Visiting Philadelphia

[bblackmoor]

My wife and I are spending New Years Eve weekend in Philadelphia, and we are trying to plan fun things to see and places to visit. We both have concealed carry licenses in Virginia, and Pennsylvania has reciprocity with Virginia, so we are good on that score. However, I have a few questions that I have not yet been able to resolve. If anyone here is a current or former Philadelphia local and can help with answers, that would be great.

1) As you all know, in Virginia, we have that perverse (and soon to be eliminated, I hope) law that concealed carry permits are not valid in restaurants that serve alcohol for consumption on premises. Only open carry is legal in such establishments in Virginia. Does Pennsylvania have a similar law, or is concealed carry in restaurants/bars permitted? Are there any other peculiar restrictions of Pennsylvania concealed carry (aside from the obvious: Federal buildings, courthouses, and schools).

2) Are there metal detectors at the various museums and historical sites in Philadelphia? Are any of them in Federal buildings?

I want to avoid any unpleasant surprises, so any information along this line would be greatly appreciated.

[gnbrotz]

Does Pennsylvania have a similar law, or is concealed carry in restaurants/bars permitted? Are there any other peculiar restrictions of Pennsylvania concealed carry (aside from the obvious: Federal buildings, courthouses, and schools).

There are no alcohol-related restrictions in PA. You may carry open or concealed in businesses that serve alcohol and are not prohibited from consuming alcohol while carrying.

2) Are there metal detectors at the various museums and historical sites in Philadelphia? Are any of them in Federal buildings?

Sites like Independence Hall fall under the NPS. As of Feb. 22, carry outdoors will be permitted in National Parks, but carrying inside staffed buildings - considered 'Federal facilities' is still prohibited pending clarification or case law of the 'other lawful purpose' language in the federal statute. As far as museums and non-government attractions, some may have metal detectors, but I believe most do not (I'm not from Philly). Either way, it's not a violation of law to carry in these places, just venue policy, so while you may be forced to comply to enter, you are not violating any PA statutes if you attempt to enter while armed.

[zephyp]

Here's a pretty good site that will give you the latest on gun laws in all 50 states. Just click on the state on the map and it will open a PDF for that state. Its a good site and I use it frequently however if you're unsure about something its always best to consult the state code itself. Second link is a .com site for the PA Code current as of 7 November 2009.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/

http://www.pacode.com/

[allingeneral]

Does Pennsylvania have a similar law, or is concealed carry in restaurants/bars permitted? Are there any other peculiar restrictions of Pennsylvania concealed carry (aside from the obvious: Federal buildings, courthouses, and schools).

There are no alcohol-related restrictions in PA. You may carry open or concealed in businesses that serve alcohol and are not prohibited from consuming alcohol while carrying.

2) Are there metal detectors at the various museums and historical sites in Philadelphia? Are any of them in Federal buildings?

Sites like Independence Hall fall under the NPS. As of Feb. 22, carry outdoors will be permitted in National Parks, but carrying inside staffed buildings - considered 'Federal facilities' is still prohibited pending clarification or case law of the 'other lawful purpose' language in the federal statute. As far as museums and non-government attractions, some may have metal detectors, but I believe most do not (I'm not from Philly). Either way, it's not a violation of law to carry in these places, just venue policy, so while you may be forced to comply to enter, you are not violating any PA statutes if you attempt to enter while armed.

gnbrotz - Thank you for stopping by to provide some Pennsylvania wisdom.

[ProShooter]

FYI - IIRC, Philly has some odd handgun law that overides pre-emption due to being a Class 1 City, or something like that...whatever the hell that is.

[gnbrotz]

FYI - IIRC, Philly has some odd handgun law that overides pre-emption due to being a Class 1 City, or something like that...whatever the hell that is.

Incorrect. Philly may not override preemption in any manner. The only *special* provision (written directly into state statute, not imposed unilaterally by Philly) is that a license is required for both OC and CC in a "city of the first class" (and Philly is currently the only city with a high enough population to qualify), whereas in the rest of the state, no license is required for OC.

[ProShooter]

FYI - IIRC, Philly has some odd handgun law that overides pre-emption due to being a Class 1 City, or something like that...whatever the hell that is.

Incorrect. Philly may not override preemption in any manner. The only *special* provision (written directly into state statute, not imposed unilaterally by Philly) is that a license is required for both OC and CC in a "city of the first class" (and Philly is currently the only city with a high enough population to qualify), whereas in the rest of the state, no license is required for OC.

Gotcha. I knew it was some kind of odd law that gave Philly some kind of different requirement. Weird how that is written into state code like that. I don't know Pa. law but I had remembered hearing something about that.

[bblackmoor]

Thanks for the advice and information. The trip went smoothly and we had a great time. I carried the whole time, except for the day we spent doing the rounds of the downtown attractions: the Constitution center, the liberty bell, Independence Hall, and the Benjamin Franklin exhibitions. I left the pistol locked in the car while we were seeing those sights.

I took a photo of people being forced to open their coats for the Wackenhut security guards at the liberty bell building, because I thought that was really funny, but a guard saw me and made me delete that photo because of "security" and "terrorism".