Over 4,000 Pennsylvanians were denied firearm purchases, and 22 were apprehended in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest state police numbers.
In the third quarter, a total of 261,405 Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) checks were processed, with 4,213 denied. Both numbers are up from the same period last year, with 251,732 PICS checks and 3,706 denials in the third quarter of 2024.
In Pennsylvania, county sheriffs, police chiefs, and licensed firearms dealers use the PICS to establish someone’s legal ability to get a gun license or purchase or transfer a firearm.
If any information is erroneous or thought to be faked, either the state police or a local police department will launch an investigation, which may result in felony charges.
Troopers reported that 910 of the denials were sent to law enforcement, 424 to PSP, and 426 to municipal law enforcement. Additionally, the ATF received 36 referrals.
In the third quarter, 22 persons were arrested at the point of purchase on warrants.
According to Pennsylvania law, a third-degree felony is committed if a person makes a false oral or written statement on any federal or state government document or deliberately presents false identification that is likely to deceive the seller, licensed dealer, or licensed manufacturer.