Law regarding traveling with a long gun in a vehicle?

[Bell X-1]

Just looking to find out what is legal regarding traveling within PA with a long gun in a car. I wasn't sure if this page also applied to long guns? This would be for someone without a LTCF if that matters.

[yeager484]

Just looking to find out what is legal regarding traveling within PA with a long gun in a car. I wasn't sure if this page also applied to long guns? This would be for someone without a LTCF if that matters.

That is the law you're looking for.

As far as I know, you can't drive around with it just for the sake of driving around with it.

I believe it's sections 8 and 9 that would apply to most folks but I'd read it all.

If the law says firearm it's shotguns, pistols, rifles, bazookas and probably potato guns.


I'm not a lawyer.

[Bell X-1]

Ok, thanks for the feedback. I was wondering because I am planning on visiting some family in a different area of PA that has more gun shops than the area I'm in. I was going to try to pick up a rifle when I was out there visiting. I'd keep in in the original packaging in the trunk with no ammo in the car. It would stay in the trunk for a day or two and then come home with me on the return trip.

Does anyone know if this would fall under the section (b)8? and therefor be legal?

Any person while carrying a firearm which is not loaded and is in a secure wrapper from the place of purchase to his home or place of business, or to a place of repair, sale or appraisal or back to his home or place of business, or in moving from one place of abode or business to another or from his home to a vacation or recreational home or dwelling or back...

[BimmerJon]

Long guns must be unloaded in vehicles
In Philly you need a LTCF to carry it in or out of vehicle
Outside of Philly, you can carry it in a vehicle without a LTCF
During a state of emergency (still in one) you need a LTCF regardless of location

[BimmerJon]

Ok, thanks for the feedback. I was wondering because I am planning on visiting some family in a different area of PA that has more gun shops than the area I'm in. I was going to try to pick up a rifle when I was out there visiting. I'd keep in in the original packaging in the trunk with no ammo in the car. It would stay in the trunk for a day or two and then come home with me on the return trip.

Does anyone know if this would fall under the section (b)8? and therefor be legal?

Only because we are in a SoE things change. You could purchase the Long Gun, but would have to drive directly home after the purchase without a LTCF.

With a LTCF you could drive around all day with it (unloaded)

Get your LTCF


Short answer. No, you can't do what you stated in the OP

[yeager484]

I'm pretty sure SoE does not apply.
http://reference.pafoa.org/statutes/...ing-emergency/

Prohibited conduct involves carrying in public places, not transporting.

Again, not a lawyer.

[BimmerJon]

I'm pretty sure SoE does not apply.
http://reference.pafoa.org/statutes/...ing-emergency/

Prohibited conduct involves carrying in public places, not transporting.

Again, not a lawyer.

TRANSPORTING IS "CARRY"

Unless the OP meets an exception (like buying it and driving straight home),
Carry of a long gun in a vehicle during a SoE without an LTCF is breaking the law

[Bell X-1]

Thanks for all the info guys. LTCF is definitely something I'll plan on getting. Right now I'll just hold off getting anything on this trip. I'd rather play things by the books to be safe. I didn't even think about the SoE and how it might come into play. I'm glad I asked the question here rather than just assume it would be ok.

[Keith A]

These replies answered some questions for me too. I thought a LTCF gave you permission to carry whatever you wanted, loaded or not.

[anonymouse]

6106, the section the OP linked to, does not apply to long guns in a vehicle. In most parts of the UFA, a traditional long gun is not a "firearm".

"Firearm." Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length less than 15 inches, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches, or any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches. The barrel length of a firearm shall be determined by measuring from the muzzle of the barrel to the face of the closed action, bolt or cylinder, whichever is applicable.

Which is why 6106.1 is titled "Carrying loaded weapons other than firearms"

§ 6106.1. Carrying loaded weapons other than firearms.
(a) General rule.--Except as provided in Title 34 (relating to game), no person shall carry a loaded pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle, other than a firearm as defined in section 6102 (relating to definitions), in any vehicle. The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons excepted from the requirement of a license to carry firearms under section 6106(b)(1), (2), (5) or (6) (relating to firearms not to be carried without a license) nor shall the provisions of this section be construed to permit persons to carry firearms in a vehicle where such conduct is prohibited by section 6106.

The definition of "loaded" is key.

"Loaded." A firearm is loaded if the firing chamber, the nondetachable magazine or, in the case of a revolver, any of the chambers of the cylinder contain ammunition capable of being fired. In the case of a firearm which utilizes a detachable magazine, the term shall mean a magazine suitable for use in said firearm which magazine contains such ammunition and has been inserted in the firearm or is in the same container or, where the container has multiple compartments, the same compartment thereof as the firearm. If the magazine is inserted into a pouch, holder, holster or other protective device that provides for a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition, then the pouch, holder, holster or other protective device shall be deemed to be a separate compartment.

Then again, Gunlawyer001 has pointed out that there is no definition of loaded for "weapons other than firearms". But that might just sidetrack this thread.

I am not a lawyer