Drawing your firearm in PA...

[JrFreak]

What is the law in regards to drawing your firearm in PA? I've been told you can draw your firearm but you cannot point it at anyone.

For example, you're walking to your car late at night and a group of teens aggressively approach you, yelling and calling you names. You are getting nervous. Can you draw your weapon to 'show' them they might want to head in another direction?

Thanks.

[knight0334]

What is the law in regards to drawing your firearm in PA? I've been told you can draw your firearm but you cannot point it at anyone.

For example, you're walking to your car late at night and a group of teens aggressively approach you, yelling and calling you names. You are getting nervous. Can you draw your weapon to 'show' them they might want to head in another direction?

Thanks.

It isn't "deadly force" until you pull the trigger. If you draw and point it at someone, you had better be justified at least in the use of force(I said "force", not "deadly force"). If you have no justification for "force", you could be cited for a number of things.

Its a little more complicated than that above, but that above is the basic outline. Avoid drawing and aiming unless you are certain you may need to use the gun. If you can, keep it holstered, or drawn but held at ready without being aimed.

[jcabin]

You've been a member of this site for 3 years, why are you just researching this now?

As the poster above mentioned, and he was pretty spot on, you can draw your firearm as a final defensive show of force before you have to use deadly force.

When you've drawn your firearm you should have already decided you were in fear for you life and that you are going to have to use it. If the person/s who are threatening your life turn tail and haul ass, all the better. However, do not pull your gun with no necessity to use it, because then it would likely not have been justified.

[CenterTree]

You've been a member of this site for 3 years, why are you just researching this now?

First, I see his membership as 2 years, but either way it shouldn't matter how long it took him to ask this question (or research). Pretty sure we have no time-line here at POFOA for when we should ask certain questions. Just a good thing he is asking to learn!I was a member here several months before I even owned a handgun.

As the poster above mentioned, and he was pretty spot on, you can draw your firearm as a final defensive show of force before you have to use deadly force.

When you've drawn your firearm you should have already decided you were in fear for you life and that you are going to have to use it. If the person/s who are threatening your life turn tail and haul ass, all the better. However, do not pull your gun with no necessity to use it, because then it would likely not have been justified.

I was taught at a pistol class that by JUST drawing your firearm, you already have committed assault. However, in a self-defense situ that "assault" would be justified and therefore not be applicable in a negative aspect of law.
Not sure if that is completely true, but it was taught.

When you've drawn your firearm you should have already decided you were in fear for you life and that you are going to have to use it.

Yes, this is a good and accurate assessment and is well within the laws.

[JrFreak]

You've been a member of this site for 3 years, why are you just researching this now?

What you guys replied was pretty much what I thought. Never thought of it while on the forum I guess... PAFOA is a great resource, but it's not the only one.

[DonM55]

[QUOTE=JrFreak;1640052]Can you draw your weapon to 'show' them they might want to head in another direction?.[/QUOTE

I would not use my gun as a tool to try to scare someone. God forbid I ever have to draw but if I do it will be drawn with the intent to use not scare.

[offshorebear]

I wouldn't trust legal advice on a public forum.

[PhillyAR]

This question is something I have always wondered as well. Maybe Phil will chime in. IMO only pulling out your gun when you definitely know you are going to fire it makes carrying a gun much less useful. I would rather draw and have the bad guys run then have to kill them and deal with the legal mess.

[ghogs nightmare]

I would STRONGLY advise against that.
.
ref: Pa Title 18 Sec. 2701 A (3)
.
But its just a suggestion

[QuackXP]

I wouldn't trust legal advice on a public forum.

+1 I've been guilty before of discussing legal topics online. After hearing an attorney lecture on firearms law I decided to stop that practice all together.

If you don't want to get a lawyer yourself. There are occasional law classes on firearms related issues at least in Philly and Pittsburgh that I know of.

Personally I would not draw my firearm unless I felt I had no other option but to fire to protect myself or a loved one from serious bodily harm or death.

However if the presence of the firearm caused the aggressor to immediately disengage I would not pull the trigger.