HKB
US Veteran
Anyone know off hand?
Open carry in PA - what are the rules?
- Thread starter HKB
- Start date
It is legal to open carry in the state of PA.,without a license to carry except in first class cities such as Philadelphia and in carrying a weapon in an automobile you need the license to carry in those situations. Pennsylvania is a must issue state and obtaining a license is pretty much hassle free!
Arik
Well-known member
What he said ^ but keep in mind....without a license to conceal carry ........in your car it is concidered concealed and you are carrying! If you live near Philadelphia and in general it's just easier to get the license that way you're covered in your car and in the city of Philadelphia. If you do go to the city often or live there it's best to just conceal
Last edited:
Check out.....................Handgunlaw.us
HKB
US Veteran
Is open carry legal for non-residents as well?
Mainsail
Well-known member
Automobile or vehicle? Here in WA you need a CPL to carry loaded in a vehicle, so that includes buses etc. We have a weird quirk in the definitions that classifies motorcycles as vehicles so a CPL is needed for loaded carry.
As a side note; WA allows concealed carry without a license if en route to, during, or returning from an 'outdoor activity' such as fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking etc.
Last edited:
Arik
Well-known member
Good question. I always assumed car but I haven't taken the bus since the yellow school bus time
OKFC05
Well-known member
speedyquad
Well-known member
In a vehicle, it needs to be unloaded and can only be transported to where it is to be used and return home. No stops along the way. Also, the ammo should be in a separate compartment.
I recently had a discussion with my HR person at work about this. It came about because she needed a copy of my LTCF for me to be able to have firearms in my vehicle in the parking lot. She said her husband wants his LTCF, but she won't let him get it. She likes to shoot their handgun, but don't think he needs to carry other than when they drive tow where they shoot. I explained this law. She was kind of shocked that they had been travelling illegally. She said the "clips"(yep, she's one of those) were loaded, in the the gun, in a range bag, on the back seat.
I recently had a discussion with my HR person at work about this. It came about because she needed a copy of my LTCF for me to be able to have firearms in my vehicle in the parking lot. She said her husband wants his LTCF, but she won't let him get it. She likes to shoot their handgun, but don't think he needs to carry other than when they drive tow where they shoot. I explained this law. She was kind of shocked that they had been travelling illegally. She said the "clips"(yep, she's one of those) were loaded, in the the gun, in a range bag, on the back seat.
bearfoot
US Veteran
pafoa.com
a terrific http: for weapons carry, area shoots/ gettogethers, lounge. check the pafoa shoots at PMSC 4 times a year. one coming up in april.
a terrific http: for weapons carry, area shoots/ gettogethers, lounge. check the pafoa shoots at PMSC 4 times a year. one coming up in april.
Okie21
Well-known member
A loaded gun anywhere in a vehicle is considered concealed.
Steve_in_PA
Well-known member
Negative.
The carry laws of PA are concealed on or about your person, or in a vehicle.
"In a vehicle" means inside said vehicle. There is no open or concealed carry when it comes to a vehicle.
Open carry is 100% legal in all of PA, including Philly. However, in Philly (a city of the 1st class), you need a license to carry in order to OC. In all other areas of PA, you do not need the LTCF.
Also, in times of a declared emergency (blizzard, tornado, flood, etc) you must have a LTCF even if you want to open carry.
You can strap on your handgun and walk right out the door. But, lacking a license to carry, you cannot transport the unloaded firearm to any place you want to OC.
For example;
Joe doesn't have a LTCF, but can legally own and possess a handgun. Joe can strap on his handgun and walk to the mall.
Joe cannot put his unloaded firearm in a vehicle, drive to the mall, get out of the vehicle, strap on the gun and walk around.
Last edited:
Steve_in_PA
Well-known member
In PA, a "vehicle" is defined as;
VEHICLE — Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices used exclusively upon rails or tracks. The term does not include a self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical mobility device operated by and designed for the exclusive use of a person with a mobility-related disability.
So, a bicycle can be considered a vehicle, and therefore you would need a license to carry if you want to carry a loaded firearm and pedal around.
VEHICLE — Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices used exclusively upon rails or tracks. The term does not include a self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical mobility device operated by and designed for the exclusive use of a person with a mobility-related disability.
So, a bicycle can be considered a vehicle, and therefore you would need a license to carry if you want to carry a loaded firearm and pedal around.
Bottom line ..... get your......... LTCF
then carry discreetly ....... concealed...........................
then carry discreetly ....... concealed...........................
Philadelphia Patriot
Well-known member
Long story short, get your LTCF so you can carry in Philly and in your vehicle. If you do OC, just use some kind of retention holster. It doesn't have to be one where you flick a thumb strap, push a button, and twist your gun to get it out, but something with a thumb strap or a button works. This isn't a necessity, but something I would personally recommend. Other than that, carry on!
