Got License, Got Angry. Am I Wrong?

[sdsorrentino]

I received my LTCF yesterday in the mail, only 5 short weeks after applying. I grinned all the way back inside until I took a look on the back. There on the back, was a statement that it was "Valid in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Only! WTF? It isn't valid only in the Commonwealth of PA. Am I crazy? I called my folks, and theirs (in another county) is blank on the back. I mean, it's bad enough he requires county residents as references, but now he is telling Officer Friendly in another State that it is ok to lock up the bad man with the gun because his license isn't valid there, and damn what the two State Attorneys General have to say. Am I wrong to feel this way? Is there anything I can do about it?

[gnbrotz]

Regardless of what's actually printed on the license, the Sheriff has absolutely no authority to determine where a LTCF is or isn't valid.

§6109
(k) Reciprocity.-The attorney general may enter into reciprocity agreements with other states providing for the mutual recognition of each state's license to carry a firearm.

See this handy flyer for a bunch of helpful information regarding carry of firearms, including a list of which states recognize your Pa. LTCF.

[awkx]

Originally Posted by sdsorrentino

There on the back, was a statement that it was "Valid in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Only! WTF? It isn't valid only in the Commonwealth of PA.

The issuer of your LTCF only has the authority to license you to carry in PA; he doesn't have any authority to tell other states what to do. So in that respect, your license to carry firearms, by itself, is only valid in PA. However, when combined with the reciprocal agreements with other states, your LTCF allows you carry in other states as well. So in one sense, it can be said that your LTCF is only valid in PA. But in another sense, your LTCF is valid for other states too.

[str8shooter]

To answer your other question. Yes, you have good cause to be angry. That statement is 100% false, but LEOs in other states can't be expected to know PAs laws and may think we have a category of LTCF that is for in-state use only.

This is clearly something that has to be fixed with your county so it doesn't result in anyone getting falsely arrested in another state. In the mean time, an option might be to apply for a NH or other state's non-resident carry license. If you're ever required to show a license to carry in another state you can show the out of state permit and possibly avoid a legal hassle because your Sheriff decided he could write new laws on a whim.

[Philbert]

Originally Posted by awkx

The issuer of your LTCF only has the authority to license you to carry in PA; he doesn't have any authority to tell other states what to do. So in that respect, your license to carry firearms, by itself, is only valid in PA. However, when combined with the reciprocal agreements with other states, your LTCF allows you carry in other states as well. So in one sense, it can be said that your LTCF is only valid in PA. But in another sense, your LTCF is valid for other states too.

It should say "valid only in PA and certain states with which PA has reciprocity agreements". I understand that they want to stop ignorant people wandering into NJ with the idea that their LTCF is valid everywhere like their DL. But the current statement is misleading.

[str8shooter]

Originally Posted by Philbert

It should say "valid only in PA and certain states with which PA has reciprocity agreements". I understand that they want to stop ignorant people wandering into NJ with the idea that their LTCF is valid everywhere like their DL. But the current statement is misleading.

You make a very good point, and with such, I will my amend my previous statement to say that what is written on the back of the LTCF is 100% misleading, but as you pointed out, there is a miniscule amount of truth if you squint your eyes just right and see words between the lines.

Very objective view of a hot topic, good form. Same goes for you AWKX.

[Shawn.L]

Talk to Greg and PaPatriot, get notes, get orginized, calm down, and schedule a meeting with the sheriff.

[sdsorrentino]

Talk to Greg and PaPatriot...

OK, new guy though, how do i go about talking to them? who are they?

there's no real need for me to calm down as the fact that i got angry doesn't mean i lost my calm. now that i am licensed to carry, i can't go around being stupid.

it was my intention to wander into the Sheriff's office with the PA Attorney General's list of reciprocity states and ask politely that my card be replaced with one without the offending wording. i was going to further ask that future cards be sans message and that all previous cards with the incorrect information be replaced.

i was intending to act as though it was merely an oversight on their part that i, as a polite and concerned citizen, was simply assisting them in getting it correct. i was only going to get upset and argue through a lawyer, and then only if they missed the hint. besides, the girl who works the desk in the Sheriff's office is really nice. shouldn't be rude to people, and especially not to people like her.

have you all checked your cards? do they have the same wording?

[fingers80002]

not from York Co.

[Emptymag]

Originally Posted by sdsorrentino

OK, new guy though, how do i go about talking to them? who are they?

there's no real need for me to calm down as the fact that i got angry doesn't mean i lost my calm. now that i am licensed to carry, i can't go around being stupid.

it was my intention to wander into the Sheriff's office with the PA Attorney General's list of reciprocity states and ask politely that my card be replaced with one without the offending wording. i was going to further ask that future cards be sans message and that all previous cards with the incorrect information be replaced.

i was intending to act as though it was merely an oversight on their part that i, as a polite and concerned citizen, was simply assisting them in getting it correct. i was only going to get upset and argue through a lawyer, and then only if they missed the hint. besides, the girl who works the desk in the Sheriff's office is really nice. shouldn't be rude to people, and especially not to people like her.

have you all checked your cards? do they have the same wording?

You are not alone. There are many, many people who are given incorrect/outright false info along with their LTCF.
The entire system varies wildly from county to county. It's insane.

An inquiry/suggestion that the incorrect info be revised seems reasonable.