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.

  • 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.

  • Roccorpcna
  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.   

    • 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