Source: https://fortysixbluereport.com/2016/10/05/pennsylvania-general-assembly-pass-senate-bill-1182-keep-firearms-out-of-the-hands-of-convicted-domestic-violence-offenders/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 05:20:46+00:00

Document:
Background Domestic violence abusers and guns are a lethal combination. Last year in Pennsylvania there were 146 domestic violence-related fatalities; of the 113 victims killed, 61 were fatally shot. Over the past decade, guns have been consistently used in over half of Pennsylvania domestic homicides.i Felons, criminals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, and abusers subject to domestic violence protection orders are prohibited from gun possession by federal law.ii However, for people subject to final PFA Orders in Pennsylvania, the gun prohibition does not require relinquishment but rather only allows a court to include prohibition in its Order. iii Between 2011-2015, only 14% of final PFAs included surrender provisions in Pennsylvania.iv The current system makes it too easy for prohibited abusers to access guns by allowing the abuser to turn their weapons over to a third party—usually a friend or family member that does not live with the abuser.
Amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, providing for relinquishment of firearms and firearm licenses by convicted persons, further providing for firearms not to be carried without a license and for loans on, or lending or giving firearms prohibited; and, in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions, for commencement of proceedings, for hearings, for relief, for return of relinquished firearms, other weapons and ammunition and additional relief and for relinquishment for consignment sale, lawful transfer or safekeeping; and repealing provisions relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping.
(2) (i) [A] Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a person who is prohibited from possessing, using, controlling, selling, transferring or manufacturing a firearm under paragraph (1) or subsection (b) or (c) shall have a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days from the date of the imposition of the disability under this subsection, in which to sell or transfer that person’s firearms to another eligible person who is not a member of the prohibited person’s household.
(iii) A person whose disability is imposed pursuant to subsection (c)(9) shall relinquish any firearms and firearm licenses under that person’s possession or control, as described in section 6105.2 (relating to relinquishment of firearms and firearm licenses by convicted persons).
(iv) A person whose disability is imposed pursuant to a protection from abuse order shall relinquish any firearms, other weapons, ammunition and firearm licenses under that person’s possession or control, as described in 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108(a)(7) (relating to relief).
(2) A person who is the subject of an active final protection from abuse order [issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108 (relating to relief)] described in 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108(b) is the subject of any other active protection from abuse order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108, which [order] provided for the relinquishment of firearms[,] or other weapons or ammunition during the period of time the order is in effect, or is otherwise prohibited from possessing or acquiring a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) (relating to unlawful acts), commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he intentionally or knowingly fails to relinquish a firearm[,] or other weapon or ammunition to the sheriff as required by the order unless, in lieu of relinquishment, he provides an affidavit which lists the firearms[,] or other weapons or ammunition to the sheriff in accordance with [either] 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108(a)(7)(i)(B)[,] or 6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for consignment sale[,] or lawful transfer [or safekeeping) or 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping]).
(3) (i) A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if he intentionally or knowingly accepts possession of a firearm, other weapon or ammunition from [a] another person he knows is the subject of an active protection from abuse order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108, which order provided for the relinquishment of the firearm, other weapon or ammunition during the period of time the order is in effect.
(B)] a dealer licensed pursuant to section 6113 (relating to licensing of dealers) or subsequent purchaser from a dealer licensed pursuant to section 6113, who accepts possession of a firearm, other weapon or ammunition relinquished pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.2.
(6) A person who is the subject of an active final protection from abuse order [issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108] or a person who is subject to a court order and is otherwise prohibited from possessing or acquiring firearms, ammunition or explosives under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), which order provided for the relinquishment of firearms during the period of time the order is in effect or a person who is the subject of any other active protection from abuse order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108. This prohibition shall terminate upon the expiration or vacation of [an active protection from abuse] the order or portion thereof relating to the relinquishment of firearms.
(1) A person subject to a firearms disability pursuant to section 6105(c)(9) (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms) shall relinquish any firearms under the person’s possession or control to the appropriate law enforcement agency of the municipality as described in subsection (b) or to a dealer as described in subsection (c).
(2) The court of conviction shall order the relinquishment and the order shall be transmitted to the appropriate law enforcement agency of the municipality and to the sheriff of the county of which the person is a resident. The order shall contain a list of any firearm ordered relinquished.
(3) The person shall inform the court in what manner the person will relinquish any such firearm.
(1) Relinquishment to an appropriate law enforcement agency shall be made within 24 hours following conviction, except for cause shown, in which case the court shall specify the time for relinquishment of any or all of the person’s firearms.
(2) In securing custody of the person’s relinquished firearms, the law enforcement agency shall provide the person subject to the relinquishment order with a signed and dated written receipt, which shall include a detailed description of each firearm and its condition.
(3) Any relinquished firearm shall be considered to be abandoned if not transferred within six months pursuant to subsection (e) and the law enforcement agency may dispose of it after that period, provided the person is notified of the disposal and receives any proceeds from the disposal, less the costs to the law enforcement agency associated with taking possession of, storing and disposing of the firearm.
(4) As used in this subsection, the term “cause” shall be limited to facts relating to the inability of the person to retrieve a specific firearm within 24 hours due to the then current location of the firearm.
(v) An acknowledgment that the firearms will not be returned to the person, unless the person is no longer prohibited from possessing a firearm under Federal or State law.
(vi) An acknowledgment that the firearms, if transferred, will be transferred in compliance with Chapter 61 (relating to firearms and other dangerous articles).
(4) A person relinquishing a firearm pursuant to this subsection shall, within the specified time frame, provide to the appropriate law enforcement agency the affidavit required by this subsection and relinquish to the law enforcement agency any firearm ordered to be relinquished which is not specified in the affidavit.
(1) If the person fails to relinquish a firearm within 24 hours or within the time ordered by the court upon cause being shown, the law enforcement agency shall, at a minimum, provide immediate notice to the court, the victim, the prosecutor and the sheriff.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, “victim” shall have the same meaning as “direct victim” in section 103 of the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime Victims Act.
(f) Recordkeeping.–Any portion of an order or petition or other paper that includes a list of firearms ordered relinquished shall be kept in the files of the court as a permanent record thereof and withheld from public inspection, except upon an order of the court granted upon cause shown, after redaction of information relating to the firearms, or as necessary, by law enforcement and court personnel.
(1) Any person described in this section shall also relinquish to the appropriate law enforcement agency any firearm license issued under section 6106 (relating to firearms not to be carried without a license) or 6109 (relating to licenses) that the person possesses.
(8) Any person while carrying a firearm which is not loaded and is in a secure wrapper from the place of purchase to his home or place of business, or to a place of repair, sale or appraisal or back to his home or place of business, or in moving from one place of abode or business to another or from his home to a vacation or recreational home or dwelling or back, or to recover stolen property under section 6111.1(b)(4) (relating to Pennsylvania State Police), or to a place of instruction intended to teach the safe handling, use or maintenance of firearms or back or to a location to which the person has been directed to relinquish firearms under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108 (relating to relief) or back upon return of the relinquished firearm or to a licensed dealer’s place of business for relinquishment pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for consignment sale[,] or lawful transfer [or safekeeping]) or back upon return of the relinquished firearm [or to a location for safekeeping pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping) or back upon return of the relinquished firearm].
“Appropriate law enforcement agency.” The duly constituted municipal law enforcement agency which regularly provides primary police services to a political subdivision or, in the absence of any such municipal law enforcement agency, the Pennsylvania State Police installation which regularly provides primary police services to the political subdivision.
(3) is under the supervision of a supervisor of a domestic violence program.
(f) Service by sheriff.–[If the court so orders, the sheriff or other designated agency or individual shall serve the petition and order.] For all petitions and temporary orders for protection from abuse, original process shall be served by a sheriff or by the sheriff’s duly authorized deputy, which deputy may not be a party to or a family member of a party to the protection from abuse petition, unless the petitioner chooses an alternative means of personal service.
(f.1) Court to adopt means of service.–The court shall, by local rule, adopt a procedure to immediately transmit the petition and order for service to the sheriff or, if the petitioner requests, to the petitioner.
(a) General rule.–Within ten business days of the filing of a petition under this chapter, a hearing shall be held before the court, at which the plaintiff must prove the allegation of abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. The court shall, at the time the defendant is given notice of the hearing, advise the defendant of the right to be represented by counsel, of the right to present evidence, of the right to compel attendance of witnesses, of the method by which witnesses may be compelled, of the possibility that any firearm, other weapon or ammunition owned and any firearm license possessed may be ordered temporarily relinquished, of the options for relinquishment of a firearm pursuant to this chapter, of the possibility that Federal or State law may prohibit the possession of firearms, including an explanation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) (relating to unlawful acts) and 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105 (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms), and that any protection order granted by a court may be considered in any subsequent proceedings under this title. This notice shall be printed and delivered in a manner which easily attracts attention to its content and shall specify that child custody is one of the proceedings where prior protection orders may be considered.
(4) If the court orders the defendant to temporarily relinquish any firearm, other weapon or ammunition pursuant to paragraph (3), the defendant shall decide in what manner the defendant is going to relinquish any firearm, other weapon or ammunition listed in the order. Relinquishment may be to the sheriff pursuant to section 6108(a)(7) [or to a third party for safekeeping pursuant to section 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping)] or to a dealer pursuant to section 6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for consignment sale or lawful transfer).
(1) If a hearing under subsection (a) is continued and no temporary order is issued, the court may make ex parte temporary orders under subsection (b) as it deems necessary.
(2) If a hearing is scheduled to take place within 96 hours after a defendant receives notice under section 6106 (relating to commencement of proceedings), the court shall grant a continuance until the 96-hour period has elapsed, if requested by the defendant.
(3) The court shall notify the defendant of his right to such continuance.
(3) If the defendant has a duty to support the plaintiff or minor children living in the residence or household and the defendant is the sole owner or lessee, granting possession to the plaintiff of the residence or household to the exclusion of the defendant by evicting the defendant or restoring possession to the plaintiff or, with the consent of the plaintiff, ordering the defendant to provide suitable alternate housing. An order shall not grant possession to the plaintiff of the residence or household to the exclusion of the defendant other than as provided under paragraph (2) or this paragraph.
(i) (A) The court’s order shall require the defendant to relinquish such firearms, other weapons, ammunition and any firearm license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter within 24 hours of service of a temporary order or the entry of a final order or the close of the next business day as necessary by closure of the sheriffs’ offices, except for cause shown at the hearing, in which case the court shall specify the time for relinquishment of any or all of the defendant’s firearms.
(B) A defendant subject to a temporary order requiring the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition shall, in lieu of relinquishing specific firearms, other weapons or ammunition which cannot reasonably be retrieved within the time for relinquishment in clause (A) due to their current location, provide the sheriff with an affidavit listing the firearms, other weapons or ammunition and their current location. If the defendant, within the time for relinquishment in clause (A), fails to provide the affidavit or fails to relinquish, pursuant to this chapter, any firearms, other weapons or ammunition ordered to be relinquished which are not specified in the affidavit, the sheriff shall, at a minimum, provide immediate notice to the court, the plaintiff and appropriate law enforcement authorities. The defendant shall not possess any firearms, other weapons or ammunition specifically listed in the affidavit provided to the sheriff pursuant to this clause for the duration of the temporary order.
(C) As used in this subparagraph, the term “cause” shall be limited to facts relating to the inability of the defendant to retrieve a specific firearm within 24 hours due to the current location of the firearm.
(ii) The court’s order shall contain a list of any firearm, other weapon or ammunition ordered relinquished. Upon the entry of a final order, the defendant shall inform the court in what manner the defendant is going to relinquish any firearm, other weapon or ammunition ordered relinquished. Relinquishment may occur pursuant to section 6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for consignment sale[,] or lawful transfer [or safekeeping]) [or 6108.3] or to the sheriff pursuant to this paragraph. Where the sheriff is designated, the sheriff shall secure custody of the defendant’s firearms, other weapons or ammunition and any firearm license listed in the court’s order for the duration of the order or until otherwise directed by court order. In securing custody of the defendant’s relinquished firearms, the sheriff shall comply with 18 Pa.C.S. § [6105(f)(4)] 6105(f)(3) (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms). In securing custody of the defendant’s other weapons and ammunition, the sheriff shall provide the defendant with a signed and dated written receipt which shall include a detailed description of the other weapon or ammunition and its condition. The court shall inform the defendant that firearms, other weapons or ammunition will be considered abandoned if the defendant does not request return within six months after expiration of the order or dismissal of a petition for a protection from abuse order, as provided under section 6108.1 (relating to return of relinquished firearms, other weapons and ammunition and additional relief). The sheriff may dispose of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition after that period, provided the defendant is notified of the disposal and receives any proceeds from the disposal, less the costs to the sheriff associated with taking possession of, storing and disposing of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition.
(iii) The sheriff shall provide the plaintiff with the name of the person to which any firearm, other weapon or ammunition was relinquished.
(iv) Unless the defendant has complied with subparagraph (i)(B) or section 6108.2 [or 6108.3], if the defendant fails to relinquish any firearm, other weapon, ammunition or firearm license within 24 hours or upon the close of the next business day due to closure of sheriffs’ offices or within the time ordered by the court upon cause being shown at the hearing, the sheriff shall, at a minimum, provide immediate notice to the court, the plaintiff and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
(C) after redaction of information listing any firearm, other weapon or ammunition.
(vi) As used in this paragraph, the term “defendant’s firearms” shall, if the defendant is a licensed firearms dealer, only include firearms in the defendant’s personal firearms collection pursuant to 27 CFR § 478.125a (relating to personal firearms collection).
6108.1. Return of relinquished firearms, other weapons and ammunition and additional relief.
(a) General rule.–Any court order requiring the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition shall provide for the return of the relinquished firearms, other weapons or ammunition to the defendant upon expiration of the order or dismissal of a petition for a protection from abuse order. The defendant may take custody of the firearms, other weapons and ammunition provided that the defendant is otherwise eligible to lawfully possess the relinquished items. The defendant shall not be required to pay any fees, costs or charges associated with the returns, whether those fees, costs or charges are imposed by the Pennsylvania State Police, any local law enforcement agency or any other entity, including a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer or licensed dealer in order to secure return of the relinquished firearms, other weapons or ammunition. The sheriff’s office shall maintain a weapons return form that the defendant may fill out and return to the office once a temporary or final protection from abuse order has been dismissed or expires.
(1) The defendant or owner must provide reasonable proof of ownership or of rightful possession of the firearms, other weapon or ammunition seized.
(2) The firearms, other weapons or ammunition seized must not be evidence of a crime.
(3) The defendant or owner must not be otherwise prohibited by applicable Federal or State law, or another condition, including, but not limited to bail, from taking possession of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition seized.
(4) The defendant or owner must have been given a clearance by the Pennsylvania State Police Instant Check System Unit, requested by the sheriff’s office.
(a.2) Notice to plaintiff.–The plaintiff of the protection from abuse order shall be notified of the defendant’s request to return the firearms, other weapons or ammunition.
(a.3) Petition for return.–If there is a finding that the defendant is ineligible to regain possession of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition, the defendant or owner may file a petition seeking their return. A copy of the petition must be served upon the sheriff’s office, the district attorney’s office and counsel for the plaintiff in the protection from abuse order petition.
(1) Any firearms, other weapons or ammunition shall be presumed abandoned if the defendant does not request return within six months after expiration of the order or dismissal of a petition for a protection from abuse order.
(2) The sheriff may dispose of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition after the six-month period, provided the defendant is notified of the disposal and receives any proceeds from the disposal, less the costs to the sheriff associated with taking possession of, storing and disposing of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition.
(2) Any other person may petition the court to allow for the return of that other person’s firearms, other weapons and ammunition prior to the expiration of the court’s order. The petition shall be served upon the plaintiff, and the plaintiff shall be given notice and an opportunity to be heard regarding that petition.
(d) Hearing.–Within ten business days of the filing of any petition under this section, a hearing shall be held before the court.
“Other person.” Any person, except the defendant, who is the lawful owner of a firearm, other weapon or ammunition relinquished pursuant to this chapter.
6108.2. Relinquishment for consignment sale[,] or lawful transfer [or safekeeping].
(a) General rule.–Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a defendant who is the subject of a final protection from abuse order[, which order] or a temporary order which provides for the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition during the period of time the order is in effect, may, within the time frame specified in the order and in lieu of relinquishment to the sheriff, relinquish to a dealer licensed pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6113 (relating to licensing of dealers) any firearms, other weapons or ammunition for consignment sale[,] or lawful transfer [or safekeeping]. The dealer may charge the defendant a reasonable fee for accepting relinquishment and for storage of any firearms, other weapons or ammunition.
(c) Failure to provide affidavit.–A defendant relinquishing firearms, other weapons or ammunition to a dealer pursuant to subsection (a) shall, within the time frame specified in the order for relinquishing firearms, other weapons or ammunition, provide to the sheriff the affidavit obtained pursuant to subsection (b) and relinquish to the sheriff any firearms, other weapons or ammunition ordered to be relinquished which are not specified in the affidavit[,] or in an affidavit provided in accordance with section 6108(a)(7)(i)(B) (relating to relief) [or in an acknowledgment of receipt from a third party provided to the sheriff pursuant to section 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping)]. If the defendant fails to comply with this subsection, the sheriff shall, at a minimum, provide immediate notice to the court, the plaintiff and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
[§ 6108.3. Relinquishment to third party for safekeeping.
(a) General rule.–A defendant who is the subject of a protection from abuse order, which order provides for the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition during the period of time the order is in effect, may, within the time frame specified in the order and in lieu of relinquishment to the sheriff, relinquish any firearms, other weapons or ammunition to a third party for safekeeping.
(1) A defendant wishing to relinquish firearms, other weapons or ammunition to a third party pursuant to subsection (a) shall, within the time frame specified in the order for relinquishing firearms, other weapons and ammunition, report to the sheriff’s office in the county where the order was entered along with the third party.
(ii) the sheriff accepts return of the safekeeping permit pursuant to subsection (d).
(A) The caption of the case in which the protection from abuse order was issued.
(B) The name, address, date of birth and the Social Security number of the defendant.
(C) The name, address and date of birth of the third party.
(D) A list of the firearms, other weapons and ammunition which will be relinquished to the third party, including, if applicable, the manufacturer, model and serial number.
(E) An acknowledgment that the defendant will not take possession of any firearm, other weapon or ammunition relinquished to the third party until the sheriff accepts return of the safekeeping permit pursuant to subsection (d).
(F) A plain-language summary of 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105(a.1)(2) and (c)(6) (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms).
(G) A plain-language summary of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) (relating to unlawful acts).
(B) The name, address and date of birth of the defendant.
(C) The name, address, date of birth and the Social Security number of the third party.
(E) An acknowledgment that no firearm, other weapon or ammunition relinquished to the third party will be returned to the defendant until the sheriff accepts return of the safekeeping permit pursuant to subsection (d).
(F) A plain-language summary of 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 6105(a.1)(5) and (c)(6), 6111(c) (relating to sale or transfer of firearms) and 6115 (relating to loans on, or lending or giving firearms prohibited).
(G) A plain-language summary of this section.
(H) An acknowledgment that the third party is not prohibited from possessing firearms, other weapons or ammunition pursuant to any Federal or State law.
(I) An acknowledgment that the third party is not subject to an active protection from abuse order.
(J) An acknowledgment that the defendant has never been the subject of a protection from abuse order issued on behalf of the third party.
(K) An acknowledgment that any firearms, other weapons and ammunition relinquished to the third party will be stored using a locking device as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition of “locking device” in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6142(f) (relating to locking device for firearms) or in a secure location to which the defendant does not have access.
(L) A detailed description of the third party liability pursuant to this section relating to civil liability.
(M) An acknowledgment that the third party shall inform the sheriff of any change of address for the third party within seven days of the change of address.
(4) The defendant shall, within the time frame specified in the order and in lieu of relinquishment to the sheriff, relinquish the firearms, other weapons and ammunition specified in the affidavits provided to the sheriff pursuant to paragraph (3) to the third party who has been issued a safekeeping permit pursuant to paragraph (2). Upon relinquishment of the firearms to the third party, the third party shall sign an acknowledgment of receipt on a form prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police, which shall include, at a minimum, an acknowledgment that the firearms were relinquished to the third party within the time frame specified in the order.
(5) Within 24 hours of the issuance of the safekeeping permit issued to the third party pursuant to paragraph (2) or by close of the next business day as necessary due to the closure of the sheriff’s office, the defendant shall return the signed acknowledgment of receipt required under paragraph (4) to the sheriff in the county where the order was entered.
(6) If the defendant fails to provide the acknowledgment of receipt to the sheriff as required under paragraph (5), an affidavit prepared in accordance with section 6108(a)(7)(i)(B) (relating to relief), an affidavit under section 6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for consignment sale, lawful transfer or safekeeping) or fails to relinquish any firearms, other weapons or ammunition, the sheriff shall, at a minimum, provide immediate notice to the court, the plaintiff and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
(i) A protection from abuse order has been entered against the third party.
(ii) The third party is prohibited from possessing firearms, other weapons or ammunition pursuant to any Federal or State law.
(iii) The defendant has been convicted of a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to firearms and other dangerous articles) or any other offense involving the use of a firearm.
(iv) The defendant has been held in indirect criminal contempt for violating a provision of the protection from abuse order consistent with section 6108(a)(1), (2), (6), (7) or (9) (relating to relief).
(i) Required pursuant to paragraph (1)(i) or (ii), the sheriff shall notify the defendant that the firearms, other weapons and ammunition which were relinquished to the third party are in the sheriff’s possession and that the defendant may report to the sheriff’s office in order to relinquish the firearms, other weapons and ammunition to a subsequent third party pursuant to this section or to a licensed dealer pursuant to section 6108.2.
(B) the sheriff is directed to relinquish the firearms, other weapons and ammunition pursuant to a court order.
(i) Not prohibited from possessing firearms, other weapons and ammunition, the sheriff shall accept the return of the safekeeping permit, and the third party shall relinquish to the defendant all of the defendant’s firearms, other weapons and ammunition which were relinquished to the third party pursuant to this section.
(ii) Prohibited from possessing a firearm, other weapon or ammunition pursuant to any Federal or State law, the sheriff shall accept return of the permit and seize from the third party all of the defendant’s firearms, other weapons and ammunition which were relinquished to the third party pursuant to this section. The sheriff shall return to the defendant any firearm, other weapon or ammunition which the defendant is lawfully entitled to possess.
(2) Upon issuance of a court order pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 6105(f)(2) or 6108.1(b) (relating to return of relinquished firearms, other weapons and ammunition and additional relief) which modifies a valid protection from abuse order by allowing the defendant to take possession of a firearm, other weapon or ammunition that had previously been ordered relinquished, the defendant and the third party shall report to the sheriff’s office to return the safekeeping permit. The sheriff shall proceed as directed by the court order.
(3) If a third party wishes to relinquish the defendant’s firearms, other weapons and ammunition prior to return of the safekeeping permit pursuant to paragraph (1), the sheriff shall accept return of the safekeeping permit and shall seize all of the defendant’s firearms, other weapons and ammunition from the third party. The sheriff shall notify the defendant that the firearms, other weapons and ammunition which were relinquished to the third party are in the sheriff’s possession and that the defendant may relinquish the firearms, other weapons and ammunition to a subsequent third party pursuant to this section or to a licensed dealer pursuant to section 6108.2.
(e) Civil liability.–A third party who intentionally or knowingly violates any of the provisions of this section shall, in addition to any other penalty prescribed in this chapter or 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61, be civilly liable to any person for any damages caused thereby and, in addition, shall be liable to any person for punitive damages in an amount not to exceed $5,000, and the court shall award a prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney fee as part of the costs.
(1) Forms to be used by sheriffs to issue safekeeping permits pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
(2) Affidavit forms and receipt forms to be used by defendants and third parties as required under subsection (b)(3) and (4).
(g) Transfer upon final entry.–A defendant who has previously relinquished firearms, other weapons or ammunition to the sheriff pursuant to a temporary order shall be permitted to have the firearms, other weapons and ammunition relinquished to a third party pursuant to this section following entry of a final protection from abuse order, which order provides for the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition during the period of time the order is in effect.
(h) Nondisclosure.–All copies of the safekeeping permit issued under subsection (b)(2) retained by the sheriff and the affidavits and forms obtained under subsection (b)(3) and (4) shall not be subject to access under the act of June 21, 1957 (P.L.390, No.212), referred to as the Right-to-Know Law.
“Safekeeping.” The secure custody of firearms, other weapons or ammunition which were ordered relinquished by an active protection from abuse order.
(1) Is not a member of the defendant’s household.

References: § 6108
 § 6108
 § 6108
 § 6108
 § 922
 § 6108
 § 6108
 § 6108
 § 6108
 § 922
 § 6108
 § 6108
 § 6108
 § 6108
 § 922
 § 6105
 § 478
 § 6113
 § 6105
 § 922
 § 6142