Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    I am new to this forum. If my question is answered somewhere else let me know and delete this. Also if this is in the wrong area please move.

    As I understand it air rifles or handguns are not legal for hunting in PA. I would like to know if it is possible to get it approved. Air guns are quite powerful with callibers in .177, .20, .22, .25 and have muzzel velocity of near and over 1000 fps. I have listed a link concerning information for the state of Florida.

    If I am incorrect and air rifles are permitted please advise.

    http://straightshooters.com/chat/viewtopic.php?t=5971

    Thanks for your help

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    Not allowed in PA.
    Hoping it stays that way, also.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    Indeed, Air Gun hunting is not allowed in Pa.


    Title 34, Sec. 2308 "Unlawful devices and methods"

    Sec. 2308. Unlawful devices and methods.

    (a) General rule. - Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to hunt or aid, abet, assist or conspire to hunt any game or wildlife through the use of:

    {snip}
    (5) Any device operated by air, chemical or gas cylinder by which a projectile of any size or kind can be discharged or propelled.
    {snip}
    To get it "approved" would require Pa. General Assembly repealing/changing the above law.
    _________________________________________

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  4. #4
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    I would have agreed with you when you indicate that you hope it stays that way until I started checking them out. There are some powerful rifles out there and accuracy is tremendous. Of course picking the shot and keeping the range to 35 yards more or less is part of the equation. I believe with the accuracy factor they are more humane than archery. I have archery hunted in the past as well as hunting with rifles, shotguns and pistols. I don't fault you for your thoughts. There are some extremely nice rifles, like Beeman. Not cheap either. thanks for the info though.

    Check out this website if you have not looked at some of these rifles: www.straightshooters.com

    I am not trying to support any website but this one is laid out well and has a lot of good information.

    Look at say Beeman R9, R1, R2 or RWS and others. There are charts showing the velocities of each. Also the .22 pellet is rather large compared to the .177. Accuracy is unbelievable especially if you keep it to 40 yards or less. I am only talking about this for small game, rabbits, squirels, rats, ground hogs, pigeons etc. Not deer or anything like that. Believe me a .22 pellet at 30 yards from most of the middle weight and above rifles will be instant death if one takes only a killing shot.
    Last edited by doxie3; February 1st, 2009 at 05:11 PM.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    Air guns are also in 9mm and can produce some excellent power and accuracy. Pennsylvania's hunting laws haven't moved into the 20th century, let alone into the 21st. Changing this law would never get done as it doesn't produce additional income or line anyone's pockets.

    Lewis and Clark had an airgun with them on their historic journey. .31 caliber, here is a sight for it http://www4.vmi.edu/museum/air_rifle.html

    I find it ironic that the commonwealth sells liquor and now has gambling casinos. What is next, state ran brothels?
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  6. #6
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    So if air guns are not permitted for hunting in PA, and they can be sold without background check, and purchased by mail, do the other laws apply like say with a pistol. May they be carried and may it be concealed. Not that I would want to as a 9MM against an air pistol...But is there laws about carry and transporting air rifles pistols. I mean they make a Smith and Wesson and Colt air pistol that copies actual ones and look very nice.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    correction, see some of the law below.

    However, I do think Philthadelphia and a few other municipalities do prohibit such things is certain manners.
    Last edited by knight0334; February 2nd, 2009 at 08:47 PM.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    Quote Originally Posted by strickler613 View Post
    But is there laws about carry and transporting air rifles pistols.
    Yes. The highlighted portions pretty much rule out the notion of carrying such for self-defense.
    §6304. Sale and Use of Air Rifles.

    (a) Sale or transfer of air rifles.—

    (1) It shall be unlawful for any dealer to sell, lend, rent, give, or otherwise transfer an air rifle to any person under the age of 18 years, where the dealer knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, the person to be under 18 years of age, or where such dealer has failed to make reasonable inquiry relative to the age of such person, and such person is under 18 years of age.

    (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, give, lend, or otherwise transfer any air rifle to any person under 18 years of age, except where the relationship of parent and child, guardian and ward or adult instructor and pupil exists between such person and the person under 18 years of age.

    (b) Carrying or discharging air rifles.—

    (1) It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to carry any air rifle on the highways or public lands unless accompanied by an adult, except that a person under 18 years of age may carry such Rifle unloaded in a suitable case or securely wrapped.

    (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any air rifle from or across any highway or public land or any public place, except on a properly constructed target range.

    (c) Exceptions.—

    (1) Nothing in this section shall make it unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to have in his possession any air rifle, if it is:

    (i) kept within his domicile;

    (ii) used by the person under 18 years of age and he is a duly enrolled member of any club, team or society organized for educational purposes and maintaining as part of its facilities or having written permission to use an indoor or outdoor rifle range under the supervision, guidance and instruction of a responsible adult, and then only, if said air rifle is actually being used in connection with the activities of said club, team or society under the supervision of a responsible adult; or

    (iii) used in or on any private grounds or residence under circumstances when such air rifle can be fired, discharged or operated in such a manner as not to endanger persons or property, and then only, if it is used in such manner as to prevent the projectile from transversing any grounds or space outside the limits of such grounds or residence

    (2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit sales of air rifles:

    (i) By wholesale dealers or jobbers.

    (ii) To be shipped out of this Commonwealth.

    (iii) To be used at a target range operated in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection or by members of the armed services of the United States or veterans’ organizations.

    (d) Seizure.—Any law enforcement officer may seize, take, remove or cause to be removed, at the expense of the owner, all air rifles used or offered for sale in violation of this section.

    (e) No preemption.—The provisions of any ordinance enacted by any political subdivision which impose greater restrictions or limitations in respect to the sale and purchase, use or possession of air rifles, than is imposed by this section, shall not be invalidated or affected by this section.

    (f) Grading —Any dealer violating the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree Any person violating any other provision of this section shall be guilty of a summary offense.

    (g) Definitions.—As used in this section the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

    “Air rifles.” Any air gun, air pistol, spring gun, spring pistol, B-B gun, or any implement that is not a firearm, which impels a pellet of any kind with a force that can reasonably be expected to cause bodily harm.

    “Dealer.” Any person engaged in the business of selling at retail or renting any air rifles.
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  9. #9
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    Its illegal to discharge a firearm or swing a knife/bat at someone, or run them down with a car too. All have justifications as force and deadly force in Chapter 5.

    One could easy argue that one's right to self-defense creates a lawful justification for even the BB gun.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Air rifles and pistol for hunting law

    Quote Originally Posted by Guy Fawkes View Post
    Pennsylvania's hunting laws haven't moved into the 20th century, let alone into the 21st. Changing this law would never get done as it doesn't produce additional income or line anyone's pockets.
    Actually if you check the PGC site they just went ahead on allowing crossbows for hunting this year.

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