Carrying while hunting

[Steve in PA]

Thought some people might like to see the specific law allowing a person to carry while hunting;

Sec. 2525. Amended November 29, 2006, Act No. 162, Effective January 28, 2007.

Sec. 2525. Possession of firearm for protection of self or others.

(a) General rule.- It is lawful for a law enforcement officer or any person who possesses a valid license to carry a firearm issued under 18 Pa C.S. Section 6109 (relating to licenses) to be in possession of a loaded or unloaded firearm while engaged in any activity regulated by this title.

(b) Construction.

(1) This section shall supersede any prohibition on the possession of firearms or ammunition contained in any other provision of this title.

(2) This subsection shall not be construed to permit the hunting or harvesting of any wildlife with a firearm or ammunition not otherwise permitted by this title.

(c) Definitions. - As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Firearm." As defined in 18 Pa C.S. §6102 (relating to definitions).

"Law enforcement officer." As defined in 18 Pa C.S. §6102 (relating to definitions).

[doug]

Thanks for posting that, Steve!

[bert304]

I talked to a local WCO and I was told it is legal to hunt while carrying but if you are carry a handgun that is legal to hunt with like a 357 mag or a 44mag you might get harassed if it is not rifle season. If you carry a semiauto you won't have a problem,

[Pa. Patriot]

I talked to a local WCO and I was told it is legal to hunt while carrying but if you are carry a handgun that is legal to hunt with like a 357 mag or a 44mag you might get harassed if it is not rifle season. If you carry a semiauto you won't have a problem,

You might get harassed but it's still legal.

I carry a 357 or a 44mag 4" whenever in the woods
If a WCO gives me a hard time I will make a LOT of noise up the chain.

Now, if your carrying a 8" scoped 44 mag your definitely going to get harassed and I have no problem with that as the intent will be clear.

[WMG]

intent my ass , if the law says I can carry a handgun and that handgun mets the requirments , who is to say that ain't right
thats the trouble with gun owners as is , we got too many saying how what is lawful isn't right
self defense with a scoped 44 may be odd but is it or is it not my right? OH it is? then shut the hell up

... let me add my "shut the hell up" was geared towards those folks in general and not a direct attack towards any one person on a persoanl lever .... you know what I mean

[Steve in PA]

The big problem or issue is how the PGC worded the change in the law. The PGC will have the burden of proving that a scoped revolver is not normally associated with carrying for self-defense under a LTC.

Now, that burden is not really Mt Everest, because if you take a poll of what handguns are usually associated with carrying under a LTC, a scoped revolver will likely NOT be one of them.

Just because you personally choose to carry that type of handgun, doesn't mean you will win your case. How about carrying a scoped T/C Contender. That would fall under being allowed with a LTC, but how many people carry it for self-defense?

Maybe a judge will side with you, but more likely he will rule in favor of the PGC and tell you to appeal his ruling if you don't agree with it.

[Steve in PA]

I talked to a local WCO and I was told it is legal to hunt while carrying but if you are carry a handgun that is legal to hunt with like a 357 mag or a 44mag you might get harassed if it is not rifle season. If you carry a semiauto you won't have a problem,

Again, total BS. What if I carry a snub-nosed .357mag or .44mag for personal defense. Lots of people do. I could also hunt with both of those handguns is I so desired.

[WMG]

you are correct , it may come down to you having your day in court regardless of what you may be doing , after all an arrest/citation is NOT saying you are guilty , however often times even those in line with the written law will be stricken simply because of what the arresting officer thought and the cost with fighting such things

[God's Country]

The bottom line is that the new game law permits an individual with a ltcf to carry a weapon that is legal with the issued permit.....period. Any WCO that has a problem with that can go scratch!

[WhiteFeather]

The real bottom line is the state legislators took the presumed power implied in title 34 regulations that the game commission assumed they had and clarified it in the new law. (Including spot lighting and permit holders).
Note the PGC had in past made similar cases to what many of your posted, under old regulations that permit holder and off duty officers had to deal with, this new law does away with all of it.

Funny thing happen behind the scenes. The PGC opposed it and Rep Staback went after them to prove their objections in writting with facts to back their objections of abuses by permit holders and all they said after that was "never mind".


This was one of the bills that was introduced at the March 2006 PRO-GUN press conferance from ACSL web site http://acslpa.org/n-acslarchives.htm
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Hunting & CCW Legislation

The PA House of Representatives legislation that will provide gun owners who hunt and possess a Concealed Carry Permit to possess their self-defense firearm while hunting currently has 42 co-sponsors and is set to be heard by the legislature shortly.

This legislation (HB 2563) has been introduced at the request of the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, the PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the PA Sportsmen’s Association.

This issue was an integral part of the March 14th news conference.



Pro-Gun News Conference in Harrisburg on March 14th

Gun Owners and Sportsmen and Women converged on Harrisburg in a once in a decade opportunity to strike a blow for their rights by attending our News Conference in Harrisburg in support of Rep. Metcalf and Senator Pippy who introduced legislation to end the illegal registration of Firearms Owners.

Gun Owners of America Executive Director, Larry Pratt joined with pro-gun grassroots groups in speaking out in support of ending gun registration and the hypocrisy of gun control.

Legislation introduced as a result of our efforts and attendance in Harrisburg are as follows:

HB 2536/SB 1156 Registration of Guns Prohibition

HB 2563 Extending CCW Rights to Hunters

HB 1181 Extending CCW Rights to State Employees

More legislation is currently being drafted in recognition of gun owners and sportsmen and women

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PA Legislative Victory:

House Bill 2563

In a surprisingly easy fashion, House Bill 2563 passed in the House of Representatives by a margin of 189-8. In fact every Democrat voted for it and this should bode well for us once it reaches the Senate. The next move is on to the Senate Game and Fish committee, which is chaired by Senator John Pippy.

Our THANKS to all of you who called to make this happen
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Pro-Gun/Pro-Sportsmen Bills (H.B. 2563 & H.B. 2134) Signed Into Law

Culminating a year of furious activity and controversy, the PA Senate swiftly passed House Bills 2563 (Concealed Carry while hunting) and 2134 (Social Security Numbers on Licenses) at the urging of the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, the PA Sportsmen’s Association and the PFSC.

To review, H.B. 2563 (Rep. Staback-Sponsor) provides for the ability of ‘any’ hunter pursuing Title 34 activities to legally carry a concealed firearm, including semi-automatic firearms. This new option does not allow hunters to use these firearms to harvest game with them; they are ONLY for self-protection.

House Bill 2134 (Rep. Fairchild-Sponsor) would remove the requirement that Social Security Numbers must be submitted when applying for recreational licenses such as hunting or fishing licenses. Instead of your Social Security Number you would submit your drivers license number upon application for the license and then the agency would have to specifically request that PennDot provide your SSN to fulfill the requirements of the federal law on deadbeat dads. These prohibitions would also apply to health care providers and their procedures as well.

H.B. 2134 is a stopgap measure and does not eliminate the disclosure of SSN numbers it does eliminate the ‘public’ use and submission of them. We still must eliminate the ‘requirement’ to use them for recreational licenses for any reason in accordance with the federal law governing the use of these numbers.

Reps. Staback and Fairchild pushed very hard for these bills and they passed the House with wide margins and in the Senate, Senator John Pippy was VERY successful in applying the necessary pressure to ensure that these bills were brought to the floor at a time when NO legislation was supposed to be considered.

Please send a note of thanks to Rep. Staback, Rep. Fairchild and Senator Pippy for their steadfast support and hard work on these bills!!!