Pennsylvania Atty General updates carry permit page, touches on reciprocity issues.

[danp]

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/crime.aspx?id=184

This page has been massively redesigned and goes into much more detail about the various states that have some form of reciprocity with Pennsylvania. Additionally the page touches on the recent issues but does not offer any solutions at this time.

I will be updated our reciprocity information this weekend to reflect the changes.

Just thought everyone should know.

[never_retreat]

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/crime.aspx?id=184

Firearm Reciprocity Agreements

In 1995, the Pennsylvania General Assembly gave the Attorney General the authority to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has formal written reciprocity agreements with fourteen states that recognize a valid license to carry firearms issued by Pennsylvania. Conversely, Pennsylvania recognizes valid firearm carry licenses/permits from those states. In addition to the 14 formal agreements, other forms of reciprocity are applicable.

Carrying Firearms in Pennsylvania - Frequently asked questions (by the Pennsylvania State Police)

Note: It has come to the attention of the Office of Attorney General that there has been confusion over the applicability of Pennsylvania's reciprocal privileges with regard to the residency status of an individual who has been issued a valid license/permit. It is the position of the Office of Attorney General that recognition within Pennsylvania is based on the issuance to an individual of a valid license/permit by the reciprocal contracting state, and not on the license/permit holder's place of residence.

Categories of Firearms Reciprocity

Under Pennsylvania law, there are six categories of firearms reciprocity status.

Category 1: States that have entered into written reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania. (Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6109(k))

The following states have entered into formal written reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania under section 6109(k) of the Uniform Firearms Act. These agreements provide for reciprocal recognition of valid licenses/permits issued by both states. Recognition in Pennsylvania is based on the individual's issuance of a valid license/permit by the reciprocal contracting state, and not on the license/permit holder's place of residence.

A list of these states and links to their firearms laws is provided below, along with the text of the agreements:

*
Alaska
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Alaska
Read Alaska's official information on gun laws
*
Florida
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Florida
Review Florida's official information on gun laws
*
Georgia
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Georgia
Contact the Georgia Office of Attorney General
*
Kentucky
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Kentucky
Review Kentucky's official information on gun laws
*
Michigan
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Michigan
Review Michigan's official information on gun laws
*
Missouri
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Missouri
Review Missouri's official information on gun laws
*
New Hampshire
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with New Hampshire
Review New Hampshire's official information on gun laws
*
North Carolina
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with North Carolina
Read North Carolina's official information on gun laws
*
Oklahoma
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Oklahoma
Read Oklahoma's official information on gun laws
*
South Dakota
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with South Dakota
Read South Dakota's official information on gun laws
*
Tennessee
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Tennessee
Read Tennessee's official information on gun laws
*
Texas
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Texas
Review Texas's official information on gun laws
*
Virginia
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Virginia
Review Virginia's official information on gun laws
*
Wyoming
Read Pennsylvania's Firearm Reciprocity Agreement with Wyoming
Review Wyoming's official information on gun laws


Category 2: States that have statutory reciprocity under 6106(b)(15) of the Uniform Firearms Act.

The following states have been granted statutory reciprocity without a formal written agreement under 6106(b)(15), based on the determination of the Attorney General that the other state has granted reciprocity to Pennsylvania license holders, and that the other state's laws governing firearms are similar.

*
Colorado
*
Idaho
*
Louisiana
*
Montana
*
North Dakota
*
Utah


Category 3: Unilateral reciprocity granted by another state for Pennsylvania license holders.

This category encompasses states which allow an individual issued a valid concealed firearm license from Pennsylvania to carry a firearm while in those respective states.

*
Indiana


Category 4: Pennsylvanians may apply for a license/permit from another state ("Application states").

*
Maine
*
Maryland
*
Massachusetts
*
Washington


Category 5: State does not recognize or grant licenses/permits to individuals from another state, currently does not extend reciprocal privileges to Pennsylvania license holders, or has not indicated current status.

*
Alabama
*
Arizona
*
Arkansas
*
California
*
Connecticut
*
Delaware
*
Hawaii
*
Illinois
*
Indiana
*
Iowa
*
Kansas
*
Minnesota
*
Nebraska
*
Nevada
*
New Jersey
*
New Mexico
*
New York
*
North Dakota
*
Ohio
*
Oregon
*
Rhode Island
*
South Carolina
*
West Virginia
*
Wisconsin


Category 6: Carry permitted without license/permit.

*
Vermont

**Vermont allows possession or carrying of a concealed firearm without a license/permit.


Please be aware that the information on this page is subject to change based on the most recent developments in the various states and territories. If you are aware of changes in any of the information above, please contact the Office of Attorney General so that our information may be revised appropriately. If you plan to travel to another state it is recommended that you contact the proper authority within that state in order to verify what, if any, additional requirements or restrictions apply under state or federal law.

[RoyJackson]

The way I read this is the PA recognizes Non-Resident licenses (example, you live in MD, your license is from Florida...PA would recognize that).
Do you agree?

This is based upon this paragraph quoted from the AG site (Bolding and Italics are mine):

Note: It has come to the attention of the Office of Attorney General that there has been confusion over the applicability of Pennsylvania's reciprocal privileges with regard to the residency status of an individual who has been issued a valid license/permit. It is the position of the Office of Attorney General that recognition within Pennsylvania is based on the issuance to an individual of a valid license/permit by the reciprocal contracting state, and not on the license/permit holder's place of residence.

[Steve in PA]

Gee..........I've been arguing that point the whole time this mess has been going on. Nice to see the AG finally got his act together. I wonder how PSP feels about the situation now?

[knight0334]

hah.. looks like the AG's office just put a boot in the ass of the State Police. lol

[danp]

Originally Posted by RoyJackson

The way I read this is the PA recognizes Non-Resident licenses (example, you live in MD, your license is from Florida...PA would recognize that).
Do you agree?

This is the issue we're currently having, the Pennsylvania State Police are taking the position that for certain reciprocity agreements (like Florida) that would not be valid. The Attorney General disagrees.

[knight0334]

The "new" AG page is still a little off...

It lists Indiana as unilateral in Cat. #3, but lists it again as not honoring PA in Cat. # 5. We all know Indiana honors ALL licenses or permits issued by any state, city, county or country(Yes, you can carry in Indiana with a Saudi Arabian permit).

Arizona is still whacked too... AZ honors all by law, and the AG office told me there was an agreement pending.

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by danp

This is the issue we're currently having, the Pennsylvania State Police are taking the position that for certain reciprocity agreements (like Florida) that would not be valid. The Attorney General disagrees.

Since PSP has no authority to interpret the law they can say whatever the hell they want, but if they arrest you for carrying on a non-resident permit when the AG has made the position clear, they're guilty of official oppression.

[knight0334]

Originally Posted by MarcS

Since PSP has no authority to interpret the law they can say whatever the hell they want, but if they arrest you for carrying on a non-resident permit when the AG has made the position clear, they're guilty of official oppression.

hehe official oppression... I just love that law..

Too bad I dont have a FL or other nonresident license... It'd be nice to hit the Circuit Court Lottery.

[CCinPA]

Originally Posted by knight0334

hah.. looks like the AG's office just put a boot in the ass of the State Police. lol

Yes and the other boot in Fast Eddies arse. Hell I just sent my certified letter out to Trooper Anderson of the Firearms Unit in Harrisburg yesterday requesting the PSP's position in writing. I just wish I can watch him write his reply on Monday.