PA Carry Question

[PAshooter]

Howdy! I'm new to the state (having just moved here from the Peoples Republik of Maryland) and I must say it's good to be free! With every expectation of having my PA CCW permit within a few days I figured I'd read up on the "dos and don'ts" of carry in the Commonwealth. From a PA-related link over at packing.org I found the following law excerpt:

"No person, including concealed weapon permit holders, may carry in any vehicle, a loaded firearm with an overall length of less than 26 inches, a handgun with a barrel length less than 15 inches, a shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches, or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches. Section 6106.1(a)."

OK - I'm confused. Does this mean that even as a permit holder I can't take my gun with me if I'm driving somewhere? It just doesn't make sense. Can someone explain this to me - how the law is interpreted and enforced?

TIA if you can shed any light on this issue. Oh - and a note to the mods - I'm posting this over in Legal and Political as well... which is where I suppose it really belongs. I figured it would get more "exposure" here and I stood a better chance of getting an answer. If you feel a need to move or delete this post I'll understand.

~Dale

 

[Pappy John]

Are you sure that the section relating to the handgun shouldn't read 'more than 15 inches'?

 

[PAshooter]

My quote was directly from the referenced site... which is clearly in error. A helpful fellow PA Glocker over on GT just pointed me to this:

http://members.aol.com/StatutesP7/18PA6106.html

And also to paragraph 6109 which states:

(a) Purpose of license.--A license to carry a firearm shall be for the purpose of carrying a firearm concealed on or about one's person or in a vehicle throughout this Commonwealth.

Now that makes a lot more sense. Guess you can't believe everything you see on the Internet

Thanks!

 

[Steve in PA]

The 2004 version of PA Crimes Code reads;

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 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 in section 6106.

(b) Penalty- A person who violates the provisions of this section commits a summary offense.

Now for some definitions:

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 lenght 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.

6106(b)
(1) Constables, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens or their deputies, policemen of the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions or other law enforcement officers.
(2) Members of the army, navy, Marine Corps of the United States or of the National Guard or organized reserves when on duty.
(5) Officers or employess of the United States duly authorized to carry a concealed firearm.
(6) Agents, messengers and other employees of common carriers, banks or business firms whose duties require them to protect moneys, valuables and other property in the discharge of their duties.

So.........basically what this all means is that as a CCW'er.......you can't have loaded rifle, shotgun or "other" than a firearm in your vehicle.

 

[PAshooter]

Thanks Steve. Rule10b5 just gave me a detailed analysis over on GT. Makes sense now

Edited to add: if anyone's interested, the details can be found here:

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=261346