Facebook post calls for opponents to rally in front of the Erie County Courthouse Sunday.

The Erie County sheriff’s decision to suspend the processing of applications for licenses to carry concealed firearms has proved to be unpopular in some quarters.

Sheriff John Loomis on Thursday said he has received complaints from the public since announcing the temporary and indefinite suspension on Monday in response to concerns over the potential spread of COVID-19.

"Quite a few people are misconstruing that I’m violating their rights," Loomis said. "But I have a job to look out for the citizens of Erie County. I’m not telling them they never get one. Just, at this time, under these conditions, we’re suspending them."

He said the decision was made to suspend processing concealed firearms licenses temporarily at noon on Monday in part to protect courthouse employees and the community.

License-seekers must appear in person to apply. The Sheriff’s Office is regularly visited by a number of people seeking a license who live in neighboring New York and Ohio, which Loomis said those people have the right to do. But at the time of the suspension those states had confirmed cases of the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus, Loomis said.

"So, in the interest of public safety and the county employees, I thought it was only fair. I didn’t just want to restrict them to Erie County people. I suspended them all," Loomis said. "I hope, as I believe everyone else does, that this is going to be a temporary situation. I am in no way attempting to take anyone’s gun rights away."

The Sheriff’s Office wrote on its Facebook page that applicants could call with questions. Loomis said he has received some calls from upset people.

Hundreds of comments questioning the decision were also posted on the Facebook page, including those from people who wondered how the move is in the interest of public safety. Others stated the decision essentially allows people to carry a concealed firearm without a license.

The postings included a flier announcing a rally in opposition of the move planned for Sunday at noon in front of the Erie County Courthouse.

"Let the Sheriff know that he cannot suspend your rights because a few people are getting sick," the flier reads.

Loomis said he learned of the possible rally earlier this week and is looking into it. The Sheriff’s Office notified the Erie Bureau of Police, Deputy Chief Mike Nolan said Thursday. He said the bureau at this point is not changing its plans to respond to a possible rally.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Please support local journalism by subscribing to GoErie.com at www.goerie.com/subscribenow.