What constitutes "carrying a firearm without a license" in Pennsylvania?

Carrying a firearm without a license in Pennsylvania specifically refers to possessing a firearm in public without the required permit. Pennsylvania law mandates that individuals must obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm for it to be legal to possess a firearm in public places. This means that if a person is in public and has a firearm without this license, they are in violation of the law.

The other scenarios described do not constitute carrying a firearm without a license. For instance, having a firearm secured in a vehicle or transporting a firearm in a locked case may be legal under certain conditions, as these situations often involve specific regulations around transportation and storage that do not require a permit. Similarly, carrying a firearm on private property typically falls under different legal considerations, where the owner of the property can set their own rules regarding firearms. Thus, the key point is that public possession without a permit is the defining factor for this violation.