Beginning Monday, August 15th, individuals wanting to apply for a handgun permit (to purchase a handgun) will be able do so online by going to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office web page at: www.BeaufortCountySheriff.org. Applicants will see a drop down box entitled “Resources” which can be used to access the Handgun Purchase Permits. Applicants can apply and pay for up to five handgun permits online. The handgun purchase permit cost will remain at $5.00 each. There will be an additional one-time $3.00 convenience fee for the online service.
Once the Purchase Permit application has been approved, applicants will be notified online or by telephone or text and can come to the Sheriff’s Office to pick up their permits. Applicants will be required to show picture identification to obtain their permit(s).
Beaufort County Sheriff Ernie Coleman said, “We are trying to streamline this process as much as possible and make it much more convenient for those requesting permits. Right now our office can only receive permits during regular business hours. With this new process, permits can be applied for anytime day or night, holidays or weekends.”
The Sheriff said that he is aware that some may not have access to a computer or be able to apply on line. Those individuals can still come to the Sheriff’s Office and use a computer that will be set up in the lobby for the public to use and his staff will help those who are not computer savvy. Also, we will continue to take hard copy applications for the next thirty days.
Sheriff Coleman said “This will be a great help to my staff as well as our citizens. Our goal is to make this process better and more convenient for the public.”
