Amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new Chapter entitled "Firearms Dealers," requiring certain licensing of persons who sell firearms, under certain terms and conditions.

“Firearm” means any weapon which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or the expansion of gas therein, including but not limited to any rifle, revolver, pistol or shotgun.

No person who does not have a valid firearms dealer license issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections shall sell a firearm.

The Department shall issue annual firearms dealer licenses and may adopt regulations regarding the issuance of such licenses under this Chapter.

Application Requirements. Applications for a firearms dealer license shall be made on forms to be supplied by the Department. No license shall be issued unless the applicant:

provides the Department with a copy of the applicant’s business privilege license and tax identification number;

pays a non-refundable annual application fee of $150.00;

demonstrates possession of all applicable state and federal licenses; and

complies with any additional requirements imposed by the Department by regulation.

An applicant shall be disqualified from receiving a license if the Department establishes good cause. Good cause for disqualification may be based on any combination of the following:

an unusual incidence of firearms used in connection with crimes, or possessed unlawfully, that were originally purchased from the licensee, as determined by firearms trace data;

an unusual incidence of crime associated with the licensee, such as thefts of firearms from the licensee;

the licensee’s conviction of a felony, crime of fraud or dishonesty or a crime involving a firearm; or

revocation of any other required license or permit.

The Department may suspend or revoke a license for good cause, as set forth in Section 9-3105.

Any person who violates this Chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this Chapter shall have committed a Class III offense and be subject to the fines set forth in subsection 1-109(3) of The Philadelphia Code or to imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or to both.

The Department is authorized to issue Cease Operations Orders directing that any violation of this Chapter cease immediately, pursuant to the procedures and requirements set forth in Section A-505 of Title 4 of this Code.