Gun registration and today's info

[Spanky]

I have a PA ccw permit and about to make the weapon investment. If the county has my ccw info and the gun shop processes the background check paperwork, isn't this info readily computer-available to the police officer who stops me for speeding? Tell me I'm wrong and how it differs from gun registration (as in tracking).s

 

[AFhack]

Sorry, but I'm a little unclear about what you'd be "wrong" or "right" about



I guess the officer doing the traffic stop 'might' have access to the info that you have a CCW permit - but I don't see how he'd have any idea whether you are actually carrying or not.


Additionally, prior to the actual stop all he has is your license plate number - I have no idea whether that's tied to either gun registration or CCW permits, but I highly doubt it.


Of course once he has your driver's license I could see a computer tie in to CCW permits, but even if if he does find that I kind of doubt it cross - references gun purchase info.


Seems to me that the Officer doing the stop has no idea whether or not you're carrying a gun from computer info only.

 

[Spanky]

ownership

but apparently he could know that I owned one or ten. Again, how does this differ from gun registration (tracking).

As a side and separate issue, it gets muddied when dealing with a less than honest officer who may be passing info to whomever.

I'm more curious than knowledgeable. It only hit me when I looked at the CCW forms and the purchase forms and then add the credit card to the scene, it's an awful lot of semi-public info that's required. It just irks me at this point.

 

[AFhack]

but apparently he could know that I owned one or ten. Again, how does this differ from gun registration (tracking).

Once again - I apologize for being slow - but how does "what" exactly differ from gun registration? (Sorry, but I'm a little confused by your sentences, here and in the original post)

 

[Spanky]

Registration

I see now. The info that is required today differs very little from gun control. The tracking is in place.

Thanks for your replies. Have a good week.

 

[Car Knocker]

Looks like he answered all his own questions to his own satisfaction.

 

[jtward01]

While at least some states cross reference drivers license and CWP lists so that an officer running a DL check is notified that the driver has a CWP there is no permanent list kept of background check applicants. I believe the information is only stored for 48 hours, then automatically deleted. And, of course, the dealer does not submit information on the type, caliber or serial number of the weapon being purchased. Only your ID info is submitted for the background check.

So no, there is no national, or even statewide, registration.

Now, some localities may keep lists of their own. Although it's officially denied, I've had several dealers tell me that the Sheriff's Office where I live has a deputy whose fulltime job is going from one gun dealer to another, inspecting the 4473 forms and copying down the buyer's ID and gun info.

 

[TrapdoorBilly]

Now, some localities may keep lists of their own. Although it's officially denied, I've had several dealers tell me that the Sheriff's Office where I live has a deputy whose fulltime job is going from one gun dealer to another, inspecting the 4473 forms and copying down the buyer's ID and gun info.

They better have a good reason to see the info or they won't get it from us. We will supply information for a criminal investigation but to let an officer in to look at the books and copy down buyer and purchase info - no way.

 

[WT]

The PA State Police has been keeping track of dealer gun sales since 1943. If you bought your guns from a dealer, PASP knows about it. They keep it in a database. The PA Supreme Court has ruled that this is perfectly legal.


Here is a link to the 23 page PA Supreme Court decision. It should answer your questions.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/pennsylvaniastatecases/supreme/j-1-2003mo.pdf

 

[ball3006]

In Texas you have to give....

the cop who stops you, your CHL along with your drivers license. If you don't you will be cited for failing to provide your CHL. Guns are not registered in TX so there is no way he would know what you have. I have been stopped and was asked if I was armed and not to touch it. The cops can relieve you of it if they want to during a stop but will give it back when they are completed doing whatever they are doing with you. Unless, you are hiding something and are caught at it......chris3

 

[loumarch]

In PA there is no requirement to own a gun to get your carry permit. Years ago you had to list the gun or guns you were carrying. This is no longer true.
The county that issues you your permit will not know what you own or carry. There are a couple of counties that require all guns sold in their boundaries to be reported to them. By law, these forms may only be filed for 30 days. The PA State Police are the only government agency in PA allowed to keep a database of purchased weapons. I work for a local department and it is near impossible to retrieve this info from the State, unless it was a homocide.

 

[Spanky]

Unaware

Many thanks for the valuable info. As a newbie, I was unaware of the availability and potential use of my gun ownership data. It's not that I have anything to hide, it's more an interest in not wanting to advertise, even to the police, that I have a weapon at home or with me. My own paranoia. Thanks again.

 

[Spanky]

In reply to Ioumarch

Would you happen to know if the PSP data is readily available to patrol officers or just used for criminal investigation? It's public knowledge that more than one trooper has crossed the line in recent years.

 

[AFhack]

Many thanks for the valuable info. As a newbie, I was unaware of the availability and potential use of my gun ownership data. It's not that I have anything to hide, it's more an interest in not wanting to advertise, even to the police, that I have a weapon at home or with me. My own paranoia. Thanks again.

Spanky - I can understand your interest in not advertising info like that, I share that concern. However, if you're in a situation where the police are involved there are quite a few good reasons to let the police know that you're armed. In the case of a traffic stop, it's usually not just a good idea, but a legal requirement as well.