I know this isn't NJ gun laws, but I really need some help here. I'm planning a trip to PA by plane and I want to bring my rifle and 2 pistols along for some target practice. Is anyone familiar with PA laws and know if I can legally possess them being a non-resident?

Keep them cased, separate from the ammo and you should be fine. Unless you have a CCW valid in PA, you also want to make sure that your mags are empty - a loaded mag is treated the same as a loaded weapon and without a CCW (or LTCF as they say in PA), you're in a world of hurt if caught.

 

IANAL

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

PA is very gun friendly. Just exercise the same caution you would use when in NJ, and you'll be fine. PA has no laws against non-residents bringing in firearms.

 

Keep in mind that if you do have a carry permit/license, you are limited to carrying handguns; FL's concealed license allows holders to carry anything that's a weapon under FL law, but that only applies in FL.

... Unless you have a CCW valid in PA, you also want to make sure that your mags are empty - a loaded mag is treated the same as a loaded weapon and without a CCW (or LTCF as they say in PA), you're in a world of hurt if caught...

 

do you have a link or citation for this piece?

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm going to declare them to the airline as I'm flying. After that they're going with me to a relative's house where they'll stay till we go to the range.

Keep in mind you can also open carry in PA.... just not in philly.

... Unless you have a CCW valid in PA, you also want to make sure that your mags are empty - a loaded mag is treated the same as a loaded weapon and without a CCW (or LTCF as they say in PA), you're in a world of hurt if caught...

 

do you have a link or citation for this piece?

 

I apologize, I extrapolated from reading this thread on the PAFOA forums...

 

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/57519- ... erset.html

 

But in re-reading it I see that the OP had a loaded mag in with (but not in) his firearm and he was arrested for carrying a loaded gun. A loaded magazine, in and of itself, is not considered a loaded weapon as long as it is separate from the firearm - and separate would mean in a different compartment or case.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

PS: Maks, you can OC in Philly, but it requires you to have a LTCF - not required to OC anyplace else in the state (with the exception of a motor vehicle).

Keep in mind you can also open carry in PA.... just not in philly.

 

Is that pistol as well or just long guns?

Keep in mind you can also open carry in PA.... just not in philly.

 

 

Bad idea if you do NOT know everything there is to know about open carry in PA, and if you have never had any training or experiance in ccw or open carry in the past. There is a ton of information on this subject on many PA dedicated forums you can still end up in some trouble and you need to know the law's and your rights, I highly recommend you do not do this while in PA unless you have done your homework.

 

http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-144/5 ... ou-do.html

+1 to what hodgie said.... legal.... but.... =)

Keep them cased, separate from the ammo and you should be fine. Unless you have a CCW valid in PA, you also want to make sure that your mags are empty - a loaded mag is treated the same as a loaded weapon and without a CCW (or LTCF as they say in PA), you're in a world of hurt if caught.

 

Not exactly. A firearm is considered loaded if the mag is loaded and in the same container as the firearm. Where the container has multiple compartments (such as outside pockets), it is loaded if the loaded mag and firearm are in the same compartment. "Firearms" (under certain barrel or overall length) can be loaded in the vehicle if you have LTCF. Rifles can never be loaded in the vehicle.

 

Keep in mind that if you do have a carry permit/license, you are limited to carrying handguns;

 

Actually, "Firearms." This includes short barreled rifles, SBS, and some AOWs - it's based on barrel and overall length. You can carry a loaded, full auto MAC10 in a car with LTCF.

 

Also remember that under FEDERAL law, you cannot carry within 1000 feet of a school unless your CCP is issued by the state you are in - reciprocity agreements do not apply. Although I've never heard of somebody being jacked up on this if off of school property.

 

I think the biggest legal hurdle for you is NJ law - that simply traveling out of NJ is NOT an exception in NJ law for transporting a handgun. You must still meet one of the requirements - such as moving, to and from work, or going to an "approved" range. Not sure what all this means since my NJ law is almost non-existent but there was an extensive discussion on PAFOA about it. We have people come to meets and shoots all the time and they do not bring their own handguns.

 

Keep in mind you can also open carry in PA.... just not in philly.

 

But without LTCF you can only transport a handgun in a vehicle to essentially the same places as you can in NJ. However, you can loan a handgun to someone with LTCF and have them transport it for you.

 

I am not a lawyer.

 

EDIT: Oh, I see some of this has been clarified further down in the thread - I'll leave here in case I have provided any more detailed info.

Yeah, the main problem with unlicensed OC in PA is that transport of a handgun by vehicle is regulated almost the same way as in NJ. You can't transport a handgun anywhere except range, dog training, (hunting and fishing?), gun shop, etc. If you have a friend with LTCF then he/she can can borrow your handgun while you travel and then you can OC at your destination.

 

I carry OWB. It's winter now, so it's usually covered to some extent by a jacket. The rest of the year I OC in banks, restaurants, bars (not a big bar person), everywhere I go. Except federal property (some post offices), court or statehouse (they check your weapon when you come in), and K-12 schools (unresolved legally).

Keep in mind you can also open carry in PA.... just not in philly.

 

 

Bad idea if you do NOT know everything there is to know about open carry in PA, and if you have never had any training or experiance in ccw or open carry in the past. There is a ton of information on this subject on many PA dedicated forums you can still end up in some trouble and you need to know the law's and your rights, I highly recommend you do not do this while in PA unless you have done your homework.

 

http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-144/5 ... ou-do.html

 

As long as you're over 18, not in a court facility, not in a federal facility, not in a state park, not in a detention facility, not in an airport terminal, not in philidelphia, or a school (wiggle room for that), and not in a car.

Keep in mind you can also open carry in PA.... just not in philly.

 

 

Bad idea if you do NOT know everything there is to know about open carry in PA, and if you have never had any training or experiance in ccw or open carry in the past. There is a ton of information on this subject on many PA dedicated forums you can still end up in some trouble and you need to know the law's and your rights, I highly recommend you do not do this while in PA unless you have done your homework.

 

http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-144/5 ... ou-do.html

 

As long as you're over 18, not in a court facility, not in a federal facility, not in a state park, not in a detention facility, not in an airport terminal, not in philidelphia, or a school (wiggle room for that).

 

There is no law against carrying in airports, CC or OC. Under federal law you cannot pass into secured areas, normally this would be past the security check.

 

You can carry in state parks. I believe CC is required, I forget why, not up on that. I just know I need to conceal.

 

You can OC or concealed carry in Philadelphia with a LTCF or license from recognized state.

 

The biggest problem is that if you do not have a concealed permit from "any" state (even states not recognized by PA are OK for this point) then you can basically not transport a handgun in a car, even unloaded in the trunk, unless going to places that are excepted. The list of places is very similar to NJ law.

There is no law against carrying in airports, CC or OC. Under federal law you cannot pass into secured areas, normally this would be past the security check.

Correct, typically the terminals are the secure areas.

 

You can carry in state parks. I believe CC is required, I forget why, not up on that. I just know I need to conceal.

It says permit holders are exempt for conceal carry. So I'm thinking concealed is required, and since you need a permit to conceal its a no go for open carriers.

 

You can OC or concealed carry in Philadelphia with a LTCF or license from recognized state.

Correct, I assumed we were talking about OC'ing without a permit.

 

The biggest problem is that if you do not have a concealed permit from "any" state (even states not recognized by PA are OK for this point) then you can basically not transport a handgun in a car, even unloaded in the trunk, unless going to places that are excepted. The list of places is very similar to NJ law.

I meant to write that, was to busy trying to find the other exceptions that I forgot it, however I added it. You can have a permit holder go with you everywhere and hand them your sidearm when you get into the vehicle.

I meant to write that, was to busy trying to find the other exceptions that I forgot it, however I added it. You can have a permit holder go with you everywhere and hand them your sidearm when you get into the vehicle.

 

Yeah, I posted that at 0858 this morning

 

Right, got it. You helped clarify a few things, and I think together we did even better!

 

Let me ask you a question since you seem to be on top of this. Do you believe the OP meets a NJ statute exception that allows him to transport a handgun out of state? Transportation of handguns is tightly restricted in NJ. I don't believe there is an exception for crossing a state line. I think there is an exception for going to an "approved" range or something like that. Not sure what that means and if he is excepted in his planned travel.

 

Would like to hear more about this since we have problems in PA over this with our NJ friends. The common consensus seems to be that you can be busted on your way to the border or the airport unless you meet one of the transport exceptions. I don't know much about this and would love some clarification, especially if positive!

There is no law against carrying in airports, CC or OC. Under federal law you cannot pass into secured areas, normally this would be past the security check.

Correct, typically the terminals are the secure areas.

 

I'm not sure what "terminal" means. I looked it up on wiki (not always a good source) and it said this:

 

"An airport terminal is a building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft.

 

Within the terminal, passengers purchase tickets, transfer their luggage, and go through security. The buildings that provide access to the airplanes (via gates) are typically called concourses. However, the terms "terminal" and "concourse" are sometimes used interchangeably, depending on the configuration of the airport."

 

What I can tell you is this. I can OC or concealed carry anywhere in an airport as long as I don't go through a security checkpoint.

I meant to write that, was to busy trying to find the other exceptions that I forgot it, however I added it. You can have a permit holder go with you everywhere and hand them your sidearm when you get into the vehicle.

 

Yeah, I posted that at 0858 this morning

 

Right, got it. You helped clarify a few things, and I think together we did even better!

 

Let me ask you a question since you seem to be on top of this. Do you believe the OP meets a NJ statute exception that allows him to transport a handgun out of state? Transportation of handguns is tightly restricted in NJ. I don't believe there is an exception for crossing a state line. I think there is an exception for going to an "approved" range or something like that. Not sure what that means and if he is excepted in his planned travel.

 

Would like to hear more about this since we have problems in PA over this with our NJ friends. The common consensus seems to be that you can be busted on your way to the border or the airport unless you meet one of the transport exceptions. I don't know much about this and would love some clarification, especially if positive!

 

 

Federal law allows you to transport firearms across state lines as long as the firearm is legal in the starting point and ending point.

Federal law allows you to transport firearms across state lines as long as the firearm is legal in the starting point and ending point.

 

Not exactly. It covers interstate travel under some strict and some ambiguous conditions. It provides NO protection against laws of the states of origin or destination. It provides NO protection to NJ residents heading for the NJ border.

 

I am not a lawyer. But I strongly recommend you look into this.

I meant to write that, was to busy trying to find the other exceptions that I forgot it, however I added it. You can have a permit holder go with you everywhere and hand them your sidearm when you get into the vehicle.

 

Yeah, I posted that at 0858 this morning

 

Right, got it. You helped clarify a few things, and I think together we did even better!

 

Let me ask you a question since you seem to be on top of this. Do you believe the OP meets a NJ statute exception that allows him to transport a handgun out of state? Transportation of handguns is tightly restricted in NJ. I don't believe there is an exception for crossing a state line. I think there is an exception for going to an "approved" range or something like that. Not sure what that means and if he is excepted in his planned travel.

 

Would like to hear more about this since we have problems in PA over this with our NJ friends. The common consensus seems to be that you can be busted on your way to the border or the airport unless you meet one of the transport exceptions. I don't know much about this and would love some clarification, especially if positive!

 

Just reinforcing what you said, and adding a few off limits places. You can transport wherever if you have a FID. Or you can just be going to the range all the time

OK, well, if there's a wink involved, then I get it

 

Just remember the first question LEO asks when they pull you over or meet you on foot.

 

If you haven't thought it through, and don't know when to clam up, you might get jacked.

 

Plus, I don't understand the whole "approved" range exception in NJ. If you decide to open your mouth, and say you are headed to a range on the opposite side of where you live, you might get jacked.

 

LEO are generally not stupid. We are surprisingly so. They do this day in and day out, they might learn something over the years. Answer a casual question and you might screw yourself since only the LEO knows where it is heading.

 

EDIT: FID does not apply to handguns.

OK, well, if there's a wink involved, then I get it

 

Just remember the first question LEO asks when they pull you over or meet you on foot.

 

If you haven't thought it through, and don't know when to clam up, you might get jacked.

 

Plus, I don't understand the whole "approved" range exception in NJ. If you decide to open your mouth, and say you are headed to a range on the opposite side of where you live, you might get jacked.

 

LEO are generally not stupid. We are surprisingly so. They do this day in and day out, they might learn something over the years. Answer a casual question and you might screw yourself since only the LEO knows where it is heading.

 

EDIT: FID does not apply to handguns.

 

In all seriousness the whole you can only transport to the range blah blah is only an exception for the person whom does not have a FID.

In all seriousness the whole you can only transport to the range blah blah is only an exception for the person whom does not have a FID.

 

Does not apply to handguns. FID gives you no exceptions for transport of handguns in NJ.

In all seriousness the whole you can only transport to the range blah blah is only an exception for the person whom does not have a FID.

 

Does not apply to handguns. FID gives you no exceptions for transport of handguns in NJ.

 

 

:angry-banghead: Was looking for it before, couldn't find it. My bad.

Yeah, it's seriously F'd up.

 

I don't know much about NJ firearms laws. But I know more about NJ firearms laws now, having lived in PA for 3 years, than I knew 3 years ago after almost 30 years in NJ. My last 10 years in NJ I just hid my guns like a recluse. I knew a little about the laws and discussed the issues with friends in hushed tones. Needed FID to shoot at a range or buy ammo. I started feeling like a criminal even though I broke no laws. Stopped shooting completely.

 

In retrospect, I'm kind of glad I didn't find this forum sooner. If I saw all the cool stuff you guys are doing I might have bargained with my freedom and never moved to PA.

 

Give 'em Hell, guys. Keep the Faith.

Yeah, it's seriously F'd up.

 

I don't know much about NJ firearms laws. But I know more about NJ firearms laws now, having lived in PA for 3 years, than I knew 3 years ago after almost 30 years in NJ. My last 10 years in NJ I just hid my guns like a recluse. I knew a little about the laws and discussed the issues with friends in hushed tones. Needed FID to shoot at a range or buy ammo. I started feeling like a criminal even though I broke no laws. Stopped shooting completely.

 

In retrospect, I'm kind of glad I didn't find this forum sooner. If I saw all the cool stuff you guys are doing I might have bargained with my freedom and never moved to PA.

 

Give 'em Hell, guys. Keep the Faith.

 

Stay in the commonwealth! What county?

Northampton.