Anyone who was able to acquire a concealed weapon permit in Philadelphia
can attest to the many headaches and hurdles they endured in order to
obtain the license. Unfortunately, once attained many people find out
that it is not too hard to have the license revoked. Getting
arrested for a crime, reporting a gun stolen or having a protection from abuse order filed
against you are some of many potential causes for an individual to lose
their license to carry.
If a person has any of these situations occurring they are very likely
to get a letter from the Philadelphia Police Department notifying of their
intent to revoke the license to carry. It does not matter if the allegations
are completely false, procedures to revoke the license will still be commenced.
The letter will usually state that license is being revoked, but that
you may request a hearing to argue against its revocation. A certain protocol
will then have to be followed to request the hearing, all within a specific
time frame and the person's license may be revoked in the interim
while the appeal is still active.
The hearing itself will take place at the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia
in a small court room before the gun permit appeals panel. The police
department is represented by an attorney who conducts the hearings. A
person is not required to appear with an attorney and is free to argue
against the revocation by themself. In reality, a person who hires an
attorney is in a much better position than someone who argues alone. Hearings
are conducted like mini-trials with witnesses and evidence being presented
by the government against the licensee. The burden of proof to sustain
a license revocation is less than that a criminal trial, making it easier
for the government to win their case.
Preparation, evidence, the ability to effectively cross examine witnesses
together with a knowledge and familiarity of the law are all necessary
in obtaining a favorable result at one of these hearings. At PT&L
we have had great success in arguing these cases before the panel enabling
our clients to keep their license to carry a concealed firearm.
If you have been notified by the government of the intent to have your
license to carry revoked, call us for a
free, no-hassle consultation now.