Philadelphia firearm laws

Individuals facing prosecution for firearm violations should consider contacting an experienced attorney for help building a defense. Philadelphia, the fifth largest city in the United States, is comprised of Philadelphia County and the City of Philadelphia, which has a population approximately 5.

When such a large number of individuals reside close to one another, firearms may become an issue. Firearms in big cities simply must be kept under control. When seeking to understand gun laws in Philadelphia, individuals may need to understand that there is typically no difference in the manner that firearms are dealt with in Philadelphia and other major cities. If a person does not have a license to carry a firearm, they could be a convicted felon or may be ineligible to have a firearm.

It is not recommended for such individuals to have a firearm in the City or County of Philadelphia due to the potential consequences. Guns and gun possession have always been an issue in large metropolitan urban areas such as the City and County of Philadelphia. To combat gun violence, gun control and gun policing have been moved to a more local level, and local police are attempting to train residents and instruct them on the law and how to have legal firearms.

The current law, however, does not prohibit gun possession for this group. People with DUI convictions are four to five times more likely to be arrested for violent or firearm-related crimes in the next two decades. Pennsylvania law prevents law enforcement agencies from having firearm registries.

Federal law does not require firearm owners to register their firearm. PA records handgun sales in a state database. However, the database does not track sales of long guns such as shotguns or assault rifles. Currently, section In Philadelphia, a permit is required to carry a gun or transport one in a vehicle. Pennsylvania does not prohibit assault weapons. Assault weapons are defined differently.

Different definitions lead to states banning different guns. Assault weapons have been used in some of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States including the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida in , which left 49 dead and 53 injured, and in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut 28 dead, 2 injured. Gun laws in Pennsylvania make it easy to buy and traffic guns.

In recent years, more trafficked guns have been coming from Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a popular choice for gun purchasers due to its proximity to I and to states with stricter gun laws New York and New Jersey.

From to , Pennsylvania ranked eighth for highest number of guns exported to other states and recovered in crimes, with a total of 5, such guns. States like Virginia have limited handgun purchases to one per month, and reduced interstate gun trafficking by percent. In addition, over half of gun owners store some or all of their guns unsafely unlocked or loaded. This can pose a risk to those in the home and also contribute to guns being diverted to the underground market.

Under current State law , Philadelphia is unable to pass laws on gun ownership or selling a gun. Philadelphia City Council has passed gun-control bills in the past, however the courts have struck down these bills.

In , Philadelphia City Council passed a bill on banning assault style weapons. In , the Commonwealth Court struck down city ordinances banning assault weapons and limiting handgun purchases to one per person per month. Even though the City appealed this decision, in , the Commonwealth Court again struck down both ordinances.

The Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities is a five-year , comprehensive action plan that utilizes a public health approach to gun violence prevention and involves multiple City agencies and partners working together to address the underlying factors that contribute to gun violence. City Council President Darrel L.

Clarke plans to introduce legislation to ban firearms at recreation centers. The Philadelphia delegation in Harrisburg has expressed interest in introducing a companion state bill.

City Council has passed other gun control measures that can only be implemented if the State gives Philadelphia the authority to pass local firearm laws. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf will sign an executive order making sweeping changes to State agencies and programs to better target the public health crisis of gun violence. The initiatives include new oversight and data sharing measures, strategies to reduce community gun violence, efforts to combat mass shootings, and measures to address the rising number of gun-related domestic incidents and self-inflicted shootings, including suicides by gun.

Make sure your voice is heard. Our state and federal legislators have the power to keep our residents and police safer. It is critical that Philadelphians contact their representatives and share your opinion on legislation that would help prevent gun violence and save lives. Below are a powerful examples of potential gun control policy changes you can advocate for. Take a stand against gun violence and make your voice heard where it matters most: with state and federal legislators.

Contact the U. Congress to express your support for legislation that would save lives. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation with attorney Lauren Wimmer.

Your freedom and future are too important to leave to chance. However, the United States government restricts the ownership and sale of some firearms and has enacted other laws regarding guns. Under these laws, specific individuals may not own a firearm, including:. The Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act is a comprehensive list of gun laws that covers the entire state.

Under this act, individuals who have a previous conviction of a violent crime, who are declared mentally ill by a court, and those who are subject to an active protection from abuse order cannot purchase a handgun.

Other significant points of the Act include:. Being in the state of Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia is beholden to the gun laws enacted by the state legislature. Under the Uniform Firearms Act, Philadelphia or any other city in the state must not create their own gun laws or restrictions.

They cannot pass any laws regarding the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or ammunition components when guns are carried for a lawful reason in a lawful manner. However, in Philadelphia, individuals must have a permit to carry a firearm or transport one in a vehicle.