Mrs. ScotP7 and I currently live in Maryland.
We have long thought that we would head to Florida as I have been winding work down.

But as we get closer to pulling the trigger, the fact that our kids and grandkids live in New York and Connecticut, we hesitate and think of staying closer. (Yeah, I know - but otherwise we did a good job and they are really really good and wise kids…).

We still want to depart MD, and have thought of DE or PA.

For those of you who might know, what are gun laws like in PA and DE in regard to magazine restrictions, suppressors, banning, or otherwise? (Maryland is actually - currently - ok re those issues. You can’t buy / transfer possession of a standard capacity magazine in MD, but you can possess them. Works fine.)

Any other wise thoughts about DE and PA in regard to retirement anre appreciated.

Many thanks,
Scott

quote:

Originally posted by ScotP7:

Any other wise thoughts about DE and PA in regard to retirement anre appreciated.

Delaware's gun laws are going in the wrong direction (magazine limitations, evil-feature bans, not NFA friendly) and while they might be turned around on appeal, for now they're bad. Like many states that should be solidly red, they're blued-out by New Castle County (Wilmington and environs; a depressed urban area surrounded by wealthy people who feel guilty about not being in depressed, urban Wilmington). Pensions/retirement income are "partly taxable."

Pennsylvania: Gun-friendly for now. Handgun transfers do need to go through an FFL, and there's no NICS exception for permits (which are shall-issue) but otherwise not burdensome. NFA-friendly. Castle doctrine. Retirement income (pensions, SS, 401K distrbutions, etc) are untaxed. The suburban counties, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Scranton have gone increasingly red and "positive" migration would do us some good.

We came to PA from NJ when retirement was on my horizon-- for exactly those reasons-- and have been very happy.

I have an app called Legal Heat. It continually updates each state according to gun laws.

For PA, you need a permit to CCW. No red flag laws. no magazine capacity laws. Can carry in alcohol establishments. Can open carry. No Weapons signs are not enforced by law. NFA wapons allowd. No duty to retreat. Do not have to inform police when carrying.

While PA is rated 4 stars out of 5 for gun rights, DE is 2 stars. Must have a permit to CCW. They have red flag laws. No NFA Weapons allowed. Quasi duty to retreat. Must inform police if asked. Everything else is the same as PA.

I never considered either one as a retirement place. We considered FL but scratched it off due to the regular hurricanes(?) plus it was fucking hot and humid when we visited. I remembered sweating immediately after coming out of the shower when I was stationed in Orlando.

Even though I was born and raised in Delaware, and still have a family member there, I would not return. The state over the decades has gone from a solidly Republican to a solidly Democratic crime, with all that implies. Yes, some opt to retire in the two southern counties, Kent and Sussex. I understand the beach resorts are overbuilt and very costly, not to mention that the quality medical care is in New Castle County, which is heavily Democratic. Good luck with your relocation.

Thank you for the very helpful replies and perspective.

I kind of thought those things about DE, but wasn’t sure. And PA sounds more positive than I had thought it was headed. Just the kind of info I was looking for.

I couldn’t find Legal Heat, but will look at things similar to it.

AZ? So many good things. I lived in northern AZ for a year long ago and loved it. But too far from the kiddos, I fear. (And wife might veto anyway. In fact, not long after I had lived near Flagstaff, before we got married, she and I took a long road trip including through AZ. Rolling through the open lands, I said “Just think, we could be here in three years!” She: “YOU could be here in three years…”)

Thanks all.

Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina.

Tennessee repealed its Hall tax, so there’s no personal income tax even on investment income.

I think it’s smart to consider kids & grandkids. I know about 5 relatives that moved from MI to FL, or similar, only to move back 5-8 years later.

Most of their relatives, kids & familiarity was up North.

If you have some coin, nothing prevents you from bugging out during the coldest times. As one would surmise, plenty of options beside FL.

I don’t know the best State over that way.

quote:

Originally posted by ScotP7:

I couldn’t find Legal Heat, but will look at things similar to it.

https://handgunlaw.us is a great website, will probably give you all the information you need.

If you're basing a move strictly on gun laws, PA would be a better bet. Avoid places like Philly or any larger urban area and it's mostly a middle to conservative state.
DE, no way for that and other reasons.
I moved from the NE area a few decades ago to the south east and would never go back.
Besides the politics, cost of living, quality of life etc. are so much better elsewhere, not to mention the weather.
If I was doing it again I'd visit the mountainous areas of North and South Carolina or Georgia. Another area would be western part of Virginia around Roanoke.
The Interstates are an easy trip to New York and Connecticut from there, depending exactly where you're going.

Delaware has tax free shopping and.... well nothing that would make me ever want to go back.

PA is one of the most gun friendly states there is. I used to joke that the longest part of getting my LTCF (License To Carry Firearms), our official term for carry permit, was finding a parking spot at the county courthouse.

There’s only 3 places you cannot carry a gun here:

Military/Federal/Govt installations
Courthouses
Primary schools

No silly magazine restrictions here at all.

Very hunter friendly too if that’s your thing, we have a lot of areas you can hunt.

Scot--De or PA is still a 5+ hr drive to CT/NY.
New Haven is the hub for Avelo Airlines--they fly the east coast to smaller airports.
Westchester airport has Breeze airlines--another newcomer to the industry which also fly's to smaller airports.
Retirement needs: fixed income, 1 floor living, weather, high level medical care, gun friendly and a small regional airport to fly in and out .

Thanks all.

PASig - I had not realized PA was quite so positive (as compared to MD anyway). Thanks. I had feared it was headed the way of DE.

Sigfourme - Yes, some of those one-floor and airport issues are figuring into our thinking as well, and practically are probably more important. We are looking at relatively eastern PA areas where we could drive to Brooklyn and to SE CT in about three-four hours.

Thank you for the handgunlaws website.

220-9er - The areas of W NC, western VA, and eastern TN I like very much, but may be a bit far for us (and especially the Mrs.).

Sourdough 44 - You probably hit the nail on the head, and the family worry. I am a bit more adventurous, but a connection to where one moves may prove important.

I appreciate the thoughtful perspectives.

PA > DE regards to gun laws. Taxes, I believe DE is better (no sales tax, not sure about retirement).

Not sure where in CT or NY you'll have to go to visit family but moving to between Allentown and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will get you to a few hour drive to CT and NY.

If you don't mind a longer drive then there is Lancaster/York area.

I have family on PA/had a farm there until a few years ago.

Honestly, York/Lancaster County would be great places to raise kids - weathers not great - but I’m not sure about retirement.

The ice/snow become more and more of a problem for my family members as they age.

A heated driveway/sidewalk, and attached climate controlled garage could address much of that.

Regarding PA -

* Is a “Shall issue” state for LTCF
* LTCF’s are issued by the Sheriff of the county you reside in.
* You will need three referrals that are not family on your LTCF application.
* Some Sheriff offices will issue the LTCF while you wait, but most others will mail it to you within a few weeks.
* The cost of an LTCF is capped at $35 (I think) and is valid for five years.
* “Open carry” is permitted, even without an LTCF, but only if the person is not restricted from possessing a firearm.
* If one is open carrying without an LTCF and then enters a vehicle, the weapon is now considered ‘concealed’ and must be separated from the individual and put away.
* The transfer/sale of long guns between lawful individuals is permitted/legal in a face-to-face, non-FFL transfer, on the conditions that - the seller is the legal owner of the firearm, both the seller and buyer are permanent residents of PA, neither are under some ‘restriction’ status. Often a seller will ask to see the DL and an LTCF of the buyer as a condition of sale. Does not apply to full-auto firearms and/or suppressors.
* Some LGS’ offer their shop as a ‘safe’ neutral zone to conduct this type of sale.
* PA has strengthened our ‘Castle Doctrine’ laws (~15 years ago or so) to eliminate ‘the duty to retreat’ requirement, even in your own home, and cleaning up some other vague aspects of the laws in this regard.

PAFOA -

https://forum.pafoa.org/forum.php

is a good forum, and the “Laws and Politics” section may be of particular interest for you to learn more.

PA is a nice state and has a lot to offer depending on what ‘lifestyle’ you are looking for.

Lots of nice outdoor shooting clubs / ranges too!

Good luck!

Rob

More great info.

Kx90 - Yes, the area between Allentown and Scranton is in the mix. I just don’t know too much about it. Have spent some time around the DE Water Gap, so the area (very approximately) around E. Stroudsburg has been on the radar.

Aglifter - Yes, York and Lancaster areas are God’s country. Almost moved around there for work a few years ago, and have often traveled there since I’ve grown up in Maryland. Looking for some water - at least a really big pond or lake… It might be a little far. Still not sure.

Cookster - Great detail on gun laws. Re the three references. Good point. Maryland has that, too. Not a terrible thing. Do they have to be PA residents? I do like the idea of local (vs state) decision making. I got my first carry permit, in of all places, in MA in 1982. I moved there for work, had to get a license to just purchase (and maybe even possess?) guns, so had to speak to the town chief of police. He insisted (coming from MD I hadn’t even thought to bring it up) that because of my work I needed the version of the license that was concealed carry! Even the guys who interview you in the Maryland State Police are great, but nothing beats local.

Re things like heated sidewalks / driveways, sourdough’s comments on proximity to family, and sigfourme’s mention of one floor living. Yes, as we age, sigforume’s mention of proximity to medical care also sadly should play into things.

Thanks everyone.

The LTCF is not really a local or state decision, as regardless of the county the background check runs off of the NICS and PICS databases, so as long as u r gtg there and do not have any PFA orders or anything they “shall issue” the LTCF to you.

Here is the PA application for the LTCF (link to Lehigh County) -

https://www.lehighcounty.org/P...gl0fXXc2L9f9Uw%3d%3d

O.K., so only TWO non-family referrals are required, and no stipulation on their state of residency.

quote:

Originally posted by Cookster:
The LTCF is not really a local or state decision, as regardless of the county the background check runs off of the NICS and PICS databases, so as long as u r gtg there and do not have any PFA orders or anything they “shall issue” the LTCF to you.

Here is the PA application for the LTCF (link to Lehigh County) -

https://www.lehighcounty.org/P...gl0fXXc2L9f9Uw%3d%3d

O.K., so only TWO non-family referrals are required, and no stipulation on their state of residency.

Thanks much.

I might have you consider New Hampshire ? Good gun owner atmosphere pretty close to NY and CT.

I beat feet from NY to AZ 9 years ago, and my only regret is not doing it sooner!