Pennsylvania is a shall-issue state for Licenses to Carry Firearms (LTCF) under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109. You must be 21, pass a background check, and apply through your county sheriff. Concealed carry without an LTCF is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year) per 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Prohibited places include courthouses and schools (18 Pa.C.S. § 912). Open carry is allowed without a permit except in Philadelphia.
Costs: LTCF fee is $20 for 5 years.
Processing Time: Up to 45 days.
Renewal: $20 every 5 years.
Reciprocity: Pennsylvania recognizes permits from over 30 states; over 20 states honor Pennsylvania’s LTCF.
Pennsylvania allows open carry without a permit for those 18+ who can legally possess a firearm (18 Pa.C.S. § 6106), except in Philadelphia where an LTCF is required. Restrictions apply in schools and courthouses (18 Pa.C.S. § 912). Violations are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
Sources: [1]
Pennsylvania has no state bans on assault weapons or large-capacity magazines (18 Pa.C.S. § 6111). Machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers require federal ATF compliance (18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4). Violations of federal law are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: ATF tax stamp is $200 per item.
Processing Time: 6-12 months for ATF approval.
Pennsylvania requires background checks for all handgun and some long gun sales through dealers (18 Pa.C.S. § 6111). Age minimum is 21 for handguns, 18 for long guns. Private sales of handguns must go through a dealer; long gun private sales are exempt. Violations are felonies (up to 7 years).
Costs: Background check fee is $2-$5; dealers may charge $20-$30.
Processing Time: Instant, up to 3 days if delayed.
Pennsylvania does not require firearm registration, but handgun sales are recorded by the Pennsylvania State Police (18 Pa.C.S. § 6111). No reporting of lost/stolen guns is mandated. Federal rules apply to NFA items (18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4). Violations of federal law are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamp is $200.
Pennsylvania has no general storage requirement, but it’s illegal to provide firearms to minors under 18 without supervision (18 Pa.C.S. § 6110.1). Violations are misdemeanors (up to 1 year) or felonies (up to7 years) if harm occurs.
Sources: [1]
Pennsylvania has a strong Castle Doctrine (18 Pa.C.S. § 505). Deadly force is justified in your home, vehicle, or workplace if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent death or serious injury. No duty to retreat applies in these cases or in public if not the initial aggressor. Excessive force risks manslaughter (up to 20 years).
Sources: [1]