What do you have to do to buy a pistol in PA?

[DogBonz]

My friend lives in PA and although he likes shooting he just never wanted to own a gun. I took him shooting this past weekend and he had a good time. So last night he called me and said that he wants to buy a pistol and take a safety class and get his CCW. So naturally, I said that I would do anything that I can to help.

So, what do you folks in PA have to do to buy a handgun?

 

[Autolycus]

Go down to the gunshop and pick the one you like. Then pay for it and your good.

On the way stop at the courthouse or sheriffs office and put in your application for a carry permit. Then you are good to go.

 

[DogBonz]

That's it?

No license or permit BS?

 

[Joe Demko]

You go through the insta-check at the store when you buy the gun. Takes a couple minutes. In most counties, getting a CCW permit takes maybe 15 minutes. Quite easily done to get both in a single afternoon.

 

[mbdolfin]

Hey Dogbonz, you have just got to love a gun friendly state like PA. As soon as i can afford it i will be in the great gun friendly state of Florida!

 

[eric.cartman]

mbdolfin,
south FL maybe?
let me know once you escape the commie NJ, will go shooting

 

[DogBonz]

Yea, I know

Hey Dogbonz, you have just got to love a gun friendly state like PA. As soon as i can afford it i will be in the great gun friendly state of Florida!

I'm just here 'till the wife graduates from med school, then we are outta here.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Actually, it usually takes longer than 15 minutes for a carry permit, outside of rural counties. Some counties take the full 45 days, like Delco, but most caugh up in a 5-10 day timeframe.

As for purchasing, you'll fill out a federal 4473, the state police "not a registration" form, (because, you know, that would be ilegal), and pass NICS.

That bit does consistently take 15 minutes.

 

[General Geoff]

I dunno, I have the 4473 down to three minutes.

 

[Rumble]

I have a giant stamp that fills out everything on the form at once.

Actually, I just bought one today--the speed of acquisition of a gun here is based largely on how fast you can write, and how busy the store is.

 

[General Geoff]

I have a giant stamp that fills out everything on the form at once.

Now that's dedication.

 

[K-Romulus]

Well, as long as he does not live in Philly, or else he WILL be needing a local purchase permit until the dust settles!

(for some reason I cant link to the thread "Phila. sues state")

 

[DogBonz]

Not in Philly

He is in Allentown, so no worries

 

[General Geoff]

Allentown, easy as pie. What shop is he going to purchase from? If I may suggest, Defcon-1 in Coopersburg is my shop of choice. Great selection of pistols, both defensive and target.

 

[DogBonz]

Geoff

I don't know where he will buy. In fact he doesn't even know what he will buy. We will go to the range next weekend and he can shoot my guns and rent a bunch of stuff to see what he likes. Thanks for the heads up on the store.

 

[General Geoff]

If you need any help, send me a PM. I live on the south side of Allentown, and I work in Flemington, NJ most days.

 

[Cheeseybacon]

He is in Allentown, so no worries

Theres gonna be a pretty big gun show at the PA expo center in Allentown this weekend (May 5th & 6th). You buddy might find it worth looking into.

 

[DogBonz]

Geoff

Thanks. When we nail down what he wants, I'll drop you a line.

 

[Crunker1337]

I thought that there was a 2-day in PA waiting period for handgun purchase. At least that's what it said in one of my school books.

 

[General Geoff]

Nope. No waiting period.

 

[SJG26]

DOG & GEN:

Once he gets comfy---have him come out to the IDPA matches in the area------loads o' fun:
http://www.idpa.com/
http://www.eastontacticalops.com/
http://www.ontelaunee.org/