Guns Near Schools in PA?

**jonnyc** · August 31st, 2012, 10:21 PM

Need some help from you PA guys.
I have a C&R, carry permit, and more than 3 guns. We are looking to move a bit down the road and found a nice prospect that we want to check out. The move would be from Chester to Montgomery county. The property borders the grounds of an elementary school. Will I have any Federal or State issues with maintaining my licenses or possessions? While I'm at it, are there any Montco laws I should be aware of?
TIA

**Curmudgeon** · August 31st, 2012, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by jonnyc

Need some help from you PA guys.
I have a C&R, carry permit, and more than 3 guns. We are looking to move a bit down the road and found a nice prospect that we want to check out. The move would be from Chester to Montgomery county. The property borders the grounds of an elementary school. Will I have any Federal or State issues with maintaining my licenses or possessions? While I'm at it, are there any Montco laws I should be aware of?
TIA

You'll be fine. It is an exception to the Federal 1000' Gun Free School Zone that you:
Are on private property,
Possess a license to carry from the state in which the school is located.

Except for a "city of the first class", ie, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's firearms laws are uniform throughout the state.

PDF of federal GFSZ Act of 1996... http://www.gunlaws.com/Gun_Free_School_Zones_Act.pdf

.

**BimmerJon** · August 31st, 2012, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Except for a "city of the first class", ie, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's firearms laws are uniform throughout the state.

.

Firearm laws are state laws and uniform in ALL cities, including Phila.

**Curmudgeon** · August 31st, 2012, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by BimmerJon

Firearm laws are state laws and uniform in ALL cities, including Phila.

Agreed, and I don't believe I stated otherwise. Certain forearms laws are different in a city of the first class.

Said another way, and perhaps more appropriate to the OP's question, PA's firearms laws do not vary from county-to-county.

**Ewussor** · September 1st, 2012, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

You'll be fine. It is an exception to the Federal 1000' Gun Free School Zone that you:
Are on private property,
Possess a license to carry from the state in which the school is located.

Yep, the private property exception is very clear.

What I've always wondered though: If all of one's property is within 1000' of a school, then one has to has to pass through the GFSZ in order to go to or depart from that property. This is not an issue if one has an LTCF, but what about someone who does not have one? Would it be a defense that one was going to or from one's own property?

**Shisno** · September 1st, 2012, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Ewussor

Yep, the private property exception is very clear.

What I've always wondered though: If all of one's property is within 1000' of a school, then one has to has to pass through the GFSZ in order to go to or depart from that property. This is not an issue if one has an LTCF, but what about someone who does not have one? Would it be a defense that one was going to or from one's own property?

Yes

IANAL

**QuackXP** · September 2nd, 2012, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Shisno

Yes

IANAL

I would still get a LTCF jsut for some extra CYA. It's $20 and good for 5 years.

**Shisno** · September 2nd, 2012, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by QuackXP

I would still get a LTCF jsut for some extra CYA. It's $20 and good for 5 years.

Yes. That would be smart. Also you might run into more school zones in your travels like I do. There is an elementary school right across the road from me. There is now way I can avoid the 1000 foot rule. So I'm covered with that school even if I didn't have a LTCF. But on my way to work I pass right by a high school. Even though I'm covered on the elementary school I'm screwed with the high school. So yes, get the LTCF. It'll save you a lot of hassle.