Berks County First in State in Gun Sales

The Reading Eagle notices that Berks County leads the state in gun sales. I believe that can be explained in one word: Cabela’s. The Sheriff has also reported that concealed carry licenses are up, like pretty much everywhere else. My father is now among that statistic, because I had him go get a license so he can safely transport the .22 pistol I lent him for target practice. Absent an License to Carry, Pennsylvania’s laws on transporting a handgun in a vehicle are technically as draconian as New Jersey’s. If you’re going to be transporting handguns in Pennsylvania, it’s just a good idea to have an LTC. Berks County issues on the spot as soon as you clear the PICS check.

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17 thoughts on “Berks County First in State in Gun Sales”

  2. It’s surprising to see Pittsburgh higher than Lancaster County in gun sales, and its two surrounding counties also in the top ten. Very encouraging to see the second largest metro area in the state keeping up pace.

  3. Pennsylvania’s laws on transporting a handgun in a vehicle are technically as draconian as New Jersey’s

    How? As far as I know PA only requires the gun to be unloaded in a vehicle.

    NJ (as of 1990 when I got out anyways) was the gun must be unloaded and cased in a portion of the vehicle that cannot be accessed from the passenger compartment, ammo if carried along with the gun must be in a separate locked compartment.
    It might be worse for NJ by now……

    1. See 18 PaCs 6106. It’s illegal to carry a firearm in a vehicle generally, without a license to carry. If you don’t have an LTC, you must fall under the exemptions, which go:

      (4) Any persons engaged in target shooting with a firearm, if such persons are at or are going to or from their places of assembly or target practice and if, while going to or from their places of assembly or target practice, the firearm is not loaded.

      (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. § 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 § 6108.2 (relating to relinquishment for consignment sale, lawful transfer or safekeeping) or back upon return of the relinquished firearm or to a location for safekeeping pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping) or back upon return of the relinquished firearm.

      What if you decide to stop for lunch on the way back from shooting? Or you’re a volunteer fire fighter, and respond to a call? Also, I lent him the pistol. I used my LTC to transport it out to his place. He can’t technically return it to me, because the “place of purchase” wasn’t my house.

    2. I should note that a “firearm” in PA law is essentially a handgun (or SBR or SBS, technically). For long guns, it just needs to be unloaded.

      1. I think legally you’d be in more trouble for ‘lending’ him the gun than he’d be for having it unloaded and in his car’s trunk.

        18 Pa.C.S. § 6115: Loans on, or lending or giving firearms prohibited

        Would seem to be applicable, but I’m no lawyer.

          1. BTW, don’t get me wrong, I think everyone should have a LTC even if they don’t actually plan to carry.
            If I sell a rifle/shotgun privately I really like to see a LTC over a DL, as the carry permit shows they pass a background check as well as live in the state.

            Oh and under the 18 Pa.C.S. § 6115 section there is no exception for family members that I see, but then again I’m not real fluent in legalize either. You may want to read it yourself as you seem to have a better grasp of the legalize than I do.

            1. I think, and I stress think, because I’m not a lawyer…

              nor, except as provided in subsection (b), shall any person lend or give a firearm to another or otherwise deliver a firearm contrary to the provisions of this subchapter.

              Subchapter being the Uniform Firearms Act. I think what this says is a loan counts as a transfer, which means I can’t transfer without going through a dealer or sheriff, unless it’s my father or grandfather, mother or grandmother, spouse, son or daughter.

              Or they have an LTC, as long as it’s a loan or a gift. LTCs don’t exempt you from a transfer of title.

              It’s confusing, but that’s how I understand it. My understanding may be wrong, but I know you can lend a gun to someone if they have a license to carry.

    1. Personally I prefer Bob’s Army & Navy, but if they don’t have what I want I’ll go to Grice.

      Used to drive from Jersey Shore/Lock Haven area to Grice’s when I had my gun shop in the mid 90’s, was cheaper than the shipping surcharges on powder and primers, and I picked up other stuff while I was there as well.
      They do wholesale to FFL’s so even at Bob’s I’m probably buying from Grice indirectly!

  6. About the only bright spot to living in Berks County is our totally bro tier sheriff.

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