Pistol purchase

[chiefmori]

If a pistol was purchased from a friend almost 20 years ago is there anyway legally you can transfer it now? (They are separated by several states) Should they even worry about it? What would be there best course of action?

[Parrisk]

You mean purchased without going through an FFL?

[mbinpa]

I am also interested in the answer - people my age - over 60 - might have firearms that were "given" to them by uncles, friends, etc. many years ago. I have heard that transferring the handgun to yourself through an FFL remedies this problem. Is that true?

[stainless]

I have heard that transferring the handgun to yourself through an FFL remedies this problem. Is that true?

I don't see it as a problem. YMMV.

[middlefinger]

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I'm smelling an anti-gun troll

[WCMG]

I am also interested in the answer - people my age - over 60 - might have firearms that were "given" to them by uncles, friends, etc. many years ago. I have heard that transferring the handgun to yourself through an FFL remedies this problem. Is that true?

It's my understanding (take that for what it's worth) that handguns transferred between PA residents starting in 1997 required an FFL or Sheriff. Before that, FFL's were not required for person-to-person handgun sales between PA residents.

Here's the specifics.

This had me thinking so I just called the PSP PICS unit in Harrisburg ( I know, I know, worst place to call about the law is the PSP...) and asked them "A customer was given a handgun decades ago from another PA resident and would like to register that firearm because a PICS transfer has never been done, can I run a PICS / 4473 on him to transfer the firearm to himself?"

PSP - PA does NOT have a gun registery, so there is no reason...

Me - Isn't that was the SP 4-113 Application of Sale is for?

PSP - PA does not have a gun registry! It would be unlawful for you to run a PICS check on him because there is no transfer of the firearm. PICS is solely used to transfer firearms to a person from another person or a dealer. It is NOT used to registry firearms.

Me - Thanks for your time.

[knight0334]

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I'm smelling an anti-gun troll

Not every new-comer is a troll, and the OP has been a member since 2013.. This IS a legit question.

[Bang]

A transfer by definition is something going from one to another. How does one transfer when the origin is absent?

Furthermore, if the SP ROS is a registration of sale, and no sale is occurring, how can one get on the ROS?

[mbinpa]

A transfer by definition is something going from one to another. How does one transfer when the origin is absent?

Furthermore, if the SP ROS is a registration of sale, and no sale is occurring, how can one get on the ROS?

The act of "transferring" a handgun to oneself - that is going to an FFL, having him enter it into his book, do the 4473 and PA form, and transferring it back to you - creates the SP ROS.

This was offered as the solution to the situation when a LEO 'runs' the serial number against a registry (that does not exist) the record comes back in your name and hopefully speeds you on your way without hassle.

[JenniferG]

You're best bet is to leave the gun at home. If you're going to carry make sure the gun is on the ROS Registration list. Some officers believe the list is registration and rightly so because it is registration. If your gun isn't on the registration list they can make it a hassle to get it back. I'm certainly not a lawyer so when it comes to legal advice you should seek a lawyer out for that.