Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    A primer.

    Welcome intrepid traveler/new Philadelphian/shore-bound dawdler, to our fair city.

    Chances are, you've heard some bad things about this first-class city. Seriously Really bad. Maybe now you're beginning to regret your decision. "They'll take my guns," you think. "I could be SHOT. By CRIMINALS. Or POLICE. Or CRIMINAL POLICE. And then be FLASH MOBBED, but not the operatic kind!"

    Yes, we do have some problems. There are (Surprise!) criminals that mar our fair city. And as PA's only 'City of the First Class', there are some additional things you have to keep in mind. But first thing's first! If you're visiting, there's loads to take in. If you're moving here, you're not alone. Some of us even like it here. If you're passing through... Sit down, stay a while! We won't bite! (Unless you ask. Nicely. On Delaware Ave. That's what they call 'consensual'. And filthy, you pervert. Ick.)


    The Law
    Now, about those laws. As a "City of the First Class", there are some additional restrictions on carrying in the city. Unlike the rest of Pennsylvania, you need a license to carry in Philadelphia regardless of whether you're doing so concealed or openly. 18 Pa.C.S. § 6108 is the relevant statute you need to pay attention to.

    Additionally, Philadelphia has attempted to close what it terms the 'Florida loophole', and now legally prohibits Pennsylvanians from carrying in Philadelphia with licenses from other states. This is in flagrant violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, and would probably not stand up in court. Philadelphia City Council sometimes does stupid, symbolic things. This wastes our tax dollars, but sometimes we prefer they do stupid, symbolic things than things that actually matter like taking on stunning amounts of debt for pet projects performed by blood relations or beating one another up on the council floor*.

    Prefer stunning assailants to filling them full of hot lead? Philadelphia is not okay with that. Stun guns and Tasers are illegal in Philadelphia, as per §10-825 of the city code.

    One more thing. Philadelphia is officially allergic to what it terms 'cutting weapons', as per §10-820. Technically, this means you shouldn't be carrying a Leatherman, Swiss Army Knife, or flip knife, unless it is being actively used in your 'trade, profession, or calling'. Practically, people openly carry utility knives in Philadelphia all the time and are never detained, much less fined $300 and imprisoned for 90 days. At worst, it stands a chance of being something you get charged with if you can't be charged with being 'in contempt of cop'.

    As a general rule of thumb, you can carry in Philadelphia anywhere it's legal to carry in Pennsylvania. Don't be surprised if you attract attention from the police if you choose to do so openly.


    How to Get a License to Carry Firearms in Philadelphia
    So, you moved your residency to Philadelphia, but don't have your LTCF yet. You need to go to 990 Spring Garden Street, though the entrance is in the back. They're open from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays and December 20th through January 3rd. There will very likely be a line, so show up early and take something to read. You will need to take:

    • The application filled out in ink, not pencil
    • Two completed reference sheets filled out in ink by non family members
    • A valid, current Pennsylvania state-issued ID
    • One 2inch by 2inch passport photo
    • Two proofs of residence such as utility bills and bank statements. No, junkmail or birthday cards don't count.
    • A money order for $20, payable to 'The City of Philadelphia'


    They will interview you. They may be rude, and they may sit you down and make you wait for 25 minutes while they grab some lunch. They may grill you about unpaid parking tickets (which, in Philadelphia, can constitute reason to deny you a LTCF). As long as you're pleasant and straightforward, you shouldn't run into any problems. They will fingerprint you. This is very likely also a violation of the UFA.


    Things to Do
    Alright, I'll be honest. All those links up there? The ones about grandmothers having their guns and licenses taken away, about unnecessary detainment, about dirty cops selling heroine, and about opera singers wantonly bursting out into song without warning or provocation? That was just to scare people away. Even now, people who read no further than the "PPD Strikes Again" link are angrily mashing the "Reply Now" button to froth at the keyboard about how much Philthadelphia stinks** and you'll never catch them dead here.

    That's okay, gentle reader. That leaves more for us.

    Yes, all those things are stupid. Yes, bad things happen, and they're easier to hear about in a big city than in a small town. But you don't change things by avoiding them entirely, and Philadelphia has a lot to offer.

    Places it's verified okay to carry:

    • Academy of Music
    • Academy of Natural Sciences
    • Art Museum
    • Eastern State Penitentiary
    • Fairmount Park (and all other city parks)
    • Franklin Institute
    • Franklin Square
    • Kimmel Center
    • Mutter Museum
    • Please Touch Museum
    • Rittenhouse Square
    • Race Street Pier Park
    • Schuylkill River park & trail
    • The Zoo



    Places that you need to check your firearm.



    Places you probably shouldn't carry:




    Places to Eat & Drink
    There are a LOT of places to eat in Philadelphia. Here's a select few:
    • Just about anywhere in 'Top 50'
    • Reading Terminal Market (Especially DiNics, and get a cannoli at Termini Brothers). Also good for getting fruits, vegetables, cheese, and meat.
    • Picanha (all you can eat, BYOB, better and cheaper than Fogo de Chao)
    • Eulogy (gigantic Belgian beer selection)
    • Monk's (big Belgian beer selection, great mussels)
    • Paesano's (great sandwiches)
    • Lorenzo & Son's on South Street (cheap pizza by the slice)
    • Franklin Fountain (Fantastic ice cream)
    • Italian Market. Get here early enough on the weekends and you can get plenty of good fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meat, and fresh pasta.
    • Tiffin (Indian)
    • La Veracruzana (Cheap, authentic Mexican food. Maybe more authentic than you're angling for)
    • The Piazza at Schmidt's, on the Liberties Walk (The capital of hipsterdom in Philadelphia, but some good eats & drinks there)
    • Main Street Manayunk (A somewhat more suburban section of Philly, lined with various restaurants and boutiques)


    Gun Shops & Ranges

    Mythaeus makes the following generous offer:
    Quote Originally Posted by mythaeus View Post
    <snip>
    If you want, you can add if anyone wants to come and shoot or learn to shoot in Philly, they are welcome to get in touch with me via PM. I'll arrange for it and make sure that it will be a good and affordable experience.

    Al
    Getting Around
    Driving isn't your only option. Philadelphia is very walking-friendly, cycling friendly, and the remainder can be filled in by SEPTA. It's not always reliable, but it's often better than parking.

    Google Transit can usually figure out what routes you need to take. TransitView lets you see (approximately) where buses and trolleys are. Fares are $2 if you pay as you get on (and make sure and carry exact change, SEPTA employees often won't make change for you) or $1.55 if you get tokens. Tokens are available at major stations such as 30th Street, Suburban Station, and Market East, as well as some vendors around the city. A complete list can be found here. You can also get an unlimited ride passes for individuals and families.


    Resources for Residents
    • This page lets you find out what City Council district you live in, and this one has their contact information (but not email addresses).
    • This page will tell you which congressional district you are in, and who is representing you, with links to more information.
    • Everyblock.com's Philadelphia page. Good resource for knowing what's going on in your neighborhood, including crime, events, restaurant inspections, reviews, and more.
    • Our Mayor Tweets regularly. He's no real friend to firearms owners, but he's not completely senseless either.
    • A detective in West Philadelphia Tweets too. An informative and friendly representative from the PPD who's quick help if he can.
    • Fraud, waste, and abuse are annoying. Fortunately, there's an app for that. I haven't used it, but hopefully its better than nothing.


    I'll update this post as other things come up. Feel free to reply with suggestions. Philadelphia bashers, keep it constructive. Enjoy!
    -chivalrouscarry

    * For the record, we elected the winner of that fight mayor. See, survival of the fittest! You like that, right?

    ** For the record, that funny smell is New Jersey.
    Last edited by chivalrouscarry; June 6th, 2012 at 10:34 PM. Reason: Another edit to include Mayor Nutter's Twitter feed and the Philly Watchdog app

  2. #2
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    A good start! A few suggestions...

    1. I would remove the "Places you shouldn't carry", or at least change the category to "Places where you may have a hard time if discovered to be carrying". Let people decide for themselves based on others' experiences, rather than tell them that they "shouldn't".

    2. "Places where it's OK to carry" is somewhat a misnomer as well, conveying that the rest of the places are not OK. Rather, "Popular venues where there are no metal detectors at entrances", minus public squares and parks since, again, already covered in "where you can or cannot carry link". Again, let people choose whether or not to carry.

    3. Add information about Taser and stun guns being illegal in Philly

    4. Things to do / where to eat should have links to the Piazza, possibly the hottest/unique spot in Philly along with Northern Liberties area and restaurants and bars. Also, don't forget cheesesteak places (I'm not a fan, but still...)

    5. Add information on where to go shooting in Philly...kinda important

    Al
    "In a controversy, the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth and have begun striving for ourselves." - Siddhartha Gautama

  3. #3
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    The way I read 18 Pa.C.S. § 6108 it appears that all that is needed is a Pennsylvania LTCF. The section on obtaining an LTCF in Philadelphia seems accurate for residents of Philadelphia. Am I wrong in thinking that my LTCF issued in Montgomery county is valid in Philadelphia?

  4. #4
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    Quote Originally Posted by ecnarrot View Post
    The way I read 18 Pa.C.S. § 6108 it appears that all that is needed is a Pennsylvania LTCF. The section on obtaining an LTCF in Philadelphia seems accurate for residents of Philadelphia. Am I wrong in thinking that my LTCF issued in Montgomery county is valid in Philadelphia?
    It's a PA LTCF and is absolutely positively 100% valid in Philadelphia.

    Al
    "In a controversy, the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth and have begun striving for ourselves." - Siddhartha Gautama

  5. #5
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    when did it drop to a 20$ fee?

  6. #6
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    Quote Originally Posted by beex215 View Post
    when did it drop to a 20$ fee?
    Technically, May 11th, although my calculation had it as being the 9th. Realistically, probably some short time after they received the notification of the $5 fee sunsetting.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    Quote Originally Posted by IronSight View Post
    Technically, May 11th, although my calculation had it as being the 9th. Realistically, probably some short time after they received the notification of the $5 fee sunsetting.
    What is this, Harold Camping math?

    Great thread!

  8. #8
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    Also, for those who have iPhones, download the "Philly Way" app. It's free and has tons of good information on there.

    Al
    "In a controversy, the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth and have begun striving for ourselves." - Siddhartha Gautama

  9. #9
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    Don't forget the recreational oppurtunities of Fairmount Park; shopping on Main Street in Manayunk, the focal point of the annual bike race; and the pot holes.

    http://visitphilly.com
    http://fairmountpark.org/
    Last edited by priell3; May 24th, 2011 at 01:09 PM.
    MikeP

  10. #10
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    Default Re: So, you're visiting/moving to/passing through Philadelphia

    Quote Originally Posted by mythaeus View Post
    A good start! A few suggestions...

    1. I would remove the "Places you shouldn't carry", or at least change the category to "Places where you may have a hard time if discovered to be carrying". Let people decide for themselves based on others' experiences, rather than tell them that they "shouldn't".

    2. "Places where it's OK to carry" is somewhat a misnomer as well, conveying that the rest of the places are not OK. Rather, "Popular venues where there are no metal detectors at entrances", minus public squares and parks since, again, already covered in "where you can or cannot carry link". Again, let people choose whether or not to carry.

    3. Add information about Taser and stun guns being illegal in Philly

    4. Things to do / where to eat should have links to the Piazza, possibly the hottest/unique spot in Philly along with Northern Liberties area and restaurants and bars. Also, don't forget cheesesteak places (I'm not a fan, but still...)

    5. Add information on where to go shooting in Philly...kinda important

    Al
    As well as knives, also illegal in Philly to carry, unless you meet certain criteria, none of which includes defensive carry.


    Philadelphia – Carry of switchblades prohibited. See, PHILADELPHIA, PA., CODE § 10-810 (2006). Use or possession on public streets or on public property of any “cutting weapon”, defined as “[a]ny knife or other cutting instrument which can be used as a weapon that has a cutting edge similar to that of a knife” prohibited, with exception for “tool or instrument commonly or ordinarily used in a trade, profession or calling” while “actually being used in the active exercise of that trade, profession or calling.” See, id. at § 10-820. Violation penalty is minimum fine of $300 and minimum ninety day imprisonment. Id. Possession of weapons, the definition of which includes knives and cutting instruments, prohibited on or within 100 feet of any school, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or form school. See, id. at § 10-833.

    By the way, it's refreshing to see someone write about Philadelphia and look past the politics and police department.


    .

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