Pennsylvania State Police Announces Quarterly Firearm Purchase Denial Investigations
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania State Police announced the number of firearm purchase denials, subsequent investigations, and arrests resulting from such investigations for the second quarter of 2018.
The Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is used by county sheriffs, chiefs of police of cities of the first class, and licensed firearms dealers in Pennsylvania to determine an individual's legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms or obtain a firearm through a purchase or transfer.
In April, Governor Wolf called for the passage of commonsense gun safety legislation in Pennsylvania, including PICS background checks for all firearm sales and transfers. Currently, a firearm transaction between two private parties does not require a state police background check if the firearm falls within certain criteria, including firearms commonly referred to as long guns.
When an individual provides 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.
According to Pennsylvania law, a person commits a felony of the third degree if they make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form or willfully presents false identification that is likely to deceive a firearm seller, licensed dealer, or licensed manufacturer. During the PICS process, individuals may also be identified as having an active warrant for their arrest.
During the second quarter of 2018, the following investigations were initiated by the Pennsylvania State Police Firearms Division and referred to troops, municipal police departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further investigation and possible prosecution. Comparison with the second quarter of 2017 is included.
|
First Quarter PICS Statistics |
2018 |
2017 |
|
Total number of PICS checks conducted |
236,226 |
239,790 |
|
Number of persons denied |
2,600 |
2,763 |
|
Total number of denials referred to law enforcement agencies |
1,362 |
1,545 |
|
Referred to Pennsylvania State Police |
505 |
623 |
|
Referred to Local Law Enforcement |
857 |
922 |
|
Referred to ATF |
0 |
0 |
|
Number of individuals arrested for a warrant at point of purchase |
36 |
32 |
MEDIA CONTACT: Cpl. Adam Reed, 717-783-5556
SOURCE Pennsylvania State Police
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