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Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Reciprocity Overview

12.8M

STATE

POPULATION

No

CONSTITUTIONAL

CARRY

1.5M

LICENSES

ISSUED

32

RECIPROCATING

STATES

29

STATES

HONORED

21

MINIMUM

AGE TO CC

5

YEARS LICENSE

VALID

Yes

STAND YOUR
GROUND

11.7%

LICENSE

PERCENTAGE

12.8M

STATE POPULATION

No

CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY

1.5M

LICENSES ISSUED

32

RECIPROCATING STATES

29

STATES HONORED

21

MINIMUM AGE TO CC

5

YEARS LICENSE VALID

Yes

STAND YOUR GROUND

11.7%

LICENSE PERCENTAGE

12.8M

STATE POPULATION

32

RECIPROCATING STATES

5

YEARS LICENSE VALID

No

CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY

29

STATES HONORED

Yes

STAND YOUR GROUND

1.5M

LICENSES ISSUED

21

MINIMUM AGE TO CC

11.7%

LICENSE PERCENTAGE


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Concealed Carry Weapons Permit 
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Concealed Carry Weapons Permit 
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Overview of 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

Constitutional Carry?

❌ No - Pennsylvania is not recognized as a constitutional carry state.

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.

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

* Restricted Reciprocity with Pennsylvania

States NOT Honoring CCW

Honors These States CCW Permits

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.

Pennsylvania: Where Is CCW Allowed?

Places Allowed

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

Places Not Allowed

  • Philadelphia city parks
  • City of Philadelphia-owned buildings
  • Court Houses (Areas Off Limits Must Be Posted)
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Schools
  • Detention facilities and correctional institutions
  • School bus
  • Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

Pennsylvania: Conceal Carry Laws

Open Carry

Yes, open carry is legal without a permit if a person is 18 or older and legally allowed to possess a firearm. 

Carry In Vehicle

Yes, 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 CCW 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

No, Pennsylvania is not a constitutional carry state.

No Weapon Signs Enforced

No, “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

No, 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


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