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PRINTER'S NO. 201
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
311
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, FARNESE, HAYWOOD AND WILLIAMS,
JANUARY 23, 2015
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JANUARY 23, 2015
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous
articles, further providing for licenses.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 6109(c) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended and subsection (e)(1) is
amended by adding a subparagraph to read:
ยง 6109. Licenses.
* * *
(c) Form of application and content.--The application for a
license to carry a firearm shall be uniform throughout this
Commonwealth and shall be on a form prescribed by the
Pennsylvania State Police. The form may contain provisions, not
exceeding one page, to assure compliance with this section.
Issuing authorities shall use only the application form
prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police. One of the
following reasons for obtaining a firearm license shall be set
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forth in the application: self-defense, employment, hunting and
fishing, target shooting, gun collecting or another proper
reason. The application form shall be dated and signed by the
applicant and shall contain the following statement:
I have never been convicted of a crime that prohibits me
from possessing or acquiring a firearm under Federal or
State law. I am of sound mind and have never been
committed to a mental institution. I have successfully
completed a firearms safety course as required by this
act. I hereby certify that the statements contained
herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief. I understand that, if I knowingly make any
false statements herein, I am subject to penalties
prescribed by law. I authorize the sheriff, or his
designee, or, in the case of first class cities, the
chief or head of the police department, or his designee,
to inspect only those records or documents relevant to
information required for this application. If I am issued
a license and knowingly become ineligible to legally
possess or acquire firearms, I will promptly notify the
sheriff of the county in which I reside or, if I reside
in a city of the first class, the chief of police of that
city.
* * *
(e) Issuance of license.--
(1) A license to carry a firearm shall be for the
purpose of carrying a firearm concealed on or about one's
person or in a vehicle and shall be issued if, after an
investigation not to exceed 45 days, it appears that the
applicant is an individual concerning whom no good cause
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exists to deny the license. A license shall not be issued to
any of the following:
* * *
(xv) An individual who has not demonstrated
competence with a firearm by any one of the following:
(A) completion of any hunter education or hunter
safety course approved by the Pennsylvania Game
Commission or a similar agency of another state;
(B) completion of any National Rifle Association
firearms safety or training course;
(C) completion of any firearms safety or
training course or class available to the general
public offered by a law enforcement, educational
institution, private or public institution or
organization or firearms training school, utilizing
instructors certified by the National Rifle
Association, Criminal Justice Standards and Training
Commission, or the Pennsylvania State Police;
(D) completion of any law enforcement firearms
safety or training course or class offered for law
enforcement or security enforcement personnel;
(E) presentation of evidence of equivalent
experience with a firearm through participation in
organized shooting competition or military service;
or
(F) completion of any firearms training or
safety course or class conducted by a state-certified
or National Rifle Association certified firearms
instructor.
A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the
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courses or classes; or an affidavit from the instructor,
school, club, organization, or group that conducted or
taught said course or class attesting to the completion
of the course or class by the applicant; or a copy of any
document which shows completion of the course or class or
evidences participation in firearms competition shall
constitute evidence of qualification under this
subparagraph. Any person who conducts a course pursuant
to clause (B), (C), or (G), or who, as an instructor,
attests to the completion of such courses, must maintain
records certifying that he or she observed the student
safely handle and discharge the firearm for a period of
two years after completion of the course by the
individual.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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