What weapons you CAN and CANNOT Carry in the State of Pennsylvania

[pex]

Not sure why there would be a READ FIRST: WHERE but not a READ FIRST: WHAT.

The discussions, when about firearms, most often stem from "concealment about" a person within a vehicle (loaded long arms) but are also pertinent to carry outside a vehicle.

Remember that the PA UFA defines "firearm" differently in different parts of its statute.

*Processing statute and formatting now*

6102. Definitions. Subject to additional definitions
contained in subsequent provisions of
this subchapter which are applicable to specific
provisions of this subchapter, the following
words and phrases, when used in this subchapter
shall have, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise, the meanings given to them in
this section:
[...]
"Firearm." Any pistol or revolver with a barrel
length less than 15 inches, any shotgun with a
barrel length less than 18 inches or any rifle with
a barrel length less than 16 inches, or any pistol,
revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of
less than 26 inches. The barrel length of a firearm
shall be determined by measuring from the
muzzle of the barrel to the face of the closed
action, bolt or cylinder, whichever is applicable.

[Pa. Patriot]

The matter of what a "firearm" is per the UFA has been discussed at length here and is well understood.

"Firearm" has a default definition as well as particular def in certain subsections.

For purposes of LTCF it is essentially handguns and SBS/SBR's

Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length less
than 15 inches, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18
inches or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches, or
any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of
less than 26 inches. The barrel length of a firearm shall be
determined by measuring from the muzzle of the barrel to the
face of the closed action, bolt or cylinder, whichever is
applicable.

The "what" a firearm is, for different parts of the UFA, would possibly be a helpful "stickie"

[JayBell]

this information has been posted hundreds of times on this forum, a simple search would have found it.

a LTCF in PA only allows the carry of FIREARMS.

Permits like Arizona allow Carry Concealed WEAPONS, which includes knives, blackjacks, batons, swords, etc.

[pex]

Originally Posted by JayBell

this information has been posted hundreds of times on this forum, a simple search would have found it.

a LTCF in PA only allows the carry of FIREARMS.

Permits like Arizona allow Carry Concealed WEAPONS, which includes knives, blackjacks, batons, swords, etc.

Firearms? Really?

6102: Any pistol or revolver with a barrel
length less than 15 inches, any shotgun with a
barrel length less than 18 inches or any rifle with
a barrel length less than 16 inches, or any pistol,
revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of
less than 26 inches.

6105(i): As used in this section only, the
term "firearm" shall include any weapons which
are designed to or may readily be converted to
expel any projectile by the action of an explosive
or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.

So what are firearms, anyway? I have a license to carry them, whatever they are.

I did search, and found lots of stuff regarding vehicles. Jay Bell, a simple search would have told you that.

[Pa. Patriot]

In 6102 the UFA you will find the default def for firearm, as posted above by myself and you..

SOME parts of the UFA have different def of firearm to which they are clearly defined in the section. Example: ss6105.
The definition within 6105 only applies to 6105 (possession/transfer) only. Just like it says in the section "As used in this section only".

So, it's really pretty simple. If the section does not have it's own definition it uses the default (6102). Lacking a default (not the case in the UFA and "firearms") the courts will use the common law definition.

You'll find most law to congruent with this process.

SS6106 does not have it's own def of firearms, so 6102 def applies. Therefor your LTCF applies to firearms as defined by 6102

[pex]

Are you sure that 'common law definition' is the right term for that?



Check this out:

6106.1. Carrying loaded weapons other
than firearms.
(a) General rule. Except as provided in Title
34 (relating to game), no person shall carry a
loaded pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle, other
than a firearm as defined in section 6102 (relating
to definitions), in any vehicle.

And then the definition of loaded (from none other than 6102, where "firearm" means only pistol, SBS, SBR):

"Loaded." A firearm is loaded if the firing
chamber, the nondetachable magazine or, in the
case of a revolver, any of the chambers of the
cylinder contain ammunition capable of being
fired. In the case of a firearm which utilizes a detachable
magazine, the term shall mean a magazine
suitable for use in said firearm which magazine
contains such ammunition and has been
inserted in the firearm or is in the same container
or, where the container has multiple compartments,
the same compartment thereof as the
firearm.

Maybe we derive THAT definition from common law, or case law. It's not given to us (in 6106).


I only figured that "what" we can carry would be just as important as "where"...given that the what determines the where. Maybe it just needs to be tacked on there.

[LittleRedToyota]

i put together a little table showing generally what type of guns you can carry and when in PA. here is the PDF file: