Laws in PA???

[K_Dubbya]

Greetings all!!!

I just recently moved to PA (and I live about 15 min from Ohio)

I mainly want to know what the laws are in both states as far as...

1. Reciprocity for a Michigan concealed pistol license. To my knowledge I'm good in both.
2. laws on short barreled rifles and shotguns.
3. laws on suppressors (silencers) for rifle and handgun.

Also how do I purchase a firearm in PA? Is it the same process as it was in Michigan even though I'm no longer technically a resident? My license still says MI so can I legally purchase a weapon in another state? Or do I have to buy in MI and drive it to my new residence in PA? Thanks for all your help!

-Hans

 

[fuzzyjon79]

Hans, I'll see if I can locate this information for you, but here is a reciprocity map to help answer your first question.

http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_reciprocity_maps.html

 

[fuzzyjon79]

I couldn't find any specific webpages right off the bat, but I did find a website that might prove to helpful, the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association:

http://www.pafoa.org/contact

 

[zoom6zoom]

www.handgunlaw.us
Oh, and PA requires you to get a PA driver's license within 60 days.

 

[gfanikf]

I couldn't find any specific webpages right off the bat, but I did find a website that might prove to helpful, the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association:

http://www.pafoa.org/contact

The discussion board is a source of good info.

As a PA resident welcome to the Keystone state and land of few restrictions.

 

[K_Dubbya]

Thank you kindly everyone, looks like I'm off to a better start.

 

[BeltFedEd]

Welcome to PA!

Everything short of a Thermonuclear device is legal here.

Since this is your new residence, you will be getting a new driver's license. Once you get your new license there will be no fuss or muss purchasing a firearm.

Where are you located? I'm in southern Butler Co.

 

[The War Wagon]

For a Yankee state (I'm 9 generations from NC) PA is very not-too-shabby on firearms regulations

Are we neighbors, perchance? I'm in da' 'BURGH, for reference!

 

[Sam1911]

Welcome to PA! I think you're going to like it here!

Here's the general summary on the Commonwealth's gun laws:
http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-laws/pennsylvania.aspx

And here's the carry laws, reciprocity, etc: http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/pennsylvania.pdf

The laws regarding NFA Title II items are simply that you must follow federal law. You may even hunt with your suppressors. (Though, not with any semiautos...)

When you have your PA "LCTF," Michigan will honor it. Getting your LCTF is cheap and eeeeeasy.

There are a VERY few off-limits places. Courthouses (though they provide gun lockers for you!), federal buildings, and ... probably ... grade schools, though that's contentious.

Once you've moved, (for the purposes of buying firearms) you are now legally a resident of PA, not Michigan, no matter what your driver's license says, so you will be buying firearms as a Pennsylvanian. That's a pretty good thing, as it is very simple. Rifles and shotguns: walk in, put down your money, fill out the 4473, wait a few moments for the phone call, and walk out with your new gun. For handguns the procedure is exactly the same, except there's one more state form, by which the PSP records the handgun sale. (Oh, but it's NOT a "registration" ... they promise! )

Good luck and enjoy your new home!

 

[Johannes_Paulsen]

@The War Wagon: Pennsylvania is far superior in its firearms laws than a lot of southern states I could mention. (Texas leaps to mind. North Carolina too!)

Sam1911 has a lot of good info. The process is simple.

Keep in mind that open carry is legal throughout the state *except* in "cities of the first class". A license for any kind of carry is required there. (Philadelphia is thus far the only city that so qualifies.)

Otherwise, welcome!