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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3035
PRINTER'S NO. 3754
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2060
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY M. QUINN, ROE, COMITTA, SANTORA, DRISCOLL,
READSHAW, BARRAR, DAVIS, RAPP, KRUEGER-BRANEKY, WATSON,
STURLA, WARREN, TOOHIL, MADDEN, SCHWEYER, FRANKEL, CUTLER,
ROZZI, YOUNGBLOOD, HARPER, DEAN, STEPHENS, SCHLOSSBERG, HILL-
EVANS, McCARTER, MURT, MILNE, KAMPF, CHARLTON, DiGIROLAMO,
RABB, FARRY, DALEY AND RAVENSTAHL, FEBRUARY 26, 2018
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 19, 2018
AN ACT
Amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic
Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in
firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for
persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or
transfer firearms, providing for relinquishment of firearms
and firearm licenses by convicted persons and further
providing for firearms not to be carried without a license
and for loans on, or lending or giving firearms prohibited;
and, in protection from abuse, further providing for
definitions, for commencement of proceedings, for hearings,
for relief, for return of relinquished firearms, other
weapons and ammunition and additional relief and for
relinquishment for consignment sale, lawful transfer or
safekeeping and repealing provisions relating to
relinquishment to third party for safekeeping.
AMENDING TITLES 18 (CRIMES AND OFFENSES) AND 23 (DOMESTIC
RELATIONS) OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES, IN
FIREARMS AND OTHER DANGEROUS ARTICLES, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR
PERSONS NOT TO POSSESS, USE, MANUFACTURE, CONTROL, SELL OR
TRANSFER FIREARMS AND PROVIDING FOR RELINQUISHMENT OF
FIREARMS AND FIREARM LICENSES BY CONVICTED PERSONS AND FOR
ABANDONMENT OF FIREARMS, WEAPONS OR AMMUNITION; AND, IN
PROTECTION FROM ABUSE, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS, FOR
COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS, FOR HEARINGS, FOR RELIEF, FOR
RETURN OF RELINQUISHED FIREARMS, OTHER WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION
AND ADDITIONAL RELIEF, FOR RELINQUISHMENT FOR CONSIGNMENT
SALE, LAWFUL TRANSFER OR SAFEKEEPING AND FOR RELINQUISHMENT
TO THIRD PARTY FOR SAFEKEEPING AND PROVIDING FOR ORDER TO
SEAL RECORD FROM PUBLIC VIEW.
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The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 6105(a)(2), (a.1)(2), (3) and (5) and (c)
(6) and (9) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes are amended to read:
ยง 6105. Persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell
or transfer firearms.
(a) Offense defined.--
* * *
(2) (i) [A] Except as otherwise provided in this
paragraph, 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).
(iii) A person whose disability is imposed pursuant
to subsection (c)(9) shall relinquish any firearms and
firearm licenses under that person's possession or
control, as described in section 6105.2 (relating to
relinquishment of firearms and firearm licenses by
convicted persons).
(iv) A person whose disability is imposed pursuant
to a protection from abuse order shall relinquish any
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firearms, other weapons, ammunition and firearm licenses
under that person's possession or control, as described
in 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 6108(a)(7) (relating to relief).
(a.1) Penalty.--
* * *
(2) A person who is the subject of an active final
protection from abuse order [issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. ยง
6108 (relating to relief)] described in 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 6108(b)
is the subject of any other active protection from abuse
order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 6108, which [order]
provided for the relinquishment of firearms[,] or other
weapons or ammunition during the period of time the order is
in effect, or is otherwise prohibited from possessing or
acquiring a firearm under 18 U.S.C. ยง 922(g)(8) (relating to
unlawful acts), commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if
he intentionally or knowingly fails to relinquish a
firearm[,] or 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[,] or other
weapons or ammunition to the sheriff in accordance with
[either] 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 6108(a)(7)(i)(B)[,] or 6108.2 (relating
to relinquishment for consignment sale[,] or 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] another person he knows is the subject of an active
protection from abuse order issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.
ยง 6108, which order provided for the relinquishment of
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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. ยง 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. ยง 6108.2.
* * *
[(5) A person who has accepted possession of a firearm,
other weapon or ammunition pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 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. ยง
6108.3(d)(1)(i).
(ii) The issuance of a court order pursuant to
subsection (f)(2) or 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 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.
ยง 6108, which order provided for the relinquishment of
the firearm, other weapon or ammunition by allowing the
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defendant to take possession of the firearm, other weapon
or ammunition that had previously been ordered
relinquished.]
* * *
(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):
* * *
(6) A person who is the subject of an active final
protection from abuse order [issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. ยง
6108] or a person who is subject to a court order and is
otherwise prohibited from possessing or acquiring firearms,
ammunition or explosives under 18 U.S.C. ยง 922(g)(8), which
order provided for the relinquishment of firearms during the
period of time the order is in effect or a person who is the
subject of any other active protection from abuse order
issued pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 6108. This prohibition shall
terminate upon the expiration or vacation of [an active
protection from abuse] the order or portion thereof relating
to the relinquishment of firearms.
* * *
(9) A person who is prohibited from possessing or
acquiring a firearm under 18 U.S.C. ยง 922(g)(9) [(relating to
unlawful acts)]. If the offense which resulted in the
prohibition under 18 U.S.C. ยง 922(g)(9) was committed, as
provided in 18 U.S.C. ยง 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
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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.
* * *
Section 2. Title 18 is amended by adding a section to read:
ยง 6105.2. Relinquishment of firearms and firearm licenses by
convicted persons.
(a) Procedure.--
(1) A person subject to a firearms disability pursuant
to section 6105(c)(9) (relating to persons not to possess,
use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms) shall
relinquish any firearms under the person's possession or
control to the appropriate law enforcement agency of the
municipality as described in subsection (b) or to a dealer as
described in subsection (c).
(2) The court of conviction shall order the
relinquishment and the order shall be transmitted to the
appropriate law enforcement agency of the municipality and to
the sheriff of the county of which the person is a resident.
The order shall contain a list of any firearm ordered
relinquished.
(3) The person shall inform the court in what manner the
person will relinquish the firearms.
(4) If the person is present in court at the time of the
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order, the person shall inform the court whether
relinquishment will be made under subsection (b) or (c).
(b) Relinquishment to law enforcement agency.--
(1) Relinquishment to an appropriate law enforcement
agency shall be made within 24 hours following conviction,
except for cause shown, in which case the court shall specify
the time for relinquishment of any or all of the person's
firearms.
(2) In securing custody of the person's relinquished
firearms, the law enforcement agency shall provide the person
subject to the relinquishment order with a signed and dated
written receipt, which shall include a detailed description
of each firearm and its condition.
(3) Any relinquished firearm shall be considered to be
abandoned if not transferred within six months pursuant to
subsection (e) and the law enforcement agency may dispose of
it after that period, provided the person is notified of the
disposal and receives any proceeds from the disposal, less
the costs to the law enforcement agency associated with
taking possession of, storing and disposing of the firearm.
(4) As used in this subsection, the term "cause" shall
be limited to facts relating to the inability of the person
to retrieve a specific firearm within 24 hours due to the
then current location of the firearm.
(c) Relinquishment to dealer.--
(1) In lieu of relinquishment to the local law
enforcement agency, the person subject to a court order may,
within 24 hours or within the time ordered by the court upon
cause being shown as in subsection (b), relinquish firearms
to a dealer licensed pursuant to section 6113 (relating to
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licensing of dealers).
(2) The dealer may charge the person a reasonable fee
for accepting relinquishment.
(3) The person shall obtain an affidavit from the dealer
on a form prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police, which
shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(i) The caption of the case in which the person was
convicted.
(ii) The name, address, date of birth and Social
Security number of the person.
(iii) A list of the firearms, including the
manufacturer, model and serial number.
(iv) The name and license number of the dealer
licensed pursuant to section 6113 and the address of the
licensed premises.
(v) An acknowledgment that the firearms will not be
returned to the person, unless the person is no longer
prohibited from possessing a firearm under Federal or
State law.
(vi) An acknowledgment that the firearms, if
transferred, will be transferred in compliance with this
chapter.
(4) A person relinquishing a firearm pursuant to this
subsection shall, within the specified time frame, provide to
the appropriate law enforcement agency the affidavit required
by this subsection and relinquish to the law enforcement
agency any firearm ordered to be relinquished that is not
specified in the affidavit.
(d) Notice of noncompliance.--
(1) If the person fails to relinquish a firearm within
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24 hours or within the time ordered by the court upon cause
being shown, the law enforcement agency shall, at a minimum,
provide immediate notice to the court, the victim, the
prosecutor and the sheriff.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, "victim" shall have
the same meaning as "direct victim" in section 103 of the act
of November 24, 1998 (P.L.882, No.111), known as the Crime
Victims Act.
(e) Alternate relinquishment to dealer.--
(1) If the person relinquishes firearms to the
appropriate law enforcement agency pursuant to subsection
(b), the person may request that the appropriate law
enforcement agency make one transfer of any such firearm to a
dealer licensed pursuant to section 6113 within six months of
relinquishment.
(2) If requesting a subsequent transfer, the person
shall provide the appropriate law enforcement agency with the
dealer affidavit described in subsection (c).
(3) The appropriate law enforcement agency shall make
the transfer, if the person complies with this subsection,
and may charge the person for any costs associated with
making the transfer.
(f) Recordkeeping.--Any portion of an order or petition or
other paper that includes a list of firearms ordered to be
relinquished shall be kept in the files of the court as a
permanent record and withheld from public inspection, except
upon an order of the court granted upon cause shown, after
redaction of information relating to the firearms, or as
necessary, by law enforcement and court personnel.
(g) Relinquishment of licenses.--
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(1) A person described in this section shall also
relinquish to the appropriate law enforcement agency any
firearm license issued under section 6106 (relating to
firearms not to be carried without a license) or 6109
(relating to licenses) that the person possesses.
(2) The provisions of subsections (a)(2) and (3), (b),
(d) and (f) shall also apply to firearm licenses of the
person.
Section 3. Sections 6106(b)(8) and 6115(b)(4) of Title 18
are amended to read:
ยง 6106. Firearms not to be carried without a license.
* * *
(b) Exceptions.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not
apply to:
* * *
(8) Any person while carrying a firearm which is not
loaded and is in a secure wrapper from the place of purchase
to his home or place of business, or to a place of repair,
sale or appraisal or back to his home or place of business,
or in moving from one place of abode or business to another
or from his home to a vacation or recreational home or
dwelling or back, or to recover stolen property under section
6111.1(b)(4) (relating to Pennsylvania State Police), or to a
place of instruction intended to teach the safe handling, use
or maintenance of firearms or back or to a location to which
the person has been directed to relinquish firearms under 23
Pa.C.S. ยง 6108 (relating to relief) or back upon return of
the relinquished firearm or to a licensed dealer's place of
business for relinquishment pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 6108.2
(relating to relinquishment for consignment sale[,] or lawful
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transfer [or safekeeping]) or back upon return of the
relinquished firearm [or to a location for safekeeping
pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment
to third party for safekeeping) or back upon return of the
relinquished firearm].
* * *
ยง 6115. Loans on, or lending or giving firearms prohibited.
* * *
(b) Exception.--
* * *
[(4) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the
relinquishment of firearms to a third party in accordance
with 23 Pa.C.S. ยง 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third
party for safekeeping).]
Section 4. The definitions of "domestic violence
counselor/advocate" and "safekeeping permit" in section 6102(a)
of Title 23 are amended and the subsection is amended by adding
a definition to read:
ยง 6102. Definitions.
(a) General rule.--The following words and phrases when used
in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this
section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Appropriate law enforcement agency." The duly constituted
municipal law enforcement agency that regularly provides primary
police services to a political subdivision or, in the absence of
any such municipal law enforcement agency, the Pennsylvania
State Police installation that regularly provides primary police
services to the political subdivision.
* * *
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"Domestic violence counselor/advocate." An individual who:
(1) is engaged in a domestic violence program, the
primary purpose of which is the rendering of counseling or
assistance to victims of domestic violence[, who];
(2) has undergone 40 hours of training[.]; and
(3) is under the supervision of a supervisor of a
domestic violence program.
* * *
["Safekeeping permit." A permit issued by a sheriff allowing
a person to take possession of any firearm, other weapon or
ammunition that a judge ordered a defendant to relinquish in a
protection from abuse proceeding.]
* * *
Section 5. Section 6106(e) and (f) of Title 23 are amended
and the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
ยง 6106. Commencement of proceedings.
* * *
[(e) Court to adopt means of service.--The court shall adopt
a means of prompt and effective service in those instances where
the plaintiff avers that service cannot be safely effected by an
adult individual other than a law enforcement officer or where
the court so orders.]
(f) Service by sheriff.--[If the court so orders, the
sheriff or other designated agency or individual shall serve the
petition and order.] For all petitions and temporary orders for
protection from abuse, original process shall be served by a
sheriff or by the sheriff's duly authorized deputy, which deputy
may not be a party to or a family member of a party to the
protection from abuse petition, unless the petitioner chooses an
alternative means of personal service.
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(f.1) Court to adopt means of service.--The court shall, by
local rule, adopt a procedure to immediately transmit the
petition and order for service to the sheriff or, if the
petitioner requests, to the petitioner.
* * *
Section 6. Sections 6107(a), (b)(4) and (c), 6108(a)
introductory paragraph, (3) and (7), 6108.1 and 6108.2 heading,
(a), (c) and (e) of Title 23 are amended to read:
ยง 6107. Hearings.
(a) General rule.--Within ten business days of the filing of
a petition under this chapter, a hearing shall be held before
the court, at which the plaintiff must prove the allegation of
abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. The court shall, at
the time the defendant is given notice of the hearing, advise
the defendant of the right to be represented by counsel, of the
right to present evidence, of the right to compel attendance of
witnesses, of the method by which witnesses may be compelled, of
the possibility that any firearm, other weapon or ammunition
owned and any firearm license possessed may be ordered
temporarily relinquished, of the options for relinquishment of a
firearm pursuant to this chapter, of the possibility that
Federal or State law may prohibit the possession of firearms,
including an explanation of 18 U.S.C. ยง 922(g)(8) (relating to
unlawful acts) and 18 Pa.C.S. ยง 6105 (relating to persons not to
possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms),
and that any protection order granted by a court may be
considered in any subsequent proceedings under this title. This
notice shall be printed and delivered in a manner which easily
attracts attention to its content and shall specify that child
custody is one of the proceedings where prior protection orders
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may be considered.
(b) Temporary orders.--
* * *
(4) If the court orders the defendant to temporarily
relinquish any firearm, other weapon or ammunition pursuant
to paragraph (3), the defendant shall decide in what manner
the defendant is going to relinquish any firearm, other
weapon or ammunition listed in the order. Relinquishment may
be to the sheriff pursuant to section 6108(a)(7) [or to a
third party for safekeeping pursuant to section 6108.3
(relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping)]
or to a dealer pursuant to section 6108.2 (relating to
relinquishment for consignment sale or lawful transfer).
(c) Continued hearings.--
(1) If a hearing under subsection (a) is continued and
no temporary order is issued, the court may make ex parte
temporary orders under subsection (b) as it deems necessary.
(2) If a hearing is scheduled to take place within 96
hours after a defendant receives notice under section 6106
(relating to commencement of proceedings), the court shall
grant a continuance until the 96-hour period has elapsed, if
requested by the defendant.
(3) The court shall notify the defendant of his right to
such continuance.
ยง 6108. Relief.
(a) General rule.--The court may grant any protection order
or approve any consent agreement to bring about a cessation of
abuse of the plaintiff or minor children. The order or agreement
may include the following, except that any final order or
agreement must direct the defendant to refrain from abusing,
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harassing, stalking, threatening or attempting or threatening to
use physical force against the plaintiff or minor children and
must order that the defendant is subject to the firearms, other
weapons or ammunition and firearm license prohibition and
relinquishment provisions under paragraph (7):
* * *
(3) If the defendant has a duty to support the plaintiff
or minor children living in the residence or household and
the defendant is the sole owner or lessee, granting
possession to the plaintiff of the residence or household to
the exclusion of the defendant by evicting the defendant or
restoring possession to the plaintiff or, with the consent of
the plaintiff, ordering the defendant to provide suitable
alternate housing. An order may not grant possession to the
plaintiff of the residence or household to the exclusion of
the defendant other than as provided under paragraph (2) or
this paragraph.
* * *
(7) [Ordering] Prohibiting the defendant from acquiring
or possessing any firearm for the duration of the order,
ordering the defendant to temporarily relinquish to the
sheriff [the defendant's other weapons and ammunition which
have been used or been threatened to be used in an incident
of abuse against the plaintiff or the minor children and the
defendant's firearms and prohibiting the defendant from
acquiring or possessing any firearm for the duration of the
order] any firearms under the defendant's possession or
control, and requiring the defendant to relinquish to the
sheriff any firearm license issued under [section 6108.3
(relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping)
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or] 18 Pa.C.S. ยง 6106 (relating to firearms not to be carried
without a license) or 6109 (relating to licenses) the
defendant may possess. The court may also order the defendant
to relinquish the defendant's other weapons or ammunition
that have been used or been threatened to be used in an
incident of abuse against the plaintiff or the minor
children. A copy of the court's order shall be transmitted to
the chief or head of the [police force or police department]
appropriate law enforcement agency of the municipality and to
the sheriff of the county of which the defendant is a
resident. When relinquishment is ordered, the following shall
apply:
(i) (A) The court's order shall require the
defendant to relinquish such firearms, other weapons,
ammunition and any firearm license pursuant to the
provisions of this chapter within 24 hours of service
of a temporary order or the entry of a final order or
the close of the next business day as necessary by
closure of the sheriffs' offices, except for cause
shown at the hearing, in which case the court shall
specify the time for relinquishment of any or all of
the defendant's firearms.
(B) A defendant subject to a temporary order
requiring the relinquishment of firearms, other
weapons or ammunition shall, in lieu of relinquishing
specific firearms, other weapons or ammunition which
cannot reasonably be retrieved within the time for
relinquishment in clause (A) due to their current
location, provide the sheriff with an affidavit
listing the firearms, other weapons or ammunition and
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their current location. If the defendant, within the
time for relinquishment in clause (A), fails to
provide the affidavit or fails to relinquish,
pursuant to this chapter, any firearms, other weapons
or ammunition ordered to be relinquished which are
not specified in the affidavit, the sheriff shall, at
a minimum, provide immediate notice to the court, the
plaintiff and appropriate law enforcement
authorities. The defendant shall not possess any
firearms, other weapons or ammunition specifically
listed in the affidavit provided to the sheriff
pursuant to this clause for the duration of the
temporary order.
(C) As used in this subparagraph, the term
"cause" shall be limited to facts relating to the
inability of the defendant to retrieve a specific
firearm within 24 hours due to the current location
of the firearm.
(ii) The court's order shall contain a list of any
firearm, other weapon or ammunition ordered relinquished.
Upon the entry of a final order, the defendant shall
inform the court in what manner the defendant is going to
relinquish any firearm, other weapon or ammunition
ordered relinquished. Relinquishment may occur pursuant
to section 6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for
consignment sale[,] or lawful transfer [or safekeeping])
[or 6108.3] or to the sheriff pursuant to this paragraph.
Where the sheriff is designated, the sheriff shall secure
custody of the defendant's firearms, other weapons or
ammunition and any firearm license listed in the court's
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order for the duration of the order or until otherwise
directed by court order. In securing custody of the
defendant's relinquished firearms, the sheriff shall
comply with 18 Pa.C.S. ยง [6105(f)(4)] 6105(f)(3)
(relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture,
control, sell or transfer firearms). In securing custody
of the defendant's other weapons and ammunition, the
sheriff shall provide the defendant with a signed and
dated written receipt which shall include a detailed
description of the other weapon or ammunition and its
condition. The court shall inform the defendant that
firearms, other weapons or ammunition will be considered
abandoned if the defendant does not request return within
six months after expiration of the order or dismissal of
a petition for a protection from abuse order, as provided
under section 6108.1 (relating to return of relinquished
firearms, other weapons and ammunition and additional
relief). The sheriff may dispose of the firearms, other
weapons or ammunition after that period, provided the
defendant is notified of the disposal and receives any
proceeds from the disposal, less the costs to the sheriff
associated with taking possession of, storing and
disposing of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition.
(iii) The sheriff shall provide the plaintiff with
the name of the person to which any firearm, other weapon
or ammunition was relinquished.
(iv) Unless the defendant has complied with
subparagraph (i)(B) or section 6108.2 [or 6108.3], if the
defendant fails to relinquish any firearm, other weapon,
ammunition or firearm license within 24 hours or upon the
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close of the next business day due to closure of
sheriffs' offices or within the time ordered by the court
upon cause being shown at the hearing, the sheriff shall,
at a minimum, provide immediate notice to the court, the
plaintiff and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
(v) Any portion of any order or any petition or
other paper which includes a list of any firearm, other
weapon or ammunition ordered relinquished shall be kept
in the files of the court as a permanent record thereof
and withheld from public inspection except:
(A) upon an order of the court granted upon
cause shown;
(B) as necessary, by law enforcement and court
personnel; or
(C) after redaction of information listing any
firearm, other weapon or ammunition.
(vi) As used in this paragraph, the term
"defendant's firearms" shall, if the defendant is a
licensed firearms dealer, only include firearms in the
defendant's personal firearms collection pursuant to 27
CFR ยง 478.125a (relating to personal firearms
collection).
* * *
ยง 6108.1. Return of relinquished firearms, other weapons and
ammunition and additional relief.
(a) General rule.--Any court order requiring the
relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition shall
provide for the return of the relinquished firearms, other
weapons or ammunition to the defendant upon expiration of the
order or dismissal of a petition for a protection from abuse
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order. The defendant may take custody of the firearms, other
weapons and ammunition provided that the defendant is otherwise
eligible to lawfully possess the relinquished items. The
defendant shall not be required to pay any fees, costs or
charges associated with the returns, whether those fees, costs
or charges are imposed by the Pennsylvania State Police, any
local law enforcement agency or any other entity, including a
licensed importer, licensed manufacturer or licensed dealer in
order to secure return of the relinquished firearms, other
weapons or ammunition. The sheriff's office shall maintain a
weapons return form that the defendant may fill out and return
to the office once a temporary or final protection from abuse
order has been dismissed or expires.
(a.1) Conditions for return.--The following conditions must
be satisfied prior to the firearms, other weapons or ammunition
being returned to the defendant:
(1) The defendant or owner must provide reasonable proof
of ownership or of rightful possession of the firearms, other
weapon or ammunition seized.
(2) The firearms, other weapons or ammunition seized
must not be evidence of a crime.
(3) The defendant or owner must not be otherwise
prohibited by applicable Federal or State law, or another
condition, including, but not limited to, bail, from taking
possession of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition
seized.
(4) The defendant or owner must have been given a
clearance by the Pennsylvania State Police Instant Check
System Unit, requested by the sheriff's office.
(a.2) Notice to plaintiff.--The plaintiff of the protection
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from abuse order shall be notified of the defendant's request to
return the firearms, other weapons or ammunition.
(a.3) Petition for return.--If there is a finding that the
defendant is ineligible to regain possession of the firearms,
other weapons or ammunition, the defendant or owner may file a
petition seeking their return. A copy of the petition must be
served upon the sheriff's office, the district attorney's office
and counsel for the plaintiff in the protection from abuse order
petition.
(a.4) Abandonment.--
(1) Any firearms, other weapons or ammunition shall be
presumed abandoned if the defendant does not request return
within six months after expiration of the order or dismissal
of a petition for a protection from abuse order.
(2) The sheriff may dispose of the firearms, other
weapons or ammunition after the six-month period, provided
the defendant is notified of the disposal and receives any
proceeds from the disposal, less the costs to the sheriff
associated with taking possession of, storing and disposing
of the firearms, other weapons or ammunition.
(b) Modification of court's order providing for return of
relinquished firearm, other weapon or ammunition.--
[(1) The defendant may petition the court to allow for
the return of firearms, other weapons and ammunition to the
defendant prior to the expiration of the court's order. The
petition shall be served upon the plaintiff and the plaintiff
shall be a party to the proceedings regarding that petition.
(2)] Any other person may petition the court to allow
for the return of that other person's firearms, other weapons
and ammunition prior to the expiration of the court's order.
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The petition shall be served upon the plaintiff, and the
plaintiff shall be given notice and an opportunity to be
heard regarding that petition.
[(c) Modification of court's order to provide for
alternative means of relinquishing firearms, other weapons or
ammunition.--The defendant may petition the court for
modification of the order to provide for an alternative means of
relinquishment in accordance with this chapter. The petition
shall be served upon the plaintiff, and the plaintiff shall have
an opportunity to be heard at the hearing as provided in
subsection (d). Where the court orders a modification pursuant
to this subsection providing for alternative means of
relinquishment, the sheriff shall proceed as directed by the
court.]
(d) Hearing.--Within ten business days of the filing of any
petition under this section, a hearing shall be held before the
court.
(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection:
"Other person." Any person, except the defendant, who is the
lawful owner of a firearm, other weapon or ammunition
relinquished pursuant to this chapter.
["Safekeeping." The secure custody of a firearm, other
weapon or ammunition ordered relinquished by an active
protection from abuse order.]
ยง 6108.2. Relinquishment for consignment sale[,] or lawful
transfer [or safekeeping].
(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, a defendant who is the subject of a final protection from
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abuse order[, which order] or a temporary order which provides
for the relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition
during the period of time the order is in effect, may, within
the time frame specified in the order and in lieu of
relinquishment to the sheriff, relinquish to a dealer licensed
pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. ยง 6113 (relating to licensing of dealers)
any firearms, other weapons or ammunition for consignment
sale[,] or lawful transfer [or safekeeping]. The dealer may
charge the defendant a reasonable fee for accepting
relinquishment and for storage of any firearms, other weapons or
ammunition.
* * *
(c) Failure to provide affidavit.--A defendant relinquishing
firearms, other weapons or ammunition to a dealer pursuant to
subsection (a) shall, within the time frame specified in the
order for relinquishing firearms, other weapons or ammunition,
provide to the sheriff the affidavit obtained pursuant to
subsection (b) and relinquish to the sheriff any firearms, other
weapons or ammunition ordered to be relinquished which are not
specified in the affidavit[,] or in an affidavit provided in
accordance with section 6108(a)(7)(i)(B) (relating to relief)
[or in an acknowledgment of receipt from a third party provided
to the sheriff pursuant to section 6108.3 (relating to
relinquishment to third party for safekeeping)]. If the
defendant fails to comply with this subsection, the sheriff
shall, at a minimum, provide immediate notice to the court, the
plaintiff and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
* * *
[(e) Transfer upon entry of final order.--Upon entry of a
final protection from abuse order issued pursuant to section
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6108, which order provides for the relinquishment of firearms,
other weapons or ammunition during the period of time the order
is in effect, a defendant who had relinquished firearms, other
weapons or ammunition to the sheriff pursuant to a temporary
order may request that the firearms, other weapons or ammunition
be relinquished to a dealer for consignment sale, lawful
transfer or safekeeping pursuant to this section. If the
defendant can identify a licensed dealer willing to accept the
firearms, other weapons or ammunition in compliance with this
section, the court shall order the sheriff to transport the
firearms, other weapons or ammunition to the licensed dealer at
no cost to the defendant or the licensed dealer.]
* * *
Section 7. Section 6108.3 of Title 23 is repealed:
[ยง 6108.3. Relinquishment to third party for safekeeping.
(a) General rule.--A defendant who is the subject of a
protection from abuse order, which order provides for the
relinquishment of firearms, other weapons or ammunition during
the period of time the order is in effect, may, within the time
frame specified in the order and in lieu of relinquishment to
the sheriff, relinquish any firearms, other weapons or
ammunition to a third party for safekeeping.
(b) Transfer to third party.--
(1) A defendant wishing to relinquish firearms, other
weapons or ammunition to a third party pursuant to subsection
(a) shall, within the time frame specified in the order for
relinquishing firearms, other weapons and ammunition, report
to the sheriff's office in the county where the order was
entered along with the third party.
(2) Upon determination by the sheriff that the third
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party is not prohibited from possessing firearms, other
weapons or ammunition pursuant to any Federal or State law
and after the defendant and third party have executed the
affidavits required under paragraph (3), the sheriff shall
issue a safekeeping permit to the third party, which shall
include, at a minimum, a list of the firearms, other weapons
and ammunition which will be relinquished to the third party.
The permit shall be issued at no cost to the third party or
defendant. The permit shall require the third party to
possess the defendant's firearms, other weapons and
ammunition until the time that:
(i) the sheriff revokes the safekeeping permit
pursuant to subsection (c)(1); or
(ii) the sheriff accepts return of the safekeeping
permit pursuant to subsection (d).
(3) (i) A defendant wishing to relinquish firearms,
other weapons or ammunition to a third party pursuant to
subsection (a) shall, in the presence of the sheriff or
the sheriff's designee, execute an affidavit on a form
prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police which shall
include, at a minimum, the following:
(A) The caption of the case in which the
protection from abuse order was issued.
(B) The name, address, date of birth and the
Social Security number of the defendant.
(C) The name, address and date of birth of the
third party.
(D) A list of the firearms, other weapons and
ammunition which will be relinquished to the third
party, including, if applicable, the manufacturer,
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