Conceal carry wife's/husband's gun?

[GJSchulze]

In NY, the rule for one gun on multiple permits is determined by the county you live in. Monroe County (Rochester) where I live allows this for a $3 fee and a signed form from the gun owner showing consent. Apparently some counties only allow it within families while others don't care.

...provided you both have a license to carry a firearm.

I know that at Pennsylvania gun ranges I could shoot my wife's gun even before I got a permit, so the PA gun license is most probably only to carry concealed and not about actually using it. So the quote above is only true when carrying concealed and doesn't pertain to home defense.

 

[ChuckS]

I know that at Pennsylvania gun ranges I could shoot my wife's gun even before I got a permit, so the PA gun license is most probably only to carry concealed and not about actually using it. So the quote above is only true when carrying concealed and doesn't pertain to home defense.

Actually, it is one of several exceptions that allow for lending a firearm.

Another exception is you can loan a firearm to someone in your home or place of business as long as the firearm stays at home/business.

Another exception is for use in HTE, NRA or other educational instruction.

So if you have a PA LTCF then you can borrow/lend a fireArm for just about anything.

(Edit for typo/spelling)

 

[ChuckS]

To summarize for OP.

Yes it is legal for you to carry/use your spouse's handgun.

Unlike some states, PA generally requires handgun transfers to go through a FFL. However transfers between spouses is an exception written in the statute. Additionally lending of a handgun can be done between those that have the PA LTCF (one of a few exceptions).

However, you need to understand PA gun 'registration.' PA by statute forbids gun registration. But the PA state police do run a 'sales database' scheme as a 'work-around.' Technically the courts have ruled the sales database is not registration because it does not include ALL handgun transfers (see between spouses above and a narrow few other exceptions) or to handguns brought by those moving into the state. The sales database is sometimes treated as a registry by some LEO's.

There are many documented instances where the handgun is run through the sales database by a LEO and confiscated because it didn't appear in the list. In one instance the HG was in the wife's name and the LEO refused to give it back to the OC and handed it to his wife, who was there with him.

So although it would be legal to carry someone else's HG under the stated exceptions, it may not be prudent in all cases. In most all encounters in much of the state it would not be a problem and in the OP's situation it makes sense but be cautious of your situation especially in the larger cities: Philly, Pittsburgh, Etc.

It's always good to have a backup; one is none, two is one...

Edit to add:
A good resource is www.pafoa.org at the top of the page is a link to 'reference library' that will take you to statutes and pertinent case law links specific to PA

Another good resource is handgunlaw.us