The right to bear and own firearms is one of the most basic civil rights protected by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The language of the Second Amendment sometimes makes people think that no laws or restrictions whatsoever impact their use or possession of firearms.
However, lawmakers at the federal, state and local levels sometimes enact laws restricting certain practices or habits by firearm owners or limiting who can legally own firearms. Knowing these rules is crucial, as claiming ignorance will not stop the police from charging you with a crime.
Transportation is among the more commonly regulated activities firearm owners may perform. Does Pennsylvania limit your right to transport a firearm in your own vehicle?
Gun owners need licenses to have weapons in their vehicles
Not everyone who can legally own a firearm in Pennsylvania can transport their gun in their personal vehicle. State laws require you to have a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms to transport a gun in your vehicle or conceal and carry the weapon in public.
People with a similar license from another state can also transport firearms legally in their vehicles in Pennsylvania. Anyone else who gets pulled over with a firearm in their vehicle could face charges for illegal transportation without a license. Carrying a firearm without the right license is a misdemeanor offense. A conviction for it could lead to as much as five years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
Understanding the restrictions on your firearm ownership rights can help you avoid making a mistake that could lead to a weapons charge.