Dear Vitamin G:
Pennsylvania Firearms Development Corporation ("PFDC") sponsors various forms of firearms training every year at clubs in and around Pittsburgh.
The next pistol course is a 3-day Basic Tactical Pistol, to be taught by GIles Stock. The course is Saturday Sept. 13 through Monday Sept. 15. Do a search on Giles Stock, and you will come up with his qualifications.
The course is run concurrently with a Basic Tactical Carbine coruse. Because these are first-level courses, there is considerable emphasis in both of them on the topis of mind set and legal implications of the use of deadly force. The two courses are combined at several points for lectures and presentations, including a lecture and discussion on the law governing the use of deadly force in Pa. I am an attorney practicing in Pittsburgh, and I deliver the lecture on the use of deadly force.
If you want a complete course description, contact me at
[email protected].
By the way, your prior correspondent, rms/pa, is simply incorrect on several points of law.
For one thing, ALL court facilites in Pennsylvania are subject to a state statute that defines "dangerous weapons", and sets forth the rules about when and under what circumstances they are permitted in "court facilities."
For another thing, open carry open carry of firearms (other than for hunting) is not regulated in Pennsylvania, except in the City and County of Philadelphia. It is, therefore, legal under all conditions except: (1) where firearms generally are proscribed (airports, court facilities, schools, etc.); (2) when carried out in connection with the commission of a crime; and (3) with respect to transport in a motor vehicle (it is not legal to transport any loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, unless you have a concealed carry permit and the firearm is a hand gun).
I often carry openly in and around Pittsburgh. This is especially the case while I am coming and going from the courses, during meal breaks and the like. I have never had any problems of any kind with anyone as a result.
The law of concealed carry in Pennsylvania is complicated and at times very technical. The consequences of violating it can be quite serious. I therefore strongly urge you to obtain an opinion from competent legal counsel in your area if you have any questions. Conversely, I caution you in the strongest possible terms NOT to rely upon off-hand opinions from local cops, people who write books about firearms, or people on Internet chat lists. Not only are these latter sources VERY likely to give you incorrect or incomplete information, but if you get in a jam over it you will find they had no legal duty to be sure their advice was correct, and they do not have malpractice insruance.
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