Cap'n Dex

We're slow at work, so 4 of us got into a discussion about CCW permits in PA. 3 of us have ours already, and the other guy was looking to get one, so he had some questions. Anyways, the one guy(Chris, who is CCW licensed) also works at cabelas, and was telling us PA is an open carry state, meaning you can openly carry, and it doesn't have to be conceiled. He'd also mentioned you're going to get challenged by every cop you come across if you do it. How he came to know this information was that some cabelas customers wanted to carry openly, and Cabela's wasn't sure of the legality of that. So they dug into it, and found it is legal to openly carry a gun in PA, so there was nothing Cabelas could legally do about it. I'd asked why they couldn't just forbid carry, as my work does. He'd said it'd only p/o the customers, and Cabela's doesn't want to do that.

I don't know if its 100% true, and I'm not daring enough to endevour it. Anyone else ever hear this?

igli

I'm in PA. There's an Open Carry group that goes to different restaraunts wearing pistols openly, and it is legal. The group is prepared to deal with questions from the police, and has all their ducks in a row. As a group, they do ok.

But as an individual, you are basically guaranteed to get more attention from the law than you'd want. I choose not to do it, for several reasons.

I do wonder, though. I have a CCW. I've always been told the pistol MUST be concealed. Yet... if it was to become visible... wouldn't that simply be Open Carry? I don't want to try it out, but it is a possible loophole if you get "made" as a guy with a gun.

Solomon Kane

Here in Oregon, it's the same. In some eastern Oregon jurisdictions, it's not even uncommon to see people exercising the right. However, it does open you up to being challenged to any cop you meet. Furthermore, you run the risk of getting booted from public establishments that haven't posted a no weapons sign. If you already have a ccw permit and live in an area where open carry is not common, why take the risk?

BobMac

Yep, PA is an open carry state. I have the complete book on PA firearms law and that is explicit. I have sometimes open carried but most of the time it's concealed. It's a different story if I'm hunting. Then I will carry openly.

BobMac

powmia56

http://www.opencarry.org

Ship Ahoy

You won't find a statute that allows OC. Pa is an open carry state as there is no law forbidding it. Point is, if you look for specific Pa OC laws, you won't find any.

In Pa we do not have a CCW, we have a LTCF (License To Carry Firearms) which allows one to carry it concealed on thier person, or carry loaded in a vehicle. But this license does NOT require one to carry concealed.

BTW, I always CC, not a fan of OC.

ExSarge

Yea, never tried it but it is legal in this state. Was spotted once a few months back where I saw the cop checking out the bulge under my shirt. He never asked and I never told. I do have a permit.

Redtail

Does that open carry apply to a non resident CCWP holders that have a PA. permit ?

Pike Bishop

Ex Sarge, I once had a female cop checking out the bulge in my pants, but nothing came of it.

ExSarge

You are bad Pike.....

NightSight

'Open Carry' in Pennsylvania simply means that you can carry a handgun in plain sight anywhere inside the Commonwealth EXCEPT:

(1) At national parks, monuments, post offices, federal buildings, all courthouses, and (probably) most public schools;
(2) Inside a vehicle and,
(3) Within the City of Philadelphia UNLESS you, also, hold a PA LTCF or other reciprocal permit from another state.

The national park regulations are presently being contested. Whether or not these regulations are finally dropped remains to be seen. The prohibition against post office carry is technically questionable - as is carry on local school property - However, nobody wants to be the first test case; AND, the responding officer has a wide discretion as to who does and does not end up being charged. (Frankly, I think this is as it should be.)

One of the lawyers, here in town, open carries everywhere. One of our local public schools still has a 1970's era shooting range in the basement that gets used by the shooting public, at least, once a week.

Although I'm personally largely against OC; on occasion I will do it, and occasionally have. (Like when getting out of the car to pump gas late at night.) Every now and then at a stuffy restaurant, I have also removed my cover garment while eating dinner.

Whenever I’ve done this before, I’ve tried to sit so that my gun side is away from public view. So far, I’ve only been, 'made' once by a father who was shepherding his crew. (After I smiled at him he seemed to be OK with my presence, and ignored me and the gun for the rest of the meal.)

I continue to hold two strong objections to open carry: First, it points you out as a potential threat (real or imagined) to everyone, as well as a possible source for a weapon and ammo to all of the wrong people – The kind who are going to make sure you don’t see them coming! Second, most people who are out with their families can’t help, but, be made to feel uncomfortable at sight of someone with a gun. Consequently, I try to follow the Golden Rule and treat other people, and their families, as I would want to be treated myself.

(Yes, some of these OC guys can look pretty scary! Even though I carry, myself, I always take a good long look at someone who is open carrying a piece. I can, only, imagine that if this is my reaction, then, what must a majority of the, ‘commuter dads, and, ‘soccer moms’ think when they see a stranger OC ’ing?)

All in all, I don’t think OC ‘ing – even though it’s entirely legal in PA – is usually a good idea. Me? I don’t want to do anything that will motivate people to join either PETA or, ‘The Brady Bunch’. I only wish that more of the younger men felt the same way. (I wish they were smart enough, too; but mindless zeal is, after all, an attribute of being young!)

spwenger

Is this a state regulation regarding national parks that is being contested? By federal law, effective February 22, 2010, carry in national parks (with the likely exception of "federal facilities" therein) becomes legal so long as it is legal under the laws of the surrounding state.

NightSight

Yes, the issue has now been settled. Everybody's getting something they want; and, Americans are, also, going to end up with something they really don't want.

The rider to allow carry in national parks was finally approved as part of the Credit Card Reform Act. (or, whatever they’re calling this bill now) The bankers are happy because they're going to be making a lot more money from their credit cards. Firearms enthusiasts are happy, too, because they've had a legislative bone - a very expensive legislative bone - tossed their way.

Looks like it's win/win all around!

Refer: http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/NewsRel ... x?ID=11895

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=4634

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federa ... ke_ef.html

Redtail

This was posted on Glock Talk forum this week & it pays to check it out if you have a non resident PA. carry permit " PA law will require an in person visit to PA for any future non resident permits, this was pointed out by the Centre county Sheriff office RE : Danny Nau Sheriff.

jahwarrior72

i have yet to see a documented case of a citizen being targeted for attack by a criminal because they were open carrying, and ive been scouring the internet for one for 3 years now.

BobMac

Yeah, PA is an open carry state. BUT, don't try it in Philly. The cops there don't care if you have an LTCF (Licenese to Carry Firearm) or not. They will hassle you.

I will concealed carry in Philly and usuall do so in the rest of the state. No use in making rouble or yourself.

I have had my permit here in PA since 1962 when I moved here from New York where I has a carry permit. No hassel with the county sheriffs and you don't have to have a separte permit or each firearm as in NY.

BobMac

jahwarrior72

i already have OCd in Philly. no one really noticed. i wouldn't do it on a regular basis, though, for the reasons you just mentioned.

a friend of mine has recently gone through quite an ordeal, though; it was all over the news. i don't like to go into Philly, anyway, unless i really have to. that place is the suck.

stand watie

to ALL,

fwiw, my VERY favorite Italian resturant is DANTE & LUIGIS in South Philly & i once (quietly!) asked the on-duty mgr, several years ago, if it was OK to "carry" in that place.
(they have NO sign, as is common in VA/MD/WV/DE ======> private property owners can lawfully FORBID even CCW-holders, in those jurisdictions, from carrying ON their premises, though they mostly do NOT!)

she asked me if i had a CCW. when i said, "Yes, Ma'am - from VA", she said, "This is a privately-owned place & you can lay it in middle of the table for little i care."

i HAD to LOL!

otoh, D&L is quite well known as a "MAFIA-friendly" place, so it may be REALLY SAFE, as long as you pay your bill & don't cause a fuss.
(CHUCKLE!)
D&L also takes NO credit cards but DOES take personal checks, including "out of state" checks.
(they seem to have NO problem with "hot checks" - can you imagine why? = LOL!)

yours, sw

DavidE

Looks like another concealed carry case has made the news in PA.

Boys Attack Cyclist Who Fights Back, Kills 1: Cops | NBC 10 Philadelphia

<http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/weird/Thun-Trail-Shooting-Juveniles-Cyclist-138097778.html>

Three young fellows decided to take the day off from school, beat and rob people along a trail.

Whoops.

Note that one of the suspects, in fact the one who had the worst day among them, was being "electronically monitored" while they were on their robbery spree outside of the classroom.

ExSarge

Renewed my CCP in Dec. and was pleasently surprised at the large number of people applying. Had to wait over an hour to get it. Many women are now carrying too.