Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permit Information

Click here to view the Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Map.

 

 

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Concealed Permit:
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents

Example Permit:

Issuing Authority:
Sheriff of the county in which you reside or if a resident of a city of the first class, with the chief of police of that city.

Out Of State Permit Issue:
Yes, Individuals who are 21 years of age or older and are NOT Pennsylvania residents may apply for a license by submitting a completed Application for a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms to any Pennsylvania County Sheriff’s office along with the required fee. A Pennsylvania license cannot be issued to a resident of another state who does not possess a current license or permit or similar document to carry a firearm issued by their home state if a license is provided for by the laws of that state, as published annually in the Federal Register by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms of the Department of the Treasury.

NICS check:
Yes

Cost:
$19 depending on county. Contact your county sheriff for more information.

Requirements:
1. 21 Years Of Age
2. Completed Application for a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms

Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:

Automobile carry:
A License to Carry Firearms is issued to carry a firearm concealed on one’s person or in a vehicle within this Commonwealth.

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.

While transporting a firearm without a license, it is up to the person carrying the firearm to demonstrate that one of the exceptions applies. A law enforcement officer may demand such evidence.

Places off-limits when carrying:
Prohibited area include k-12 Schools, Court Houses, and Casinos.

Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
Pennsylvania is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand-your-ground law.

 

Open Carry:
In Pennsylvania, persons 18 years of age and older whom are not prohibited by law from owning firearms may openly carry a handgun in plain sight with no license except in vehicles, cities of the first class (Philadelphia) and where prohibited specifically by statute.

Localities with Varying Laws:
Contact your local county.

Forms & Links:
Pennsylvania State Police
NRA / ILA Firearms Laws for Pennsylvania


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  • Cgriep

    How do I get a permit form to send in for the out of state permit.

    • Soberbyker

      As of May, 2011, you need to apply in person for the PA LTCF

  • Tymeer Hawkins

    I am a college student doing a project on gun laws in PA and was confused about a certain issue. Is there a law that states that you cannot carry your firearm without a holster?

    • Dsyers

      I’m not aware of any PA Law that requires a Concealed Carry Permit Holder to only carry a holstered firearm. However, why would anyone want to carry a loaded firearm without a holster? For personal safety alone it’s a very positive reason but also for the safety of others! It’s just not a good idea to carry an un-holstered firearm.

    • 123

      carrying an unholstered firearm is a huge red flag. in a holster the police cant even ask you for id when you open carry. if its in your hands you will be looking at the business end of the police gun

  • Roccorpcna
    • Guest

      That would be nice unless you’re an Illinois resident, then you get to plead your case with the criminal(s) because only they can (illegally) carry guns in Illinois… otherwise, take an out-of-state resident with you or a carrying, out-of-state resident, Good Samaritan nearby.

      Too bad it says nothing about *carrying* and only includes possession by out-of-state residents without an Illinois FOID.

  • Taspikehammer

    As of May 2011 for the PA Non Resident Concealed Carry Permit YOU MUST now GO IN PERSON to Centre Co. Sheriffs Office to pick up your permit. Other than that it’s the same process done by mail.

    • Gray Ryder

      That is correct. The State Legislation was not getting their cut of the pie from the non- resident mail-in fees going to Centre County.  So they, with the support and enticment of all of other counties,  wrote off the money maker for Centre County. This particular stupid idot legislation is going to be a loss of non=resident applicant fees from all of the states that are not in a day’s drive of a Pennsylvania state line bordering  counties. So why go for a long distance drive when you can still get a CCW from Florida and Arizona. However, if HR 822 should ever pass and become law and the states accept the provisions, thereof, a non-resident issued CCW will no longer be honored by any state having a  CCW  for their residents.

      Gray Ryder

    • 123

      you have to go in person in most counties. they take your picture on the spot

  • Lossy

    Castle doctrine was passed..

  • Gray Ryder of Illinois

    Has the Non Resident issue requirements been change yet ?

  • Scully9881

    how do i get the actual permit application for PA

  • Will

    how had is it to get a FLL license?

  • Anonymous

    I am so confused to where one can carry a firearm when having a paccw. I thought that in 2011 it was passed into law that with a ccw from any state, you can travel to any state and carry a firearm as long as you are a licensed ccw.  But when I go to look up info on this it still shows the same states as before as the as one’s who honor pa ccw. I would have thought by know when searching this info these sites would have been updated. Or am I wrong about all this authorization grated to carry in all of the U.S. States. Could someone point me in the right direction so that I can read it for myself and make a copy. Thank you very much.

    • Soberbyker

      That “law” had only passed the U.S. House of Representatives, it was then passed on to the U.S. Senate, which has yet to even look at it as far as I know.

  • Cocky101

    I have a conceal carry permit in pa can i open carry in ohio without any licence/permit?

    • Jayt50

      No.  PA’s license does not work in OH.  You can probably get an Ohio license pretty easy.  I just got my OH permit and am working on my PA.  That will give me a total of 36 states that I can legally carry in.  You may want to do the same.   

      • Jason C

        If you apply for licences in Florida, Texas and Arizona and a Pennsylvania resident license that will give you a total of 40 states you can legally carry.

    • USARMYguy

       I am a resident of Ohio and have a CCW in Ohio, in addition I have a non-res P.A. permit.  Unfortunately if you are a P.A. resident there is no way to get a permit directly from Ohio; which you need to carry a firearm regardless of open or concealed.  However you can obtain a F.L. non-res permit that will give you the credentials you need for Ohio.

  • Anonymous

    Does anyone know when the senate is going to vote on HR822?

  • Benhwa

    Are there any PA counties that you do NOT have to appear in person and just do it via mail? Centre county does not do it anymore

    • Soberbyker

      No, as of the changes back in May, they may be able to mail it to you after the research is done but you need to appear in person at least once during the process.

  • 0000000000

    You can also now carry open in Philadelphia as long as you have a license to carry concealed thanks to Police Directive 137. Be aware though you will get stopped and your ppwrk checked and your gun taken from you while they check then given back . so its hardly worth it

    • Soberbyker

      The only thing “new” is that Philly PD has put out a memo, open carry in Philly with a valid License To Carry Firearms (LTCF) has been legal for some time now.

      Open carry in the rest of the state is allowed without a license at all. It’s not a law, but the lack of one that permits that.

      Also for what it’s worth, the word “conceal(ed)” does not appear anywhere on our license.

  • Haasguy

    Just renewed my CCW in PA, in York Co. Found that it does not say defense anymore. Now it say Other, under reason. Anybody else have a new or just renewed permit?

    • Soberbyker

      Just got my renewal this month, still says self defense, but I chose that, maybe you didn’t fill that part in?

      Also for what it’s worth, the PA license is called a LTCF, not CCW, which mean License To Carry Firearms, PA does not mention conceal on the license, nor is it madatory that you conceal.

    • Haasguy

      Stopped @ Sheriffs office. Was told that doesn`t really matter what it says. Their is only one liscence in PA., With that license, it entitles you to carry, concealed, or open. In my case, was just a clerical error.

      • dragon

        in PA if u get a LTCF u can ONLY carry it concealed. thats the whole point in getting the license. whats the point in getting a concealed license if ur going to open carry it? 

        • dragon

          and theres more then just one license in PA either self defense, gun collector, or for a job. got mine 12/29/11 and it says self defense.  

          • Soberbyker

            Sorry Dragon but you are very incorrect, again, well almost.

            There is a thing called a “sportsman’s permit” but that’s entirely different than the LTCF, for the LTCF there are several choices but it doesn’t matter which one is checked, the LTCF is good for all choices.

        • Soberbyker

          Sorry Dragon but you are very incorrect.

          First, NO WHERE on the license (or in PA law) does it say you must conceal.

          There are many reasons to get a LTCF other than to carry concealed, for instance in Philadelphia you need the licese to open or conceal carry, another is in a state of emergency only those with a license can carry. It also makes it easier to carry your gun in a car, even if you’re only going to a range.

          There are other reasons as well, like reciprocity with some other states.

    • Gypsumjoeh

      just got my CCW for Pa in Lancaster it  says self defense.

  • Sijabi

    how about when you are just transit ( just passing through) to a state that does not honor pa ccw permit  ? 

  • Bobburnquist1318

    Hey guys im doing some research because im getting my ccw when i turn 21 in march. Well under the open carry rules on this website it says that a person 18yrs or over can open carry a “Handgun”… But you have to be 21yrs in general to purchase a Pistol…? This makes no sense to me. So im gathering that i can have my parents put a pistol in there name and i can open carry it?

    • Jrnageotte

      Open carry is mostly when hunting.  It has to be in plain view in a holster or such.  You cannot carry it “loaded” in many different cities or towns.

      • Soberbyker

        You could be more wrong, if you’re talking about Pennsylvania. Open Carry is not just for hunting and cities and towns are not allowed to make laws that differ from the state. The state has a pre-emption law, and no where does it say you can’t carry a gun loaded. If you are able to carry the gun legally it can be loaded no matter what city or town you’re in.

      • Fezziwig

        However, you need CWP to “open carry” in Philadelphia.

        • Soberbyker

          PA does not have a CWP, which implies Concealed Weapons Permit, PA has a LTCF, License To Carry Firearms, concealed is no where on the license nor is it the required method of carry.

          • Soberbyker

            You are correct in theroy though, you do need a LTCF to carry in any manner within the City of Philadelphia.

  • TravisC

    I have a question about concealed carry? I am 26 years old, live in PA. When I was 14 I was charged with terroristic threating. The charges were exsponged, but I was wondering if this would prohibit me from getting my CCW? 

  • Quacarr

    if u have a license to carry can u carry ya gun in ya car loaded?

    • Soberbyker

      as long as you have a valid license to carry firearms (or a reciprocated license/permit) yes.

    • Paul

       Yes you can, if you have a concealed permit you can carry loaded in your vehicle.

  • http://www.facebook.com/mikeeemilliken Dick Milliken

    What does it mean that your rights are denied?

    • Soberbyker

      Where did you read/see this, context is everything.

  • hbradish

     Looks to me like this map here does say Ohio DOES NOT honor Pa. permit?

    • Soberbyker

      Correct, PA and Ohio do not honor each other’s license/permit.

  • Tommyson

    I have a PA- LTCF I have been checking states to see who honors My permit, what does it mean when a state such as Florida has listed  PA Res permits only?

    • Soberbyker

      It means that Florida will only accept a reciprocal license if you live in the state your license is from. So if you’re from lets say Ohio, and you have a PA LTCF, Florida will not accept your PA license.