Pennsylvania Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | Yes |
The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. Pennsylvania does not recognize non-resident permits or licenses from Arizona, Florida, Mississippi, Utah and Virginia. Pennsylvania only honors North Dakota Class 1 permits. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | Shall Issue |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Conditional Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Definition of Firearm
The Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act defines “firearm” as “any pistol or revolver with a barrel less than 15 inches, any shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, any rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches or any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches.” However, several sections of the law include a broader definition that includes all firearms, i.e. handguns, rifles and shotguns, and pertains to that section only. The distinction should be closely noted when interpreting the statutes. |
Purchase
Any individual or dealer selling a handgun is required to sell or transfer it at the place of business of a licensed dealer or county sheriff’s office. Transfers of all firearms (handguns, rifles and shotguns) by a licensed dealer are subject to an instant records check of the purchaser. The purchaser must sign a transfer application/record of sale for the purchase of a handgun. No transfer application/record is necessary to transfer a rifle or shotgun. There is a $2 fee for the instant check and a $3 firearm sale surcharge to cover telephone costs. Transfers of handguns between spouses, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild or between active law enforcement officers are exempt from the above requirements. Rifles and shotguns may be transferred between unlicensed individuals. Antique firearms are exempt from the requirements regarding transfer of firearms through dealers. MORE |
Possession
No license is required to possess rifles and shotguns, or to possess handguns in one’s home or place of business. It is unlawful for the following to possess a firearm: MORE |
Carry
It is unlawful to possess any firearm: MORE |
Transportation in a Vehicle
A handgun being transported in a vehicle without a license to carry must be unloaded and must be carried under one of the exceptions listed above under ‘Carry.’ Rifles and shotguns may be transported in a vehicle as long as they are unloaded. MORE |
Antiques
“Antique firearm” means: MORE |
Machine Guns
Most items that are required to be registered under the National Firearms Act such as machine guns, suppressors, short barreled rifles and shotguns, are prohibited in Pennsylvania as “offensive weapons” unless they are registered under the NFA. MORE |
Preemption
18 PA. STAT. ANN. §6120 (2011) |
Range Protections
35 PA. STAT. ANN. § 4501 (2011) |
Miscellaneous Provisions
The state legislature has preempted the field of firearm regulation. No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of the Commonwealth. MORE |
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Pittsburgh police say a Perry South resident shot an intruder Monday night who had broken into his home. ...
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Game Commission chose not to respect the rich hunting heritage of Pennsylvania gun owners by ...
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Today, the Senate Local Government Committee passed important preemption legislation, Senate Bill 5, by an 8-3 vote. SB ...
Monday, March 27, 2017
On Tuesday, March 28, the Local Government Committee is scheduled to vote on Senate Bill 5, important preemption ...
Monday, March 27, 2017
An armed home invasion suspect was shot by his would-be victim during an incident early Friday morning in ...
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
With only a few days left before the Pennsylvania Game Commission votes for final approval of the proposed ...
Thursday, March 9, 2017
This week, two important bills, House Bill 763 and Senate Bill 224, have been introduced in the Pennsylvania ...
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Both Senate Bill 5, sponsored by state Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), and House Bill 671, sponsored by ...
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Legislation banning the sale of ivory and ivory product has been introduced in the General Assembly and has ...
Friday, February 10, 2017
State Representative Madeleine Dean (D-153) recently circulated a memo to all members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives asking for co-sponsorship on legislation that ...