PA laws re handgun as a gift

[Delos]

Purchased a handgun, over a year ago, for my wife. We now want to give that handgun to our son. What does PA require in the way of transfer validation/registration? Potential recipient is, to the best of our knowledge, fully qualified to possess a handgun. I have seen mention of a transfer form located somewhere on PAFOA. It might be a good resource to use but I don't know where to find it. TYIA!

[Gunsnwater]

A parent my gift a gun to a child.

[kimtyson]

What he said. ^^^^ No paperwork or anything needed.
Only question, is the son at least 18? (Not sure if age is a requirement but someone will chime in.)

[Emptymag]

Yes, a parent may give (gift) a child a handgun or long gun with no additional paperwork required. Done.

You may also have it transferred via an FFL (gun shop) and at that point the record of sale will show ownership has been transferred from you to him.
The benefit to this is revealed if he should be stopped for whatever reason and the police "run the numbers" on that handgun. When it doesn't match up with his name it could become a hassle.

I'm personally very much opposed to transferring anything that isn't legally required to be (such as in your case), but the scenario above is a real possibility and so I mention it so you have more info in which to make your decision.

[Bang]

Police are doing what they are told to do due to the quasi-military chain and dept regs. The more people stand up to the administrators flying the desks, the more we will "discover" that the cops aren't as anti-gun as it seems. Or. anti or pro, the more they will abide by the law. Father and son with same last name? I'd go for the potential hassle if it surfaced, and put a chink in the armor.

[Emptymag]

Police are doing what they are told to do due to the quasi-military chain and dept regs. The more people stand up to the administrators flying the desks, the more we will "discover" that the cops aren't as anti-gun as it seems. Or. anti or pro, the more they will abide by the law. Father and son with same last name? I'd go for the potential hassle if it surfaced, and put a chink in the armor.

So would I. Maybe.
If it were a run of the mill handgun with zero sentimental value, I would accept the minimal risk of having it confiscated until I could "prove" it were mine.
If it were something of high monetary/sentimental value, maybe not so much.

[normanvin]

I am guessing the son lives in the same state as Delos

[Emptymag]

Yeah, age of son and state of residency matter.

If he lives in another state an FFL transfer is required.

[SevenMilePete]

Purchased a handgun, over a year ago, for my wife. We now want to give that handgun to our son. What does PA require in the way of transfer validation/registration? Potential recipient is, to the best of our knowledge, fully qualified to possess a handgun. I have seen mention of a transfer form located somewhere on PAFOA. It might be a good resource to use but I don't know where to find it. TYIA!

Depends on where he lives.

[PhillyVet]

This is by no means required, however, what you could do is write a letter stating that you are gifting the firearm to your son and have the letter notarized. Your son can then keep this letter and if his weapon is ever confiscated because it isn't in the illegal database, he has a document stating that it is in fact his.