§ 2503. Loaded firearms in vehicles.
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to have a firearm of any kind in or on or against any conveyance propelled by mechanical power or its attachments at any time whether or not the vehicle or its attachment is in motion unless the firearm is unloaded.
(b) Exceptions.--This section shall not be construed to apply to:
(1) A police officer engaged in the performance of his official duty.
(2) A commission officer engaged in the performance of his duty.
(3) A person carrying a loaded pistol or revolver when in possession of a valid firearms license issued by the chief or head of any police force or the sheriff of a county when the license is issued for protection under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 Subch. A (relating to Uniform Firearms Act).
(4) Any person as defined in section 2121(c) (relating to killing game or wildlife to protect property) while on lands they control and when not hunting or trapping for game or wildlife.
(5) Any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached or any sailboat if the motor has been completely shut off or the sail furled and its progress therefrom has ceased.
(6) Any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits).
The exceptions in paragraphs (1) through (5) do not apply when attempting to locate game or wildlife with an artificial light or when exercising any privileges granted by this title which may be exercised only when not in the possession of a firearm.
(c) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree if the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the violation is a summary offense of the fifth degree.
(Mar. 29, 1996, P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days)
2022 Correction. The Legislative Reference Bureau removed language that was erroneously added in subsec. (a).
1996 Amendments. Acts 13 and 184 amended subsec. (b).
§ 2504. Shooting on or across highways.
(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person to shoot at any game or wildlife while it is on a public highway or on a highway open to use or used by the public or to shoot across a public highway or a highway or roadway open to use or used by the public unless the line of fire is high enough above the elevation of the highway to preclude any danger to the users of the highway. It shall be unlawful for any person, after alighting from a motor vehicle being driven on or stopped on or along a public highway or road open to public travel, to shoot at any wild bird or wild animal while the person doing the shooting is within 25 yards of the traveled portion of the public highway or road open to public travel.
(b) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.
§ 2505. Safety zones.
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title or to any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits), it is unlawful for any person, other than the lawful occupant, while hunting game or wildlife, taking furbearers of any kind, or pursuing any other privilege granted by this title, to hunt for, take, trap, pursue, disturb or otherwise chase any game or wildlife or to discharge, for any reason, any firearm, arrow or other deadly weapon within or through a safety zone, or to shoot at any game or wildlife while it is within the safety zone without the specific advance permission of the lawful occupant thereof.
(b) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500. A second or subsequent offense within two calendar years is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.
(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "safety zone" means:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), the area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or camp occupied by human beings, or any barn, stable, or other building used in connection therewith or any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center.
(2) When applied to properly licensed persons hunting with bow and arrow or crossbow and persons properly licensed for falconry, the area within 50 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any occupied dwelling house, residence or other building or camp occupied by human beings or any barn, stable or other building used in connection therewith and the area within 150 yards around and that area which is below the highest point of any attached or detached playground of any school, nursery school or day-care center.
(Nov. 25, 1988, P.L.1082, No.125, eff. imd.; Mar. 29, 1996, P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days; June 28, 2002, P.L.474, No.79, eff. 60 days; June 23, 2004, P.L.435, No.43, eff. July 1, 2004; July 9, 2008, P.L.920, No.65, eff. imd.)
2008 Amendment. Act 65 amended subsec. (c)(2).
Cross References. Section 2505 is referred to in section 2741 of this title.
§ 2506. Prohibitions within burial grounds.
(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person at any time to hunt, take or trap game or wildlife of any kind or to discharge any firearm or other deadly weapon into or within, or to dress out game or wildlife within, any cemetery or other burial grounds.
(b) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.
§ 2507. Restrictions on shooting.
(a) General rule.--It is unlawful for any person during the open season for the taking of any big game other than turkey to:
(1) Shoot at any mark or target other than legal game or wildlife with a firearm of any kind or a bow and arrow.
(2) Discharge at any time any firearm or release an arrow at random in the general direction of any game or wildlife not plainly visible for the purpose of routing or frightening them.
(3) Discharge at any time any firearm or release an arrow at random or in any other manner contrary to this section.
(b) Exceptions.--This section shall not be construed to apply in any manner to:
(1) The discharge of any firearm for the sole purpose of signaling for aid or assistance while in distress.
(2) The use of rifle, pistol or archery ranges owned, leased or maintained by a State or Federal military or police organization or by any regularly organized rifle, pistol, shotgun or archery range, shooting association or club while shooting at a regularly established and properly safeguarded range or to any public shooting exhibition properly safeguarded and conducted under the direction of any organization for the promotion of marksmanship.
(3) The discharge of a muzzle-loading firearm at a proper target for the purpose of safe transportation of the muzzle-loaded firearm.
(4) Shooting at a properly constructed target or mark or a dead tree protected by a natural or artificial barrier so that the ball, bullet or arrow cannot travel more than 15 yards beyond the target aimed at, after making due allowance for deflection in any direction not to exceed an angle of 45 degrees. Target shooting shall only be lawful when it is done:
(i) Upon property owned by the shooter or by a guest of the property owner.
(ii) Within 200 yards of the camp or other headquarters where the person shooting is quartered or is an invited guest or visitor.
(c) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.
§ 2508. Protection of institutions, parks and resorts.
(a) General rule.--Subject to the posting requirements of subsection (b), it is unlawful for any person to hunt for or take any game or wildlife or to discharge a firearm or bow of any description into or upon any of the following areas:
(1) The lands, waters or premises of any public or private hospital or sanatorium or health care facility.
(2) The lands, waters or premises of any park or resort set aside for the use of the public where people may congregate in the open for health, recreation or pleasure.
(3) The lands, waters or premises of any publicly owned institution where people are hospitalized, quartered or incarcerated at public expense.
(b) Posting boundaries.--The boundaries of the lands, waters or premises set forth in subsection (a) shall be clearly defined by appropriate posters or markers calling attention to the fact that the land or water within the boundary has been set apart for the specific purpose for which it was intended and that hunting upon or shooting on the property is prohibited. No privileges shall be granted by those owning or operating the posted lands or waters to any other person to hunt for any game or wildlife upon the property; nor shall the person or persons owning or in charge of the lands be eligible to hunt for any game or wildlife on the lands or waters.
(c) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to:
(1) Any properly constructed and designated pistol, rifle, shotgun or archery range upon the lands of a hospital, sanatorium, park, resort or other institution.
(2) Any part of the lands of any hospital, sanatorium, park, resort or institution which lie outside of the posted areas and are open to the public for hunting.
(d) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.
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