![]() ![]() § 6105, which prohibits certain people from possessing or owning guns. However, some laws use a much broader definition of “firearm” such as 18 Pa. If someone has gun possession in Philadelphia without a license, it is not a crime unless that particular gun meets the legal definition of a “firearm.” Many rifles do not meet the legal definition of “firearm.” § 6102, defines a “firearm” based on the type of gun, the length of the barrel, and the overall length of the gun itself. The Uniform Firearms Act, specifically 18 Pa. Something that we might simply call a gun, could mean a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, and not every gun necessarily meets the legal definition of a “firearm” under Pennsylvania Law. It may sound like a silly question, but under Pennsylvania Law the answer is not so clear. What Defines a Gun or Firearm in Pennsylvania? Even if you have not been charged with a crime, if you are considering gun ownership, take the time to consult with a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney to avoid any problems. It could even prevent you from ever lawfully possessing a firearm, or obtaining a license to carry in the future. Hopefully, with more police presence on the streets and stricter laws on gun-related crimes, the city of Philadelphia may one day overcome its dark track record.The laws regarding licensing and general gun charges in Pennsylvania can be difficult to navigate, and even a simple misunderstanding about the law can result in serious criminal charges. Too many people make guns the mediator in settling everyday issues. They are inanimate objects that hold no grudges, are unbiased and ultimately have no say at who they are being aimed at. ![]() Guns alone cannot commit a crime or produce a homicide. When guns become commonplace in back alley fights and schoolyard altercations, that’s when they become an issue. Irresponsible people use guns irresponsibly.” Then, John Jones, a worker at the pistol range, said something to me that made it all seem so clear: “Guns are not the problem. I knew that I had to be extremely careful in placing each one of my shots. Once my clip was in, the gun was live to fire. There wasn’t much stopping me from accidentally hurting myself. ![]() Yet while ‘locked and loaded,’ I felt a chilling sense of morbid reality. I had never fired a gun before, and I felt as if I were reliving a childhood dream of mine – to be Rambo or Snake Plissken. I, however, was only renting one for the day. ![]() Under Pennsylvania state law, a person can legally buy a firearm and keep it within the state limits if he or she is at least 21 years old, has proof of identification, no criminal arrests or crimes pending and no previous mental history. I figured that the more knowledgeable I was about guns, the better my chances would be if I ever encountered one. I went over to Colosimo’s Pistol Range (10th and Spring Garden streets) to test a weapon out for myself. The city is also getting an $800,000 state grant that will pay for more detectives to investigate gun violations.Įven with all of these restrictions and regulations, I still felt weary about gun safety in Philadelphia. Moreover, Abraham provided that people who commit their first gun-related crime will be put into a program where they will be rigorously supervised. Last year, Abraham and her partners created a gun court to ensure that gun offenders remain in jail. “Kid’s rule the streets and people can’t even sit on their own front steps,” said Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham at her election night press conference.Ībraham is one of the many advocates of gun control in the city. I became acquainted with this realization this summer when a friend of mine was shot to death in his own bedroom, right off of Temple’s campus. I never felt that I had to worry about my own safety in that way – catching the wrong set of eyes crossing the street, walking back to my car after dark or even fumbling for my keys at the doorstep of my house. Learning these facts, I couldn’t believe that I was surrounded by so much death. Not until 2002 did the city finally hit a 17-year low of 288 homicides. Philadelphia’s 2005 homicide rate has already surpassed last year’s count of 330, and we still have December left.Ĭan we feel safe on the streets of Philadelphia or is that memory gone forever? The city had its highest homicide rate of 500 murders in 1990 and throughout most of the decade there were around 400 homicides a year. ![]()
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