New PA Resident - Buying a Firearm?

[fireblast713]

Hey,
So I'm moving to PA soon for school and I'm not familar with the PA gun laws, I'm coming from CA so I'm pretty excited about the more gun friendly laws of PA. I was wondering if people could list the requirements to purchase a firearm in PA, I've done a search online but if someone could just break it down that'd be appreciate. If there are any differences between purchasing a long gun and a handgun that would be worth mentioning, in addition to any differences between buying from a FFL or doing a private party transfer. Thanks in advance

[Chevmeister]

requirement to buy a gun:
pennsylvania citizenship, and eligable to own a firearm.

ftf can only be done private party to private party with a long gun. all pistols regardless of weather private transfer or purchasing from a dealer must go through an ffl or the sheriff.

good luck adn enjoy

[Pa. Patriot]

Welcome to Pa.

Coming from CA, you should be exited

Start here:
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/concealed...carry-you.html

As to buying... Other than no disqualifying criminal record ... you only need a state issued pic ID to buy from an FFL.

In a nutshell.... Long guns can be bought sold, face to face, through private transactions. Handguns must be transferred through an FFL or Sheriff. (exceptions for child, parent, grandparent and spouse-to-spouse transfers)

[P-11 shooter]

Good move.

When you get established you oughta come to some group shoots. It's a blast!

[Pa. Patriot]

requirement to buy a gun:
pennsylvania citizenship, and eligable to own a firearm.

Only for handgun or FTF long gun. You need not be Pa. resident for long gun purchase through FFL.

[jon'76]

Get a PA License, have money, pass PICS (or be able to for a FTF deal), and walk home that day with gun in hand.

Freedom is like that

[Pa. Patriot]

Sounds good, first I'll have to pick up a few guns heh, I'm leaving all mine in CA

You are allowed to bring them with you

[Guns4Fun]

Since you said you are coming for school, i'll also throw out that you must be 21 to purchase a hangun but only 18 to purchase a long gun.

[Pa. Patriot]

Since you said you are coming for school, i'll also throw out that you must be 21 to purchase a hangun ...

Further clarification:
You can not buy a handgun until 21 from an FFL. You can buy a handgun from a private party at 18, BUT you must have it transfered at a sheriff's office and there are not many that will do it

[JCWohlschlag]

… I don't want to go through the hassle of bringing/registering them in PA…

There is no registration of firearms in Pennsylvania. There is only a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) database of purchased handguns, and firearms imported from other states aren’t put on it. By the way, a future welcome to Pennsylvania to you. I am a new transplant from California, myself. (Southern California… Riverside area, not bay area/Sacramento like yourself.) You will definitely notice many differences here in Pennsylvania… most of them good, especially the firearms laws.