Title 18, CRIMES AND OFFENSES

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this subchapter which are applicable to specific provisions of this subchapter, the following words and phrases, when used in this subchapter shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the me…

If any person commits or attempts to commit a crime enumerated in section 6105 (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms) when armed with a firearm contrary to the provisions of this subchapter, that person may, in addition to the p…

In the trial of a person for committing or attempting to commit a crime enumerated in section 6105 (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms), the fact that that person was armed with a firearm, used or attempted to be used, and had…

(a) Offense defined.-- (1) A person who has been convicted of an offense enumerated in subsection (b), within or without this Commonwealth, regardless of the length of sentence or whose conduct meets the criteria in subsection (c) shall not possess, use, control, sell, transfer o…

(a) Restoration.--A person convicted of a disabling offense may make application to the court of common pleas in the county where the principal residence of the applicant is situated for restoration of firearms rights. The court shall grant restoration of firearms rights after a …

(a) Procedure.-- (1) A person subject to a firearms disability pursuant to section 6105(c)(9) (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms) shall relinquish any firearms under the person's possession or control to the appropriate law e…

(a) Offense defined.-- (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a valid and lawfully issued licen…

(a) General rule.--Except as provided in Title 34 (relating to game), no person shall carry a loaded pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle, other than a firearm as defined in section 6102 (relating to definitions), in any vehicle. The provisions of this section shall not apply to pe…

(a) General rule.--No person shall carry a firearm upon the public streets or upon any public property during an emergency proclaimed by a State or municipal governmental executive unless that person is: (1) Actively engaged in a defense of that person's life or property from per…

No person shall carry a firearm, rifle or shotgun at any time upon the public streets or upon any public property in a city of the first class unless: (1) such person is licensed to carry a firearm; or (2) such person is exempt from licensing under section 6106(b) of this title (…

(a) Purpose of license.--A license to carry a firearm shall be for the purpose of carrying a firearm concealed on or about one's person or in a vehicle throughout this Commonwealth. (b) Place of application.--An individual who is 21 years of age or older may apply to a sheriff fo…

1995 Repeal. Section 6110 was repealed June 13, 1995 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1024, No.17), effective in 120 days.

(a) Firearm.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a person under 18 years of age shall not possess or transport a firearm anywhere in this Commonwealth. (b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to a person under 18 years of age: (1) who is under the supervision of a paren…

(a) General rule.--No person shall possess a firearm which has had the manufacturer's number integral to the frame or receiver altered, changed, removed or obliterated. (b) Penalty.--A person who violates this section commits a felony of the second degree. (c) Definition.--As use…

(a) Time and manner of delivery.-- (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no seller shall deliver a firearm to the purchaser or transferee thereof until 48 hours shall have elapsed from the time of the application for the purchase thereof, and, when delivered, the firearm shall…

(a) Administration.--The Pennsylvania State Police shall have the responsibility to administer the provisions of this chapter. (b) Duty of Pennsylvania State Police.-- (1) Upon receipt of a request for a criminal history, juvenile delinquency history and mental health record chec…

(a) Surcharge imposed.--There is hereby imposed on each sale of a firearm subject to tax under Article II of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, an additional surcharge of $3. This shall be referred to as the Firearm Sale Surcharge. All m…

(a) Establishment.--The Firearm Records Check Fund is hereby established as a restricted account in the State Treasury, separate and apart from all other public money or funds of the Commonwealth, to be appropriated annually by the General Assembly, for use in carrying out the pr…

Notwithstanding any section of this chapter to the contrary, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to allow any government or law enforcement agency or any agent thereof to create, maintain or operate any registry of firearm ownership within this Commonwealth. For the purpos…

The Pennsylvania State Police shall in the manner provided by law promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to carry out this chapter, including regulations to ensure the identity, confidentiality and security of all records and data provided pursuant hereto. (June 13, 1995,…

No retail dealer shall sell, or otherwise transfer or expose for sale or transfer, or have in his possession with intent to sell or transfer, any firearm as defined in section 6113(d) (relating to licensing of dealers) without being licensed as provided in this chapter. (June 13,…

(a) General rule.--The chief or head of any police force or police department of a city, and, elsewhere, the sheriff of the county, shall grant to reputable applicants licenses, in form prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police, effective for three years from date of issue, per…

The action of the chief of police, sheriff, county treasurer or other officer under this subchapter shall be subject to judicial review in the manner and within the time provided by 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 Subch. B (relating to judicial review of local agency action). A judgment sustaini…

(a) Offense defined.--No person shall make any loan secured by mortgage, deposit or pledge of a firearm, nor, except as provided in subsection (b), shall any person lend or give a firearm to another or otherwise deliver a firearm contrary to the provisions of this subchapter. (b)…

In addition to any other penalty provided in this chapter, the furnishing of false information or offering false evidence of identity is a violation of section 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities). (Dec. 19, 1988, P.L.1275, No.158, eff. 180 days; June 13, 1995,…

(a) Offense defined.--No person shall change, alter, remove, or obliterate the manufacturer's number integral to the frame or receiver of any firearm which shall have the same meaning as provided in section 6105 (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell…

(a) General rule.--This subchapter shall not apply to antique firearms. (b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to the extent that such antique firearms, reproductions or replicas of firearms are concealed weapons as provided in section 6106 (relating to firearms not be ca…

Except as otherwise specifically provided, an offense under this subchapter constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Dec. 7, 1989, P.L.607, No.68, eff. 60 days) Cross References. Section 6119 is referred to in section 6111 of this title.

(a) General rule.--No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth…

(a) Offense defined.--It is unlawful for any person to possess, use or attempt to use a KTW teflon-coated bullet or other armor-piercing ammunition while committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence as defined in section 6102 (relating to definitions). (b) Grading.--An …

(a) General rule.--When carrying a firearm concealed on or about one's person or in a vehicle, an individual licensed to carry a firearm shall, upon lawful demand of a law enforcement officer, produce the license for inspection. Failure to produce such license either at the time …

A waiver of disability from Federal authorities as provided for in 18 U.S.C. § 925 (relating to exceptions; relief from disabilities), a full pardon from the Governor or an overturning of a conviction shall remove any corresponding disability under this subchapter except the disa…

The commissioner may establish form specifications and regulations, consistent with section 6109(c) (relating to licenses), with respect to uniform forms control, including the following: (1) License to carry firearms. (2) Firearm registration. (3) Dealer's license. (4) Applicati…

It shall be the duty of the Pennsylvania State Police beginning January 1, 1996, to distribute to every licensed firearm dealer in this Commonwealth firearms safety brochures at no cost to the dealer. The brochures shall be written by the Pennsylvania State Police, with the coope…

2002 Expiration. Section 6126 expired November 30, 2002. See Act 101 of 2001.

(a) Illegal possession.--Upon confiscating or recovering a firearm from the possession of anyone who is not permitted by Federal or State law to possess a firearm, a local law enforcement agency shall use the best available information, including a firearms trace where necessary,…

(a) General rule.--Firearms, weapons or ammunition which are itemized on a list required under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108(a)(7)(v) (relating to relief) or the possession or acquisition of which is prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) (relating to unlawful acts) and relinquished into or …

1997 Repeal. Section 6141 was repealed April 22, 1997 (P.L.73, No.5), effective in 60 days.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a person in this Commonwealth who may lawfully purchase, possess, use, control, sell, transfer or manufacture a firearm which exceeds the barrel and related lengths set forth in section 6102 (relating to definitions) from law…

(a) Offense defined.--It shall be unlawful for any licensee to sell, deliver or transfer any firearm as defined in section 6102 (relating to definitions), other than an antique firearm as defined in section 6118 (relating to antique firearms), to any other person, other than anot…

(a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree if he enters into or upon any railroad train, locomotive, tender or car thereof, or into or upon any automobile or other conveyance used for the carrying of freight or passengers, having in his custody…

(a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree if he knowingly delivers, or causes to be delivered to any transportation company, or to any person engaged in the business of transportation, any explosive material adapted for blasting, or for any oth…

This subchapter provides for the establishment of the Straw Purchase Prevention Education Program within the Office of Attorney General.

The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) The illegal purchase of firearms throughout this Commonwealth is a threat to public safety and security. (2) Urban areas are experiencing increased violence as a result of criminal misuse of firearms. Stemming the flow of these il…

The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Fund." The Straw Purchase Prevention Education Fund established in section 6186 (relating to Straw Purchase Preventi…

(a) Establishment.--The Straw Purchase Prevention Education Program is established and shall provide resources and direct grant money to underwrite the cost of implementing an educational and public service outreach program in the community. (b) Outreach.--The educational and pub…