Gun Permit Loophole Concerns

Luzerne County-The Luzerne County Sheriff's department has seen a rush on applications for permits to carry firearms. People seeking a gun permit must fill out an extensive application, but it is one requirement that has raised concerns for many in law enforcement.
  At the top of the Luzerne County application it read if you are not a U.S. Citizen you must have three consecutive months worth of the same bill and your green card.."..
   If you are a citizen you need to present a valid Pennsylvania Drivers License or Pennsylvania I.D. Card.
West Hazleton police Chief Brian Buglio says the requirement for non-U.S citizen concerns him...

 "I think it is a very large loophole in the system. If you're a citizen you need to have a Pennsylvania license you need to have different things if you're a citizen however if you're not all they need is 3 utility bills and a green card." 

Chief Buglio says he has encountered many fake green cards.
 


We spoke with Luzerne County Deputy Sheriff Don Lasoski, who supervises the gun permit process..he says  the state sets the permit guidelines andmost counties have the same basic language on their applications. He too has concerns..


"Make stricter guidelines.   They  need to make stricter guildelines and establish different laws for non U.S citizens."

Deputy Sheriff Lasoski told the I-Team's Andy Mehalshick. they will deny permits for anyone if they have any doubt about the person's identity.  There is a fail safe option here... Copies of all applications and permits granted to non-U.S citizens must be given to the state police..  We reached out to state officials about these concerns, a spokesperson for State Sentaor John Yudichak says he is researcing the issue