3 Teens shot in broad daylight on Philadelphia Street with Semi-Automatic Rifles – New Jersey vs. Pennsylvania – How easy is it to buy an semi-automatic rifle? 

Recently, three teenagers were shot and seriously injured following a daylight shooting in Philadelphia.  The City has witnessed a massive increase in gun violence the last two years and former “lifelong” residents have left the city in record numbers for safer environment and overall better quality of life for their families given the lack of leadership, direction and a failing school system. 

It is suspected that the perpetrators of this violence fired approximately 60 rounds in seconds, leading investigators to conclude that they used semi -automatic firearms in this attack.    

Philadelphia experienced over 1,400 carjackings in 2022, a 500% increase since 2019!  There were 193 carjackings in 2017, but the number has increased substantially since that time with 409 in 2020, 847 in 2021 and over 900 in the 2022.  In addition to carjacking, theft from unattended vehicles has also increased substantially in Philadelphia with less than 2,000 in 2019 and over 9,000 in 2021! 

Shooting and gun related violence have become almost daily occurrences in Philadelphia and this incident provides another opportunity to explain the dramatic differences in gun and firearm laws in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  It is much easier to obtain a gun in Pennsylvania than it is in New Jersey.  Further, unlike Pennsylvania, New Jersey has mandatory minimum sentencing for gun crimes.   

Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act – What is a firearm?

In Pennsylvania, under its Uniform Firearms Act (Title 18, Section 6101) regulates the possession and use of firearms within the Commonwealth. The definition of a firearm within the Commonwealth is “any pistol or revolver with a barrel length less than 15”, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18” inches, any rifle with a barrel length less than 16”, or any pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26”. Pennsylvania determines the barrel length of the firearm by measuring from the muzzle barrel to the face of the closed action, bolt, or cylinder, whichever is applicable to that particular weapon.

Pennsylvania doesn’t place limitations on the type of firearm but does regulate who may possess a firearm

Unlike New Jersey, Pennsylvania does not limit the type of weapon which a person may possess. This means that a person within the Commonwealth may possess a handgun, rifle, shotgun, or an assault weapon without the need for any type of purchaser identification card or permit. The Commonwealth however does limit who may possess firearms.

Under Section 6105 (Title 18) the following individuals may not possess a firearm:

• A person under the age of 18
• A person convicted of a violent felony or “enumerated offense”
• Undocumented immigrant
• Mentally ill
• A drug addict or “habitual drunkard”
• Any person who has been convicted of 3 separate DUI charges within a 5 year period
• Any person subject to an active protection from abuse order (PFA)

Permit to Carry a Handgun in Pennsylvania

Keep in mind that while a person may possess a handgun within the Commonwealth, that possession is limited to one’s home or place of business.  A permit is required to carry a handgun outside of these areas.  If a person carries outside of his or her home or place of business he violates Section 6106 of Pennsylvania’s Firearm Statute.   

New Jersey Firearm Possession Requirements – Purchaser Identification Card & Permits

In New Jersey, a person can’t purchase any firearm without a purchaser identification card. A person who obtains a firearm without obtaining either a permit to purchase and/or a purchaser identification card violates 2C: 39-5 – Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. While firearms such as rifles and shotguns require that a person first obtain a firearm purchaser identification card, anyone who wants to obtain a handgun must first obtain a permit to purchase the handgun.  The permit is only valid for 90 days and is required for the purchase of each handgun. Further, New Jersey limits the number of handguns that a person may purchase at a time (one handgun within a 30 day period)

New Jersey – Assault Rifles & Handguns – Permit to Purchase Required

With regards to assault rifles, New Jersey requires a separate permit under 2C: 58-5. Any person in New Jersey who wants to possess an assault rifle must apply for a license to do so by filing an application in the Superior Court in the county in which he resides or conducts his business. This process is similar to a permit to carry a handgun under 2C: 58-4. For a handgun however, a person must submit an application to either the chief of police for that municipality in New Jersey or the State Trooper Superintendent.

Once the application is submitted, the applicant will only receive an approval if he or she can demonstrate that he is familiar with the safe operation of the weapon and has a justifiable need to carry it. If the application for the permit to carry a handgun is denied then that applicant may file an appeal with the Superior Court with the county that he made the application.

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