First Time York Co. CCW Permit Experience.

[mike1894]

Took the plunge today and went into the York Co. court house (sheriffs office)
to apply for a first time CCW permit.

I was very careful as to what I had with me (like leaving the leatherman I normally carry at home) to get through security with out any problems.

I decided to go green today and take the YATA bus into York city and leave the car home.

“BIG MISTAKE” This was my first time to the new York Co. Court House, I had absolutely no idea that cell phones were not allowed in the court house.

As soon as you go through the first set of doors there is a sign ,
{NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED BEYOND THIS POINT}

Well there is no if ands or buts about it, I was told by the “VERY” unfriendly security that I had two choices either through the phone away or leave.

So I left the Court House wondering what to do. (no car to put the cell phone in).

There was a very nice gentleman handing out pamphlets from the {Fully Informed Jury Association } in front of the Court House.

So I very trustingly ask him if he wouldn't mind holding onto my cell phone for a few minutes explaining to him my situation. He said no problem. So all went well with that. Great guy and I thanked him so much.

From there all went great, The sheriffs office people were very friendly and helpful.
Filled out the very simple application, paid the $25.00 and was told to return in 3 weeks.

Lesson learned: LEAVE CELL PHONE AT HOME COURT HOUSE SECURITY IS WORSE THAN GETTING THROUGH SECURITY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT.

[rady8um]

Originally Posted by mike1894

As soon as you go through the first set of doors there is a sign ,
{NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED BEYOND THIS POINT}

Well there is no if ands or buts about it, I was told by the “VERY” unfriendly security that I had two choices either through the phone away or leave.

sounds like a bunch of B.S. to me (Not you...the sign). I wonder what all the lawyers do with their phones.

Can this really be enforced?

[ssom003]

3 weeks for York County...
Dauphin County I got my CCW in 4 days...

[weaselchew]

From what I've seen, people that work there are exempt from the no cell phones / security check... The guards just wave them right through.

What stank for me is after I walked my phone back out to the car, I get in to fill out the application and it wants your personal reference phone numbers, which were... on my phone in my car. They did offer me a phone book, but that doesn't help for unlisted and mobile numbers.

[NY Refugee]

Anybody that complains about geting a CCW permit in York or any other county in PA should see what I had to go through(until I moved out) in the Peoples Republic of NYS. 4 page form, $50 fee, 6 month wait, and then if the county judge who had to sign off on it was anti gun so sad to bad.
I'll put up with the "to cocky for thier own good" deputies and a 3 week wait anytime.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by NY Refugee

Anybody that complains about geting a CCW permit in York or any other county in PA should see what I had to go through(until I moved out) in the Peoples Republic of NYS. 4 page form, $50 fee, 6 month wait, and then if the county judge who had to sign off on it was anti gun so sad to bad.
I'll put up with the "to cocky for thier own good" deputies and a 3 week wait anytime.

I sympathize. I am from NYS and had a permit there.
I finally wised up too and here I am

BUT, do remember. The issuing authority (sheriffs office) is bound by PA law to follow certain guidelines and procedures as to the issuing of permits in PA. Some SO's have become sloppy and defiant of the law and they need to be held to it, IMHO. I mean,we don't want this place to end up like NY, right?

As to the cell phones. I never heard of such a thing. In my current county they hold them for you up front if your unaware of the rule... Not sure what York's problem is. I lived in York Co. 7 years ago and never had that problem back then .

PS: WELCOME!

[djturnz]

I went to the York county courthouse once and after parking 4 blocks away, I saw the sign that said no cellphones. The sign at the firearm lockers also said Law Enforcement only. I didn't have time to mess around or I would be late, so I walked the 4 blocks back and put my stuff in my truck.

When I was finished in the courthouse I passed a guard as I was leaving and asked him why I saw numerous people inside with cell phones. He said that employees and lawyers could have them. I asked about the gun lockers. He said that if I have my permit I can lock my gun up. I asked if I could put my cell phone in the same locker, he said no.

[dmg1969]

I've had the same problem and I work for a law firm (I am not an attorney). I parked my car and walked about 2 blocks to the new courthouse...in the rain, no less. It's been a while, but I think they asked if I was an attorney and I said "no, but I work for a law firm". The female deputy then said I could not bring it in. So...I had to walk back out to my car (in the rain) and leave it in there. I think it is an utterly assinine policy.

[VariableFeedback]

Originally Posted by ssom003

3 weeks for York County...
Dauphin County I got my CCW in 4 days...

Bucks County, I got mine in 30 minutes, and thats only because there were other people getting permits at the same time (over lunch).

[mike1894]

First of all let me reemphasize, I had nothing less than a very positive experience once I finally got through the security, and into the Sheriff’s Office.
All the employees were great.

The thing that really got under my crawl was the cell phone issue and the way the security guards Treat us the people (there employers, as they seem to so easily forget).

I probably wouldn’t have given it much thought having to take my cell phone back out To my vehicle. The big problem was I had no vehicle to return to with my cell phone for Safe keeping.

That day I decided to do the highly promoted (by York city) green thing and take the YATA Bus into York. So what is a person to do with there belonging’s once they step off the bus?

O yea I forgot our choices were either throw the cell phone away or leave.

I will say this for fact, going through the security at the York Co. Court House is no different Than going through security for an international flight.
But the one difference is you do get to take your cell phone on the plane with you.

I think they have forgotten a very important thing.
A cell phone is the best first line of defense for any individual to have.
(Especially a female walking around downtown York)

There is no doubt in my mind they could come up with something better than there
Throw it away or leave policy.