A Message To Gun Owners From The
Allegheny County Sheriff WILLIAM P. MULLEN

Dear Friends:

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office is committed to doing everything it can to promote awareness of the importance of firearms safety. While, statistically, the number of injuries and deaths occurring as a result of accidental firearm discharges is relatively low, our efforts are focusing on “zero tolerance” for such accidents, especially since they are largely preventable if all firearm owners would practice the measures we suggest in this brochure.

FROM THE SOLICITOR

This month’s article is written regarding the recent opinion published by the Office of the Attorney General regarding Pennsylvania Firearms Reciprocity Agreements.  The Attorney General was given the authority to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states by virtue of legislation promulgated in 1995.  Pennsylvania currently has formal written reciprocity agreements with fourteen (14) states that recognize a valid license to carry a firearm issued by Pennsylvania.  Further, Pennsylvania recognizes valid firearms carry licenses/permits from those fourteen (14) states.  In addition to the fourteen (14) formal agreements, other forms of reciprocity are applicable.  Under Pennsylvania law, there are six categories of firearms reciprocity status as set forth below.

  The first category contains states that have entered into written reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania.  The Attorney General makes clear in its recent posting on its website that recognition in Pennsylvania is based on the individual’s issuance of a valid license/permit by the reciprocal contracting state and not on the license/permit holder’s place of residence.  The fourteen states with which Pennsylvania has a written reciprocity agreement are as follows:  Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming.  Category 2 includes states that have statutory reciprocity pursuant to § 6106(b)(15) of the Uniform Firearms Act.  This category includes the states of Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota and Utah.  Category 3 includes only the State of Indiana which allows an individual issued a valid firearm license from Pennsylvania to carry a firearm while in Indiana.  Category 4 includes states in which Pennsylvanians may apply for a license/permit from another state.  This category includes the states of Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington.  Category 5 consists of states that do not recognize or grant licenses/permits to individuals from other states and currently do not extend reciprocal privileges to Pennsylvania license holders.  This category includes the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin.  Finally, Category 6 includes states that permit possession or carrying of a concealed firearm without a license/permit.  Only the State of Vermont is in this category.

  Again, the Attorney General posted this information in an effort to clarify the fact that recognition within Pennsylvania is based on the issuance to an individual of a valid license/permit by the reciprocal contracting state and not the license/permit holder’s place of residence.  The website for the Attorney General is www.attorneygeneral.gov and contains the contact information for each state’s appropriate agencies.

  Thank you to Sheriff Dennis B. Nau of Centre County for bringing this important information to our attention.

Attorney General McGraw Announces Handgun Reciprocity Agreement with Pennsylvania

Charleston - Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced today that he has entered into a concealed handgun reciprocity agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

"Residents of West Virginia and Pennsylvania who are age 21 and older, who hold valid concealed licenses or permits issued in their home state may now carry concealed handguns in each state," stated McGraw.  "It is important for licensees to remember to have their license in their possession and when in a reciprocating state the licensee is bound by the laws of that state relating to concealed handguns," said McGraw.

Information relating to West Virginia handgun laws generally and reciprocity and recognition of state law licenses is available on the Attorney General's website:  http://www.wvago.gov/ 

Other reciprocity information: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General

FIREARMS UNIT

The Sheriff's Office Firearms License Unit handles licenses for firearms dealers, applications to purchase handguns, and licenses to carry firearms. 

By state law the Sheriff has the responsibility to process all applications to purchase handguns in the county,  to process all application to carry handguns in Allegheny County, and to issue licenses to all those applicants who qualify, based on an extensive background investigation done by the Sheriff's Office.  The Sheriff also licenses all firearms dealers in the county. 
 
It is illegal under Pennsylvania law for anyone to sell or otherwise deliver a firearm to "any person under the age of 18 years, or one he has reasonable cause to believe has been convicted of a crime of violence, or is a drug addict, a habitual drunkard, or of unsound mind." 
 
Crimes of violence include murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, arson, extortion accompanied by threats of violence, assault by prisoner, assault by life prisoner, and kidnapping. 
 

DENIAL OF A PERMIT

By law, the Sheriff must deny a license to any applicant who falls into one of the following categories:

1. an individual whose character and reputation is such that the individual would be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety;
2. an individual who has been convicted of an offense under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act;
3. an individual convicted of a crime of violence;
4. an individual who, within the past ten years, has been adjudicated delinquent for a crime of violence or for an offense under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act;
5. an individual who is not of sound mind or who has ever been committed to a mental institution;
6. an individual who is addicted to or is an unlawful user of marijuana or a stimulant, depressant or narcotic drug;
7. an individual who is a habitual drunkard;
8. an individual who is charged with or has been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
9. a resident of another state who does not possess a current license issued by the state;
10. an illegal alien;
11. an individual who has been discharged from the armed forces of the United States under dishonorable conditions, and;
12. an individual who is a fugitive from justice.

You should also take steps to reduce the chances of your firearms being stolen.  We suggest the following:

• Do not "advertise" that you own guns.
• Instruct your children not to "brag" about your guns to their friends or acquaintances.
• Do not display your guns in plain view.
• Do no display stickers or signs on your house or vehicle which indicate you own guns.  The stickers only advertise to burglars that there are guns in the house.
• Do not leave guns in your vehicle where they can be seen.
• Keep a record of all your firearms (please email us to receive a free brochure along with a gun inventory sheet)
• Practice all the basic burglary and theft prevention techniques, such as locking all of your doors and windows.
• Use a high security gun safe or hidden storage area such as a false wall closet.
• Check with your insurance company to make sure your guns are covered under your homeowners policy.

FIREARMS SAFETY RULES

Always treat a firearm as if it is loaded

Always make sure the firearms is pointed in a safe direction

Always keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until you are ready to fire

Always be aware that safety devices can (and sometimes do) fail. Safety devices are not a substitute for safe handling and common sense.

Always use ammunition designed for use in your firearms

Always be sure of your target and what lies beyond your target

Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting

Always refrain from using alcohol or drugs before or while shooting

Always store firearms unloaded in a locked container and separate from ammunition. Be certain firearms are inaccessible to children and unauthorized adults.

FIREARMS FOR PERSONAL SECURITY

SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS

Many firearm-related injuries, especially those suffered by children, can be prevented by safe, responsible storage of firearms. These precautions will also help to prevent access to firearms by unauthorized adults.

Store firearms and ammunition separately in locked containers. The containers should be placed out of the reach of children and out of the view of any unauthorized persons.

At an appropriate age, you may wish to extend your child’s knowledge of gun safety to safe handling and use, particularly if your child shows a strong interest in learning how to shoot. Only you can determine if and when your child is ready to do so. A child’s attitude, maturity level, and physical and emotional development are key factors in determining when to teach your child how to handle guns and to shoot. However, once that decision has been made, we strongly recommend that your child attend a Gun Safety Program.

As a parent, you are responsible for your child’s safety as well as for teaching positive values and good judgment to your child.