Hidden trouble

WHO should issue permits to carry concealed weapons in Pennsylvania: Local police departments or . . . the Florida Department of Agriculture?

If you picked local law enforcement, you might want to invest in a bulletproof vest. A loophole allows individuals who have been turned down in Pennsylvania to get permits from three other states, including Florida, and to carry locally.

Pennsylvania has reciprocal concealed-carry agreements with almost 20 other states. If you can carry here, you can carry a weapon when in those other states (and vice versa). But Utah, Florida, and New Hampshire also allow nonresidents to apply for concealed-carry permits. Applicants rejected by Pennsylvania can get a permit from out of state and carry locally. That's a problem because it's easier to get a permit in these other states. For example, Philadelphia police can deny someone for multiple arrests or other character issues. Florida rejects only those who have been convicted of a crime. It has approved 3,000 Pennsylvanians for permits. State Rep. Bryan Lentz has proposed legislation to close this loophole; it's also becoming an issue in the governor's race. This is a no-brainer: fix it. *