Owning a gun in Pennsylvania

Howdy.
Does anyone on here know for sure what laws there are surrounding owning a gun in Pa?

I have been to several different web sites, none of them saying the same thing.
One say you have to be 18, another says 21. I am 17 by the way, 18 in July. One of the first things I plan to do once I'm 18 is buy a gun. If the age is 18.

One tells me they don't need to be registered, another says they do. I kind of doubt that they dont need to be registered. I dont really know what to think now.

So, are there any gun owners in Pa on here that can help me?
Thanks in advance.

My suggestion would be to go to a local gun dealer and ask them. They have to know the law, since if they sold a gun illegally, they would be out of business in a New York heartbeat.

I can't give you any exact info on PA, but I can mention that not all guns need to be registered, depending on where you are. Long guns in AL, for instance, need not be.

TheRedneck


[edit on 9-2-2008 by TheRedneck]

Here's a link for a page on Pennsylvania's website that has at least some of their gun laws: www.pacode.com...

In case the information you're looking for is on another page here's their main link: www.pa.gov...#

For those looking for laws from other states look here: www.fleamarketjunction.net...

Hope this helps.

I finally found some info, most of it saying that a handgun does not need to be liscensed.(sp)
I'm fixing to go to a gun dealer sometime in March. Until then, can someone suggest a fine piece?
Thanks for the info, also, guys.

Get an AK; most popular firearm in the free and un-free world.

I recommend something by Arsenal if you can afford it, a Vector build, a SAR, a MAK, or a WASR. (if WASR, inspect carefully before purchase. Many have canted front sights)

Most states allow 18 year olds to buy rifles and shotguns but for some silly reason the less effective(read as lethal) handguns are restricted to 21 year olds. Go Figure. If you're 16 in most states, you can buy an airgun without adult supervision. That's where you should start to learn how to shoot as it's cheaper, safer and legal.

Originally posted by jtb2008
I finally found some info, most of it saying that a handgun does not need to be liscensed.(sp)
I'm fixing to go to a gun dealer sometime in March. Until then, can someone suggest a fine piece?
Thanks for the info, also, guys.

If it is a pistol you are looking at you may want to start by doing a Glock vs Springfield XD comparison.

reply to post by Mainer

A Glock would actually be my first choice. That or something from Smith and Wesson.

reply to post by crgintx

I've had a BB gun for as long as I can remember. I don't remember the last time I shot it, though.
Whenever I go to my cousins house, we would usually go up into the mountains and shoot birds and squirrels with his .22, so I do have some experience with a real gun.

Did you happen to see the post by My Sock Puppet in the thread you started in BTS ?

www.belowtopsecret.com...

Links to all the laws are posted there.

reply to post by anxietydisorder


Any chance My Sock Puppet is an alias that you use?

It looks like your profile at least.
No I didn't. I forgot I actually started that thread.
Thanks for the info, too. If it is you....

reply to post by jtb2008


My Sock Puppet is indeed my sock puppet.
I use it when I log-in on someone else's computer so my anxietydisorder log-in information remains private. But it has to be the most obvious alias on these boards and the signature link and information in the profile gives it all away.

Did you find the links helpful though.

reply to post by jtb2008


JTB, being familiar is not the same as being proficient. I am proficient with my carry firearms but I practice alot with my air rifles and air pistols. I was in the military for 20 years and I was surprised by how poorly most shooting instructors in the military shot during actual competition until I spoke with one and found out that while he trained folks to shoot 3-4 days a week, he himself rarely shot his weapons. He asked me how was it that I shot so well not being a security specialist or infantry man. I explained that I shot nearly every afternoon with my air rifles or air pistol and recycled the lead pellets(cast bullets) to use for my firearms. He asked me how long I practiced and I said usually no more than 30 minutes and never more than hour except on monthly match days. Crosman, Daisy and Gamo all make clone guns of various firearms like the Glock. Those $30 Chinese spring guns that look like an SKS or AK, use the exact same trigger part as the real guns because they are rolling out of the same Norinco factories. Every Special Forces personnel fires the actual weapon, he will go into combat with many more times than the common infantryman whose issue weapon is seldom fired except for qualification. When you are hunting and there's a possiblity that there's other hunters competing for the same game, a single shot is what you want to bring down your quarry, not a rapid fire volley that gives your position away and brings every hunter in the woods in your direction. Combat is another proposition all together and I'll let those with more experience expound on that. Get an airgun for practice and hunting small game, have a firearm for larger game and self-defense.

reply to post by anxietydisorder

Yeah I did. The PSP and Gunlaws websites I had already been to. The AOL one was helpful though. Some of it doesn't make sense because it is in legal-speak, but I got the jist of most of it.

reply to post by crgintx

"JTB, being familiar is not the same as being proficient"
I know it isn't.
It's not like I'm gonna start carrying it around in public once I get it. I would go to a range to learn to shoot it. I want it mostly for personnal protection in my home, cause I'm paranoid, not as a concealed weapon.

I grew up in Pa, and I live there now. As far as I know... Hasn't been a concern to me in years... the law is the same.

18 to purchase the long guns and shotguns. Register any rifles, shotguns no. 21 for sidearms, and carry permits (at the Sheriff's office in your county seat).

I'd go with a Mossberg shotgun for home defense. Cheap, and the ammo is readily available. Get the .12 guage. Use birdshot for home defense.

When you turn 21, I recommend (for home defense) a .45 on some 1911 frame variant. There are a lot to choose from, and quality ranges greatly. There is no more safe and reliable automatic that I know of. The knock down power is unmatched.

I also recommend, perhaps more strongly, that you consider a revolver as a true backup sidearm. They are supremely reliable, as even the most reliable auto's can jam.

Welcome to the Quaker State!

reply to post by cbianchi513

18 for shotguns, but 21 for handguns? That makes no sense at all. You'd think it would be the other way around.
I was thinking of a .45, but that will go to the back of my mind now. Researching shotguns now.

I thought we were the Independence State now? I thought Uncle Eddie changed it. Oh well.

Oh, thanks btw.

Pennsylvania is the Keystone State, not Independance. I (and others) call it the "Quaker State" mostly as parody. The Quakers being some of William Penn's first tenants, and practised what would be considered "extremist fundamental christianity" today. You'll see- we should have that as our name. Welcome to Pennsyltuckey!

reply to post by cbianchi513

I've lived in Pa all my life actually. Sorry if it came across as I just moved there. It will always be the Keystone State to me, But I could have swore Uncle Eddie (Rendell) changed the name to the Independence State.

"Pennsyltuckey"
Are you from the groundhogs town? Punxatawny? (sp)
Can you recommend a model from Mossberg? I went to their website and am in love with the JIC Series. They really are me. For the paranoid survivalist!

reply to post by jtb2008


I live right outside of Harrisburg. We call it "Pennsyltucky" around here as a joke too... ultra conservative area you'd swear was in the bible belt.

I have an old 590 military model for the around-the-house stuff. I've fouled it in the field before, and actually cleared it by putting a round through it! Needless to say, I'm biased. Don't know where you'd go to get one nowadays. Perhaps surplus?

Here's a guess... see if they'll ship to Pa from NZ.
www.guncity.co.nz...

Don't know if that is the best price you'll find. I was curious how readily available they are. It's worth the price to me.

I suppose that any pump action shotgun would do. Just make sure the construction is solid. I also have the 500 model (Mariner) I got before serving, and it still does just fine.

Edit: link added



[edit on 10/2/08 by cbianchi513]