About Gun "Registration" or Transfers in PA

[knight0334]

By law in PA there is no "registration" of guns or "firearms" in PA. However certain types of guns legally defined as "firearms" must be transferred properly and that transfer recorded.

The definition of a "firearm" is the following.

1. a handgun, pistol, or revolver with a barrel less than 15"
2. *a rifle with a barrel less than 16"
3. *a shotgun with a barrel less than 18"
4. *a rifle or shotgun with an overall length less than 26"

*being an NFA device and requiring the proper Federal tax stamp and true registration.


For item 1 above to sell, give, or transfer an item from one person to another it must be taken to a FFL or Sheriff, fill out the PSP transfer form, and have a PICS instant background check performed upon the receiving party. There is an exemption though for transfers between spouses, parent/child, and grandparent/grandchild - which no paperwork is necessary.

The FFL then sends a copy of the PSP transfer record to the Sheriff, who in turn provides the info to the PSP. The PSP then maintains a database of who the firearms are transferred to.

It is the duty of the seller to properly transfer the firearm.

Long guns like rifles and shotguns may be sold, given or transferred from one private person to another without any paperwork, so long as you have no reason to believe they are a prohibited person or believe they have an intent to commit a crime.

In the United States, only five states have handgun registration and they are; California, Hawaii, New York, Maryland, and Michigan. Washington DC and a couple of the territories and protectorates also have registration. Some of the other states require a similar transfer recording like how PA does it, mostly to make sure the receiving person has had a background check performed. Others allow the gun to be traded or sold just like any other piece of property.


This post is subject to edit by staff and legal opinion.

[knight0334]

Sticky please??

[billamj]

I second knight0334 on this one. Please sticky this, the constant "registration" questions are starting to get to me.

[normanvin]

Originally Posted by knight0334

Sticky please??

Please....

[Pa. Patriot]

Heh - have a draft of similar info on this

I stuck the thread and will add a few tibits later when I get to my PC with the draft/info

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Heh - have a draft of similar info on this

I stuck the thread and will add a few tibits later when I get to my PC with the draft/info

Coolness.

[billamj]

I take back everything bad I've said about you, Rich.

[andrewjs18]

Does an ar-15 (complete) with a standard size barrel need to be transferred through an FFL?

Going to be putting the G/Fs Dad's AR-15 up here for sale soon and wasn't sure if we need an FFL.

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by andrewjs18

Does an ar-15 (complete) with a standard size barrel need to be transferred through an FFL?

Going to be putting the G/Fs Dad's AR-15 up here for sale soon and wasn't sure if we need an FFL.

Intrastate - no, its a long gun.
Interstate - yes.

[andrewjs18]

Originally Posted by knight0334

Intrastate - no, its a long gun.
Interstate - yes.

Ok cool..wasn't sure since I knew a stripper lower has to be sent to an FFL.