just looking for some insight

[moe68]

a few questions i have and any help would be great , is there any way to find out if a handgun has been registered in pa? how would a person go about getting a handgun registered if it isn't already?

the reason i am looking for info on this is, my grandfather wanted to give me an old pistol, he doesn't know if it was ever registered because it was givin to him 30 or 40 years ago when a friend of his died. i don't want to break any laws by taking it.

any help in pointing me in the right direction would be a big help..

[RocketFoot]

OMG...you said the "R" word! LOL

AFAIK, you can receive a pistol or long gun with no paperwork under the "Grandfathered" law. I'm sure you can pay a small transfer fee to a FFL to put it in your name if you like, but otherwise...no registration!

Oh, I almost forgot! Welcome to the PAFOA!!

[rwilson452]

Thereis no firearms registry in PA. if fact it's against the law for a government agency to maintain one. Your grandfather can give you the gun without any paperwork of any sort. However if your under 18 you cannot possess it without a parent being with you in direct supervision mode. If your over 18 supervision is not required. at 21 you can obtain a LTCF.

[TRB]

There is no gun registration in Pennsylvania. Your grandfather, or father for that matter, can make a gift of the gun to you. There is nothing else that either of you need to do. If for some reason you would like to generate some paperwork and a fee a friendly, local gun shop or FFL holder is usually be happy to oblige.

Is this a great state or what?

[Penguini66]

As everyone has already said, there is no such thing as a registered gun in Pennsylvania. Handgun or long gun. Let me repeat that. There is no such thing as a "registered gun" in Pennsylvania. (Therefore, there is also technically no such thing as an "unregistered gun" as some media reports might have you believe.)

The paperwork is only required for the 'purchase' of any firearm (handgun or long gun).

But, the loophole for you is that your grandfather can legally give you the pistol with zero paperwork required or necessary.

The way it works is that:
Grandfather to Grandson = OK
Grandson to Grandfather = OK
Father to Son = OK
Son to Father = OK
Brother to brother = Not OK
(same goes obviously for the fairer sex)

As far as if it has to be technically a "gift", I'll let the other more in the know comment.

[Punisher]

As everyone has already said, there is no such thing as a registered gun in Pennsylvania. Handgun or long gun. Let me repeat that. There is no such thing as a "registered gun" in Pennsylvania. (Therefore, there is also technically no such thing as an "unregistered gun" as some media reports might have you believe.)

The paperwork is only required for the 'purchase' of any firearm (handgun or long gun).

But, the loophole for you is that your grandfather can legally give you the pistol with zero paperwork required or necessary.

The way it works is that:
Grandfather to Grandson = OK
Grandson to Grandfather = OK
Father to Son = OK
Son to Father = OK
Brother to brother = Not OK
(same goes obviously for the fairer sex)

As far as if it has to be technically a "gift", I'll let the other more in the know comment.

brother gives gun to father - father gives gun to other son and presto! lol

[Penguini66]

brother gives gun to father - father gives gun to other son and presto! lol

Yea. But the point is. You can't say my brother "gave me this gun". You have to say my brother gave this gun to my father who then gave it to me.

[Punisher]

Yea. But the point is. You can't say my brother "gave me this gun". You have to say my brother gave this gun to my father who then gave it to me.

you got it - we're on the same page

[Pa. Patriot]

...But, the loophole for you is that your grandfather can legally give you the pistol with zero

It's not a "loophole". The exemption of grandfather to grandson is specifically written into the law.

§ 6111. Sale or transfer of firearms.
--snip--
(c) Duty of other persons.--Any person who is not a licensed
importer, manufacturer or dealer and who desires to sell or
transfer a firearm to another unlicensed person shall do so only
upon the place of business of a licensed importer, manufacturer,
dealer or county sheriff's office, the latter of whom shall
follow the procedure set forth in this section as if he were the
seller of the firearm. The provisions of this section shall not
apply to transfers between spouses or to transfers between a
parent and child or to transfers between grandparent and
grandchild.

--snip

[Penguini66]

It's not a "loophole". The exemption of grandfather to grandson is specifically written into the law.

Good point. Bad choice in terminology on my part.