New to PA, question about carrying

[Bman85]

Hey everyone. I moved to PA to escape Cuomo last May. I acquired a LTCF. When I purchased my handgun, I was told that wolf put a restriction on open carrying in PA. After this, I asked a member of a local gun club of I could open carry in PA, and he said I could. He said the tempory ban that he had in place was lifted. I can't find any new information or a straight up answer, am I legally allowed to open carry my handgun while I have a LTCF in PA? Thanks everyone. And to end this message, I will vow to always do my part when I can to making sure what happened in NY doesn't happen in the great state of PA.

[Statkowski]

I can't find any new information or a straight up answer, am I legally allowed to open carry my handgun while I have a LTCF in PA?

First, welcome to the Commonwealth.

Second, no, you are not "legally allowed" to open carry your handgun, with or without an LTCF. What you are is "not prohibited" from open carrying your handgun. If this confuses you a little, remember that laws only prohibit, and with exceptions allow in certain circumstances. Here in the Commonwealth, the law is silent regarding "open carry", so it's not prohibited. And, by default, if something is not illegal then it's legal. Got it?

You can open carry anywhere in the Commonwealth, so says the Pa. Supreme Court in Ortiz v. Commonwealth, and the only place you actually need an LTCF to open carry is in Philadelphia (stupid state law, but that's what it is).

The Wolfe restriction probably had to do with his declaring a state of emergency regarding opioids, but since it's a special state of emergency even his people says it doesn't apply to handgun carry.

Big difference between Pennsylvania and New York, eh?

P.S. Don't cross the Delaware with your handgun. New York refuses to recognize your Pennsylvania license.

[TooBigToFit]

In PA, you can open carry without license unless you are in Philly (where you need your LTCF). There's some other things to watch out for (namely, in a vehicle), but that's the mile high view of it.

The thing with Wolf is that he announced a "state of emergency" due to the opioid crisis. You cannot carry a firearm during a state of emergency unless you have a LTCF. This made his state of emergency a de facto open carry (without a license) ban. He had said it would not be enforced, but really, would you believe that?

In any case, you should be good to go since you have an LTCF.

[BIGPOPPA]

From one NY refugee to another, welcome. I've been here since 2014.

[Bman85]

Great, thank you everyone. I'm so glad to have gotten out of NY. Unfortunately, I still work there. But I am working on that. For that reason, I'd love to see the national carry go through but we probably never will. So, has anyone actually had an issue with open carrying?

[spandexlurch]

If you want to have a good read on open carry stories check out Viper's thread on it. He's put out a lot of info over the years about both good and bad experiences.

http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=132551

[Statkowski]

So, has anyone actually had an issue with open carrying?

The biggest reactions probably are from residents of New York and New Jersey. They're not used to seeing people actually exercise their civil rights. Out west here, no issues at all, ever.

[R L Suehr]

The biggest reactions probably are from residents of New York and New Jersey. They're not used to seeing people actually exercise their civil rights. Out west here, no issues at all, ever.

Same here in the middle of the state, no one bats an eye.

[Bman85]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the replies, thanks for posting that thread. Got some reading material for a few days hope everyone has an enjoyable evening.

[Knightshift]

Welcome to THE USofA. The other side sucks.