How long do I have to appeal a license denial or revocation?

Section 6109 sets specific statutory deadlines for appealing either a denial or a revocation, and missing that window can forfeit the right to challenge the decision, so it's worth acting quickly once you receive written notice.

Can a pending charge cause my license to be denied or revoked?

Yes, a pending charge can factor into either a denial of a new application or a revocation of an existing license, depending on the nature of the charge and how the sheriff or PSP evaluates it under § 6109.

What's the difference between a sheriff's decision and a PICS denial?

A sheriff's decision under § 6109 concerns the license to carry itself, while a PICS denial under § 6111.1 concerns a specific firearm transfer background check; the two systems can overlap but have separate challenge procedures.

If my license is revoked, do I also lose the right to possess firearms I already own?

Not automatically, but a revocation often coincides with circumstances — like a qualifying conviction or protective order — that can independently trigger a § 6105 possession disability, so both issues need to be evaluated together.

Can I reapply for a license after being denied?

In many cases yes, particularly if the disqualifying issue is resolved or was based on inaccurate information, though it's worth addressing the underlying reason for the denial before reapplying rather than simply resubmitting the same application.

Does a protective order automatically revoke my license to carry?

A qualifying protective order can support both a license revocation under § 6109 and a broader firearms possession disability, so the order's specific terms and duration matter to how the situation is handled.

Who decides my appeal — a court or the sheriff?

Appeals under § 6109 proceed through the statutory court process rather than being decided by the same sheriff who issued the denial or revocation, giving you an independent review of the decision.

Compare · LTC Denial vs. Revocation

Losing a license you never had and losing one you already carried are two different legal problems.

Section 6109 governs both ends of Pennsylvania's license-to-carry process: it sets the character-and-reputation standard a county sheriff applies when deciding whether to issue a new license, and it sets out the separate grounds and procedure for revoking a license someone already holds. A denial happens at the application stage, before you've ever carried under that license, while a revocation happens after issuance, often because something changed — a new charge, a protective order, or information the sheriff didn't have before. Both situations can be appealed, but the practical posture is different: a denial usually means building the record to show you meet the standard, while a revocation usually means responding to a specific triggering event and, often, an active § 6105 firearms disability that needs to be addressed at the same time as the license question.

(717) 724-7503 Schedule a consultation

The short answer

License denial

A denial occurs when the county sheriff reviews a new or renewal application under § 6109 and determines the applicant doesn't meet the character-and-reputation standard, or that a specific statutory disqualifier applies — this can include a criminal record, a pending charge, a history of certain mental health commitments, or other information the sheriff finds in the background check. The sheriff must provide the reason for denial in writing, and § 6109 sets out a specific appeal timeline and process to challenge that decision. Because the applicant never had a license in the first place, the practical fight is usually about whether the sheriff's stated reason is accurate, whether it's actually disqualifying under the statute, or whether discretionary character-and-reputation findings were applied unfairly.

License revocation

A revocation occurs when a sheriff (or, in some circumstances, the Pennsylvania State Police through the PICS system) determines that a person who already holds a valid license to carry no longer qualifies — most often because of a new arrest or conviction, an active protective order, or newly discovered information that would have supported a denial had it been known at the time of issuance. Revocation is also governed by § 6109's procedures, including notice and appeal rights, but a revocation often coincides with an active or developing § 6105 firearms disability, meaning the license question and the broader question of whether you can lawfully possess any firearm at all may need to be addressed together rather than as two separate issues.

License denial vs. License revocation — Pennsylvania comparison
What matters	License denial	License revocation
When it happens	At the application or renewal stage, before any license is issued	After a license is already held and in effect
Governing statute	§ 6109's character-and-reputation issuance standard	§ 6109's separate revocation grounds and procedure
Typical trigger	Criminal record, pending charge, or background-check finding at application	New arrest, conviction, protective order, or newly discovered disqualifying information
Notice requirement	Sheriff must provide a written reason for denial	Sheriff or PSP must provide written notice of the revocation and its basis
Appeal process	Statutory appeal under § 6109 challenging the denial	Statutory appeal under § 6109 challenging the revocation
Related firearms possession issue	Generally doesn't affect other firearms already lawfully possessed	Often coincides with a § 6105 possession disability requiring separate attention
Practical focus of the challenge	Whether the stated disqualifier is accurate or actually applies under the statute	Whether the triggering event genuinely creates a disqualifying condition, and how long it lasts
Interaction with PICS	Erroneous PICS-based denials can be challenged through § 6111.1's separate procedure	PICS-flagged information can also prompt or support a revocation

Scroll the table horizontally to compare every column. Statutory maximums are ceilings, not expected outcomes[1]. Nothing on this page is a prediction about a specific case.

Which one fits your case.

When a denial is really a records problem

A surprising number of denials trace back to inaccurate or outdated background-check information rather than an actual disqualifying event, and § 6111.1 provides a specific challenge process for a PICS-based error that's separate from, but related to, a § 6109 denial appeal.

When a revocation needs to be handled alongside a possession issue

If the revocation followed a new charge or protective order, there's often a live question about whether § 6105 also now bars you from possessing any firearm at all, not just carrying one under a license — and that broader question needs to be addressed at the same time as the license appeal itself.

What we look at first

I request the sheriff's or PSP's written basis for the denial or revocation, compare it against the specific standards in § 6109, and check whether a PICS error under § 6111.1 or an inaccurate record is actually driving the decision.

What you should not do

Don't miss the statutory appeal window for either a denial or a revocation — both run on specific timelines under § 6109 — and don't assume a revocation is permanent without reviewing whether the underlying triggering event has since resolved or can be challenged.

Frequently asked questions.

Common questions about ltc denial vs. revocation in Pennsylvania.

Section 6109 sets specific statutory deadlines for appealing either a denial or a revocation, and missing that window can forfeit the right to challenge the decision, so it's worth acting quickly once you receive written notice.
Yes, a pending charge can factor into either a denial of a new application or a revocation of an existing license, depending on the nature of the charge and how the sheriff or PSP evaluates it under § 6109.
A sheriff's decision under § 6109 concerns the license to carry itself, while a PICS denial under § 6111.1 concerns a specific firearm transfer background check; the two systems can overlap but have separate challenge procedures.
Not automatically, but a revocation often coincides with circumstances — like a qualifying conviction or protective order — that can independently trigger a § 6105 possession disability, so both issues need to be evaluated together.
In many cases yes, particularly if the disqualifying issue is resolved or was based on inaccurate information, though it's worth addressing the underlying reason for the denial before reapplying rather than simply resubmitting the same application.
A qualifying protective order can support both a license revocation under § 6109 and a broader firearms possession disability, so the order's specific terms and duration matter to how the situation is handled.
Appeals under § 6109 proceed through the statutory court process rather than being decided by the same sheriff who issued the denial or revocation, giving you an independent review of the decision.

[1]18 Pa.C.S. § 6105 — Persons not to possess firearms — enumerated convictions, including certain assault offenses and active protective orders, bar firearm possession.
[2]18 Pa.C.S. § 6109 — Licenses to carry firearms — sheriff issuance, character-and-reputation denial standard, appeal of a denial or revocation, and reciprocity agreements under § 6109(k).
[3]18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.1 — Pennsylvania State Police administration of the instant-check system, including the challenge procedure for an erroneous PICS denial.
[4]18 Pa.C.S. § 6119 — Violation penalty — the default grading provision for Uniform Firearms Act offenses without their own stated grade.

Statutes are summarized for public reference. Confirm current text at palegis.us. This page is attorney advertising, not legal advice.

Free Consultation

The sooner we talk, the more we can do.

Every hour matters in a DUI or criminal case. Call directly and speak with Attorney Quinlan — not an intake desk.