s preliminary injunction guaranteed that the City was going to lose sooner or later.
Andrew Austin, Esq., 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.
Making good people defenseless doesn’t make bad people harmless.
Great one-liner! Can I use it?
Accepting applications is not the same as issuing them. Glad to read there is a time limit on processing the application. Fine if state i# “shall issue” but if not I predict a serious spike in rejections.
Sounds as though GOA will be monitoring situation and following through. Thanks GOA.
Did you notice that the defendant named is Outlaw, just the same as the action the city was trying to implement against citizens wanting a conceal and carry license. Wonder if that was on purpose? LOL
Sir, if it was not for the NRA you would not even be able to own a firearm. All you ill informed people need to thank the NRA for all the good they have done. From your comments you must be without sin so I guess you can cast the first stone at the NRA. Now if you don’t understand what the meaning of casting the first stone you would well do by picking up a Bible and read about what Christ said and apply it to your live.
“All you ill informed people”
People have indicated specific acts of the NRA advocating for gun control.
What do you think Christ would think about retired constables hoping his colleagues that are still in the business would confiscate the firearms of people who criticized the NRA?
Watch um, I suspect that most people here can quote scripture, so while you’re at it, you might want to consider who else can do it for his own purposes. While I have a soft spot for the Donatic heresy, it’s rare to find someone who espouses it. The NRA has NOT been for the 2A for the vast majority of its history. It started as a training org and had to be dragged, kicking and screaming into the battle for gun rights. Despite its propaganda, it has a long history of tailoring the anti-guns bills that go to congress.… Read more »
Watch um,
Some data to consider.
MM44M,
I don’t know who has the rights to the picture. You could type up your own interpretation of it, it’s just data. Then you could find a sign and banner shop who might make them up for you. The setup fee is usually pretty cheap, then it’s just a question of how many you want to have printed up and the size. It would be cheaper to have a bunch of your friends get in on it with you. Just a thought. I’m not a lawyer and I didn’t stay at Hotel 6.
My interpretation would also include that the NRA fails, even as a training org. For many decades their training was: “Never load your firearm until you are at the firing line.” IOWs, they trained hundreds of thousands of people that all guns are unloaded all the time. The exact opposite of the way firearms are used. Thus this large error led to thousand of; “Gee, I didn’t know the gun was loaded” deaths, plus uncountable numbers of injuries. All due to the NRA’s stupidity. And they only changed that policy just recently, when they were forced to do so. Dragged… Read more »
Well said.