Object of the laws
The object of concealed weapons statutes is to protect the public by preventing an individual from having at hand, a weapon of which the public is unaware. The Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act (Pa. UFA) follows the practice of the majority of states in prohibiting and criminalizing the carrying of concealed weapons. However, the title of the law is a bit of a misnomer as the Pa. UFA does not follow the ''Model Penal Code''. The Pa. UFA, prohibits the carrying of certain firearms in vehicles or concealed on the person without a license; prohibits ownership or possession of firearms by certain persons; provides for the licensing for concealed carry; provided strictures for dealers in firearms and; provides penalties for violations of the law. The regulation of firearms in the Commonwealth is preempted by the Legislature. That means that local municipalities, including the large municipalities, cannot regulate firearms as this is the sole province of the State Legislature. By way of illustration, a Philadelphia ordinance requiring a city license to transfer a firearm was held to be ''ultra-vires'' and struck down. Notwithstanding Sec. 6108 makes it a violation of State law to carry a firearm, rifle or shotgun, at any time on the public street or public property of any city of the first class (currently only Philadelphia), without first obtaining a license to carry a firearm. The Pa. UFA at Sec. 6106 (a), provides that no person shall carry a firearm in any vehicle or concealed on or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a license to do so. Carrying a gun in the trunk of an automobile has been held to be a violation of the law, but the Commonwealth has to establish that the person had both the power of control over the weapon and the intention to exercise that control. The burden of proof of the fact that a person carried a firearm outside of his place of abode or fixed place of business without a license rests with the Commonwealth. Where the Commonwealth cannot prove that a person carried a concealed weapon, it may nonetheless prove that the firearm was carried without a license as that offense does not require intent. Concealment as an offense is factually specific and for a jury to decide. Where there is no evidence of an attempt to conceal a weapon, there cannot be a conviction. The Pa. UFA prohibits the making of a loan secured by a firearm and from lending or giving a firearm to another in contravention of the law with the purpose to prevent persons with disabled (a term indicating the loss of a civil right) from possessing firearms from obtaining them by loan, gift or other transfer. However, a 2005 amendment, provides that nothing in this section prohibits the relinquishing of a firearm for safekeeping.Licensing Procedures and Guidelines
UFA establishes mandatory, statewide procedures for issuing a license to carry firearms. No municipality may establish their own rules regarding firearms, and changes to any firearms-related regulations must go through theComity and Reciprocity
Once a permit to carry a firearm is issued in Pennsylvania in accordance with the requirement and strictures of the law, pursuant to Sec. 6109 (k) (2) and any agreements brokers between the Attorney General of the Commonwealth and the appropriate legislatively authorizes official in a sister State, that license will be recognized in those subscribing States. This is called "reciprocity" and it is enjoyed (at this time) with the States listed below. Under Pennsylvania law, there are six categories of firearms reciprocity status.Written reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania
Category 1: States that have entered into written reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania. These agreements provide for reciprocal recognition of valid permits issued by both states. Recognition in Pennsylvania varies based on the written agreement.Statutory reciprocity based on the determination of the Attorney General that the other state has granted reciprocity to Pennsylvania
Category 2: States that have statutory reciprocity under 6106(b)(15) of the Uniform Firearms Act. The following states have been granted statutory reciprocity without a formal written agreement, based on the determination of the Attorney General that the other state has granted reciprocity to Pennsylvania license holders, and that the other state's laws governing firearms are similar:Unilateral reciprocity granted by another state for Pennsylvania
Category 3: Unilateral reciprocity granted by another state for Pennsylvania license holders. This category encompasses states which allow an individual issued a valid License To Carry Firearms from Pennsylvania to carry a firearm while in those respective states:Application states
Category 4: Pennsylvanians may apply for a permit from another state ("Application states"):Carry Permitted Without License
Category 5: Pennsylvanians may carry without a license, included here for reference: *Alaska *Maine *Vermont *ArkansasCities of the First Class exception
The act does not address the carrying of firearms in the open (also known as "open carry"). Thus it is legal to do so without a permit. However, the act states that any person may not carry a firearm in a city of the first class (Philadelphia is the only one in the Commonwealth) without a permit or falling under an exception. While carrying a firearm in the open in Philadelphia is legal for license holders, it is not a commonly used carrying technique. Philadelphia law enforcement officers are likely to detain an individual who is openly carrying a firearm.Criminal violations
Should a citizen break one or more of the enumerated statutes in the UFA, they are subject to penalties outlined in the act. Police and court officers commonly refer to the charges collectively as VUFA; or, Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act. Penalties depend on the severity of the infraction. Some jurisdictions within theReferences
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