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Pennsylvania Municipal Weapons Regulations


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Pennsylvania State Law - 18 Pa.C.S. § 908: Prohibited offensive weapons

(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if, except as authorized by law, he makes repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in, uses, or possesses any offensive weapon.
(b) Exceptions.--
  (1) It is a defense under this section for the defendant to prove by a preponderance of evidence that he possessed or dealt with the weapon solely as a curio or in a dramatic performance, or that, with the exception of a bomb, grenade or incendiary device, he complied with the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. § 5801 et seq.), or that he possessed it briefly in consequence of having found it or taken it from an aggressor, or under circumstances similarly negativing any intent or likelihood that the weapon would be used unlawfully.
  (2) This section does not apply to police forensic firearms experts or police forensic firearms laboratories. Also exempt from this section are forensic firearms experts or forensic firearms laboratories operating in the ordinary course of business and engaged in lawful operation who notify in writing, on an annual basis, the chief or head of any police force or police department of a city, and, elsewhere, the sheriff of a county in which they are located, of the possession, type and use of offensive weapons.
  (3) This section shall not apply to any person who makes, repairs, sells or otherwise deals in, uses or possesses any firearm for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
  "Firearm." Any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.
  "Offensive weapons." Any bomb, grenade, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise, any stun gun, stun baton, taser or other electronic or electric weapon or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.
(d) Exemptions.--The use and possession of blackjacks by the following persons in the course of their duties are exempt from this section:
  (1) Police officers, as defined by and who meet the requirements of the act of June 18, 1974 (P.L. 359, No. 120), referred to as the Municipal Police Education and Training Law. [FN1]
  (2) Police officers of first class cities who have successfully completed training which is substantially equivalent to the program under the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
  (3) Pennsylvania State Police officers.
  (4) Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs of the various counties who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
  (5) Police officers employed by the Commonwealth who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
  (6) Deputy sheriffs with adequate training as determined by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
  (7) Liquor Control Board agents who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.


18 PACS 908 Cases

Freeman VS PA State Police Commonwealth Court 2010 Conviction Under NY265.01 Is Equivalent To A Conviction Under 18 PACS 908 And Is Prohibiting For Firearms


Commonwealth VS Ponds 1975 PA Superior Court An Inoperable Prohibited Offensive Weapon Is Prohibited Under 18 PACS 908
Commonwealth VS Adams PA Superior Court 1976 Nunchuks Have A Common Lawful Purpose
Commonwealth VS McHarris PA Superior Court 1977 A Revolver Is Not A Prohibited Offensive Weapon Under 18 PACS 908
Commonwealth VS Ashford PA SuperiorCourt 1979 A Flick Knife Has A Common Lawful Purpose
Commonwealth VS Rose PA Superior Court 1979 A Pistol Is Not A Prohibited Offensive Weapon Under 18 PACS 908
Commonwealth VS Everett PA Superior Court 1982 A Handgun Is Not A Prohibited Offensive Weapon Under 18 PACS 908
Commonwealth VS Karlson PA Superior Court 1996 A Cobra Knife Has A Common Lawful Purpose
RGB A Minor Appeal PA Superior Court 2007 A Firearm Possessed By A Minor Is Not A Prohibted Offensive Weapon Under 18 PACS 908
Commonwealth VS Gutierrez PA Superior Court 2009 A Prohibited Offensive Weapon Unsecured In A Dwelling Equals Constructive Possession For Person At Large in That Dwelling
Commonwealth VS Lawson PA Superior Court 2009 A Knife Which Can Be Locked At 90 Degrees Has No Common Lawful Purpose. Includes Picture of Knife.


Commonwealth VS Cartagena PA Supreme Court 1978 A Kitchen Knife Has A Common Lawful Purpose
Commonwealth VS Fisher PA Supreme Court 1979 A Wyoming Knife Has A Common Lawful Purpose
Commonwealth V SHarper PA Supreme Court 1979 A Pistol Is Not A Prohibited Offensive Weapon Under 18 PACS 908
Commonwealth VS Hoskins PA Supreme Court 1979 A Revolver Is Not A Prohibited Offensive Weapon Under 18 PACS 908
Commonwealth VS Brown PA Supreme Court 1984 A Switchblade Is Clearly A Prohibited Offensive Weapon. If the 908 Offense Is Seperate From Other Crimes It Can Be Prosecuted Seperately
Commonwealth VS Jackson PA Supreme Court 1984 A .22 Caliber Rifle Is Not A Prohibited Offensive Weapon Under 18 PACS 908

Adams County


Allegheny County


Armstrong County


Beaver County


Bedford County


Berks County


Blair County


Bradford County


Bucks County

Bucks County Park System - Ordinance 95

Bucks County Park System - Ordinance 95

SECTION 31. FIREARMS - HATCHETS AND KNIVES, ETC.
A. No person shall,
1 Bring into or upon the properties of the Department, nor have in his possession, nor discharge or set off anywhere upon said properties, a revolver, pistol, shotgun, rifle, air rifle, air gun, water gun or any gun, rifle, firearm or bow or other weapon that discharges projectiles either by air, explosive substance or by any other force. Except that this section shall not apply to any deputy sheriff, police officer, peace officer, park ranger or other duly appointed law enforcement officer while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of his position nor to any person while on or in those areas which may from time to time be designated as hunting areas by the Department or while upon designated target ranges or areas.
2 Possess any type of knife, hatchet or ax in any area of the park except for those park users camping in campsites.
3 It shall be the duty of the Park Ranger to confiscate any of the above articles except as provided in Section A and B.


Township of Bristol Chapter 140 Parks and Recreation Areas

Township of Bristol Chapter 140 Parks and Recreation Areas

§ 140-4. Prohibited acts.
E. Use of any firearm (including but not limited to any gun, pistol, revolver, automatic weapon, rifle, spring gun, shotgun, air rifle, starter pistol), bow and arrow, crossbow, darts, blowgun, Oriental ninja or stars, wrist rockets, slingshots, fireworks, flare guns, knives or other contraband is strictly prohibited.


Township of Lower Makefield Chapter 141 Parks and Recreation Areas

Township of Lower Makefield Chapter 141 Parks and Recreation Areas

§ 141-26. Firearms, hatchets, axes, saws and knives or weapons.
No person shall:
A. Bring into or upon the park system nor have in his or her possession nor discharge or set off anywhere within the park system any revolver, pistol, rifle, shotgun, air rifle or pistol or any gun, rifle, firearm or bow and arrow or other weapon that discharges projectiles either by air, explosive force or by any other substance. This section shall not apply to any duly appointed law enforcement officer while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of his or her position.
B. Bring into or upon the park system nor have in his or her possession any type of hatchet, ax, saw or knife while within the park system.
C. This § 141-26 shall not apply to any person who is expressly designated and authorized by the Township, or its authorized official, representative, agent or contractor, to undertake, and who is actively engaged in and carrying out, any actions, activities, practices, duties, responsibilities or other obligations related to or in connection with a deer management program on lands owned, leased or controlled by Lower Makefield Township, whether in the park system or otherwise.


Township of Warwick Chapter 131 Parks and Recreation

Township of Warwick Chapter 131 Parks and Recreation

§ 131-3. Prohibited conduct.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation using such parks, recreation or playground areas to either perform or permit to be performed any of the following acts.
(8) Bring to the park any type of weapon, including but not limited to firearms, knives, archery bows, etc.



Butler County


Cambria County


Cameron County


Carbon County


Centre County


Chester County

City of Coatesville Chapter 112 Firearms Weapons and Fireworks

City of Coatesville Chapter 112 Firearms Weapons and Fireworks

§ 112-1. Sale or possession of unlawful articles.
From and after the passage and final adoption of this Article, it shall be unlawful and it is hereby prohibited for any person, persons, firm or corporation to store, sell, offer or expose for sale at retail, or have in their possession with intent to sell at retail or with intent to use, within the City of Coatesville, any air rifle or air pistol (commonly known as "BB gun"), water pistol, slingshot, switchblade knife, the blade of which can be opened or released by mechanical means, or any similar devices. A "sale at retail" shall mean any sale of less than one (1) dozen such articles or any sale to anyone who is not a bona fide dealer therein.



Clarion County


Clearfield County


Clinton County


Columbia County


Crawford County


Cumberland County


Dauphin County


Delaware County

Township of Haverford - Chapter 83 Firearms, Fireworks, and Other Weapons

Township of Haverford - Chapter 83 Firearms, Fireworks, and Other Weapons

ARTICLE II. Bows and Arrows
§ 83-3. Use restricted.
It shall be unlawful, except as hereinafter provided, for any person within the Township to shoot or discharge or cause to be shot or discharged, by the use of a bow or any other instrument, any pointed arrows when said arrows are pointed with stone, wooden or metal tips. Hunting of game or wildlife shall be prohibited upon all properties owned by the Township of Haverford.
§ 83-4. Exceptions.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to the use of bows and arrows in schools and clubs under competent supervision or on private property where safe shooting conditions are maintained in accordance with standards approved by the Department of Public Safety. Nor shall this article prohibit the use of bows and arrows in accordance with the Game Law of June 3, 1937, P.L. 1225, as amended.
§ 83-5. Violations and penalties.
Any person convicted of a violation of this article shall be sentenced to pay costs and a fine not exceeding $500 and, on default in the payment thereof, shall be sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 30 days.
ARTICLE III. Switchblade Knives
§ 83-6. Sale or possession prohibited.
In order to protect the public safety, it is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell, offer for sale or have possession of any knife where the blade is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switchblades."
§ 83-7. Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association or corporation. Whenever used in any clause prescribing or imposing a penalty, the term "person" as applied to partnerships or associations shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers thereof.
§ 83-8. Authority of police.
The Chief of Police and police officers are authorized to seize, remove, confiscate and destroy any knife where the blade is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switchblades."
§ 83-9. Violations and penalties.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000, together with judgment of imprisonment for not more than 90 days if the amount of said fine and costs is not paid to the District Justice imposing the fine within 10 days after the imposition thereof.

Elk County


Erie County


Fayette County


Forest County


Franklin County


Fulton County


Greene County


Huntingdon County


Indiana County


Jefferson County


Juniata County


Lackawanna County


Lancaster County

Township of West Lampeter chapter 278 Weapons

Township of West Lampeter chapter 278 Weapons

§ 278-1. Unlawful acts.
It shall be unlawful and it is hereby prohibited for any person, persons, firm or corporation, to store, sell, offer for or expose for sale, or have in their possession with intent to sell, or with intent to use within the limits of the Township of West Lampeter, any air rifle or air pistol (commonly known as a "B-B gun"), slingshot, switchblade knife, the blade of which can be opened or released by mechanical means, or any similar device or devices



Lawrence County


Lebanon County


Lehigh County


Luzerne County


Lycoming County


McKean County


Mercer County


Mifflin County


Monroe County


Montgomery County

Township of Abington chapter 83 Firearms and other Weapons

Township of Abington chapter 83 Firearms and other Weapons

ARTICLE II. Bows and Arrows
§ 83-3. Use restricted.
It shall be unlawful, except as hereinafter provided, for any person within the Township to shoot or discharge or cause to be shot or discharged, by the use of a bow or any other instrument, any pointed arrows when said arrows are pointed with stone, wooden or metal tips. Hunting of game or wildlife shall be prohibited upon all properties owned by the Township of Haverford.
§ 83-4. Exceptions.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to the use of bows and arrows in schools and clubs under competent supervision or on private property where safe shooting conditions are maintained in accordance with standards approved by the Department of Public Safety. Nor shall this article prohibit the use of bows and arrows in accordance with the Game Law of June 3, 1937, P.L. 1225, as amended.
§ 83-5. Violations and penalties.
Any person convicted of a violation of this article shall be sentenced to pay costs and a fine not exceeding $500 and, on default in the payment thereof, shall be sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 30 days.
ARTICLE III. Switchblade Knives
§ 83-6. Sale or possession prohibited.
In order to protect the public safety, it is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell, offer for sale or have possession of any knife where the blade is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switchblades."
§ 83-7. Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association or corporation. Whenever used in any clause prescribing or imposing a penalty, the term "person" as applied to partnerships or associations shall mean the partners or members thereof, and as applied to corporations, the officers thereof.
§ 83-8. Authority of police.
The Chief of Police and police officers are authorized to seize, remove, confiscate and destroy any knife where the blade is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switchblades."
§ 83-9. Violations and penalties.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000, together with judgment of imprisonment for not more than 90 days if the amount of said fine and costs is not paid to the District Justice imposing the fine within 10 days after the imposition thereof.


Township of Worcester Chapter 107 Parks and Recreation Areas

Township of Worcester Chapter 107 Parks and Recreation Areas

§ 107-2. Park regulations.
All persons using park facilities in the Township of Worcester shall abide by the following regulations:
I. Firearms or other weapons shall not be allowed in a park, except for use in a properly designated area under adequate supervision.
U. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons in any park to bring into the same any weapon other than for use in a properly designated area thereof; to in any way molest bird or animal life, birds' nests or houses therein; or to bring within the limits of any park any dog or other animal, the intent thereof being to create and maintain conditions favorable to birds and animal life, and for the benefit and enjoyment of the public to whom the park will be open.

Montour County


Northampton County


Northumberland County


Perry County


Philadelphia County

Philadelphia - §10-820. Cutting Weapons in Public Places.

§10-820. Cutting Weapons in Public Places.[180]

(1) Definition. Cutting Weapon. Any knife or other cutting instrument which can be used as a weapon that has a cutting edge similar to that of a knife. No tool or instrument commonly or ordinarily used in a trade, profession or calling shall be considered a cutting weapon while actually being used in the active exercise of that trade, profession or calling.
(2) Prohibited Conduct. No person shall use or possess any cutting weapon upon the public streets or upon any public property at any time.
(3) Penalty. The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine of not less than three hundred (300) dollars and imprisonment of not less than ninety days.

Pike County


Potter County


Schuylkill County


Snyder County


Somerset County


Sullivan County


Susquehanna County


Tioga County


Union County


Venango County


Warren County


Washington County


Wayne County


Westmoreland County


Wyoming County


York County


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