Question about buying a rifle from private party

All - I figure this has been asked before, but I can't seem to locate the answer:

I am a PA resident. Can I buy a long arm (rifle or shotgun) from an out-of-state resident without going through an FFL? (I know that I cannot do so for a handgun.)

Example: I am interested in buying a rifle from someone who lives in MD. We would meet either in PA or in MD. Can I simply buy the rifle from him? Or since he is not a resident of PA, does this need to go through an FFL transfer?

Please only answer if you are absolutely sure. No guesses or "I think" answers.

Thanks!

No you CANNOT privately buy any firearms face to face from out of state residents unless you you hold an FFL of some sort. In your example you have to go to an FFL in either state and make the purchase with a background check.

Thanks. To clarify: You are saying that we can do the transfer at an FFL in MD or PA, right? Either state is ok, right, as long as it's through an FFL?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gunsrfun1

Thanks. To clarify: You are saying that we can do the transfer at an FFL in MD or PA, right? Either state is ok, right, as long as it's through an FFL?

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Yes at an FFL in either state. That being said I would call the FFL you decide on and make sure they are willing to do an out of state transfer on a long gun. I have come across ones at gun shows that would not even though it's 100% legal.

You can buy a long gun from an out-of-state FFL.

You may not take delivery of a handgun outside of PA.

You may not transfer any kind of modern gun privately from out of state, unless you use an FFL.

Blackpowder guns do not count FEDERALLY, but they do count for PA prohibited persons, who may not possess any gun that spits out a projectile by means of explosive force. (Or a stun gun, they definitely can't possess them, despite being physically able to buy them lots of places. A firearms prohibition in PA = a stun gun prohibition. Me, I won't touch a stun gun anyway, because the statutes are badly written and stun guns are prohibited offensive weapons in one statute, with an ambiguous carve-out in the next statute that MAY apply, sometimes, to non-prohibited persons who are using one in self-defense.)

OK thanks all.