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State Police Announce First Quarter Firearms Purchase Denial Investigations

04/11/2024

Harrisburg, PA The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced today the number of firearms purchase denials and subsequent investigations for the first quarter of 2024.

The Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is used by county sheriffs, chiefs of police of cities of the first class, and licensed firearms dealers to determine an individual's legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms or to obtain a firearm through a purchase or transfer. When an individual attempts to provide false information on a state and/or federal form, an investigation is initiated, and an investigation referral is sent to the corresponding law enforcement agency.

Under Pennsylvania law, a person commits a felony of the third degree if they make false statements on a federal or state agency form or willfully present false identification that is likely to deceive the seller, licensed dealer, or licensed manufacturer. During the PICS process, some individuals are identified as having an active warrant for their arrest as well.

For the first quarter, the following investigations were initiated by the PSP Firearms Division and referred to PSP Troops, municipal police departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Table 1: Q1 2024 PICS statistics, compared to Q1 2023

 
2023
2024
PICS Checks Conducted327,272287,645
Persons Denied
4,6453,776
Denials referred to law enforcement agencies2,1212,456
            Referred to PSP455971
            Referred to municipal law enforcement1,5251,358
            Referred to ATF141127
Individuals arrested for a warrant at point of purchase2522

 
For more information on PICS and carrying firearms in Pennsylvania, visit psp.pa.gov.

Contact: Lt. Adam Reed or Myles Snyder, 717-783-5556, ra-pspcomm@pa.gov

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