Almost 3,800 hours of overtime have been logged by workers processing permits this fiscal year, according to Mecklenburg County officials. From the beginning of the year, there have been 322 applications denied, according to the Sheriff's office. Gun rights advocates are suing the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office over the way the county is handling gun permit laws. I want to again thank the incredible staff of the Permitting and Registration Division for their tremendous efforts during this crisis and for remaining open while many other counties closed their doors. Welcome! Applications for pistol purchases must be approved within 14 days, while concealed carry permits must be issued or denied within 45 days, according to North Carolina state law. Its a problem only in Mecklenburg County, he said. Despite the frustrations he is hearing from people, Carmichael said the mental health checks are necessary. A North Carolina Superior Court judge ruled this week that Sheriff Garry McFadden may no longer delay issuing permits to people who apply. "If he needs to dedicate more resources to doing it, then I guess he's going to have to do that.". What are ghost guns? We always see different sectors of our industry - hunting, self-defense, hobby shooting - and they always move differently," Hyatt explained. ALSO READ: Police concerned over increase in guns stolen from cars in Charlotte. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. He would also like to see a state-wide mental health database that his deputies can check instead of sending requests to each provider. I hate that it is taking this long but Im glad that the process is there because all of the boxes are being checked and we are making sure that person is qualified to have a firearm and to have a concealed carry weapon, Carmichael said. For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app. Caroline Thomas took a concealed-carry class earlier this year. "I'm sorry but we're not accepting that argument," Valone said. Thats a big change from the temporary order, which required fingerprinting to be available within five days of an application being submitted. Statement from Grass Roots North Carolina president Paul Valone in May, one of the plaintiffs in the injunction: In violation of North Carolina law, Sheriff Garry McFadden has been dragging his feet in processing North Carolina pistol purchase permits and concealed handgun permits, often taking up to a year to issue permits and preventing lawful North Carolinians from buying and carrying handguns for defense of themselves and their families. Some said they had been waiting for months to get fingerprinted. The processing of the concealed handgun permit takes much longer than the handgun purchase permit. It is not on the sheriffs office. McFadden said he chooses to check with individual health providers for each applicant and requests mental health records instead of relying solely on a national database. The class explains the laws, regulations and safe handling of a gun. "If you are a domestic violence abuser, a minor, somebody experiencing a mental health crisis, you can go to a gun show or online and buy a gun, no questions asked," Ceartas said. Please use the order tracker to print and keep a copy of the attached receipt for your records if you have not already done so. They cite medical offices, including Veterans Affairs, with the delay. Residents can check the status of their pistol purchase and concealed handgun permits by visitingthe Mecklenburg County website and clicking on the Gun Permits/Fingerprints tab. What am I going to do? The sheriffs office also said that it never failed to request mental health records within the required 10 days of a completed gun permit application. (WATCH BELOW: 66-year-old woman, husband play waiting game to get concealed-carry permits). CHARLOTTE The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office said it's making significant progress on the processing of concealed carry handgun and pistol purchase permits after a considerable . There are currently about 7,600 concealed handgun permit applications pending in Mecklenburg county. Or, because I'm busy? The number of newly-submitted applications is slowly decreasing. Under the order, applications for concealed handgun permits are supposed to be issued or denied within 45 days, and 14 days for pistol purchase permits, according to North Carolina state law. If youre in Mecklenburg County, expect it to be about a year from the time you take the class, get an appointment to start your application and then the application will be processed, Cranston said. Thats a big change from the temporary order, which required fingerprinting to be available within five days of an application being submitted. is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), RELATED COVERAGE: Sheriffs office faces lawsuit as gun permit applicants wait months for approval, Busy road reopens after crash involving police cruiser in northwest Charlotte, Another homebuyer says Keyo Tiny House didnt do the work, Cornelius police officer resigns after arrest, officials say, DMVs scheduling changes to increase walk-in availability take effect, 2-year-old daughter of Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Shaquil Barrett drowns in pool, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. In May, the sheriffs office transitioned fingerprinting services to a first-come, first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I do respect the Second Amendment.. The Sheriff and his staff are required to follow strict federal guidelines when performing necessary procedures for fingerprinting. The lawsuit, which includes Grass Roots North Carolina, alleged Sheriff McFadden's office failed to meet statutory deadlines for pistol purchase and concealed handgun permits. You will be asked for information that will need to be included on the fingerprint card. Or, because I'm busy? You can pay for your fingerprinting online and make an appointment for your fingerprinting session. The perfect storm of a global pandemic and a staffing crisis, combined with an unprecedented number of permit applications, presented a significant challenge for our office. SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts||Spotify||Stitcher||Google Podcasts. Why is Biden taking action. The office will be available by State law requires sheriffs to tell permit applicants within 14 days whether a permit will be granted or denied. [WANT TO WATCH ON OUR STREAMING APPS? We believe this order sends a clear message to sheriffs in Guilford, Mecklenburg and Wake counties, among others, that obstructing lawful citizens from exercising the right to keep and bear arms will no longer be tolerated. She said she has now waited more than a year for her permit to be issued, and said that wait is an infringement of her rights. Updated: 5:38 PM EDT May 12, 2022. It then said it was providing fingerprinting services for gun permits on a first-come, first-served basis to comply with a judges order. 7,there were 4,942 pending applicants for concealed carry permits who have already been fingerprinted but are waiting for mental health clearances. I regret that as a result, for a period of time, we were unable to process handgun permits as efficiently as any of us would have liked. Some said they had been waiting for months to get fingerprinted. Please visit the below website for further information regarding NC Concealed Handgun Firearms Laws and reciprocity:NC DOJ Information. People wanting to carry a gun for self-defense are facing a long wait for a government permit. Especially for the military veterans who should be able to go right through. It was court-ordered back earlier in the year and the sheriffs office is complying with it," Carmichael said. We have also found that not everyone discloses their military status on their application, so to be sure we are getting accurate information our process is to check everyone through the same facilities which include the VA. Meck sheriff: Fingerprinting for gun permits now first come, first served after judges order. Some said they . However, other, less populated counties havent had the same backlog. We are processing your application and will update you, via email, as our progress proceeds. Applications are processed first in, first out, and unfortunately, the facilities do not send the releases back in chronological order. The sheriff's office must inform a gun owner whether it will approve or deny a pistol purchase permit within 14 days of receiving the application. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office Judge Clifton E. Johnson Building 700 E. 4th Street, Suite 120 Charlotte, NC 28202 The process is supposed to take just 90 days and under state law the sheriffs office is supposed to notify applicants whether their permit will be approved or denied in 14 days. Ive noticed it usually picks up before or leading up to election cycles, Cranston said. About 42 percent of those have been completed. (DO NOT APPLY FOR FINGERPRINTS IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR A CONCEALED PERMIT), If you need to change the address on your permit, order a duplicate or check the status of your application please visit www.mecksheriff.com. This includes a full set of fingerprints. Contact Jesse Pierre atjpierrepet@wcnc.comor follow her onFacebook,TwitterandInstagram. Statement from Grass Roots North Carolina president Paul Valone in May, one of the plaintiffs in the injunction: In violation of North Carolina law, Sheriff Garry McFadden has been dragging his feet in processing North Carolina pistol purchase permits and concealed handgun permits, often taking up to a year to issue permits and preventing lawful North Carolinians from buying and carrying handguns for defense of themselves and their families. It's frustrating for everybody," Hyatt said. Information Line: 704-336-8100. State law requires the sheriff's office to approve or deny pistol purchase permits within 14 days of receiving applications. These people are being denied their right to protect themselves by a sheriff who is refusing to issue concealed handgun permits in less than, in many cases, a year or more, Paul Valone told Senz. McFadden thanked staff for the overtime to help erase the backlog. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Fingerprinting is now available at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office as the county speeds up the processing of handgun permits. Do I need an appointment for fingerprinting services? It comes after gun rights advocates sued the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office, saying people faced long delays when trying to get handgun permits from the sheriffs office. Fingerprints are $10 for up to 5 fingerprint cards. Last August, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office was still processing permits from March of 2021. Gun rights advocates sued him in August 2021 after applicants faced long delays when applying for permits. HOMEOWNERS. The North Carolina General Assembly is also debating House Bill 398, which would get rid of the state's pistol purchase permit. Possesses it in violation of G.S. By doing so, you will not be charged the convenience fee. It comes after gun rights advocates sued the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, saying people faced long delays when trying to get handgun permits from the sheriff's office. The entire process can take 90-120 days from the application date. Valone said hes only seen it become an issue in Mecklenburg County. McFadden says hes hiring additional staff and has authorized thousands of hours of overtime to help catch up. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Fingerprinting is now available at the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office as the county speeds up the processing of handgun permits. The permit costs $90 for new permits and $75 to renew a permit. Grass Roots North Carolina's Paul Valone and Gaston County-based attorney Ronald Shook told reporters they hoped the lawsuit will result in a court order that will force Sheriff McFadden to speed up the process. There are currently about 7,600 concealed handgun permit applications pending in Mecklenburg county. Larry Hyatt, owner of Hyatt Gun Shop in Charlotte, says their operation is back to a normal level. Its shocking to most people, but thats just the way it is, Cranston said. The plaintiffs allege McFadden could easily get the mental health records he needs, but say instead, he is choosing to get them directly from an agency, like the Veterans Administration, that has delayed its response time by over six months. Non-Criminal Fingerprinting is performed by your local Sheriff's Office. In an interview with WCNC Charlotte last August, Sheriff McFadden blamed the delays on a surge of gun purchases and not enough staff members to process them. Listen to the podcast weekly. One of the plaintiffs on the lawsuit is Gun Owners of America, Inc., which was, formed in 1976 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. According to the lawsuit, many of the organizations members have applied for concealed handgun permits but have been denied or havent gotten them in a timely fashion. Shook said guns rights organizations would like to see the MCSO add even more positions. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A group of gun owners and organizations filed a lawsuit against Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden (D), accusing him of not following the law for issuing handgun permits. (d) "Minor" as used in this section means a person under 18 years of age who is not emancipated. August 6, 2021. effective Monday, June 1, 2020 at 8 a.m., the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office will reopen the Registration Office responsible for fingerprinting, pistol purchase permits, concealed handgun permits, and court ordered registration for sex offenders to the public. "Defendant McFadden's custom, policy, and practice of refusing to timely issue pistol purchase . For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app. "But, we know the people downtown are trying hard. Flashpointis a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Click the button below for Concealed Handgun Permit information and applications. To ensure compliance by a sheriff who has so far dragged his feet, Grass Roots North Carolina advises anyone whose fingerprints are not taken with five business days of completing a concealed handgun application to contact us immediately. Few if any other North Carolina sheriffs make such mental health requests before issuing [concealed handgun permit]s and, not coincidentally, those sheriffs are able to issue or deny all [concealed handgun permit] applications within the statutory 45-day window, the lawsuit reads. The sheriff's office said it has canceled previously scheduled fingerprinting appointments to make them available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are some folks that are going ahead and getting a purchase permit and in the state of North Carolina, you can open carry," Carmichael explained. The concealed carry permit is administered through your local Sheriff's office. Records obtained by WBTV show that in some cases in Mecklenburg County the total process takes up to a year. Example video title will go here for this video. Previously, he said he had thousands of guns in his safe because prospective gun owners were waiting for their permits to be processed. When I first got mine it took about 3 months and now I think its at least double that, Ron Pruette, who has been a gun owner for the last 50 years, said. We are looking for plaintiffs who have a pending pistol purchase permit or concealed handgun permit application in Mecklenburg County, and who have experienced delays in the processing of their application. I would say the interest is probably ramped up a little bit since the beginning of last year. It comes after gun rights advocates sued the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office, saying people faced long delays when trying to get handgun permits from the sheriffs office. This is an official application for a concealed handgun permit. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Click the button below for Concealed Handgun Permit information and applications. The other plaintiffs have similar allegations, saying the laws have infringed upon the rights of their members. Last August, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office was still processing permits from March of 2021. People attempting to obtain gun permits in Gaston County and Mecklenburg County are . Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office Judge Clifton E. Johnson Building700 E. 4th Street, Suite 120Charlotte, NC 28202Phone: 704-336-3665, Permitium SoftwareEmail:help@permitium.com. In February, she submitted an application for a concealed-carry permit, which included getting fingerprinted. Contact Brandon Golder atbgoldner@wcnc.comand follow him onFacebook,TwitterandInstagram. The sheriff's office must inform a gun owner whether it will approve or deny a pistol purchase permit within 14 days of receiving an application. Some said they had been waiting for months to get fingerprinted. Order Tracker; Welcome to the 'Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office' Gun Purchase Permit Order Tracker! Published: Aug. 5, 2021 at 2:41 PM PDT CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A group of gunowners and firearm advocates filed a lawsuit against Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden claiming his office is taking too long to issue concealed handgun and pistol permits. [WANT TO WATCH ON OUR STREAMING APPS? . Listen to the podcast weekly. Am I able to tell the IRS that I'm not able to pay my taxes on time? We are going to hire more staff. No, I can't. Defendant McFaddens custom, policy, and practice of refusing to timely issue pistol purchase permits and concealed handgun permits violates the North Carolina Constitution because the Sheriffs actions infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms, rights that shall not be infringed, according to the lawsuit. It got back closer to normal with the three-month wait, which people were happy about, but now it seems people are back to having a hard time., Theres [definitely] a business impact to us if people have to wait but really we just feel for them, Hyatt said. Welcome to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office 'Civil Process' Order Tracker! ", Sheriff McFadden's office issued the following statement: "The Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office has yet to receive the lawsuit in question but does not comment on pending litigation. Records received by WBTV from the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office show that process is taking an incredibly long time. It then said it was providing fingerprinting services for gun permits on a first-come, first-served basis to comply with a judges order. In a statement to WCNC Charlotte, the sheriff's office said it would not comment on pending . Rons contact information can be found on our website under the gun-friendly lawyers tab., (WATCH BELOW: Sheriffs office faces lawsuit as gun permit applicants wait on approval), Search for self managed wealth investment accounts. HAPPENING NOW: A lawsuit has been filed against Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden after gun owners report not getting pistol purchase permits and concealed carry permits within the statutory deadlines. 704-336-3665 (Office) 704-432-5246 (Fax) 700 E. 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. What McFadden is doing is, he is exploiting a loophole in the law where the sheriff is allowed to do mental health checks on applicants, Valone said. I know in some states its a little bit quicker, but I live in North Carolina. Click here to sign up for the daily Wake Up Charlotte newsletter. On the first day of the changes in May, Channel 9s Genevieve Curtis saw several people already standing in line at the sheriffs office. McFadden told WBTV that the state law requiring the 14 day time frame is unattainable without additional resources. Right now, the sheriffs office is currently processing applications from December and the next appointment to get fingerprinted isnt until October of this year. Now, a judge is requiring the sheriffs office to take fingerprints on the same day a concealed handgun application is submitted. "They are being processed within the timeframe. CONTRACTORS. You will also be able to choose an appointment with the Sheriff's Office for your fingerprinting session. Rons contact information can be found on our website under the gun-friendly lawyers tab., (WATCH BELOW: Sheriffs office faces lawsuit as gun permit applicants wait on approval), Sheriffs office faces lawsuit as gun permit applicants wait on approval. I have nothing against my citizens who want to obtain their legal guns, McFadden said. (1993, c. 558, s. 2; 1994, Ex. Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office . If you do not have these forms we cannot fingerprint you. Full statement from Sheriff Garry McFadden on June 10 regarding the new consent order: I am very pleased to have resolved the handgun permitting litigation for the grand total of $7.00 (one dollar per plaintiff), and the promise to continue to abide by all statutorily imposed timeframes for processing permit applications, as frankly that would be my commitment regardless of any litigation. He said the length of time to get a concealed carry permit has improved since the height of the pandemic. CLICK HERE]. Always be diligent when using a gun lock. > Select an option from the View Permits menu to: View permits and inspections by address or . In May, the sheriffs office transitioned fingerprinting services to a first-come, first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. If you are looking to get a concealed carry permit in Mecklenburg County you can expect a long wait time because there are thousands of applications still waiting to be processed. The agency has 14-days to process a PPP and 45-days for a CHP once we have received all required paperwork, including ALL mental health releases. The Sheriff's Office said they saw an almost 150% increase in gun purchase permits and 76% in CHP applicants during the height of the pandemic. . CMPD officer taken to hospital after crash in west Charlotte, FORECAST: Sunny skies, cool, and breezy today, Yosemite flood risk, closures block some springtime visitors, In an interview with WCNC Charlotte last August, Why it takes so long for dangerous products to be found out, recalled or taken off the shelves, Class-action lawsuit filed against city of Charlotte over 2020 protests, Man shot by Pineville police files lawsuit against city, 4 officers involved. To ensure compliance by a sheriff who has so far dragged his feet, Grass Roots North Carolina advises anyone whose fingerprints are not taken with five business days of completing a concealed handgun application to contact us immediately. "So that is the delay in the process right now. All it takes is forgetting to lock a gun just one time. He can't deny his constitutional duty. Last year the division also added two additional staff members. Gun locks can provide a false sense of security. Were trying to catch up, but the volume is still coming in, McFadden said. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Gun rights organizations and three residents are suing the Mecklenburg County sheriff alleging that his office failed to issue pistol purchase and concealed handgun permits in a timely manner. All permits costs are non-refundable. Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Grass Roots North Carolina, Rights Watch . In May, a superior court judge granted a preliminary injunction in response to the August 2021 lawsuit. He has signed up for this job and he's failing to do it properly.". Click here to sign up for the daily Wake Up Charlotte newsletter. . WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), Meck County making significant progress on concealed carry and pistol permits, sheriff says, Sheriffs office faces lawsuit as gun permit applicants wait months for approval, ALSO READ: Police concerned over increase in guns stolen from cars in Charlotte, Busy road reopens after crash involving police cruiser in northwest Charlotte, Another homebuyer says Keyo Tiny House didnt do the work, Cornelius police officer resigns after arrest, officials say, DMVs scheduling changes to increase walk-in availability take effect, 2-year-old daughter of Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Shaquil Barrett drowns in pool, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Carmichael said informed his class upfront there is about an eight-to-nine-month wait at this time. They allege Mecklenburg County sheriff Garry McFadden is using the provision to drag out the application process, denying applicants their constitutional rights. As sheriff I also have a sworn duty to protect the people I serve, said McFadden. Permit Questions: 704.336.3665: Fax Information: 704.432.5246: Address: 700 E. 4th Street, Suite 120 Charlotte, NC 28202: They have earned every right and they are having to wait so long. A copy of the lawsuit against Sheriff McFadden can be viewed here. So, I just applied for it when I got the class done back in March and been patiently waiting, Michael Diaz said. What am I going to do? Shook points out that the injunction is temporary but hopes the two sides can come to an agreement and avoid pursuing further litigation. is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina,South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. You are required to fill out the online application for this service. After filing the lawsuit Thursday afternoon, Grass Roots North Carolina's Paul Valone and Gaston County-based attorney Ronald Shook told reporters they hoped the lawsuit will result in a court order that will force Sheriff McFadden to speed up the process. Grass Roots North Carolina and Gun Owners of America filed the suit last August. In March, the MCSO announced it made major progress in handling the backlog of gun related permit applications. Order Tracker; Close. CHARLOTTE, N.C. A North Carolina Superior Court judge ruled Monday that Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden may no longer delay issuing handgun permits. They Refused to Fight for Russia. In a statement to WCNC Charlotte, the sheriff's office said it would not comment on pending legal matters but that the permits backlog was caught up in March. Valone said McFadden was using the provision as a loophole. State laws require the sheriff's office to approve or deny a pistol purchase permit within 14 days of receiving an application. Becky Ceartas, the executive director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, said eliminating the permit would create a dangerous loophole. There are now new rules in place for people to get a gun permit in Mecklenburg County more quickly. It includes a required class to conceal carry. Since the beginning of the pandemic MCSO has implemented several changes to the process to be more efficient to include mailing permit(s) to customers to eliminate visits to the office. Sam Cranston has been teaching classes to help people get their concealed carry license for about a decade. The Gaston County Sheriff's Office said pistol purchase permits spiked by more than 9,000 between 2019 and 2020. Although disappointed with this new requirement to provide fingerprinting for CHP applicants within five days of an application, and the inconvenience that this will result in for so many of our customers, the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office will continue to serve our customers as best we can, the sheriffs office said in a news release in May.
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