Pennsylvania Gun Laws

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Constitutional Carry No
Open Carry Lawful in public.
Permit honored in 31 states
Pennsylvania honors 29 states

Pennsylvania Gun Laws

Reciprocity of Pennsylvania's Basic Resident Permit

Alaska: Permit honoredAlabama: Permit honoredArkansas: Permit honoredArizona: Permit honoredCalifornia: Permit not honoredColorado: Permit honoredConnecticut: Permit not honoredDistrict of Columbia: Permit not honoredDelaware: Permit not honoredFlorida: Permit honoredGeorgia: Permit honoredHawaii: Permit not honoredIowa: Permit honoredIdaho: Permit honoredIllinois: Permit not honoredIndiana: Permit honoredKansas: Permit honoredKentucky: Permit honoredLouisiana: Permit honoredMassachusetts: Permit not honoredMaryland: Permit not honoredMaine: Permitless carryMichigan: Permit honoredMinnesota: Permit not honoredMissouri: Permit honoredMississippi: Permit honoredMontana: Permit honoredNorth Carolina: Permit honoredNorth Dakota: Permit honoredNebraska: Permitless carryNew Hampshire: Permit honoredNew Jersey: Permit not honoredNew Mexico: Permit not honoredNevada: Permit not honoredNew York: Permit not honoredOhio: Permit honoredOklahoma: Permit honoredOregon: Permit not honoredPennsylvania (current state)Rhode Island: Permit not honoredSouth Carolina: Permitless carrySouth Dakota: Permit honoredTennessee: Permit honoredTexas: Permit honoredUtah: Permit honoredVirginia: Permit honoredVermont: Permit honoredWashington: Permit not honoredWisconsin: Permit honoredWest Virginia: Permit honoredWyoming: Permit honored AKALARAZCACOCTDCDEFLGAHIIAIDILINKSKYLAMAMDMEMIMNMOMSMTNCNDNENHNJNMNVNYOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVAVTWAWIWVWY
Permit honored Permitless carry Not honored

Open Carry

Lawful in public.

No permit required to open carry in public but you must have a permit to open carry in a vehicle. Philadelphia's open carry ban was struck down by a court in 2025.
Partial

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

Not required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested.
Permitted

State Parks

Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry
Permitted

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

No restrictions
Permitted

Firearms at Colleges

No general firearms prohibition that applies to colleges and universities in PA. The law allows each institution to decide what rules to implement. However, many state universities lifted complete bans they once had in place. Instead, permit those with License to Carry Firearms to carry, at least in some places on campus.
Informational

Firearms at K-12 Schools

PA prohibits possession of a firearm (including handguns and long guns) “in the buildings of, on the grounds of, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or from any school grounds except universities.
Restricted

Church Carry

Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis
Informational

Hotels

No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67
Informational

Secure Storage Requirements

Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control.
Permitted

Magazine Capacity Limitations

No restrictions
Permitted

Suppressor Ownership

Ownership & Hunting Legal.
Permitted

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

In the absence of a valid license to carry firearms, one can now carry a loaded firearm, in one’s vehicle, provided the firearm is not concealed on his/her person and is not in Philadelphia
Informational

Firearm Law Uniformity

Firearm laws uniform throughout state except in Philadelphia.
Permitted

Permit Training Requirements

None
Informational

Non-Resident Permits

Non-residents may apply if they have a permit from their home state or if you are from Vermont. Specific county sheriffs may have additional restrictions or may not issue non-resident permits at all.
Informational

Constitutional Carry

No
Restricted

Duty to Retreat

No duty to retreat if . . . (he) believes it is immediately necessary to do so to protect himself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping, or sexual intercourse by force or threat.” See 18 Pa.C.S. § 505(b)(2.3)
Permitted

Places Off Limits

The law sets forth several places where your license does not allow you to carry a handgun. Under the law, you may not carry a concealed handgun into the following places: • Court facilities • Detention facilities • Correctional Facilities • Mental Hospitals • School buildings, grounds or transportation • Airport terminals or airplanes beyond screening checkpoint or other restricted areas •Federal Property. Possession of a concealed firearm is allowed in automobiles, watercrafts, commercial vehicles, state parks, restaurants, hotels and casinos. 18 Pa.C.S. §5122, 18 Pa.C.S. §6106, 18 Pa.C.S. §6109, 18 U.S.C. §930(a)
Informational

State Contact / Source

Pennsylvania State Police
1800 Elmerton Ave
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-783-5599
www.psp.pa.gov
Informational

Permit Issuing Authority

You must apply to the sheriff in the county where you reside
Informational

Length of Permit Validity

5 Years
Informational

Permit Application Process

Both NEW and RENEWAL Applicants need ONLY do the following:
1. Appear in-person with a valid and accurate PA Drivers' License or PA Photo ID Card.
2. Completely fill out an application (References are NOT required for Renewals ONLY.)
3. Upon approval, payment of $20.00 in the form of CASH ONLY is required.
Informational

Pennsylvania Permit Reciprocity

Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →

Your Pennsylvania resident permit is honored in 31 states

AK AL AR AZ CO FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA MI MO MS MT NC ND NH OH OK SD TN TX UT VA VT WI WV WY

Pennsylvania honors resident permits from 29 states

AK AL AR AZ CO FL GA IA IN KS KY LA MI MO MS MT NC ND NH OH OK SD TN TX UT VA WI WV WY
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.

Take this with you

Get free access to state gun laws, reciprocity maps, and more in the ConcealedCarry.com mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play