The skinny on gun permits and licenses

[ach382]

Question:

Are there differences between LTCF and CCW permits?

I have read many discussion threads that seem to interchange these terms.

Do they mean the same thing, or do leagal differences exist here?

Thanks.

[ihunt49]

PA has only a LTCF. Other states issue a CCW. Basically PA issues a License to Carry a Firearm, other states issue a Carry Concealed Weapon permit. You sat tomato, I say tamato.

[ScaredOnce]

For most intents and purposes, the answer is no. In PA, the required document is known as a License To Carry Firearms, hence LTCF.

Some dislike the terms "permit" or "license" because it implies to them that you have to be granted your 2A rights by some gov't process. But, other than that, I don't know of any definite difference.

Edit: I'm sure that you'd find quite a bit of discussion on this if you searched those terms, btw...

[Driver400]

As others have already stated, in PA it is called a LTCF. You will need one to carry concealed anywhere in the state or in your vehicle (if it is loaded). Open carry is legal in the entire state also without a LTCF except in Philadelphia where you need one to carry open or concealed.

[ach382]

Thanks for the info. I picked up my LTCF last year and was curious about the differences.

Thanks

[Brick]

There are other considerations also. Some states CCW license requires the weapon to be concealed and "open carry" or even "printing" is a violation.

[knight0334]

In some states their CWP(Concealed Weapon Permit) allows for carrying any type of weapon. ..like knives, swords, nunchucks, firearms, etc. Some states call their permit a "CFP", "CFL", or some other abbreviation.

Despite what each state calls it, you can only carry what is legal, and can only carry how they say is legal. Some force concealed only, some only require the permit if you are carrying concealed, some require a permit whether concealed or not.

[jerkin]

As others have already stated, in PA it is called a LTCF. You will need one to carry concealed anywhere in the state or in your vehicle (if it is loaded). Open carry is legal in the entire state also without a LTCF except in Philadelphia where you need one to carry open or concealed.

If you are referring to a handgun it doesn't matter if it is loaded or not you still need a ltcf to carry it in a vehicle except under a few very narrow exceptions.

[gnbrotz]

If you are referring to a handgun it doesn't matter if it is loaded or not you still need a ltcf to carry it in a vehicle except under a few very narrow exceptions.

And LTCFs don't apply to long guns under any circumstance anyway.