(PA) Firearm permits common in county

Oatka · February 9, 2001, 04:21 PM

A rather bland heading for an incident involving some hot-headed CCWs - dammit! Good sheriff though.

By Paul Peirce
TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Three of the four people involved in Wednesday's confrontation inside the Westmoreland Mall were licensed to carry firearms, state police said.

But statistics bear out that carrying a concealed weapon is no oddity in Westmoreland County.

One in eight adults in the county is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, according to a comparison of U.S. Census Bureau figures and the number of firearms licenses kept by the county sheriff's department.

Sheriff Chris Scherer said Thursday that 38,000 county residents ages 21 and older are licensed to carry concealed weapons. The census bureau lists the county's adult population at 288,743.

"No, I'm really not surprised at the statistics because we have a cross of everything in this county. ... We have urban areas and rural areas with various needs," Scherer said.

"It also is an indication that we're a pretty law-abiding, law-conscious community with that large a percentage of our population obeying the law. One thing it doesn't mean is that 38,000 people are out there carrying guns at the same time," Scherer said.

REST OF ARTICLE

manny1 · February 9, 2001, 10:52 PM

I'm one of the 38,000 in Westmoreland County Pa with a CCP. I've had one since 1985. Better safe than sorry! Both were charged in the incident. Hope they have good lawyers, as the PSP has no mercy when it comes to filing charges. Remember, a lot of LEO's (especially State Police, some locals) think they are the only ones that can legally carry a firearm (even with a permit). Wrong again King Friday!

**Mike Irwin** · February 9, 2001, 11:32 PM

You know, if the old guy didn't know it was a laser pointer, and instead thought it was a laser sighting device on a handgun, I think he's got a good case for pulling his gun.

If I thought someone was illuminating me with a gunsight, I'd draw down too.

February 9, 2001, 11:32 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 21,782	You know, if the old guy didn't know it was a laser pointer, and instead thought it was a laser sighting device on a handgun, I think he's got a good case for pulling his gun. If I thought someone was illuminating me with a gunsight, I'd draw down too. __________________ Coworkers. A convenient source of food in a post apocalyptic world.

February 9, 2001, 04:21 PM	#1
Oatka Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Nevada Posts: 3,119	A rather bland heading for an incident involving some hot-headed CCWs - dammit! Good sheriff though. By Paul Peirce TRIBUNE-REVIEW Three of the four people involved in Wednesday's confrontation inside the Westmoreland Mall were licensed to carry firearms, state police said. But statistics bear out that carrying a concealed weapon is no oddity in Westmoreland County. One in eight adults in the county is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, according to a comparison of U.S. Census Bureau figures and the number of firearms licenses kept by the county sheriff's department. Sheriff Chris Scherer said Thursday that 38,000 county residents ages 21 and older are licensed to carry concealed weapons. The census bureau lists the county's adult population at 288,743. "No, I'm really not surprised at the statistics because we have a cross of everything in this county. ... We have urban areas and rural areas with various needs," Scherer said. "It also is an indication that we're a pretty law-abiding, law-conscious community with that large a percentage of our population obeying the law. One thing it doesn't mean is that 38,000 people are out there carrying guns at the same time," Scherer said. REST OF ARTICLE

February 9, 2001, 10:52 PM	#2
manny1 Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2000 Location: SWPA Posts: 64	I'm one of the 38,000 in Westmoreland County Pa with a CCP. I've had one since 1985. Better safe than sorry! Both were charged in the incident. Hope they have good lawyers, as the PSP has no mercy when it comes to filing charges. Remember, a lot of LEO's (especially State Police, some locals) think they are the only ones that can legally carry a firearm (even with a permit). Wrong again King Friday!