Budget cut in Wilkes-Barre, PA stops issuance of CCW permits

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WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County Sheriff Michael A. Savokinas on Friday said his office will not accept gun permit applications until Jan. 19 because of staff cuts that went into effect Wednesday.

On Jan. 19, gun permit applications will be accepted Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. only, Savokinas said. On Tuesday, Savokinas said the staff cuts prevent him from providing “adequate courtroom security or the timely transportation of prisoners” to the courthouse.

Savokinas said anyone who has received notice that a gun permit is available for pick-up this can do so Monday, Jan. 5, through Friday, Jan. 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gun permit hours had been 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to the county Web site.

The sheriff’s main office is at the courthouse annex at Jackson and North River streets in Wilkes-Barre. In 2008, the sheriff’s office received 2,331 gun permit applications, about 44 a day, Savokinas said.

Three full-time employees in the sheriff’s office were laid off Wednesday, because $65,900 was cut from the sheriff’s allocation for salaries. The 2009 budget also eliminates $120,000 in funding for 24 per-diem employees in the office. . . .