Pennsylvania Gun Laws

Pennsylvania is a “Shall Issue” state and there’s no requirement for a permit if you’re carrying a firearm in your residence or business.

Concealed carry permits are available to non-residents and residents, but you must be 21.

Non-residents are required to have a permit to carry in their home state if they want to obtain a Pennsylvania permit. There are no training requirements to obtain a permit.

Pennsylvania Gun Laws Quick Facts

Open Carry Permitted?	Yes – Pennsylvania allows for any individual 18 years or older who are legally allowed to own a firearm to open carry without a license. Except for when traveling in a vehicle (see below) or in Philadelphia.
Carry In Vehicle?	Yes – Pennsylvania allows for individuals to concealed carry, so long as you have the LCF permit or a permit from a reciprocal state.
Carry In State Park?	Yes – Pennsylvania allows for concealed carry within state parks if you have an LCF or a reciprocal permit.
Carry In Restaurants?	Yes – We were unable to find any code making it illegal to concealed carry into a restaurant or bar so long as you have the Pennsylvania LCF or a permit from a reciprocal state.
Constitutional Carry?	No – Pennsylvania is not recognized as a constitutional carry state.
No Weapon Sign Enforced?	No – We were unable to find code specifically mentioning no weapons signs as having the force of law.
Must Notify Officer?	No – We could not find any specific duty to inform law within Pennsylvania code. However, if asked by an LEO you must provide a truthful answer.

Pennsylvania CCW Reciprocity List

States Honoring CCW

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

States NOT Honoring CCW

California
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Washington

Honors These States CCW Permits

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

How Reciprocity Works In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has reciprocity agreements with 19 states. All these reciprocity agreements can be read at the attorney generals website. Non-resident CCW licenses are honored from the states on Pennsylvania’s reciprocity list with the exception of those from Arizona, Florida, Mississippi, Utah and Virginia. There is actually a section in each of the prior states agreements that says”legal resident of AZ, FL, MS, UT and VA”.

Pennsylvania will only honor the ND class 1 permit from North Dakota provided the holder is at least 21 years old.

Reciprocity Agreements In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania: Where Is CCW Allowed?

Places Allowed

Philadelphia city parks
Court Houses (Areas Off Limits Must Be Posted)
Elementary and Secondary Education Schools
School bus
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

Places Not Allowed

State parks
State and national forests
Road side rest areas
Vehicle
All areas of the state not listed as Off-Limits

Pennsylvania: Conceal Carry Laws

Open Carry

Yes

WITH OR WITHOUT A PERMIT

Open carry is legal if a person is 18 or older and legally allowed to possess a firearm. You will need a permit/license to open carry in a vehicle or the city of Philadelphia.

Carry In Vehicle

Yes

WITHOUT A PERMIT

Any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person except in his place of abode or fixed place of business without a valid and lawfully issued license commits a felony of the third degree. There are exceptions listed on the state website. Also, Federal law allows transportation of a firearm if it is unloaded and neither the firearm or ammunition is readily accessible. With a license you can carry a loaded concealed handgun in a vehicle.

The Law Title 18 – 6106

Carry In State Parks

Yes

It is legal to carry in the following areas:

State Parks: YES

State/National Forests: YES

State Game Management Units: YES

Road Side Rest Areas: YES

Carry In Restaurants

Yes

In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol “Yes” or “No” states if you can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Some restaurants may be posted with “NO GUN” signs. Check with the staff if this means just the bar area. If we have indicated a “Yes” then it should be legal to have a meal without drinking alcohol.

Constitutional Carry

Pennsylvania is not a constitutional carry state.

No Weapon Signs Enforced

“No Weapons” signs are not mentioned in Pennsylvania gun laws. There are no legal penalties for lawfully entering a private property or business that has posted these signs. They have no force of law unless they are posted in areas that are mentioned by the law as being off limits.

Must Notify Officer

MUST INFORM OFFICER

There is nothing in Pennsylvania gun laws that state you must inform a law enforcement officer you have a firearm when approached on official business. You are legally required to carry your permit at all times during which the permittee is in actual possession of a concealed handgun.

The Law Title 18 – 6122

Additional Resources

Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Laws
Pennsylvania Open Carry Laws
Pennsylvania Gun Permit Laws