Family members moving to PA this year. happy for them but...

[Peaceful1]

There are quite a few misconceptions in this thread. A few clarifications:

Yes, the handgun record of sale database is used as a registry by some LEOs, though the State Police say it shouldn't be. Registration of firearms is illegal, and ironically the State Supreme Court has ruled that this database is legal because it is incomplete (e.g., someone moving into the Commonwealth with firearms isn't required to tell anyone and some handgun transfers within the family don't require a formal transfer). It may be advisable to transfer your carry gun to yourself to avoid the potential hassle. Personally, I wouldn't. Private transfers of long guns require no paperwork.

You can transport an inaccessible unloaded handgun to/from a range or a gun shop without a license to carry. You can carry in a vehicle with a license issued by any state.

Pennsylvania has preemption. Philadelphia tries to enact its own gun laws, much like Cleveland, and they are routinely struck down in court as soon as someone has standing to challenge them. There are some differences (e.g., open carry or carrying a long gun in Philadelphia requires a license) that are legal because they are in the state statutes, not local ordinances.

Residents need to apply for an LTCF in their county of residence, and it's much simpler than in Ohio. No training requirement, and some counties issue on the spot. Check the sheriff's web site.

Pennsylvania has both Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground.

Pennsylvania has fewer restrictions than Ohio on places to carry, and far fewer "no guns" signs (which have no force of law here, though you could be charged with trespassing). No "must inform officer" nonsense. Avoid Federal property, schools, and courthouses and you're pretty much good to go.

Thank you.

[marinakorp]

Wow. Trying to sum up an entire site in 1 post!

The basics are already listed on this thread.

1- no registry of your firearms is necessary when moving here. When pirchasing additional firearms in PA, pistols need to go through a FFL transfer (mostly - I believe sheriffs can do it to) and rifles do not. If purchasing from a dealer, all will be entered in to a sales record. Not to me confused with a registry.

2- if wanting to carry a firearm loaded (pistols) you need a LTCF for concealed and carry in a vehicle. Open carry is OK while on foot without a LTCF with the exception of Philly. You need a LTCF there for open and concealed.

3 NFA- we are generally Friendly. Some sheriffs sign, some don't. There are ways to aquire legally without their signature.

4 read this site. Ask questions and welcome to PA.

5 with the exception of the carry in Philly, the laws are uniform.

6 there are places you can and can not carry, there are stickies on this site for that.

[Peaceful1]

Thank you to all who have posted information on this thread.

[ungawa]

PA gun laws are generally better than OH if you haven't figured it out yet.

There are no banned firearms and no mag limits. With LTCF - you can carry in a bar (not sure about OH) and just about anywhere except schools, detention centers, federal property, and courthouses - but courthouses ( where the Sheriff is located) must supply lockers for your gun. You can carry anything (guns), and as many anythings as you want - with your LTCF.

The law regarding transport of a handgun in a vehicle without LTCF sucks. But as was stated, PA is shall issue and anybody that has a gun should get their LTCF since there is no training requirement and no hoops to jump through (except Philly). Even if your parents don't plan to carry they should still get the LTCF. It's good for 5 years and costs around $20 (I forget), just get it and then you don't have to worry about half of the gun laws that could cause you problems in PA.

Yes, the requirement to transfer handguns at an FFL and the list the police keeps sucks. But there is no need to take what you already have to the FFL to get it on the list and there is no need to have a transfer registered between spouses (or parent to child, grandparent to grandchild, or vice versa).

Those are really the only two annoyances.

[PAMedic=F|A=]

Just to be clear, the law allows you to conceal carry in a school for "other lawful purpose" which would include self defense.

However the law is not as clearly as it could be. A Doctor was recently charged (3 weeks after the fact), because the State Police could no figure out of he had committed a crime or not. Hopefully the court ruling on the clear English well clear up the misconception that someone can not carry in a K-12 school.

[mpan72]

There are quite a few misconceptions in this thread. A few clarifications:

Yes, the handgun record of sale database is used as a registry by some LEOs, though the State Police say it shouldn't be. Registration of firearms is illegal, and ironically the State Supreme Court has ruled that this database is legal because it is incomplete (e.g., someone moving into the Commonwealth with firearms isn't required to tell anyone and some handgun transfers within the family don't require a formal transfer). It may be advisable to transfer your carry gun to yourself to avoid the potential hassle. Personally, I wouldn't. Private transfers of long guns require no paperwork.

You can transport an inaccessible unloaded handgun to/from a range or a gun shop without a license to carry. You can carry in a vehicle with a license issued by any state.

Pennsylvania has preemption. Philadelphia tries to enact its own gun laws, much like Cleveland, and they are routinely struck down in court as soon as someone has standing to challenge them. There are some differences (e.g., open carry or carrying a long gun in Philadelphia requires a license) that are legal because they are in the state statutes, not local ordinances.

Residents need to apply for an LTCF in their county of residence, and it's much simpler than in Ohio. No training requirement, and some counties issue on the spot. Check the sheriff's web site.

Pennsylvania has both Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground.

Pennsylvania has fewer restrictions than Ohio on places to carry, and far fewer "no guns" signs (which have no force of law here, though you could be charged with trespassing). No "must inform officer" nonsense. Avoid Federal property, schools, and courthouses and you're pretty much good to go.

There is no statute that says the gun must be inaccessible when transporting to of from the range, only unloaded.


I would not go so far as say the signs hold no weight of law. Yes most likely you will just be asked to leave but to assume they carry no weight is to set yourself up for an overzealos DA.

[mpan72]

PA gun laws are generally better than OH if you haven't figured it out yet.

There are no banned firearms and no mag limits. With LTCF - you can carry in a bar (not sure about OH) and just about anywhere except schools, detention centers, federal property, and courthouses - but courthouses ( where the Sheriff is located) must supply lockers for your gun. You can carry anything (guns), and as many anythings as you want - with your LTCF.

The law regarding transport of a handgun in a vehicle without LTCF sucks. But as was stated, PA is shall issue and anybody that has a gun should get their LTCF since there is no training requirement and no hoops to jump through (except Philly). Even if your parents don't plan to carry they should still get the LTCF. It's good for 5 years and costs around $20 (I forget), just get it and then you don't have to worry about half of the gun laws that could cause you problems in PA.

Yes, the requirement to transfer handguns at an FFL and the list the police keeps sucks. But there is no need to take what you already have to the FFL to get it on the list and there is no need to have a transfer registered between spouses (or parent to child, grandparent to grandchild, or vice versa).

Those are really the only two annoyances.

You do not need a ltcf to open carry in a bar. I would not recommend it for most people or instances though.

[ungawa]

You do not need a ltcf to open carry in a bar. I would not recommend it for most people or instances though.

That's what you got out of all that?

I was explaining to him that PA has very few places off limits for carry.

You need a LTCF to DRIVE to the bar. But that was not the point.

[mpan72]

That's what you got out of all that?

I was explaining to him that PA has very few places off limits for carry.

You need a LTCF to DRIVE to the bar. But that was not the point.

No but I noticed it and thought it might confuse the op. I don't think about the driving part because it has already been pointed out that they would need a ltcf to carry in a vehicle unless they meet an exception.