South Sound 911 Allowing Online Concealed Carry Renewals

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce county residents who want to update their concealed pistol license can now do so online, and officials are promising to add even more online licensing in the future when the coronavirus shutdown is over.

South Sound 911 has had their offices closed down by the coronavirus outbreak. Since applications for concealed carry permits could normally be only done in person, that means concealed pistol holders have been unable to renew or replace their licenses until today.

South Sound 911 has launched a new online portal allowing current concealed pistol license (CPL) holders to renew or update their licenses over the internet without an in-person meeting.

New applicants still cannot apply for concealed carry licenses online, but they can start their applications online so they're ready to be completed when the shelter-in-place order ends. They cannot be finished now because new applications require fingerprinting as part of the background check, and there's no system in place yet to process or submit fingerprints online. South Sound says they hope to add as many new online services as possible during the shutdown and will have more announcements soon.

"These ‘stay home’ days are an ideal time to offer the convenience of online services and continue serving Pierce County residents, said South Sound Executive Director Deborah Grady. “We look forward to the time when we can introduce additional conveniences and efficiencies and also operate our in-person services safely for customers and staff.”

The new online application to renew or replace a CPL license can be found on South Sound 911's website here. Online applicants will still need to pay the $32 renewal license fee. Renewals can be submitted 90 days before the current license expires. Concealed pistol carriers can also renew their licenses up to 90 days after it expires, but will have to pay an extra $10 as a late renewal fee.

South Sound 911 handles CPL applications for both Pierce County residents and several law enforcement agencies like Edgewood and Tacoma Police. All-in-all, they say they processed around 18,300 concealed pistol licenses in 2019 alone.