McKean County, PA Firearms Eligibility Investigations
How can I find out if I can legally own a gun in Pennsylvania?
When you buy a gun in McKean County, the dealer must run a background check called a PICS Check (Pennsylvania Instant Check System). You can only run a PICS Check in connection with a transfer or if you are applying for a License to Carry Firearms (concealed carry license). When you are filling out the paperwork to buy a gun or apply for a License to Carry Firearms (concealed carry license) you should NEVER GUESS for any of your answers. If you fail the background check (PICS denial) when you are trying to buy a gun in Pennsylvania, you could face criminal prosecution for a felony! Even if you thought you answered the questions correctly, many people are still prosecuted for their mistake. At The Gun Law Firm, we have performed firearms eligibility investigations for our clients since 2016 to avoid this problem. We thoroughly review our clients’ criminal records, mental health records, and much more to determine whether you can legally own a gun in Pennsylvania.
If I have had a McKean 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 McKean County 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.
Can I buy a gun without a McKean County 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.
PICS Denials in McKean County, PA
If you have had a PICS denial in McKean 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 McKean 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.
How to Find the Right McKean County Gun Lawyer
The right gun lawyer will be very familiar with Pennsylvania gun law and frequently handle cases like yours. At The Gun Law Firm, we help people determine if they can legally own a gun every day with firearms eligibility investigations. It is not necessary to meet in-person to perform a firearms eligibility investigation and determine if you can legally own a gun. Because our law firm focuses on firearms laws, we have been able to help people in 42 different counties in Pennsylvania from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and everywhere in between. We have even been able to help people who have Pennsylvania crimes or mental health treatment (302, 303, 304) but no longer live in Pennsylvania.
