West Waynesburg, PA Firearms Eligibility Investigations
Can I legally own a Gun in Pennsylvania?
You have decided you want to be a gun owner. But there are many reasons why people can’t legally own a gun in Pennsylvania. Many crimes that are not violent, and are not felonies, can still prohibit you from possessing firearms. You can’t legally own a gun in Pennsylvania if you have certain misdemeanor convictions. People who were hospitalized for mental health treatment for a 302, or involuntary committed for a 303 or 304 in Pennsylvania can’t legally own or possess guns. Even if your criminal case or mental health treatment happened when you were a juvenile (when you were a minor, or under 18) it could still prevent you from legally owning a gun. There are many more reasons why a person can’t legally own a gun in Pennsylvania. If a person is caught possessing a firearm in any manner when they are legally prohibited, they could face severe penalties, including a lengthy prison sentence.
If I have had a West Waynesburg PICS Denial in the past, will I be denied again?
If you have had a PICS denial in the past, the chances are you will be denied again. There are some reasons why a person can be temporarily prohibited from possessing firearms, but these situations are more rare. Even if your PICS denial is based upon inaccurate information, the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) will still contain that information without a successful challenge. That is why it is so important to handle a PICS denial or undetermined status with a sense of urgency and contact an experienced firearms attorney as soon as possible.
How long does a West Waynesburg, 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.
What to do after a PICS Denial or Undetermined Status in West Waynesburg, PA
After a PICS Denial or Undetermined Status, it is very important to contact a firearms attorney as soon as possible. This is because there are very strict deadlines in place, and neither the dealer nor the Sheriff will be able to inform you of the reason for denial. DO NOT TRY TO CONTACT THE POLICE TO FIND OUT WHY, BECAUSE ANYTHING YOU SAY CAN BE USED AGAINST YOU IN CRIMINAL COURT. Make sure to keep good notes about the date and location of the denial and the name of the dealer or Sheriff’s Office. If you are denied a License to Carry Firearms (concealed carry license) due to a PICS Denial or Undetermined Status, the Sheriff must send written notice of the denial by certified mail. Make sure you do not lose that letter. You only have 30 days after a PICS denial or undetermined status to file a PICS Challenge. If you don’t file your PICS Challenge within 30 days, you cannot have it overturned. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not try to file a PICS Challenge unless you are absolutely certain that you are not prohibited from possessing firearms and are willing to face a felony and jail time if you are wrong. When you file the challenge, you will once again certify that the information you provide is subject to the penalty of a felony of the third degree and a misdemeanor of the third degree. Many people try to purchase a firearm and have no idea that something in their past makes them prohibited. An experienced firearms attorney will be able to ask you the right questions, gather the necessary documents and information and determine whether you are even eligible to own and possess firearms (or get a License to Carry Firearms) before submitting a PICS Challenge on your behalf. Because there is a 30-day deadline, it is very important to act fast, because 30 days is a very short amount of time to conduct the necessary investigation.
PICS Denials in West Waynesburg, PA
If you have had a PICS denial in West Waynesburg, PA, the chances are you’re confused and don’t know why you have been denied. If you were denied the purchase of a firearm from a dealer in West Waynesburg, PA at a gun store or a gun show, a PICS denial or Undetermined Status is the reason. If you were denied a License to Carry Firearms (concealed carry license) it is usually because of a PICS denial or Undetermined Status, but can be due to “character and reputation” as decided by the issuing authority. Under federal law, when you buy a gun from a dealer, you must fill out a Form 4473 and submit to a background check. In Pennsylvania the background check is called a PICS Check (Pennsylvania Instant Check System). With a PICS Check, the Pennsylvania State Police serve as a point of contact for the NICS (National Instant Check System), which is run by the FBI. Under Pennsylvania law, most handgun transfers between private parties must go through a dealer which require the appropriate paperwork (Form 4473 and SP 4-113) and a PICS Check. The law also allows the transfer to take place at the Sheriff’s Office, who will still run 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.