Mandatory Posting of Warning of Unlawful Transfer of Firearm.
Philadelphia Code § 9-646
in effect§ 9-646. Mandatory Posting of Warning of Unlawful Transfer of Firearm.
(1) A “Straw Purchase Warning Sign” is a posting in both English and Spanish containing the following information in black text, in no less than 30-point-sized Helvetica font, or similar-sized and styled typeface, against a fluorescent orange background, stating the following:
Warning! Are you here to buy a gun for someone who can’t buy one?
This is a crime punishable with up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Stop! Think before it’s too late and you become a criminal.
¡Atención! ¿Vino a comprar un arma para alguien que no puede comprarla?
Esto constituye un delito punible con hasta 10 años de prisión y una multa de $250,000.
¡Alto! Recapacite antes de que sea demasiado tarde y pase a ser un delincuente.
(2) Required Posting. All firearms dealers licensed by the City shall post and maintain a Straw Purchase Warning Sign in the following places, at the location designated in a firearms dealer license issued pursuant to 18 Pa. C.S. § 6113(a)(1).
(a) Within five (5) feet of the entrance to the premises at a location clearly visible to those entering the establishment;
(b) At or near the location where payment is received for purchases;
(c) At or near the entrance to the firearm range, if applicable; and
(d) At any other place where documents are completed by the purchaser in connection with the purchase.
(3) All Straw Purchaser Warning Signs must be clearly visible to all persons entering the establishment and purchasing a firearm.
(4) The Police Department shall make Straw Purchase Warning Signs available to licensed dealers free of charge.
(5) Notice of Violation.
(a) A licensee who violates the provisions of this Section shall be notified in writing of the nature of the violation, and shall be required to comply with the provisions of this Section within thirty (30) days of such notice.
(b) After the thirty (30) day notice period allowed for compliance has expired, each day that any licensee fails to comply with the requirements of this Section or fails to make the changes set forth in any notice of violation shall constitute a separate violation of this Section.
(6) A violation of this Section shall constitute a Class III Offense subject to a two thousand dollar ($2,000) fine. A violation of this Section shall not be subject to the provisions of subsections 1-112(3) and (4) or subsections 9-105(2) - (4) of this Code.
Notes
965.11 | Added, Bill No. 241057 (approved September 8, 2025). Enrolled bill numbered this as Section 9-640; renumbered by Code editor.
Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-308290Fetched: 10/27/2026