You also could get a non-res PA CCP(fairly easy to get) or one of the other states that have reciprocity with PA(Utah, also fairly easy to get)) and then when you get across the state line you can just holster it on your belt concealed.
I live in MD and might get a gun soon ...
PA Carry Permit rules have been changed, they are not issuing permit unless you have a resident State permit. Utah is the way to go. Chris
? What do u mean?
I live in MD and might get a gun soon and have a friend who lives near York, PA. What are the laws regarding bring a gun from MD into PA to go shooting at a range up there? Do I need to do/be aware of anything?
Are there exceptions to carrying a firearm without a Pennsylvania License to Carry?
Listed below are exceptions as outlined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. (2) (b) Exceptions:
...
4) Any persons engaged in target shooting with rifle, pistol, or revolver, if such persons are at or are going to or from their places of assembly or target practice and if, while going to or from their places of assembly or target practice, the firearm is not loaded.
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/porta...jID=4451&&PageID=462424&level=2&css=L2&mode=2
Strictly speaking, Maryland doesn't require that the pistol be locked in the trunk separate from ammo (although it is not a bad idea), just that the unloaded handgun be in "a case or enclosed holster", whatever that is.
But when you cross state lines, federal law comes into play, and I believe the Feds do indeed specify the gun be locked in the trunk. Just lock it in the trunk, ammo separate, and don't get pulled over.
I don't believe FOPA comes into it because both MD and PA permit unloaded transport and the laws in each state are very similar (if not identical) so FOPA protections simply aren't required. Transport in a manner consistent with the laws of both states and you'll be fine.
Someone mentioned Open Carry is legal in Pa. Don't do it without checking the law first. You do not need a License to Carry Firearms (LTCF = Pennsylvania Carry Permit) to Open Carry on foot, except in Philadelphia. But you do need an LTCF to Open Carry* in a vehicle.
*Correct, but I would add that you cannot transport or carry a loaded handgun open or concealed by vehicle. You may transport a loaded handgun with a permit/license from any state, but it must be a reciprocal state for conceal carry.
Even cruising around with the unloaded pistol in the trunk, an LTCF is handy, because it exempts you from Pennsylvania's requirement that you transport the pistol more-or-less to and from the range, etc. To clarify, you do not need a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms to take your pistol to the range in Pennsylvania, but it would give you extra legal protection if you go shopping, to a restaurant, or just take a long drive with the pistol in the car with you. It also allows you to wear the pistol holstered on your belt while driving, or carry it concealed while shopping, eating, or sightseeing. An LTCF is a good thing to have,
But Pennsylvania will not issue you an LTCF unless you already have a Maryland (Concealed) Handgun Permit, which is still almost impossible to get. However, Pennsylvania does recognize Permits issued by many other states, some of which are easy for Marylanders to get.
Probably the easiest non-resident Carry Permits for Marylanders to get areFlorida, Virginia, Utah, and Arizona. Just within the past couple weeks, the Bloomberg-bankrolled AG of Pennsylvania announced that Florida Concealed Weapons Permits will no longer be honored in Pennsylvania for non-residents of Florida. At least for the time being, the Virginia, Utah, and Arizona permits are still valid as LTCFs however. The Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) is the easiest to get, and is valid in every state bordering on Maryland.
That is way more information than you need, and I hope I didn't confuse you. I wanted to clear up some of the earlier statements in this thread.
To repeat, lock it in the trunk. Ammo separate. Don't get pulled over. If you see me at one of the pistol shoots at Delta or York Isaac Walton, say hi. You'll see lots of Marylanders at both clubs.
Pennsylvania Transport Information:
More Pennsylvania Info:
http://handgunlaw.us/states/pennsylvania.pdf
How to get a Virginia CHP (which Pennsylvania honors as an LTCF):
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_NonresidentConcealed.shtm
http://handgunlaw.us/states/virginia.pdf
The Utah permit requires a special training class, which is taught by several people in our area. http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=95926
http://www.mdshooters.com/forumdisplay.php?f=118
The Utah permit, like the Florida permit, is valid in about 30 - 35 states. Arizona is similar. See Handgunlaw.us for more information.
See you at York Isaac Walton!
That's not correct. PA is still shall-issue to non-residents, but they require you to have a permit from your home state to have a non-res permit from them. There is also some issue of reciprocity that I think overrides this requirement. At one time some states held to this rule unless your home state did not share reciprocity with them. Then they would issue a non-res permit to you without having your home state permit. Since MD does not share reciprocity with anyone the non-res requirement did not affect MD residents from acquiring non-res permits. Maybe that has changed??????If you are not a PA resident, you cannot get a PA carry permit. However, PA still recognizes non-resident UT permits. Short version? Get a UT non-res permit.
I hear you heat seeker. I actually talked to the sheriff in mifflin county where I have property and pay taxes. I figured since I pay taxes what the heck I'll try for a permit. WRONG. It would have to be my permanent residence or have a Maryland permit. Just not right.
They will still accept a non-res Utah and a couple others, but it seems that PA is on the way to becoming more restrictive about this. They did not always require a permit from your home state to issue a non-res permit. Not sure when that started.I hear you heat seeker. I actually talked to the sheriff in mifflin county where I have property and pay taxes. I figured since I pay taxes what the heck I'll try for a permit. WRONG. It would have to be my permanent residence or have a Maryland permit. Just not right.
They will still accept a non-res Utah and a couple others, but it seems that PA is on the way to becoming more restrictive about this. They did not always require a permit from your home state to issue a non-res permit. Not sure when that started.
The answer to carrying in PA is to just open carry.
To add to the confusion: What if you have a car w/o a separate trunk (like a CRX hatchback), a tiny trunk (miata), or even a car w/o a trunk at all (lotus elise or motorcycle)? I'm 100% certain that my new mosin's will NOT fit in the trunk of my car. Just too long. They had to ride 'shotgun' to get home I can fit the ammo in the trunk however.
18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Firearms not to be carried without a license.
(2) A person who is otherwise eligible to possess a valid license under this chapter but carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person, except
in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a valid and lawfully issued license and has
not committed any other criminal violation commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(b) Exceptions.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to:
...
(4) Any persons engaged in target shooting with a firearm, if such persons are at or are going to or from their places of assembly or target practice and if, while going to or from their places of
assembly or target practice, the firearm is not **loaded.
...
(8) Any person while carrying a firearm which is not loaded and is in a *secure wrapper from the place of purchase to his home or place of business, or to a place of repair, sale or appraisal or back
to his home or place of business, or in moving from one place of abode or business to another
or from his home to a vacation or recreational home or dwelling or back, or to recover stolen property
under section 6111.1(b)(4) (relating to Pennsylvania State Police), or to a place of instruction
intended to teach the safe handling, use or maintenance of firearms or back or to a location to which
the person has been directed to relinquish firearms under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108 (relating to relief) or
back upon
return of the relinquished firearm or to a licensed dealer's place of business for relinquishment
pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for consignment sale,
lawful transfer or safekeeping) or back upon return of the relinquished firearm or to a location for
safekeeping pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third party for
safekeeping) or back upon return of the relinquished firearm.
http://www.pa2a.org/wiki.php?wid=23
"Loaded." A firearm is loaded if the firing chamber, the nondetachable magazine or, in the case
of a revolver, any of the chambers of the cylinder contain ammunition capable of being fired. In the
case of a firearm which utilizes a detachable magazine, the term shall mean a magazine suitable for
use in said firearm which magazine contains such ammunition and has been inserted in the firearm or is in
the same container or, where the container has multiple compartments, the same compartment
thereof as the firearm. If the magazine is inserted into a pouch, holder, holster or other protective
device that provides for a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition, then the pouch, holder,
holster or other protective device shall be deemed to be a separate compartment.
http://www.pa2a.org/wiki.php?wid=58