Pennsylvania Printability Legal Question

[marsofold]

I have a new Springfield MilSpec 1911-A1 which has become my EDC. It is less concealable than I'd like. I have an X15 shoulder holster, but for summer I just use the very functional free plastic OWB belt holster that came with it. But I'm a bit paranoid about that arrangement slightly printing with an untucked shirt. The average citizen hasn't batted at eye the occasional slight bulge at my 2-o'clock waist position, but a sharp-eyed LEO might guess that I'm carrying. I live in Pennsylvania which issued my "license to carry firearms" card (the card is NOT worded as a "concealed weapons permit") and my state allows for open carry. If a Pennsylvania LEO not sympathetic to citizens carrying firearms is able to discern that I am carrying, can I be arrested and charged with violating the legal principal of concealed carry? I'd particularly like to hear from moderator Sam1911 since he lives in my state and I have come to value his posts...

 

[Supertac45]

It's a license to carry. Last time I checked, open carry with a license was legal. I'd give the local sheriff office a call or the state police. Excellent source of everything you need to know about your license. http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/pennsylvania.pdf

 

[MedWheeler]

Just remember one thing: what appears obvious to you regarding your firearm is much less obvious to pretty much anyone else. Almost anyone here, including Sam, will tell you that. This is a new set-up for you; what was your previous?
Edit: I see you have carried a Colt Agent revolver in the past. Did you have printing issues then?

 

[bubba15301]

you can carry it anyway you want in pa .no law against printing

 

[hermannr]

Worried about printing in PA? Just Open Carry and be done with it. Perfectly legal.

 

[27hand]

Pa printing

The Pa LTCF (license to carry a firearm) is required to carry concealed or carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle.

No LTCF is required to openly carry with the exception of carrying in a city of the first class ( Philly is the only one). In Philly, open carry requires a LTCF and from my understanding, some Philly LEO will snatch your LTCF if you do so. It appears some of them don't abide by the laws.

Printing in Pa is a non issue and the training the officers receive reviews the legality of open carry.

You don't have to inform an officer that you are carrying if stopped for any reason.

This is the last info I remember off hand and it may have changed slightly but I think it's a fairly up to date review.

Understand where you can and cannot carry.
No carry in Federal buildings including Post Offices, schools and school property, secure areas of airports ( perhaps a few more).
Businesses can install signage which prohibits carry in their facility. If you don't see it and are stopped, they can ask you to leave. If you don't leave, you can be charged with trespass.

You can visit another website (PAFOA) which has stickies that will give you all the info you need if my info isn't complete.

I am not a lawyer or profess to be up to date on Pa law. My info is regurgitated from a variety of sources.

If, as suggested, you contact a law enforcement agengy for ANY information, you may get correct or incorrect information. Many times, law enforcement agencies and / or their officers, do NOT know Pa gun law.

 

[cl4de6]

The problems that people have in free states are amazing.

I wish I had the luxury of worrying about printing. I live in New Jersey.

Brother, exercise your rights. Carry concealed, and if it shows, don't worry about it. You are within your rights open or concealed.

Enjoy your freedoms my friend and don't sweat the small stuff. Worrying about a bulge in PA when 8.7 million New Jersey residents can't even stop for gas while transporting a gun in the car is small stuff.

All the best to you. You're fine. I wouldn't worry about a non-sympathetic LEO. You have to follow the law, and he does too.

 

[Deanimator]

It's a license to carry. Last time I checked, open carry with a license was legal.

It's legal WITHOUT a license outside of Philadelphia.

Open carry's legal. I wouldn't worry about "printing" at all.

 

[Steve in PA]

What "legal principle of concealed carry" are you talking about???

There is no such thing in PA.

 

[Pilot]

Edited.

 

[jonnyc]

I agree on all the above, but would add that if you're not comfortable with your current carry set-up, you may want to reconsider.

 

[27hand]

There is no such thing as "brandishing" in PA.

Open carry is legal without LTCF (except Philly).
Concealed with LTCF is legal.
Shirt riding up to expose firearm is not an issue.

No one can be sure how every law enforcement officer will react to seeing a weapon on a person whether it is openly carried or "semi" concealed.

Steve, I think I hit most of the info. Did I miss anything?

 

[Steve in PA]

27hand, your info is correct.

 

[Sam1911]

Well, sorry it took me a couple days to respond, but I concurr with the consensus here.

If you do hold an LCTF, it doesn't matter how you carry anywhere in the state. (Absent the VERY few off-limits places.)

Open, concealed, semi-concealed, whatever. Enjoy the free air!

 

[hermannr]

If you don't act like a nervous Nelly, very few will even notice, OC or CC...Why have the shirt in the way? Tuck it in and stop worrying...OC is legal in PA (and a lot of other states)