About Gun "Registration" or Transfers in PA

[knight0334]

By law in PA there is no "registration" of guns or "firearms" in PA. However certain types of guns legally defined as "firearms" must be transferred properly and that transfer recorded.

The definition of a "firearm" is the following.

1. a handgun, pistol, or revolver with a barrel less than 15"
2. *a rifle with a barrel less than 16"
3. *a shotgun with a barrel less than 18"
4. *a rifle or shotgun with an overall length less than 26"

*being an NFA device and requiring the proper Federal tax stamp and true registration.


For item 1 above to sell, give, or transfer an item from one person to another it must be taken to a FFL or Sheriff, fill out the PSP transfer form, and have a PICS instant background check performed upon the receiving party. There is an exemption though for transfers between spouses, parent/child, and grandparent/grandchild - which no paperwork is necessary.

The FFL then sends a copy of the PSP transfer record to the Sheriff, who in turn provides the info to the PSP. The PSP then maintains a database of who the firearms are transferred to.

It is the duty of the seller to properly transfer the firearm.

Long guns like rifles and shotguns may be sold, given or transferred from one private person to another without any paperwork, so long as you have no reason to believe they are a prohibited person or believe they have an intent to commit a crime.

In the United States, only five states have handgun registration and they are; California, Hawaii, New York, Maryland, and Michigan. Washington DC and a couple of the territories and protectorates also have registration. Some of the other states require a similar transfer recording like how PA does it, mostly to make sure the receiving person has had a background check performed. Others allow the gun to be traded or sold just like any other piece of property.


This post is subject to edit by staff and legal opinion.