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

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

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

When an individual provides false information on a mandated form, an investigation is initiated by state police, and the investigation is referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency with jurisdiction when warranted.

During the PICS process, some individuals are also identified as having an active warrant for their arrest, and law enforcement is contacted by PICS, often resulting in the individual being apprehended at the point of purchase.

For the fourth quarter of 2025, investigations were initiated by the state police firearms division and referred to state police troops, municipal police departments or the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The fourth quarter statistics are as follows (2024 total in parentheses for comparison):

• PICS checks conducted — 298,637 (299,227).

• People denied — 3,204 (3,788).

• Denials referred to law enforcement agencies — 764 (1,181).

• Denials referred to state police — 268 (497).

• Denials referred to ATF authorities — 60 (21).

• People arrested for warrants at the point of purchase — 16 (32).