At The McShane Firm, we are dedicated to defending the rights of individuals facing legal challenges. In recent news, a federal appeals court decision in Pennsylvania has highlighted the importance of upholding Second Amendment rights for young adults. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the ruling and emphasize that the vast majority of young gun… Read more
In Pennsylvania, homicide is the act of one person causing the death of another. While all homicide cases involve the taking of a life, they are not all equal under the law. Pennsylvania law recognizes several degrees of homicide, each with its own set of criteria and penalties. First-Degree Murder: First-degree murder is the most… Read more
The United States has a long history of gun ownership and firearms have become a part of the country’s cultural identity. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in gun ownership and firearm sales. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 handgun model sales in America and discuss the crime… Read more
The ATF Form 4473 is a document that is used in the United States for background checks on individuals who are attempting to purchase a firearm. The form is required for all gun purchases from licensed dealers, and it contains important information about the buyer, including their name, address, and criminal history. In this blog… Read more
The Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is a system that is used by licensed firearms dealers in Pennsylvania to conduct instant background checks on individuals who are attempting to purchase a firearm. The system is designed to prevent individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from purchasing them, and it contains a wealth of information… Read more
The Pennsylvania Instant Record Check System (PIRCS) (PICS) is a database that is used by the Pennsylvania State Police to conduct instant background checks on individuals who are attempting to purchase firearms in the state. The system contains a wealth of information about potential gun buyers, including criminal history records and mental health commitment records…. Read more
Are warning shots a good idea? This is a common question we get. The answer in Pennsylvania is NO! In Pennsylvania, the term “warning shots” is nowhere in the Pennsylvania statutes. You won’t find a statute saying that warning shots are prohibited and you won’t find a statute defining what a warning shot is. However,… Read more
Two popular forms of self-defense are stun guns or electric incapacity devices also known as tasers and number two is OC spray or pepper spray. Let’s talk about each one of them in regards to the laws in PA. When it comes to stun guns, at first blush it’s going to look like in Pennsylvania… Read more
So how do bad guys, who are prohibited from getting guns, end up getting guns? Some of the most common ways are: By stealing them Purchasing them on the black market Straw purchases A straw purchase is when someone who would pass PICS (Pennsylvania instant check system) goes and buys a firearm and turns around… Read more
There are always a number of questions when someone inherits a firearm. We will try to address the three most common questions. Do I have to register the firearm I inherited? Here is a question we get asked a lot, “Unfortunately, someone passed away and I’m inheriting their firearm. How do I register it in… Read more