AR firearm (<26”) with VFG vehicle carry

[EvoRich]

The hubbub comes from a misreading of the definition of "firearm", and the importance of the word "or":

"Firearm." Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length less than 15 inches,

any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches

or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches,
or

any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches. The barrel length of a firearm shall be determined by measuring from the muzzle of the barrel to the face of the closed action, bolt or cylinder, whichever is applicable.

No matter what else is going on with your AR pistol, if it has a barrel length under 15", it's a "firearm". Same applies if it has a 17" barrel and telescoping bolt/receiver that keeps the OAL under 26". That's why we can legally carry a registered SBR in a car, loaded, under our LTCF, if ANY of the listed factors apply.

Found this. And from what I gather here, even in PA, a 10.5” barrel, despite being over 26” OAL is considered a firearm, and legal for vehicle carry in PA.