Texas Officer visiting PA

[Dragun]

So I'm a certified, licensed officer here in South TX, currently employed. I was planning on going to Philly for vacation, and I like to always carry, both openly and concealed.

My question is, are there any hoops I'd have to jump through to open carry in PA? Do I have to go through anyone to get this "OK'd'" or is it as simple as carrying my officer ID along with me? I believe LEOSE allows me to do so, but before I do anything I wanted to get more opinions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Enf...ers_Safety_Act

[son of the revolution]

So I'm a certified, licensed officer here in South TX, currently employed. I was planning on going to Philly for vacation, and I like to always carry, both openly and concealed.

My question is, are there any hoops I'd have to jump through to open carry in PA? Do I have to go through anyone to get this "OK'd'" or is it as simple as carrying my officer ID along with me? I believe LEOSE allows me to do so, but before I do anything I wanted to get more opinions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Enf...ers_Safety_Act

Wow. This certainly brings up an interesting conundrum. I agree that you are most likely covered under LEOSA. But you should be warned that Philly is VERY Anti Gun, and even more so for those that choose to Open Carry ( even legally ) as the epic saga of Mark Fiorino ( Viper ) on the forum in all its gory detail shows. He has been harassed and arrested for legally open carrying in Philadelphia.There is now a recently filed Federal Civil Rights Law Suit against Philly and the PD for their egregious actions.

Best thing I could suggest, particularly if your going to OC is to check in with some in the Command Structure before, or immediately after you arrive and give them a heads up as a professional courtesy. Even having done that, I seriously doubt it would help you with any rank and file officers on the street, at least at the very beginning of any potential encounter.

I cant speak intelligently as to whether or not there is an exception under LEOSA or PA Law that exempts you from any of Philly's specific carry laws simply because you are a LEO in an off duty capacity, but if I were you I would confirm as much as you could and probably even keep anything you find in writing on your person in the event of an encounter.

[bigdawgbeav]

If you have your CHL, I don't see any problems.

[Mitch10mm]

I'll be watching this thread and will be curious how you make out. Good luck.

[abner13]

Yep , PA and other free states welcomes ya , but Philthadelphia thinks it can make its own laws regardless of state or national laws. Some cops might show the respect and consideration you deserve , but others , ehhh!

I've heard of outer state cops get a real bad time in New Jersey. I was riding with one who had his PA-legal , but supposedly NJ-illegal hollowpoint ammo confiscated , but was let go after an hour of roadside nonsense.

[tl_3237]

Assuming you are LEOSA qualified, you can CC in Pa including Philadelphia.

You cannot OC in Philly or OC in vehicles based solely on LEOSA.

If you have a Texas carry license you could use it to OC in Philly and in vehicles.

Be careful not to carry into Federal facilities such as those in and around Independence Mall.

[knight0334]

I'm not sure if your LEOSA protections also cover you from the GFSZA, but you'll be ok anywhere else. If you have a TX permit, you can use it to apply for a PA LTCF($20). If you venture out to one of the "over-the-counter" counties you might only wait 15minutes for a PA license. ...then you'd definitely be safe in the 1000ft federal school zones(almost impossible to avoid in some cities).

We have less hassles on where and how we can carry, so even if you follow your Texas practices you'll be legally safe in PA.

Be sure to read this thread at the following link. http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope...nsylvania.html

[ungawa]

So I'm a certified, licensed officer here in South TX, currently employed. I was planning on going to Philly for vacation, and I like to always carry, both openly and concealed.

My question is, are there any hoops I'd have to jump through to open carry in PA?

What hoops do I have to jump through to open carry in Texas? LOL. I'm glad you like doing it, are you doing it out of uniform in TX?

I don't know much about LEOSA. If you are covered by that, or have a reciprocal/honored license/permit to carry, it seems only really young guys get jacked up over casual open carry anymore for the most part, and even that is rare. In Philly it seems you chances of a confrontation are higher.

[knight0334]

What hoops do I have to jump through to open carry in Texas? LOL. I'm glad you like doing it, are you doing it out of uniform in TX?

I don't know much about LEOSA. If you are covered by that, or have a reciprocal/honored license/permit to carry, it seems only really young guys get jacked up over casual open carry anymore for the most part, and even that is rare. In Philly it seems you chances of a confrontation are higher.

Either be an LEO or carry on your own lands for handguns. Long guns can be carried openly pretty much anywhere else.

[c45man]

The law enforcemet safety act, which I carry under as a retired officer, has few stipulations. The opening statement in the legislation qualifies state laws as not withstanding. There are exceptions. Can't carry on public property that prohibits the carrying of firearms. Can't carry on Federal Reservations including court houses. Can't carry on Amtrac nor commercial airlines. There is stipulations regarding private property where the owner or his agent does not want the carrying of firearms. I am not aware of any language in that law that prohibits open carry. Most that carry under the above law, are discreet, and I have not read any accounts of such incidents. Although the law is new, I am not aware of anyone carrying with the qualification card or active pollice officer credentials being arrested for a violation. The biggest can of worms regarding this law is the ever troublesome federal school zone act. It is not addressed in the LEOSA, and as such, no exceptions are mentioned. Again, I know of no one being arrested for the aforementioned school zone law.


Contrary to popular belief, a carrier under the authority of LEOSA can carry hollow points ammunition in New Jersey. This was always the case, but the improved version of the law, that went into effect a few years ago, has an ammunition provision that states that any ammo is legal that is not prohibited or controlled by federal law. This provision was addressed only because of the false impression that hollow point carry was illegal in N.J. under the 2004 version.

Philadelphia will not give you a bad time, if you have the proper credentials as a law enforcement officer carrying under the color of the above law.