PRINTER'S NO. 97
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
56
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, KEARNEY, FONTANA, KANE, DILLON,
TARTAGLIONE, STREET, COSTA, SANTARSIERO, COMITTA AND
CAPPELLETTI, JANUARY 19, 2023
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JANUARY 19, 2023
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, subsection (e)(1) is amended
by adding a subparagraph and the section is amended by adding a
subsection 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
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following reasons for obtaining a firearm license shall be set
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 law. 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 in accordance with subsection
(e.1).
* * *
(e.1) Firearms competency.--
(1) An individual may demonstrate competence with a
firearm by any one of the following:
(i) Completion of a hunter education or hunter
safety course approved by the Pennsylvania Game
Commission or a similar agency of another state.
(ii) Completion of a National Rifle Association
firearms safety or training course.
(iii) Completion of a firearms safety or training
course or class available to the general public offered
by a law enforcement agency, educational institution,
private or public institution or organization or firearms
training school, utilizing instructors certified by the
National Rifle Association or the Pennsylvania State
Police.
(iv) Completion of a law enforcement firearms safety
or training course or class offered for law enforcement
or security enforcement personnel.
(v) Presentation of evidence of equivalent
experience with a firearm through participation in
organized shooting competition or military service.
(vi) Completion of a firearms training or safety
course or class conducted by a State-certified or
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National Rifle Association certified firearms instructor.
(2) The following shall constitute evidence of
qualification under this subsection:
(i) a photocopy of a certificate of completion of
any of the courses or classes under paragraph (1);
(ii) an affidavit from the instructor, school, club,
organization or group that conducted or taught the course
or class attesting to the completion of the course or
class by the applicant; or
(iii) a copy of a document which shows completion of
the course or class or evidences participation in
firearms competition.
(3) A person who conducts a course or class under
paragraph (1)(ii), (iii) or (vi) or who, as an instructor,
attests to the completion of the course or class, shall
maintain records certifying that the person or instructor
observed the student safely handle and discharge the firearm.
A record shall be retained for two years following completion
of the course or class.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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