cannot import pgp/gnupg public keys

[Errol Casey]

When I attempt to import, I get lock error messages. If I just
ask gpg to examine the files, it displays the keys.

 gpg amnon.gpg
pub  1024D/1513B899 1999-05-10 Someone Named <amnon@bogus.net>
sub  2048g/699ADA4A 1999-05-10

[errol@honest errol]$ gpg --import amnon.gpg
gpg: waiting for lock (hold by 8877 - probably dead) ...
gpg: waiting for lock (hold by 8877 - probably dead) ...
gpg: waiting for lock (hold by 8877 - probably dead) ...

Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?