Pennsylvania
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
REQUIREMENTS
- The applicant must be 21 years of age or older with a picture I.D. for proof
- The applicant must be a resident of County application is filed it for at least 90 days
- The application must have no criminal convictions.
- The applicant must be of good character and reputation; acting in a manner that will not be dangerous to public safety.
- You are not a habitual drunkard or addicted to or user of marijuana or a stimulant, depressant or narcotic drug.
- Federal Law Requirements
APPLICATION
Follow these steps to obtain a permit
- Download the application form.
- You will need two references, not family members.
- Take the application with a drivers license or State ID to the Sheriffs office in the county you reside in.
- Fill out the form and pay the fee of $20.
- You will be notified within 45 days if your application has been approved or denied.
- If approved you will need to pickup your permit/license from the Sheriffs office.
RENEWALS
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department
– You will need to COME IN – IN PERSON to the Court House in Norristown with the following:
- Pennsylvania Drivers License and/or Pennsylvania I.D. Card with your Montgomery County address.
- If renewing, applicant must remember to supply names, addresses and telephone numbers of two (2) references (not immediate family.)
- Local Police check card must be signed by your local police department (New Applicants).
- $25.00 or $46.00 cash, check or money order (No Credit/Debit cards accepted.)
- Foreign-born applicants who are U.S. Citizens must supply Passport or Naturalization Paperwork.
- Foreign-born applicants who are not U.S. Citizens must provide proof of immigration status and ninety (90) days proof of residency (i.e. 3 months of utility bills).
Note: Applicants with expired permits more than 60 days old will be considered new applicants.
You have the following 2 types of permits to choose from:
- Hard Plastic, similar to drivers license, $46.00, you do not need to supply photo for this option.
- Laminated paper permit with photo attached, $25.00 You must supply 2 official passport photographs to obtain this permit.
ALL APPLICANTS WILL HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK RUN THROUGH THE PENNSYLVANIA INSTANT CHECK SYSTEM BEFORE ANY PERMIT IS ISSUED.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:15pm for picking up applications.
Processing hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm.
Permits cannot be processed unless all of the above requirements are met.
LICENSE FEES
| Application Conditions | Original | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $20 | $20 |
Accepted forms of payment
Money order, Cash, Personal check
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania
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.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
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
Yes
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.
No
NO – 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
Yes
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
Yes
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.
No
No
NO
“No Weapons” signs are not mentioned in Pennsylvania gun laws. There are no legal penalties for 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.
No
NO – 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
Pennsylvania
Quick Facts
Open Carry
Yes
Carry In Vehicle
No
Carry In State Parks
Yes
Carry In Restaurants
Yes
Constitutional Carry
No
No Weapons Signs Enforced
No
Must Notify Officer
No