How to Get a License to Shoot a Gun at a Shooting Range in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania state law requires you meet specific standards listed in Section 6109. This section lists information and requirements for obtaining a firearm permit. There are two types of firearm permits. A regular firearm permit enables the applicant to carry a weapon and is available to those 21 years of age and older through the Pennsylvania State Police. The other type of permit is called a sportsman's firearm permit. This type of permit is available to those 18 and older and allows the applicant to carry a weapon for hunting and fishing.
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Instructions
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Obtain an application from the county where you reside. If you are applying for a regular gun permit, you should contact the Pennsylvania State Police office nearest you. If you are applying for a sportsman's firearm permit, contact the county treasurer's office.
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Fill out the application completely and honestly. Most of these questions will have to do with your vital statistics. Vital statistics are name, address, height, weight, hair, eyes, date of birth, race and sex. The one-page application must also include a reason for the application for a firearm permit such as for hunting, employment, collecting, self-defense, target shooting. Do not leave any questions unanswered as your permit application will be denied.
The sheriff's office will perform an investigation on the applicant to be sure they are not a threat to themselves or anyone else. They will perform a background check and be sure there are no cases pending against the applicant. This investigation can take up to 45 days.
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Sign the application. This certifies that all the information you provided is correct to the best of your knowledge and you have not provided any false information. By signing the application you are swearing you have never been convicted of a serious crime that would void any permit. It also states that the gun owner is aware of the proper way to use the weapon and he/she understands the responsibilities and repercussions if it is not used in the intended manner.
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Write a check or get a money order for the fee, typically about $20 for both a permit to carry a firearm and a sportsman's license. Fees may vary from county to county.
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Obtain a passport-size photo of yourself to submit along with your application. This photo is required in order to process the application. You can have this picture taken quickly and inexpensively at some drug stores or postal service branches.
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Return the application, the photo and the fee to the Pennsylvania State Police in person or via regular mail.
State Police Office
1800 Elmturn Ave.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-783-5599 -
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Await a reply regarding your application. The state police have 45 days to deny the license, if cause cannot be shown to issue a denial, the license will be approved.
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- Photo Credit old gun"s muzzle image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
