Beginning Monday, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department will process applications for new concealed weapon permits through the mail.
“It’s a way we can do it and still not have face-to-face contact,” Sheriff Perry Palmer said.
The question of how to offer concealed carry permits while fulfilling social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a question sheriffs across the state have been trying to answer. Offering permits even during the pandemic was also a priority for Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Palmer said.
A permit is not needed to carry concealed in West Virginia, however, getting one allows you to show the permit to an officer if you are stopped by police, which makes them feel safer, Palmer said.
In addition, 39 other states recognize a concealed carry permit from West Virginia, according to the Attorney General’s office.
Concealed carry applications and instructions are available at monsheriff.com.
It’s important to remember that the application must be signed in front of a notary, who must then notarize the application, Palmer said. Normally the sheriff’s department, which has several notaries, takes care of that when the application is filled out in person, however with social distancing that isn’t happening.
Some changes have been made to the process.
Cashier’s checks and money orders are accepted instead of just cash. The money should be mailed with the application.
A copy of a current West Virginia driver’s license or West Virginia ID must be mailed with the application.
Anyone with questions, can call the sheriff’s department from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 304-291-7260.
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