Bucks County, PA Pardons
PICS Denials in Bucks County, PA
If you have had a PICS denial in Bucks County, 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 Bucks County 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.
There are Many Good Reasons to Apply for a Bucks Pardon in Pennsylvania
The overwhelming majority of people contact us at The Gun Law Firm with the intention of restoring their firearms rights. But through the course of the process most people realize there are many other reasons they want a Pardon. Some of these include your reputation, your career, and your rights.
When someone calls our office who has a Bucks County conviction on their record, I don’t think of these people as “criminals.” These are hard-working, successful individuals who care about their family, but happen to have been convicted of a crime at some point in their life. These people are generally law-abiding, except for an isolated period in their life. With the internet, it is very easy to look up a person’s criminal history. Most people don’t want that information readily accessible to their co-workers and clients, because it doesn’t represent the person they are today. That’s why protecting your reputation is an excellent reason to apply for a pardon in Pennsylvania.
Convictions can also seriously limit your ability to advance your career. It may become difficult or even impossible to obtain certain licenses, certifications or clearances with a conviction on your record. Even individuals who own a business and have no “employer” can run into this problem. If you are self-employed, you can also lose business if your clients and customers see your convictions online. The people who call my office are typically motivated individuals who want to achieve their full potential. Advancing your career is not solely about personal satisfaction, it helps you better provide for your loved ones who depend on you. That is why many of my clients view a pardon as an investment rather than a cost. They want to get a better job or grow their business. If you are serious about achieving your goals and providing for your family, that is an excellent reason to apply for a pardon in Pennsylvania.
Many people don’t realize that a conviction can impact rights other than firearms. Your right to hold public office, your right to serve on a jury, and your right to vote could all be forfeited through a conviction. As Americans, we value these rights tremendously. Our ability to do our part in protecting our Constitutional Republic lessens dramatically if we are unable to participate in the political process or our judicial system. If you value your rights and value our country, restoring those rights is another great reason to apply for a pardon in Pennsylvania.
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.
Can I apply for a Bucks County Pardon in Pennsylvania by myself?
Certainly. But if you are serious about your pardon, you may want the assistance of an attorney who is experienced with the pardon process rather than trying to “learn as you go” as you do it for the first time. We pride ourselves on knowing what it takes to bring the absolute best out of our clients to help us portray the true person you have become to the Board of Pardons during this important opportunity for a second chance. We know the ins and outs of the pardon process helping us make a stressful experience as smooth as possible for our clients. Many of our clients are too busy with their own careers, businesses and families to spend a bunch of time trying to figure out a brand new process. There is so much on the line during the pardon process, such as your future, your family, your career, and your rights. It makes sense why our clients would rather trust a professional with a wealth of experience.
How to Contact a Gun Lawyer in Bucks County for a Pennsylvania Pardon
At The Gun Law Firm, we know what it takes to bring out the very best in you when you apply for a Pardon in Pennsylvania. We have helped our clients get pardons and have sat through hundreds of hearings before the Board of Pardons since 2016. If you contact our office, we offer a free case strategy session by telephone. We will help you determine if a you are a good candidate for a pardon. You can call our office to schedule a free case strategy session. Because we are very busy helping people restore their rights, be sure to leave your contact information if you reach our answering service, and someone from our team will call you back shortly. If you prefer, you can fill out the “Contact Us” form on our website, and someone at our office will reach out to you as quickly as possible.
If I had a Bucks County 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.
