UPDATE: BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LANCASTER COUNTY DATED APRIL 1, 2020, THE LANCASTER COUNTY COURTHOUSE WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF COURT EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY PROCEEDINGS.  

SHERIFF SALES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BY ORDER OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LANCASTER COUNTY.  

Due to the Covid-19 Epidemic, we have altered our procedures for the processing of License to Carry Permits. This modification may result in longer processing times, but this is necessitated by our desire to protect the public, and our dedicated staff, to the fullest extent possible.

Applications will no longer be accepted in person in the Office until further notice. The application for a new issuance, or for a renewal of an expiring license, will be accepted by regular mail. The application and instructions to apply or renew are set forth on this website -https://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/372/Firearms-Unit. The application must be completed in its entirety and signed and submitted under oath subject to penalties of law.

THE ONLY FORM OF PAYMENT THAT WILL BE ACCEPTED WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $20.00 MADE PAYABLE TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE OF LANCASTER COUNTY. THE APPLICATION ALSO MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A COPY OF THE APPLICANT’S CURRENT DRIVER’S LICENSE. PLEASE INCLUDE A CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER SO WE MAY CONTACT YOU. APPLICATION, MONEY ORDER AND COPY OF CURRENT DRIVER’S LICENSE SHOULD BE MAILED TO:

LANCASTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

50 NORTH DUKE STREET

PO BOX 83480

LANCASTER, PA 17602

Once your application is received and processed by our Office, we will review the application, conduct the investigation we deem necessary, and then notify the applicant of a date and time when they may appear in the Office, complete the process and be issued a License to Carry Permit (or, be informed of a denial of issuance and the process to challenge that decision).

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office remains, as always, a staunch defender of the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. We remain equally committed to providing responsive quality service within all reasonable bounds of safety and security, to the public.

While we remain committed to continuing the processing and issuance of permits, we are subject to Federal, State, and Local governmental rules, regulations, and directives and will follow them as required. Therefore, the foregoing may change in the future based on changes made by such authorities.

The modification to the normal permitting process will be evaluated and return to the standard process once we have been informed by authorities that it is safe to do so. The modification is temporary and may be changed or altered at any time by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office due to the constantly evolving situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally, but most importantly, I personally, and on behalf of the entire Office, give our thoughts and prayers to those families dealing with this illness. We also give our thoughts and prayers to our County, State and Nation, and especially those medical providers and other first responders who are fighting on the front lines on behalf of us all. May God bless them and keep them safe.

Christopher R. Leppler

Sheriff of Lancaster County Pennsylvania