Denver residents who have finished their concealed carry weapons permit class are going to have to wait awhile before making an appointment to certify their permits.

Officials from the Denver Police Department told The Denver Gazette that appointments were suspended beginning on Nov. 19 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but citizens can still apply for a CCW permit. 

“Denver Residents can still apply for a CCW permit but due to the current rise in COVID cases and the current COVID restrictions, appointments are not being scheduled until further notice. This is for the safety of the applicants as well as the technicians,” Jay Casillas, a public information officer for the police department, said in an email to The Denver Gazette. 

Appointments had been previously suspended during the initial shutdown in March but were lifted later that spring, Casillas said. 

The county had received 1,901 applications as of Nov. 16, which is 133 more than in 2019. 

Although appointments to receive the CCW permit have been suspended, the Denver County Sheriff’s Office has the authority to “issue a temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed weapon to a person whom the Sheriff has reason to believe may be in immediate danger.” 

As of Wednesday only two emergency permits have been issued, Casillas said. 

Officials declined to speculate as to when appointments will resume, but noted that in March they resumed once restrictions had been lifted.