Source: http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=297&state_code=PA&open_id=13288
Timestamp: 2017-10-22 19:16:04
Document Index: 676060353

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 6108', '§ 6108', '§ 6108', '§ 6108', '§ 6105', '§ 6114', '§ 6105', '§ 6105', '§ 6114', '§ 6105']

WomensLaw.org | Pennsylvania: State Gun Laws | The Abuser Isn't Supposed to Have a Gun... Now What?
http://www.womenslaw.org//laws_state_type.php?id=297&state_code=PA&open_id=13288〈=en
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=297&state_code=PA&open_id=13288〈=en
If the abuser is ordered to give up his guns at the court hearing for a final PFA, s/he must give them up within 24 hours of the time the judge makes the order. In the case of an ex parte temporary order, s/he must give them up within 24 hours of the time s/he receives a copy of the order.* The abuser can give the guns to the local sheriff, to a third party for safekeeping, or to a licensed dealer for safekeeping or sale. If the abuser gives his/her guns to the sheriff or to a third party, that person will keep them until the PFA expires. If the abuser gives them to a licensed dealer, s/he can ask that the dealer to keep them until the PFA expires, or s/he can ask that the dealer sell them.**
* 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6108(a)(7)
** 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§§ 6108.3; 6108.2; 6108.1
If the abuser is ordered to give up his guns at the court hearing for a final PFA, s/he must give them up within 24 hours of the time the judge makes the order. In the case of an ex parte temporary order, s/he must give them up within 24 hours of the time s/he receives a copy of the order.* The abuser can give the guns to the local sheriff, to a third party for safekeeping, or to a licensed dealer for safekeeping or sale. If the abuser gives his/her guns to the sheriff or to a third party, that person will keep them until the PFA expires. If the abuser gives them to a licensed dealer, s/he can ask that the dealer to keep them until the PFA expires, or s/he can ask that the dealer sell them.** * 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6108(a)(7) ** 23 Pa.C.S.A. §§§ 6108.3; 6108.2; 6108.1
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=297&state_code=PA&open_id=13288〈=en#content-13289
You can find contact information for sheriff departments in your area on our PA Sheriff Departments page.
You can find ATF field offices in Pennsylvania on the ATF website. For reporting illegal firearm activity, a person can also call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Many ATF offices have victim advocates on staff (called “victim/witness coordinators”) and so perhaps you may ask to speak one of these advocates if you are having a hard time connecting with (or receiving a call back from) an ATF officer.
A local domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and assist you in talking to the necessary law enforcement officials. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our PA State and Local Programs page.
If you think the abuser is violating state firearm laws, you can call your local police or sheriff department or the State Police. If you think the abuser is violating federal firearm laws, you can call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). You can find contact information for sheriff departments in your area on our PA Sheriff Departments [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_name=Sheriff%20Departments&state_code=PA] page. You can find ATF field offices in Pennsylvania on the ATF website [https://www.atf.gov/philadelphia-field-division/pennsylvania-field-offices]. For reporting illegal firearm activity, a person can also call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Many ATF offices have victim advocates on staff (called “victim/witness coordinators”) and so perhaps you may ask to speak one of these advocates if you are having a hard time connecting with (or receiving a call back from) an ATF officer. A local domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and assist you in talking to the necessary law enforcement officials. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our PA State and Local Programs [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_name=State%20and%20Local%20Programs&state_code=PA] page. Note: Generally, the abuser does not have to have knowledge of the law in order to be arrested for breaking the law. If the abuser has or buys a gun in violation of the law, the abuser can be arrested, whether or not s/he knows that s/he was in violation of the law.* * _United States v. Lippman_, 369 F. 3d 1039 (8th Cir. 2004); _United States v. Henson_, 55 F. Supp. 2d 528 (S.D. W.V. 1999)
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=297&state_code=PA&open_id=13288〈=en#content-13292
back to topWhat is the penalty for violating Pennsylvania state gun laws?
If the judge orders the abuser to give up his firearms as part of your PFA, and the abuser fails to do so in the time given by the judge, s/he could be charged with a misdemeanor in the first degree, which carries a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.* S/he may also possibly be charged with the crime of contempt for violating the PFA, which could carry a penalty of a fine of between $300 - $1,000 and imprisonment or supervised probation for up to six months.**
If the abuser was convicted of one of the felonies which makes it illegal for him/her to own a gun, and s/he has a gun anyway, s/he could be charged with a felony in the second degree, which carries a penalty of a fine of up to $25,000 and prison of up to 10 years.***
In addition, federal laws, which apply to all states, also restrict a person's right to have a gun if s/he has been convicted of certain crimes or if there is an order of protection against him/her that meets certain requirements. Violating federal law carries additional criminal penalties than the ones mentioned above. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.
* 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6105(a.1)(2); 1101; 1104
** 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6114(b)(1)
*** 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6105(a.1)(1); 1101; 1103
If the judge orders the abuser to give up his firearms as part of your PFA, and the abuser fails to do so in the time given by the judge, s/he could be charged with a misdemeanor in the first degree, which carries a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.* S/he may also possibly be charged with the crime of contempt for violating the PFA, which could carry a penalty of a fine of between $300 - $1,000 and imprisonment or supervised probation for up to six months.** If the abuser was convicted of one of the felonies which makes it illegal for him/her to own a gun, and s/he has a gun anyway, s/he could be charged with a felony in the second degree, which carries a penalty of a fine of up to $25,000 and prison of up to 10 years.*** In addition, federal laws, which apply to all states, also restrict a person's right to have a gun if s/he has been convicted of certain crimes or if there is an order of protection against him/her that meets certain requirements. Violating federal law carries additional criminal penalties than the ones mentioned above. Go to Federal Gun Laws [/laws_state_type.php?id=12812&state_code=US] to get more information. * 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6105(a.1)(2); 1101; 1104 ** 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6114(b)(1) *** 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 6105(a.1)(1); 1101; 1103
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=297&state_code=PA&open_id=13288〈=en#content-5393
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=297&state_code=PA&open_id=13288〈=en#content-13293