Pennsylvania State Police have announced the number of firearms purchase denials and subsequent investigations for the past three months of 2023.

The Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is used by county sheriffs, and licenses firearms dealers to determine an individual's legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms. 

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 information to deceive a license firearms dealer. 

The following investigations were initiated by the PSP Firearms Division: 

Table 1: Second quarter PICS statistics

 

2022

2023

PICS checks conducted

295,003

268,445

Persons denied

4,973

3,919

Denials Referred to law enforcement agencies

1,592

2,017

Referred to Pennsylvania State Police

399

464

Referred to municipal law enforcement

1,114

1,398

Referred to ATF

79

155

Individuals arrested for a warrant at point of purchase

16

29

More information can be found on PSP's website.