so can i carry a loaded shotgun in my car or not?

[delcosheriffsucks]

going right now to get my LTCF, once i get it can i drive around with my shotgun(specifically a moss 500 pistol grip LOADED) in the trunk? i cant seem to get a clear answer on this. thanks guys

[Zef_66]

Not unless your shotgun has a short barrel and you have the tax stamp for it.

No loaded guns in vehicles, except for firearms.

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by delcosheriffsucks

going right now to get my LTCF, once i get it can i drive around with my shotgun(specifically a moss 500 pistol grip LOADED) in the trunk? i cant seem to get a clear answer on this. thanks guys

No, not legally. The penalty, i believe, is only a $300 fine, however.

[delcosheriffsucks]

Originally Posted by Zef_66

Not unless your shotgun has a short barrel and you have the tax stamp for it.

No loaded guns in vehicles, except for firearms.

this is going to sound very ignorant but isnt my shotgun a firearm?

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by delcosheriffsucks

this is going to sound very ignorant but isnt my shotgun a firearm?

Under state law it's considered a "loaded weapon other than a firearm" as the term "firearm" is narrowly defined in the statutes to be handguns and short barreled rifles/shotguns

[Zef_66]

The definition of firearm is different in many different places. Even different states have different definitions. But PA defines a firearm as:

“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.

Hence you LTCF would be a license to carry any of the above open in a vehicle, or concealed on your person.

Edit: And it looks like your shotgun has an 18" barrel.

[delcosheriffsucks]

Originally Posted by Zef_66

The definition of firearm is different in many different places. Even different states have different definitions. But PA defines a firearm as:



Hence you LTCF would be a license to carry any of the above open in a vehicle, or concealed on your person.

Edit: And it looks like your shotgun has an 18" barrel.

with that edit does it make it legal?

[RocketFoot]

Originally Posted by delcosheriffsucks

with that edit does it make it legal?

Most Mossy's are 18-1/2" if I remember...I'm pretty sure mine is.

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by delcosheriffsucks

with that edit does it make it legal?

No, absolutely NO loaded long guns in vehicles. Never ever, period..

The only thing that closely resembles a long gun (rifle, carbine, shotgun, etc) that are legal to carry loaded in a vehicle are "sawed-off shotguns" and "sawed-off rifles" - which are legally defined as Short Barreled Shotguns and Short Barreled Rifles. To own either of those legally, you must have a NFA tax stamp similar to the one you need to have a machinegun, silencer, destructive device, etc. If you own the SBS or SBR legally under Federal law, then you can carry/transport it under PA law. Then on top of that you must have a LTCF.


Short Barreled Shotgun(technically "smoothbore" under federal law) = less than 18" barrel or less than 26" overall length

Short Barreled Rifle = less than 16" barrel or less than 26" overall length

[Zef_66]

Originally Posted by delcosheriffsucks

with that edit does it make it legal?

Nope...

Read what I posted above (taken directly from the UFA):

“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.

I thought they called them 18" barrels, but maybe they are 18.5"...regardless, either of these are not less than 18"