18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6105. Persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms 

(a) Offense defined.--
 

(1) A person who has been convicted of an offense enumerated in subsection (b), within or without this Commonwealth,
regardless of the length of sentence or whose conduct meets the criteria   in subsection (c) shall not possess, use, control, sell,
transfer or manufacture or obtain a license to possess, use, control,   sell, transfer or manufacture a firearm in this Commonwealth.
 

(2)
(i) 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.
 

(ii) This paragraph shall not apply to any person whose disability is imposed pursuant to subsection (c)(6).
 

(a.1) Penalty.--
 

(1) A person convicted of a felony enumerated under subsection (b) or a felony under the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No.
64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or any equivalent Federal statute or equivalent
statute of any other state, who violates subsection (a) commits a felony of the second degree.
 

(2) A person who is the subject of an active protection from abuse order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108 (relating to
relief), which order provided for the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition during the period of time the
order is in effect, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he intentionally or knowingly fails to relinquish a firearm,
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, other weapons or ammunition to the sheriff in accordance with either 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108(a)(7)(i)(B),
 

6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for consignment sale, 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 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.
 

(ii) This paragraph shall not apply to:
(A) a third party who accepts possession of a firearm, other weapon or   ammunition relinquished pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.3; or
(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.
 

(4) It shall be an affirmative defense to any prosecution under paragraph (3) that the person accepting possession of a
firearm, other weapon or ammunition in violation of paragraph (3):
 

(i) notified the sheriff as soon as practicable that he has taken possession; and
 

(ii) relinquished possession of any firearm, other weapon or ammunition possessed in violation of paragraph (3) as directed
by the sheriff.
 

(5) A person who has accepted possession of a firearm, other weapon or ammunition pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.3
commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he intentionally or knowingly returns a firearm, other weapon or ammunition to
a defendant or intentionally or knowingly allows a defendant to have access to the firearm, other weapon or ammunition
prior to either of the following:
 

(i) The sheriff accepts return of the safekeeping permit issued to the party pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.3(d)(1)(i).
 

(ii) The issuance of a court order pursuant to subsection (f)(2) or 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.1(b) (relating to return of relinquished
firearms, other weapons and ammunition and additional relief) which modifies a valid 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 by
allowing the defendant to take possession of the firearm, other weapon or ammunition that had previously been ordered
relinquished.
 

(b) Enumerated offenses.--The following offenses shall apply to subsection (a):
 

Section 908 (relating to prohibited offensive weapons).
Section 911 (relating to corrupt organizations).
Section 912 (relating to possession of weapon on school property).
Section 2502 (relating to murder).
Section 2503 (relating to voluntary manslaughter).
Section 2504 (relating to involuntary manslaughter) if the offense is based on the reckless use of a firearm.
Section 2702 (relating to aggravated assault).
Section 2703 (relating to assault by prisoner).
Section 2704 (relating to assault by life prisoner).
Section 2709.1 (relating to stalking).
Section 2716 (relating to weapons of mass destruction).
Section 2901 (relating to kidnapping).
Section 2902 (relating to unlawful restraint).
Section 2910 (relating to luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure).
Section 3121 (relating to rape).
Section 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse).
Section 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault).
Section 3301 (relating to arson and related offenses).
Section 3302 (relating to causing or risking catastrophe).
Section 3502 (relating to burglary).
Section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass) if the offense is graded a felony of the second degree or higher.
Section 3701 (relating to robbery).
Section 3702 (relating to robbery of motor vehicle).
Section 3921 (relating to theft by unlawful taking or disposition) upon conviction of the second felony offense.
Section 3923 (relating to theft by extortion) when the offense is accompanied by threats of violence.
Section 3925 (relating to receiving stolen property) upon conviction of the second felony offense.
Section 4906 (relating to false reports to law enforcement authorities)   if the fictitious report involved the theft of a firearm as
provided in section 4906(c)(2).
Section 4912 (relating to impersonating a public servant) if the person is impersonating a law enforcement officer.
Section 4952 (relating to intimidation of witnesses or victims).
Section 4953 (relating to retaliation against witness , victim or party).
Section 5121 (relating to escape).
Section 5122 (relating to weapons or implements for escape).
Section 5501(3) (relating to riot).
Section 5515 (relating to prohibiting of paramilitary training).
Section 5516 (relating to facsimile weapons of mass destruction).
Section 6110.1 (relating to possession of firearm by minor).
Section 6301 (relating to corruption of minors).
Section 6302 (relating to sale or lease of weapons and explosives).
 

Any offense equivalent to any of the above-enumerated offenses under the prior laws of this Commonwealth or any offense
equivalent to any of the above-enumerated offenses under the statutes of any other state or of the United States.
 

(c) Other persons.--In addition to any person who has been convicted of any offense listed under subsection (b), the
following persons shall be subject to the prohibition of subsection (a):
 

(1) A person who is a fugitive from justice. This paragraph does not apply to an individual whose fugitive status is based
upon a non-moving or moving summary offense under Title 75 (relating to vehicles).
 

(2) A person who has been convicted of an offense under the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as The
Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or any equivalent Federal statute or equivalent statute of any other
state, that may be punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding two years.
 

(3) A person who has been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance as provided in 75
Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance) or the former 75 Pa.C.S. § 3731, on
three or more separate occasions within a five-year period. For the purposes of this paragraph only, the prohibition of
subsection (a) shall only apply to transfers or purchases of firearms after the third conviction.
 

(4) A person who has been adjudicated as an incompetent or who has been involuntarily committed to a mental institution for
inpatient care and treatment under section 302, 303 or 304 of the provisions of the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L. 817, No. 143),
known as the Mental Health Procedures Act. This paragraph shall not apply to any proceeding under section 302 of the
Mental Health Procedures Act unless the examining physician has issued a certification that inpatient care was necessary or
that the person was commitable.
 

(5) A person who, being an alien, is illegally or unlawfully in the United States.
 

(6) A person who 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 firearms during the period of time the order is in effect. This prohibition shall terminate
upon the expiration or vacation of an active protection from abuse order or portion thereof relating to the relinquishment of
firearms.
 

(7) A person who was adjudicated delinquent by a court pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6341 (relating to adjudication) or under any
equivalent Federal statute or statute of any other state as a result of conduct which if committed by an adult would constitute
an offense under sections 2502, 2503, 2702, 2703 (relating to assault by   prisoner), 2704, 2901, 3121, 3123, 3301, 3502,  3701 and 3923.
 

(8) A person who was adjudicated delinquent by a court pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 6341 or under any equivalent Federal
statute or statute of any other state as a result of conduct which if committed by an adult would constitute an offense
enumerated in subsection (b) with the exception of those crimes set forth in paragraph (7). This prohibition shall terminate 15
years after the last applicable delinquent adjudication or upon the person reaching the age of 30, whichever is earlier.
 

(9) A person who is prohibited from possessing or acquiring a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9) (relating to unlawful
acts). If the offense which resulted in the prohibition under 18 U.S.C. §   922(g)(9) was committed, as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(33)(A)(ii)   (relating to definitions), by a person in any of the following   relationships:
 

(i) the current or former spouse, parent or guardian of the victim;
 

(ii) a person with whom the victim shares a child in common;
 

(iii) a person who cohabits with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent or guardian; or
 

(iv) a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent or guardian of the victim; then the relationship need not be an element of
the offense to meet the requirements of this paragraph.
 

(d) Exemption.--A person who has been convicted of a crime specified in subsection (a) or (b) or a person whose conduct
meets the criteria in subsection (c)(1), (2), (5), (7) or (9) may make application to the court of Common Pleas of the county
where the principal residence of the applicant is situated for relief from the disability imposed by
this section upon the possession, transfer or control of a firearm. The   court shall grant such relief if it determines that any of
the following apply:
 

(1) The conviction has been vacated under circumstances where all appeals have been exhausted or where the right to appeal
has expired.
 

(2) The conviction has been the subject of a full pardon by the Governor.
 

(3) Each of the following conditions is met:
 

(i) The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States has relieved the applicant of an applicable disability imposed by
Federal law upon the possession, ownership or control of a firearm as a result of the applicant's prior conviction, except that
the court may waive this condition if the court determines that the Congress of the United States has not appropriated
sufficient funds to enable the Secretary of the Treasury to grant relief to
applicants eligible for the relief.
 

(ii) A period of ten years, not including any time spent in incarceration, has elapsed since the most recent conviction of the
applicant of a crime enumerated in subsection (b), a felony violation of The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and
Cosmetic Act or the offense which resulted in the prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9).
 

(e) Proceedings.--
 

(1) If a person convicted of  an offense under subsection (a),(b) or (c)  (1), (2), (5), (7) or (9)  makes application to the court, a
hearing shall be held in open court to determine whether the requirements of this section have been met. The commissioner
and the district attorney of the county where the application is filed   and any victim or survivor of a victim of the offense upon
which the disability is based may be parties to the proceeding.
 

(2) Upon application to the court of common pleas pursuant to paragraph (1) by an applicant who is subject to the prohibition
under subsection (c)(3), the court shall grant such relief if a period   of ten years, not including any time spent in incarceration,
has passed since the applicant's most recent conviction under subsection (c)(3).
 

(f) Other exemptions and proceedings.--
 

(1) Upon application to the court of common pleas under this subsection by an applicant subject to the prohibitions under
subsection (c)(4), the court may grant such relief as it deems appropriate if the court determines that the applicant may
possess a firearm without risk to the applicant or any other person.
 

(2) If application is made under this subsection for relief from the disability imposed under subsection (c)(6), notice of such
application shall be given to the person who had petitioned for the protection from abuse order, and such person shall be a
party to the proceedings. Notice of any court order or amendment to a court order restoring firearms possession or control
shall be given to the person who had petitioned for the protection from abuse order, to the sheriff and to the Pennsylvania
State Police. The application and any proceedings on the application shall comply with 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to
protection from abuse).
 

(3) All hearings conducted under this subsection shall be closed unless otherwise requested to be open by the applicant.
 

(4)
(i) The owner of any seized or confiscated firearms or of any firearms ordered relinquished under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108 shall be
provided with a signed and dated written receipt by the appropriate law enforcement agency. This receipt shall include, but
not limited to, a detailed identifying description indicating the serial number and condition of the firearm. In addition, the
appropriate law enforcement agency shall be liable to the lawful owner of said confiscated, seized or relinquished firearm
for any loss, damage or substantial decrease in value of said firearm   that is a direct result of a lack of reasonable care by the
appropriate law enforcement agency.
 

(ii) Firearms shall not be engraved or permanently marked in any manner, including, but not limited to, engraving of evidence
or other identification numbers. Unless reasonable suspicion exists to believe that a particular firearm has been used in the
commission of a crime, no firearm shall be test fired. Any reduction in the value of a firearm due to test firing, engraving or
permanently marking in violation of this paragraph shall be considered damage, and the law enforcement agency shall be
liable to the lawful owner of the firearm for the reduction in value caused by the test firing, engraving or permanently
marking.
 

(iii) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “firearm” shall include any scope, sight, bipod, sling, light, magazine, clip,
ammunition or other firearm accessory attached to or seized, confiscated or relinquished with a firearm.
 

(g) Other  restrictions.--Nothing in this section shall exempt a person  from a  disability in relation to the possession or control
of a firearm which is imposed as a condition of probation or parole or which is imposed pursuant to the provision of any law
other than this section.
 

(h) License prohibition.--Any person who is prohibited from possessing, using, controlling, selling, purchasing, transferring
or manufacturing any firearm under this section shall not be eligible for or permitted to obtain a license to carry a firearm
under section 6109 (relating to licenses).
 

(i) Firearm.--As used in this section only, the term “firearm” shall include any weapons which are designed to or may readily
be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.
 

(j) Copy of order to State Police.--If the court grants relief from the disabilities imposed under this section, a copy of the
order shall be sent by the Prothonotary within ten days of the entry of the order to the Pennsylvania State Police and shall
include the name, date of birth and Social Security number of the individual.
 

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This website is maintained by:
 

J. Michael McCormick
Attorney at Law
314 Center Avenue
PO Box 64
Verona, PA 15147
412-828-8490
jmm@jmichaelmccormick.com
 

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