The Pennsylvania State Police has announced the number of firearms purchase denials and subsequent investigations for the first quarter of 2025.

The Pennsylvania Instant Check System is used by county sheriffs, chiefs of police of first-class cities and licensed firearms dealers to determine an individual’s legal ability to acquire a license to carry firearms or obtain a firearm through a purchase or transfer.

When an individual attempts to provide false information on a state and/or federal form, an investigation is initiated, and an investigation referral is sent to the corresponding law enforcement agency.

According to Pennsylvania law, a person commits a third-degree felony if they make a false oral or written statement on any federal or state agency form or willfully present false identification that is likely to deceive the seller, licensed dealer or licensed manufacturer.

During the PICS process, some people are identified as having an active warrant for their arrest as well.

For the first quarter, the following investigations were initiated by the state police Firearms Division and referred to local troops, municipal police departments and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for further investigation and possible prosecution (2024 comparison in parentheses):

PICS checked, 261,878 (287,645); people denied, 3,811 (3,776); denials referred to law enforcement agencies, 1,152 (2,456); referred to state police, 493 (971); referred to local law enforcement, 547 (1,358); referred to ATF, 112 (127); people arrested for a warrant at point of purchase, 28 (22).