Former NFL player and Jeannette native Terrelle Pryor doesn’t want to surrender his permit to carry a concealed firearm, which was issued in Westmoreland County.
On Friday, Pryor’s attorney, Stephen Colafella of Beaver County, asked for a hearing to challenge Sheriff Jonathan Held’s order revoking a concealed carry firearm permit. Held’s office issued the permit to Pryor in June 2015.
According to court documents, Held informed Pryor in a letter dated Dec. 3 that he was revoking the firearm permit due to “Good Cause.” The letter was issued three days after a Nov. 30 domestic argument in Pryor’s North Side apartment in Pittsburgh that he shared with his girlfriend.
Pryor reported on social media that he nearly died of stab wounds. His girlfriend, Shalaya Briston, 24, a Munhall native, was charged with attempted homicide and aggravated assault following the argument. Pryor is charged with simple assault.
He is free and recovering from his injuries. Pryor’s preliminary hearing on the criminal charge is scheduled Jan. 20 in Pittsburgh, according to court dockets.
In Pryor’s petition seeking a hearing on the permit revocation, Colafella argues that state law requires that “notice of revocation shall be in writing and shall state the specific reason for revocation.”
“Consequently, the notice is defective inasmuch as it fails to comport with the statutory requirements,” Colafella wrote in the three-page petition.
Colafella also noted that Pryor has no misdemeanor or felony convictions, has been employed as a professional athlete and has been involved in numerous area community and charitable projects.
“The petitioner has never been diagnosed with a mental health issue and has never been committed voluntarily or involuntarily to a mental health facility or institution. (Pryor) in no way poses a threat to the community,” the petition states. “Pryor is requesting that the court set aside the revocation of his permit to carry firearm on the basis that no ‘Good Cause’ exists justifying same.”
A hearing has not been scheduled.
Held declined comment.
Sheriff elect-James Albert officially takes office Monday.
“This is the first I’ve heard about it. Next week, after we get into office, I’m going to have the office solicitor, Henry Moore, take a look at it and see what’s going on,” Albert said.
Pryor was a standout at Jeannette High School, starred at Ohio State and played with five NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders, in an eight-year pro career. He holds free-agent status in the NFL.
