What kind of references do I need for a CCW application?

I'm thinking of applying for my ccw and I'm a bit confused as to who I can use for references.

Family members are apparently a no no, but I have several friends I could ask. Do I need older references, younger references? Will anyone do as long as they don't have a criminal record?

Meanwhile, if I go to the range, I can store my gun in my trunk and my ammo in the passenger compartment, but when I walk from my car to the range, am I okay as long as the gun is carried out in the open?

Thanks for the advice!

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Originally Posted by SimplyComplicated

I'm thinking of applying for my ccw and I'm a bit confused as to who I can use for references.

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Before someone else jumps in and rails you for it, it's called a License To Carry Firearms (LTCF) here in PA. ;)

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Family members are apparently a no no, but I have several friends I could ask. Do I need older references, younger references?

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Anybody that can professionally speak to your personal behavior, and reassure the sheriffs office that you deserve to have one. (if they even call)

I used two of my friends...

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Will anyone do as long as they don't have a criminal record?

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That would certainly be a smart thing to do. Regardless, you wouldn't want a convicted felon speaking to your character, would you? ;)

But correct, they should not have a criminal record.

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Meanwhile, if I go to the range, I can store my gun in my trunk and my ammo in the passenger compartment, but when I walk from my car to the range, am I okay as long as the gun is carried out in the open?

Thanks for the advice!

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As long as you are legally allowed to own a firearm, yes. Without your LTCF, you could open carry it on your person to the station or just carry the case if you choose so.

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Originally Posted by SimplyComplicated

when I walk from my car to the range, am I okay as long as the gun is carried out in the open?

Thanks for the advice!

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Carrying in a holster, sure (except in Philly). Carrying in your hand? That could be considered brandishing a weapon. Pre-LTCF I would carry it into the range in a back pack with separate zipper compartments. One with the unloaded pistol in its case, and ammo in another.

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Originally Posted by phillykev

Carrying in a holster, sure (except in Philly).

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That's true, I forgot to mention that.. In case you didn't know, you need your LTCF in Philly to carry open...

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Originally Posted by phillykev

Carrying in a holster, sure (except in Philly). Carrying in your hand? That could be considered brandishing a weapon. Pre-LTCF I would carry it into the range in a back pack with separate zipper compartments. One with the unloaded pistol in its case, and ammo in another.

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Fact of the day: the word "brandish" does not appear anywhere in Title 18.

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Originally Posted by phillykev

Carrying in a holster, sure (except in Philly). Carrying in your hand? That could be considered brandishing a weapon. Pre-LTCF I would carry it into the range in a back pack with separate zipper compartments. One with the unloaded pistol in its case, and ammo in another.

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There is no law, none, about "brandishing" a weapon in PA.

There are laws about making threats, etc, that could apply to a weapon carried in a hand.

That's an important difference to remember.

anonymous: we seem to have the same questions about his posts lately :p

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Originally Posted by IronSight

There is no law, none, about "brandishing" a weapon in PA.

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I didn't say he would be charged with "brandishing" a weapon. I'm aware there is no law about that. But other laws are used in cases where someone is in fact brandishing a weapon, as you pointed out.

I'm trying to give the guy practical advice, not argue constitutional law. Carrying a loaded gun around in your hand on the street is not a good idea. Most LEO would not view it passively. I didn't get the feeling the OP was looking to be a test case for legal minutae.

I also live in Chester County and there were no restrictions on whom I could use as a reference other than no family members. Some counties say they must be residents of the County, but not in Chester County. Also, the application does not ask for your references age, just address and phone number, but I would think you'd want your references to be at least voting age, if not old enough to purchase a gun.

I asked two neighbors if it was OK to use them as a reference (getting permission to use someone as a reference for anything is always the right way to go), but they were never called.

Real quick here, I know it is called a LTCF, but on the back of mine it also reads permit... hummm m

The back of mine is blank.