Sinking Spring, PA Pardons
Can I buy a gun without a Sinking Spring, PA background check in Pennsylvania?
If you might be prohibited from possessing firearms and can’t legally own a gun, it doesn’t matter whether you can buy a gun without a background check in Pennsylvania. Possessing a firearm would be illegal and can result in significant jail time. That being said, almost all firearms transfers in Pennsylvania require a background check through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS). Under federal law, when you buy a gun from a dealer, you must fill out a Form 4473 and submit to a background check. It doesn’t matter if you are buying the gun at the store itself or at a gun show. Under Pennsylvania law, most handgun transfers between private parties must go through a dealer or the Sheriff’s office, and require the appropriate paperwork (Form 4473 and SP 4-113) and a PICS Check. There are very limited exceptions for handgun transfers between parent/child, grandparent/grandchild, and between spouses, provided both parties are Pennsylvania residents. Handgun transfers between residents of different states must take place through a dealer in the recipient’s home state under federal law. Transfers of conventional long guns (non-NFA shotguns and rifles) can take place between legally eligible Pennsylvania residents without any paperwork or a PICS Check, though many people opt to still perform these transfers through a dealer to have proof of the transfer. If the parties do not both reside in Pennsylvania, the transfer of conventional long guns (non-NFA shotguns and rifles) MUST take place through a dealer under federal law. Even in the specific circumstances where the law does not require a background check, the transfer would result in a crime if the recipient can’t legally own a gun.
If I had a Sinking Spring, PA PICS Denial does that mean I can’t Own a Gun?
Not necessarily! Just like everything else in the world, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Instant Check System are not perfect. At The Gun Law Firm, we have helped a tremendous number of clients get erroneous PICS denials overturned over the years. But much like a medical emergency, the sooner you get medical attention the better your chances of survival will be. Particularly due to the short, strict deadlines in place, it is important to have a firearms attorney on your side as soon as possible after a PICS denial.
Can I get a License to Carry Firearms (Concealed Carry License) in Pennsylvania
Even if you can legally own a gun, you still might not be able to get a License to Carry Firearms (concealed carry license) in Pennsylvania. For example, even very minor drug offenses can render you ineligible for a License to Carry Firearms in Pennsylvania. Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109, if you have been convicted of any offense under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act you are ineligible for a License to Carry Firearms. That means that if you have been convicted of even a minor drug crime in Pennsylvania, such as possession of a small amount of marijuana or possession of drug paraphernalia, you can’t get a License to Carry Firearms even if your conviction is very old. This is true even if you pleaded guilty and only paid a small fine. If there is a chance you may have been convicted of misdemeanor drug crime in Pennsylvania, you should not apply for a License to Carry Firearms without a firearms eligibility investigation.
How long does a Sinking Spring, PA Pardon take in Pennsylvania
Even if you are a good candidate, the downside is a Pardon doesn’t happen overnight. The process, from start to finish, typically takes 3-5 years. Though that may seem like a long time, you have to understand that waiting longer will not make the process go faster. So if you are a good candidate for a Pardon, it is best to start as soon as possible rather than letting the wait time discourage your efforts and simply drag the process out even longer.
Why It’s Important to Have a Gun Lawyer in Sinking Spring, PA
There are many reasons why a person can’t legally own a gun in Pennsylvania. Most people don’t know all of these reasons, and even most lawyers don’t know all of these reasons. Many people are surprised when they find out some of the reasons you can’t legally own a gun. That is why it’s important to have a lawyer who specifically focuses on gun law help you determine if you can legally own guns. Gun laws are so complicated and so voluminous that many judges, police officers, prosecutors, and private attorneys get them wrong. When a mistake can lead to prosecution, it can cost you your freedom, your money, your reputation, and even your family. That’s why it’s important to have a gun lawyer who understands the ins and outs of Pennsylvania gun laws.
What is the difference between a Sinking Spring, PA PICS Denial and an Undetermined Status?
Functionally, there is no difference between a PICS denial and an undetermined status. You are still subject to the same deadlines and will still need a successful PICS Challenge to proceed with your purchase or License to Carry Firearms (concealed carry license). Because of that, you should treat an undetermined status with the same approach and sense of urgency that you would a PICS denial. In the technical sense, with an undetermined status the PICS Challenge Unit will need additional information to make a determination. With a PICS denial, the PICS Challenge Unit believes it has information that serves as a basis for denial. It is important to note that neither of these designations suggest any particular outcome. A person who has been denied may not be prohibited, and a person with an undetermined status may in fact be prohibited. Again, you should treat them each with the same approach and sense of urgency.