I know this is the NJ gun forum, but found Myself in an interesting conversation with a friend from PA.

 

According to my friend, PA state law considers a gun a "firearm" if it has a 16" or shorter barrel. I asked what they considered something with a barrel longer to be, and he did not know.

 

Anyone here know the answer to this? I scratched my head since I was under the impression the term firearm was used to refer to any gun.

http:// http://www.pagunblog.com/2007/07/13/uniform-firearms-act-oddities/

 

Your friends info seems accurate. I guess anything > 16" is considered a "long gun"

http:// http://www.pagunblog.com/2007/07/13/uniform-firearms-act-oddities/

 

Your friends info seems accurate. I guess anything > 16" is considered a "long gun"

 

We came to the same conclusion but were both under the impression a "firearm" was a term used for any "gun" that fired a projectile by use of a primer and powder. Thanks for the link.

It is but I guess pennsyltucky does it a little different

Actually, in the uniform firearms act, there are several definitions of "firearm" in different sections of the law.

In one section it's

"Firearm." Any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive, or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.

 

Under the main heading of ss6102 it's

"Firearm." Any pistol or revolver with a barrel length less than 15 inches, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches or any rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches, or any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches. The barrel length of a firearm shall be determined by measuring from the muzzle of the barrel to the face of the closed action, bolt or cylinder, whichever is applicable.

You always gotta check the definitions in the law and not make any assumptions. For instance, under New York law a "firearm" is a handgun or something concealable, and a rifle would not be a "firearm" unless it had a short barrel. More confusion!