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Firearms

To recover your firearm(s) from the Lancaster Township Police Department, there are certain procedures and laws that must be followed prior to returning your firearm(s) to you.  The process to return your firearm is listed below and can take 7-10 business days to complete.

  1. Complete the In-State or Out-of-State Request for Return of Firearms and Disclaimer Form.  These forms are found at the bottom of this page.  PDF reader: The original PDF solution | Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download the forms.
  2. Your personal information will be entered into the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) to determine if you are eligible to possess a firearm.
  3. The firearm(s) will be entered into the ATF eTrace database to verify ownership of firearm if ownership cannot be independently verified.
  4. The firearm(s) will be checked to ensure it is not stolen.
  5. You will be sent a letter from the Evidence Custodian to inform you that you are/are not eligible to recover your firearm(s) and provide you with instructions on how to recover your firearm(s).

If you fail any of the required checks, the transfer cannot take place, and the Lancaster Township Police Department shall retain custody of the firearm(s).  You have the right to challenge the failed check(s), sell or transfer the firearm(s) to another eligible person who is not a member of your household, or relinquish the firearm(s) to the Department to be destroyed.

If your firearm(s) were seized due to a criminal law violation, contact your attorney to discuss your options.

If your firearm(s) were seized because of a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order, contact the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office - PFA Unit for further information.

NOTE: The Lancaster Township Police Department does not keep, use, or sell seized firearms.  Firearms that are not held as evidence or cannot be transferred to the owner are destroyed.

EVIDENCE CUSTODIAN

Det. Josh Whiteside

jwhiteside@lancastertownshippolice.org 

717-892-5873, ext. 109


FURTHER INFORMATION

Firearms Township Ordinance: https://ecode360.com/13002904

Pennsylvania Laws and Regulations: Firearms | State Police | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Lancaster County Sheriff, Firearms Unit: FIREARMS UNIT - LICENSE TO CARRY PERMIT/LICENSE TO SELL | Lancaster County, PA - Official Website

Lancaster County Sheriff, PFA Unit: PROTECTION FROM ABUSE/ACT 79 UNIT | Lancaster County, PA - Official Website


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