Expired LTCF

**papat** · August 11th, 2015, 10:03 PM

My license is expiring soon. The renewal date kind of snuck up on me. I have applied for the renewal in Philly which everyone knows will take some time. I have heard about being able to still carry after the expiration date if you have applied for a renewal. Is there any truth to that and if so any literature I could carry with me if stopped?

**Grey Bearded One** · August 11th, 2015, 10:23 PM

INAL but as I understand it you could still be charged with carrying without a license but it is an affirmative defense if it is within six months of the expiration date AND you are not ineligible for a license. You probably could have a letter from God saying that you are good to go but would have a hard time convincing any cop of that and wind up spending a night in jail and then a day in court.

**Bang** · August 11th, 2015, 10:29 PM

Quote Originally Posted by twency on April 4, 2012:

When your old LTCF expires, assuming you are eligible for renewal, you are excepted from the licensing requirement for a period of 6 months from the date of expiration.

I happen to think it's not a good idea to rely on that provision if you don't have to, but it's the law and the sheriff has no authority to override it.
18 Pa.C.S. § 6106: Firearms not to be carried without a license

(b) Exceptions:
...
(12) A person who has a lawfully issued license to carry a firearm pursuant to section 6109 (relating to licenses) and that said license expired within six months prior to the date of arrest and that the individual is otherwise eligible for renewal of the license.
End quote.

( It's that date of arrest thing that kinda says bad idea...)