Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 44
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    (Philadelphia County)
    Posts
    3
    Rep Power
    0

    Default How old to purchase a handgun?

    I'm an out-of-stater going to school in Philly and I was wondering how old you have to be to purchase a handgun in PA. I tried doing some searching but couldn't really find any clear laws listed online. I'm about to turn 20 and I live in a pretty sketchy area of the city. I've thought about it and I think I would feel much safer with a firearm. My main two questions are; (1) do you have to be 21 to purchase a handgun in PA, even if through a private party and (2) will there be any consequences stemming from the fact that I'm an out-of-state resident? Would I have to apply for PA residency?

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    SEPA, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    2,893
    Rep Power
    6903326

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    Yes, you must be 21 to purchase a handgun in PA. You cannot purchase a handgun through a private party because handguns require a PICS check.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Landenberg, Pennsylvania
    (Chester County)
    Age
    49
    Posts
    1,136
    Rep Power
    8168

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    You can buy it from a private party, and have an FFL transfer it to you. The FFL just can't sell it to you himself. See 18 U.S.C. § 922(x)(1), (5).

    Running PICS isn't a problem. You can run it for someone over 18, but under 21 -- it can still come back "clean" just that the party is under 21.

    You're going to have trouble finding an FFL who actually understands the law enough to do it, though. Most of them get a deer in the headlights look when you suggest it. I've even handed over a copy of the relevant statute and had some refuse to do it. Your best bet is to find an FFL who doesn't work out of a big gun shop. Generally those guys have a better understanding of the law because they, personally, hold the FFL, not the shop.

    The easiest way, quite frankly, is have one of your parents give you a handgun. That's perfectly legal -- it's how I got my first handgun. My mom bought one and gave it to me as a gift on my 18th birthday. No FFL transfer or anything is necessary -- they just hand it over and it's yours.
    Last edited by Rule10b5; January 29th, 2007 at 01:16 PM.
    The material presented herein is for informational purposes only, is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date, does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should NOT act or rely on any information in this post or e-mail without seeking the advice of an attorney YOU have retained.

    In plain English, while I am an attorney, I'm NOT your attorney, and I'm NOT giving you legal advice.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    (Philadelphia County)
    Posts
    3
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    Thanks for the info guys. The parent thing isn't really an option since they live very far off. Maybe I'll try the private party thing and see what happens.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
    (Luzerne County)
    Posts
    3,536
    Rep Power
    14216548

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    Even if you find a way to get the pistol, you still cannot carry it "in a shady part of town" until you are 21 anyway.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    (Philadelphia County)
    Posts
    3
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve in PA View Post
    Even if you find a way to get the pistol, you still cannot carry it "in a shady part of town" until you are 21 anyway.
    I'm not looking to carry it, concealed or otherwise. I don't stalk the streets at 3 AM or anything, just looking for something for home protection.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,933
    Rep Power
    4657699

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    Quote Originally Posted by twlurker24 View Post
    will there be any consequences stemming from the fact that I'm an out-of-state resident? Would I have to apply for PA residency?

    Thanks.
    Unless you are from out of the country, you can live any where in the US as a US citizen, your residency is where you have been living continuously for the past 90 days.

    You don’t need to “file” for residency, just have proof of residency, IE: drivers permit, state id, rent information showing you have been living in that state 90 days or more. One could hardly state they live in say Los Angeles when they are going to school for the past 4 months in Philly, it would be quite a commute. Although your primary residence may be your parent’s home in Los Angeles, you are entitled to claim being a Pennsylvania resident after 90 days.

    If you work in the state of Pennsylvania, you most likely have a Pennsylvania address as well that you give your employer; this again is proof of residency.

    In my case, being a legal permanent resident, I have to go through the proper channels if I want to move out of Pennsylvania or even within, meaning if I intend to move to Florida for a period of more then 90 days, I have to go to the INS or what is now called the USCIS and say I want to move to a new area.
    Skeet is a sport where you are better to hit half of each bird then completely blast one and miss the other completely.

    The choice is yours, place your faith in the court system and 12 of your peers, or carried away by 6 friends.

    Nemo Me Impune Lacessit. 'Nobody provokes me with impunity'
    ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    In this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig.
    Clint Eastwood
    The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Landenberg, Pennsylvania
    (Chester County)
    Age
    49
    Posts
    1,136
    Rep Power
    8168

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    Quote Originally Posted by Frenchy View Post
    [COLOR=black]I have to go through the proper channels if I want to move out of Pennsylvania or even within, meaning if I intend to move to Florida for a period of more then 90 days, I have to go to the INS or what is now called the USCIS and say I want to move to a new area.
    Yeah, well, if you'd stop referring to your "tuque" nobody'd know the difference
    The material presented herein is for informational purposes only, is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date, does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should NOT act or rely on any information in this post or e-mail without seeking the advice of an attorney YOU have retained.

    In plain English, while I am an attorney, I'm NOT your attorney, and I'm NOT giving you legal advice.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,933
    Rep Power
    4657699

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    Quote Originally Posted by Rule10b5 View Post
    Yeah, well, if you'd stop referring to your "tuque" nobody'd know the difference
    Hey I happen to love my Tuque, and I love the PomPom on it too!!! When is Pennsylvania ever going to get any snow?
    Skeet is a sport where you are better to hit half of each bird then completely blast one and miss the other completely.

    The choice is yours, place your faith in the court system and 12 of your peers, or carried away by 6 friends.

    Nemo Me Impune Lacessit. 'Nobody provokes me with impunity'
    ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    In this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig.
    Clint Eastwood
    The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Landenberg, Pennsylvania
    (Chester County)
    Age
    49
    Posts
    1,136
    Rep Power
    8168

    Default Re: How old to purchase a handgun?

    Quote Originally Posted by Frenchy View Post
    Hey I happen to love my Tuque, and I love the PomPom on it too!!! When is Pennsylvania ever going to get any snow?
    Me, too, but I skip the Pom.

    I think this season may be a complete lost cause for snow. We got 3" last night, but it was local only -- there was just a dusting 2 miles down the road. Kind of a bummer. We've a new baby at home, and I was hoping we'd get a couple winter wonderland type pictures with him this year. Not even enough snow to make him a decent snowman without hitting grass.
    The material presented herein is for informational purposes only, is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date, does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should NOT act or rely on any information in this post or e-mail without seeking the advice of an attorney YOU have retained.

    In plain English, while I am an attorney, I'm NOT your attorney, and I'm NOT giving you legal advice.

Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. First Purchase: M&P 9mm
    By ChamberedRound in forum General
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: July 7th, 2009, 11:09 PM
  2. Gun Purchase in Pa.
    By Robert Castillo in forum General
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: November 9th, 2006, 12:38 AM
  3. First Handgun Purchase
    By JoePSU in forum General
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: September 11th, 2006, 02:25 PM
  4. New Glock Purchase
    By SSGF109 in forum General
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: July 15th, 2006, 09:54 AM
  5. Delayed for purchase?
    By starblazer in forum General
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: June 24th, 2006, 04:20 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •