Firearms in vehicles?

[headcase]

Just for shits and giggles, can someone link the statute covering long arms in a vehicle please.

[markheck1]

that would be nice, since my kid is 17, and I thought that he is not allowed to transport by himself until 18. He's allowed to hunt alone, but I didn't think he could transport it...bit of clarification on this would be just peachy

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by headcase

Just for shits and giggles, can someone link the statute covering long arms in a vehicle please.

The only one in the UFA, http://reference.pafoa.org/statutes/...than-firearms/

If I remember correctly, they are also mentioned in the Title 34 Game Laws too about being loaded in a vehicle. Other than that, its legal.


Possession and transporting of a "firearm", statutory definition, for those under 18 is forbidden. A rifle or shotgun is not a "firearm" under PA law, except for prohibited persons and a couple other things.

[markheck1]

18 Pa.C.S. § 6110.1: Possession of firearm by minor
(a) Firearm.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a person under 18 years of age shall not possess or transport a firearm anywhere in this Commonwealth.
(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person under 18 years of age:
(1) who is under the supervision of a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or an adult acting with the expressed consent of the minor's custodial parent or legal guardian and the minor is engaged in lawful activity, including safety training, lawful target shooting, engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm or the firearm is unloaded and the minor is transporting it for a lawful purpose; or
(2) who is lawfully hunting or trapping in accordance with 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game).
(c) Responsibility of adult.--Any person who knowingly and intentionally delivers or provides to the minor a firearm in violation of subsection (a) commits a felony of the third degree.
(d) Forfeiture.--Any firearm in the possession of a person under 18 years of age in violation of this section shall be promptly seized by the arresting law enforcement officer and upon conviction or adjudication of delinquency shall be forfeited or, if stolen, returned to the lawful owner.

OK..so..is this firearm....or "firearm" ?
I take this to mean long guns too.....
meaning I can hand my .300 Win Mag to my kid and he can go deer hunting, but he can't take a .22 to the range....
Am i interpreting this correctly?

[headcase]

Originally Posted by knight0334

The only one in the UFA, http://reference.pafoa.org/statutes/...than-firearms/

If I remember correctly, they are also mentioned in the Title 34 Game Laws too about being loaded in a vehicle. Other than that, its legal.


Possession and transporting of a "firearm", statutory definition, for those under 18 is forbidden. A rifle or shotgun is not a "firearm" under PA law, except for prohibited persons and a couple other things.

That is what I thought, but I was wondering if maybe I missed something. Thanks.

So according to everything I have been able to pull up, age matters only if you are talking about a firearm as defined in 6102, or if you are engaged in hunting. Any weapon not classified as a firearm in 6102 is fine in your car, as long as it is not loaded, and the ammo is separated. Just to be sure, I would keep the ammo in a separate locked box, and store the rifle with the action open.

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by markheck1

OK..so..is this firearm....or "firearm" ?
I take this to mean long guns too.....
meaning I can hand my .300 Win Mag to my kid and he can go deer hunting, but he can't take a .22 to the range....
Am i interpreting this correctly?

It is "firearm" because there was no other definition provided for 6110.1. The term "firearm" is a pistol, revolver, SBS or SBR by default for the entire UFA. Any sub-section of law having a different meaning will list it's definition for that section exclusively.


Someone under the age of 18 can carry, possess, and transport a long gun unsupervised. Those under 18 require a parent, guardian, adult with parental consent to be present for "firearms" - with a couple exceptions.

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by headcase

That is what I thought, but I was wondering if maybe I missed something. Thanks.

So according to everything I have been able to pull up, age matters only if you are talking about a firearm as defined in 6102, or if you are engaged in hunting. Any weapon not classified as a firearm in 6102 is fine in your car, as long as it is not loaded, and the ammo is separated. Just to be sure, I would keep the ammo in a separate locked box, and store the rifle with the action open.

Yep.

Ammo separate in a locked box is a wise idea. I wouldn't have the action open though; dust, dirt, bugs, etc.

[JCWohlschlag]

Originally Posted by knight0334

If I remember correctly, they are also mentioned in the Title 34 Game Laws too about being loaded in a vehicle.

34 Pa.C.S. § 2503 is the Game and Wildlife Code statute that prohibits loaded firearms (of any kind, including longarms) in, on, or against any vehicle.

34 Pa.C.S. § 2503: Loaded firearms in vehicles.

(a) General rule. - Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to have a firearm of any kind in or on or against any conveyance propelled by mechanical power or its attachments at any time whether or not the vehicle or its attachment is in motion unless the firearm is unloaded.

(b) Exceptions. - This section shall not be construed to apply to:

(1) A police officer engaged in the performance of his official duty.

(2) A commission officer engaged in the performance of his duty.

(3) A person carrying a loaded pistol or revolver when in possession of a valid firearms license issued by the chief or head of any police force or the sheriff of a county when the license is issued for protection under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 Subch. A (relating to Uniform Firearms Act).

(4) Any person as defined in section 2121(c) (relating to killing game or wildlife to protect property) while on lands they control and when not hunting or trapping for game or wildlife.

(5) Any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached or any sailboat if the motor has been completely shut off or the sail furled and its progress therefrom has ceased.

(6) Any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to special categories of permits).

The exceptions in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection do not apply when attempting to locate game or wildlife with an artificial light or when exercising any privileges granted by this title which may be exercised only when not in the possession of a firearm.

(c) Penalty. - A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree if the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the violation is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

The definition of “firearm” for Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code) does indeed include all firearms, including longarms.

34 Pa.C.S. § 102: Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to specific provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when used in this title shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

…

“Firearm.” An instrument used in the propulsion of shot, shell, bullet or any other object by the action of gunpowder exploded, explosive powder, the expansion of gas or the force of a mechanical device under tension.

1. “Automatic.” Any firearm which discharges more than once with a single pull of the trigger.
2. “Semiautomatic.” Any firearm which reloads without aid of the shooter, but fires only once with a single pull of the trigger.

…

[markheck1]

Originally Posted by knight0334

It is "firearm" because there was no other definition provided for 6110.1. The term "firearm" is a pistol, revolver, SBS or SBR by default for the entire UFA. Any sub-section of law having a different meaning will list it's definition for that section exclusively.


Someone under the age of 18 can carry, possess, and transport a long gun unsupervised. Those under 18 require a parent, guardian, adult with parental consent to be present for "firearms" - with a couple exceptions.

Ahhhh, thanks for the clarification,