Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert said his office will resume issuing permits to carry concealed guns next week.

“We were getting a lot of blow back,” Albert said about his decision earlier this month to suspend the service as part of the county’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The permitting program will operate out of the sheriff’s department offices in the basement of the county courthouse by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting March 30. Residents seeking a permit must call the sheriff’s office at 724-830-3457 for an appointment. Upon arrival at the courthouse, they will be escorted to the sheriff’s office by a deputy, Albert said.

The permitting program is not impacted by the governor’s stay-at-home order issued Friday for Westmoreland County residents. Albert said the program is considered essential under state guidelines.

Appointment slots are available every 15 minutes. Albert said all time slots on March 30, the first day of the resumed permitting, have been filled.

The decision to suspend the program originally was made in an effort to promote social distancing and reduce the number of visitors to the courthouse. After receiving complaints from the public, Albert revisited the decision and consulted with county lawyers, who determined that he was required to resume offering the permitting.

“Gun sales have been breaking records over the last two weeks and people want their licenses,” Albert said.

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