Pennsylvania Gun Laws

The rules and regulations surrounding firearms is in part based on federal laws, but a lot of it is left to each individual state.

Among the neighboring states, Pennsylvania has relatively more relaxed gun laws. Pennsylvania is a “shall-issue” state that issues concealed weapons licenses at county level by the sheriff’s office or chief of police in the city.

The rules and regulations surrounding firearms is in part based on federal laws, but a lot of it is left to each individual state. Among the neighboring states, Pennsylvania has relatively more relaxed gun laws. Pennsylvania is a “shall-issue” state that issues concealed weapons licenses at county level by the sheriff’s office or chief of police in the city.

Pennsylvania does not require its residents to obtain a permit when purchasing firearms. Although the state does not have a comprehensive firearms registration system, the Pennsylvania state police still maintain a database of all handgun buyers.

Private party transfers of handguns must be conducted through a licensed dealer or at a county sheriff’s office and the individual must go through a background check. However, these requirements are not applicable in the transfer of firearms between spouses, parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren.

Pennsylvania permits open carry of handguns for residents 18 years old and above who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. Conceal carry is only legal with a lawfully issued License to Carry Firearms (LCF) or a permit/license from a state that Pennsylvania honours for non-residents.

Unlike many other states, Pennsylvania does not require its applicants to go through firearms training when obtaining a carry license.

Self-Defense

Pennsylvania is a Castle Doctrine state with a stand your ground statute. The state does not require its residents to retreat to a place where they have the lawful right to be, and they can meet force with force when confronted with a deadly weapon.

According to Pennsylvania law, the use of force against another is justifiable if the person acted in self-defense and reasonably believes that the use of such force is necessary for the purpose of protecting him or herself against unlawful force by another.

The Use of Force for Property Protection

Pennsylvania permits the use of force when the person reasonably believes that such force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate unlawful entry to a land or tangible movable property.

The Use of Force for Self-Protection

Use of force is justifiable when the person believes that such force is necessary to protect him/herself or another against the use of unlawful force.

Deadly force is only justifiable when the person reasonably believes that it is necessary to protect him/herself or another against imminent death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping, or sexual assault. However, that cannot be said if the person knows that they can safely retreat without using such force or if he/she was the initial aggressor.

The person is presumed to have a reasonable belief that deadly force is necessary to protect him/herself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping, or sexual assault under the following conditions:

  • The other person is in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering a dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle
  • The other person is attempting and forcefully removing another against their will from a dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle.

Important Pennsylvania Gun Laws To Know

Does Pennsylvania allow constitutional carry?

No, the state of Pennsylvania does not allow constitutional carry by residents and non-residents.

Does Pennsylvania allow open carry of firearms?

Yes, Pennsylvania permits open carry of firearms without a license provided that the person is at least 18 years old and is legally entitled to possess a firearm.

However, it is worth noting that a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Darren Montgomery, 234 A.3d 523 (PA 2020) has created some uncertainty about the definition of open carry when the court ruled that a visible firearm is sometimes considered as a concealed firearm.

Does Pennsylvania allow conceal carry?

Yes, Pennsylvania permits conceal carry of handguns with a valid carry license.

Does Pennsylvania allow conceal carry weapons other than handguns?

Yes, concealed carry in Pennsylvania includes any pistol or revolver with a barrel length of fewer than 15 inches, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches, any rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches, or any pistol, revolver, rifle, and shotgun with an overall length of fewer than 26 inches.

The barrel length is determined from the muzzle of the barrel to the face of the closed action, bolt or cylinder.

Are we allowed to own a taser or stun gun in Pennsylvania?

Yes, stun guns and tasers are legal in Pennsylvania without a valid license/permit for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm.

Does Pennsylvania have restrictions on magazine capacity for handguns?

No, Pennsylvania does not have restrictions on handgun magazine capacity.

Does Pennsylvania have restrictions on ammunition?

Yes, it is illegal for any person to possess KTW Teflon-coated bullets or other armor-piercing ammunition.

Key State Laws

Does Pennsylvania impose a duty to inform a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed handgun?

No. Pennsylvania does not impose a duty to inform police officers that you’re carrying a concealed handgun unless asked.

Is The Pennsylvania carry license linked to a driver’s license?

Yes, the valid license is linked to your Pennsylvania driver’s license. This means that a police officer will be immediately notified that you’re a concealed carry handgun license holder when they run your driver’s license via the Pennsylvania instant check system.

Does Pennsylvania have pre-emption laws related to firearm concealed carry?

Yes, Pennsylvania reserves the authority to regulate firearms, except for local municipalities where they may regulate the discharge of firearms within cities boundaries.

Does Pennsylvania have a red flag law?

No. Pennsylvania does not have a red flag law.

Purchase and Possession of Handgun

Is a purchase permit required when buying a handgun in Pennsylvania?

No, Pennsylvania does not require a permit for a handgun purchase.

Are background checks required for purchasing a firearm?

No, background checks are not required for firearm purchase.

Do handguns need to be registered in Pennsylvania?

No, Pennsylvania does not require handgun registration.

Firearms Training Requirements

Pennsylvania law does not require applicants to undergo firearms safety training or be able to demonstrate knowledge of firearms safety when applying for a LCF.

Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) / Retired Law Enforcement Officers (RLEO)

LEOs and RLEOs are protected under the LEOSA (also referred to as HR 218.). Qualified LEOs and RLEOs are permitted to carry a concealed handgun in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of state or local laws.

Pennsylvania Firearm Carry Locations

Areas where Firearms are Permitted

  • Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
  • In a vehicle (with a permit).
  • Roadside rest areas.
  • State/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs
  • Places of worship (unless private property with a sign prohibiting firearms).

Off-limit Areas for Firearms

  • Buildings and grounds of elementary and secondary education schools and school buses.
  • Courthouses.
  • Detention facilities and correctional institutions.
  • Mental hospitals.
  • The public areas of One Penn Center, 2601 North Third Street, Harrisburg, are under the jurisdiction of the Department of State including the interior offices of the Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation, State Athletic Commission and leased offices and facilities related.
  • City of Philadelphia-owned buildings and parks.
  • Secured areas of airports.
  • Any place prohibited by federal laws, state law, or regulations.

Pennsylvania Concealed Carry License Information

The applicant for the valid license must:

  • Be 21 years old and above
  • Be a resident of the county the application is filed for at least 90 days
  • Not have a reputation indicating likely to act in a dangerous manner to public safety.
  • Not have been adjudicated delinquent for any offense under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act in the past 10 years.
  • Not have adjudicated delinquent of any crime which disqualifies individuals from firearm possession under Pennsylvania law in the past 10 years.
  • Not have been committed to a mental institution.
  • Not be an unlawful user of marijuana, stimulant, depressant or narcotic drug.
  • Not a habitual drunkard.
  • Not have been charged with a crime punishable by more than 1 year of imprisonment.
  • Not be an undocumented alien.
  • Not have been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces.
  • Not be a fugitive from justice.
  • Not prohibited from possessing, using, manufacturing, controlling, purchasing, selling or transferring a firearm as provided by Pennsylvania law.
  • Meet federal law requirements.

Fees: $20

Validity: 5 Years

Processing Time: 45 days

Application: https://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/3880/Application-for-a-Pennsylvania-License-to-Carry-Firearms—Form-SP-4-127-10-2012-?bidId=

Application Process for Pennsylvania Carry License

Step 1: Download the application or head to your local county sheriff’s office.

Step 2: Complete the application and include the following:

  • Reason for license application (self defense/ employment/ target shooting/ gun collection/ others)
  • Driver’s license or state ID
  • Two references that are not family members

Step 3: Wait for application status notification.

Renewal Process

Step 1: Renewals can be accepted 60 days in advance of your valid license expiring. The applicant with expired licenses of more than 60 days will be considered as new applicants.

Step 2: Schedule an appointment with the sheriff’s office to renew your handgun license. Download the application online or go to your county sheriff’s office to obtain an application.

Step 3: Submit the following documents:

  • Completed application form.
  • Expired handgun license.
  • Passport or naturalization paperwork for foreign-born U.S. Citizens applicants.
  • Immigration status and 90 days of proof of residency for non-U.S. citizens.
  • Driver’s license with current address.

Step 4: Wait for application status notification.

How Does Pennsylvania Reciprocity Work?

Pennsylvania has firearms reciprocity agreements with 19 states and can be read on the attorney general’s website. Non-resident CCW licenses are honored from states on Pennsylvania’s reciprocity list except for Arizona, Florida, Mississippi, Utah and Virginia.

Pennsylvania Conceal Carry Reciprocity With Other States

  • Alabama (21 years old & above)
  • Alaska
  • Arizona (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Arkansas (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Colorado (resident permits only)
  • Florida (handguns only and resident permits only)
  • Georgia (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Idaho (enhanced permits only and at least 21 years old and resident permits only)
  • Indiana (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Iowa (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Kansas (resident permits only)
  • Kentucky (resident permits only)
  • Louisiana (resident permits only)
  • Michigan (resident permits only)
  • Mississippi (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Missouri (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Montana (21 years old & above
  • New Hampshire (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • North Carolina (resident permits only)
  • North Dakota (Class 1 permits only and 21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Ohio (resident permits only)
  • Oklahoma (21 years old & above)
  • South Dakota (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Tennessee (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Texas (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Utah (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • West Virginia (21 years old & above and resident permits only)
  • Wisconsin (resident permits only)
  • Wyoming (21 years old & above)
  • Other States’ Reciprocity With Pennsylvania
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
  • Georgia
  • Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
  • Indiana
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
  • Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
  • New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
  • Vermont (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

States That Have Restricted Reciprocity with Pennsylvania

  • Arizona (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Alaska (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Colorado (resident permits only)
  • Florida (resident permits only)
  • Iowa (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Kansas (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Kentucky (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Maine (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Michigan (resident permits only)
  • Missouri (permitless carry, at least 19 years old, 18 for military)
  • North Dakota (resident permits only)
  • Oklahoma (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Tennessee (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Texas (permitless carry, at least 21 years old)
  • Utah (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • West Virginia (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)
  • Wyoming (permitless carry, 21 years old & above)

Permitless Carry States

  • Alaska PC-21
  • Arizona PC-21
  • Arkansas PC-18
  • Idaho PC-18
  • Iowa PC-21
  • Kansas PC-21
  • Kentucky PC-21
  • Maine (permits recognized; see Maine Reciprocity section for details or PC-21)
  • Mississippi PC-18
  • Missouri PC-19
  • Montana PC-18
  • New Hampshire PC-18
  • North Dakota PC-18 for residents only
  • Oklahoma PC-21
  • South Dakota PC-18
  • Tennessee PC-21
  • Texas PC-21
  • Utah PC-21
  • VermontPC-18
  • West Virginia PC-21
  • Wyoming PC-21

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