act 235/concealed question

[scanman18]

Im 20 yrs old and an armed security officer. I possess my Lethal Weapons certification(Act 235). very recently, I was stopped by a Lehigh County Police department as I was on my way home from work in pottstown. I was legally pulled over for a minor traffic violation but escalated into a possible firearms charge.

Basically my question is, since i was in full uniform, possess my act 235, was en route home from work and was in the privacy of my own vehicle, can they charge me with carrying concealed?? since my fleece was over my firearm, despite having a badge on the fleece....

[PisnNapalm]

http://www.pafoa.org/law/carrying-firearms/act-235

Act 235

Carrying a firearm for the purpose of employment, such as an armored car driver, armed security and other similar jobs is regulated completely separate from regular concealed carry. In fact having a concealed carry permit does not allow you to carry a firearm for employment purposes and having passed ACT235 does not allow you to carry a firearm while not working.

For more information on carrying a firearm for the purpose of employment and receiving your ACT235 qualification we highly recommend you visit the Pennsylvania Lethal Weapons Training Program Website

Ummm.... IANAL(I Am Not A Lawyer).... but....The way I read it is that you were illegally carrying a concealed weapon. You could be screwed.


EDIT:: Until you have your LTCF, you should unload and case your firearm while transporting to and from work. You should also read and become very familiar with the UFA, Uniform Firearms Act. http://www.acslpa.org/pa_uniform_firearms_act.htm Especially the parts about transporting and carrying.

[gnbrotz]

http://www.pafoa.org/law/carrying-firearms/act-235



Ummm.... IANAL(I Am Not A Lawyer).... but....The way I read it is that you were illegally carrying a concealed weapon. You could be screwed.

I agree. It seems as if you did indeed violate the law.

[Pa. Patriot]

Another ditto. Your going to have to hope for a sympathetic DA/judge.
Hire an attorney for sure!

[scanman18]

actuallly, The DA decided not to press charges so im good in that sense.


and i understand that act 235 doesnt allow me to carry while not working and thats not my issue.. i never do or ever would carry if it didnt fall into the act 235 requirements. my issue is, since im in my car and do fall into the 235 requirements since im in uniform, have my card and am driving home from work.. since im in my car and just happened to have my fleece over my duty belt, would they legally be able to charge me with carrying a concealed weapon

[Pa. Patriot]

I don't see anywhere that 235 covers driving to or from work.
Any one know?

[4XLT]

your fleece covering it has no bearing.

it is illegal to have a loaded weapon in a vehicle without a LTCF.

[jtkratzer]

your fleece covering it has no bearing.

it is illegal to have a loaded weapon in a vehicle without a LTCF.

True, the law in Pennsylvania considers the vehicle to be a method of concealment.

[headcase]

your fleece covering it has no bearing.

it is illegal to have a loaded weapon in a vehicle without a LTCF.

I have to disagree, as there are quite a few exceptions in 6106 that allow you to carry without a LTCF. I'm going with he is perfectly legal. IANAL!!! But according to section 7 c of the act 235, "Every certified individual shall carry his wallet or billfold size certificate on his person as identification during the time when he is on duty or going to and from duty and carrying a lethal weapon". I will further say that 6106 b #6 states, "Agents, messengers and other employees of common carriers, banks, or business firms, whose duties require them to protect moneys, valuables and other property in the discharge of such duties".
I believe it is quite clearly stated that he may carry his weapon going to and from duty, and 6106 seems to include his job as a protector of property.

[scanman18]

see, i understand what you guys are saying..but i have been told by numerous people such as my 235 instructor, coworkers and a PA state constable that a 235 agent is permitted to carry the firearm 2 hrs before, during and 2 hrs after work..the fact that my firearm is loaded and in my vehicle means absolutely nothing since i fall within those requirements. im just not understanding why this officer wanted to charge me with carrying concealed simply because my fleece was over it... plus, the second he approached my window, i informed him that i am 235, returning from work and have a loaded holstered gun on my right side