• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Open Carry in Allentown Pa area

Mike King

New member
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
Messages
2
Location
Breningsville, Pa
Hi guys,
im new to the site and new to owning a handgun. Ive had my glock 19 gen 4 for about a month now and am interested in open carrying. Ive been doing my research over the past week of where i can and cant open carry and all of the rules about it. I was wondering if anyone on here was from the area and if they open carry themselves. I personally have never seen anyone open carry at all and kinda feel weird about doing it myself. I am going tomorrow to apply for my LTCF so that i can carry concealed but i would like to carry openly now until i get my LTCF. If anyone could give me any input on the subject it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike
 

thebigsd

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
3,535
Location
Quarryville, PA
Welcome to OCDO!! Stick around and you'll learn a lot!!!!! You should check out the PA sub-forum and it is likely that this thread will be moved there.

PA is a traditional open carry state. You can open carry just about anywhere. The two major caveats are that you must have a permit to OC in a car or to OC in Philadelphia. The page below give some more basic information about OCing in PA.

http://opencarry.com/pa.html

The only two place where carry is prohibited is courthouses and elementary/high schools.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/pennsylvania.pdf
 
Last edited:

Curmudgeon

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
307
Location
York, Pennsylvania, USA
Here is a pretty good start...

It is often asked where is it legal or illegal to carry in PA. Below is a guide to where and how you can lawfully carry.

The purpose of a PA LTCF issued under 6109 is to provide an exemption to the prohibition of carrying concealed on or about one's person, or in a vehicle, under 6106. It also allows you to carry any type of firearm(long guns and handguns) during a state of emergency. The license also provides for the privilege of carrying openly or concealed on the streets in a City of the First Class(Philly).

Off-limits places in PA and what makes them off-limits:
1. Court Facilities - PA Title 18, Chapter 9, Subsection 913
2a.*Grounds and buildings of Elementary and Secondary schools(K-12 grades), whether the school is private or public. There is an affirmative defense for "other lawful purposes" however there is no case law determining on what that includes. To be safe, its wiser to assume it does not include our carrying "rights". - PA Title 18, Chapter 9, Subsection 912
2b. Within 1000ft of a school unless you have a license/permit issued by the state in which the school is located - US Title 18, Part I, Chapter 44, Subsection 922(q)
3. Casinos - by regulation Title 58, Part VII, Chapter 465, Subsection 465a.13
4. Certain Department of State buildings - by regulation
5. ****Places off-limits by Federal Law or regulation, IE: military installations(exceptions for hunting at some bases), Federal Government buildings, after the security check point in airports,etc.
6. Any private property where a landowner, tenant or person so authorized to maintain property has asked you to leave because you are carrying, or where the property owner or tenant has placed signs or placards denoting that guns are forbidden - Title 18, Chapter 35, Subsection 3503
7. Detention facilities, correctional institutes, or mental hospitals - Title 18, Chapter 51, Subsection 5122

If you do not see the place in question in the list above - then its NOT off-limits in Pennsylvania. Yes, you may legally carry in a bar, tavern, club, or church in PA.

Off-limits places apply just the same for open as they do concealed.

*Colleges are not prohibited by law, however the college could levy their own infractions like expelling the person or other civil punishments.
****The Federal Parks and Reserves are legal again. New law went into effect 02/22/10. Federal buildings in Fed. Parks and Reserves are still off-limits. While in a Federal Park, you follow the laws of the state in which it is located.

The above text is part of a larger and very interesting topic, found here... http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-op...-cannot-carry-weapons-state-pennsylvania.html

Addtionally, you may not carry open or concealed during a declared state-of-emergency, without your LTCF (or permit from a reciprocal state) and PA is currently under a declared state-of-emergency until January 8, 2012, or later if it is extended again.
 

Mike King

New member
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
Messages
2
Location
Breningsville, Pa
thanks for that info. i was not aware that pa was in a state of emergency. where can i find out if the state is in a state of emergency or not. i have read the threads that both of you posted. they are very informative and cleared a lot up. as far as open carrying, have you done it yourself? like i said. i have never personally seen anyone oc'ing in my area.
 

Curmudgeon

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
307
Location
York, Pennsylvania, USA
thanks for that info. i was not aware that pa was in a state of emergency. where can i find out if the state is in a state of emergency or not.

Try here... http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/governors_proclamations/4725

...and click on the very top link, "2011 Proclamation 2.2..."

I suppose there will be yet another Proclamation added to the list if it needs to be extended again.

i have read the threads that both of you posted. they are very informative and cleared a lot up. as far as open carrying, have you done it yourself? like i said. i have never personally seen anyone oc'ing in my area.

Well, I live and operate mostly around York, Lancaster, and Adams counties, although I do occasionally venture outside those areas. I have been open-carrying everywhere I can legally for just over 3 years. I do hear about some exciting experiences from the NEPA area so you may wish to factor that into your plans.

You may also want to consider having a look around this forum... http://forum.pafoa.org/
It sees a lot of local conversation and is the reason many other PA-related forums appear almost inactive by comparison. You will get many more responses from folks in your area.
.
 
Last edited:

thebigsd

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
3,535
Location
Quarryville, PA
I have open carried extensively in the Lancaster County area while on vacation. I have never had an issue.
 
Top