Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permit Information

Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Quick Facts

  • Permit Type: Shall Issue
  • Issuing Authority: County Sheriff’s Office
  • Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years old
  • Permit Validity: 5 years
  • Application Fee: Varies by county; contact your local sheriff’s office for details
  • Processing Time: Up to 45 days

Latest Defensive Gun Uses in Pennsylvania


Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permit (License to Carry Firearms – LTCF)

Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify for a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms (LTCF), you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Complete the Pennsylvania concealed carry permit application
  • Pass a criminal background check
  • Meet federal and state firearm possession requirements

Application Process:

The process for obtaining a Pennsylvania concealed carry permit is as follows:

  • Residents: Apply in person at the sheriff’s office in your county of residence.
  • Non-Residents: Apply at any Pennsylvania county sheriff’s office.
  • Submit a completed License to Carry Firearms application, along with the required fee and valid identification.
  • Processing time is up to 45 days.

Pennsylvania Open Carry Laws

  • General Rule: Open carry is legal without a license for individuals 18 years and olderexcept in Philadelphia, where an LTCF is required to open carry.
  • Prohibited Areas: Open carry is not allowed in government buildings, federal properties, or places where firearms are restricted.

Pennsylvania Concealed Carry in a Vehicle

  • With a Permit: Those with a valid Pennsylvania LTCF or a recognized out-of-state permit may carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
  • Without a Permit: Carrying a firearm in a vehicle without an LTCF is generally prohibited, unless traveling directly to/from a range, place of purchase, or while hunting (following regulations).

Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Reciprocity

Pennsylvania recognizes concealed carry permits from certain states. However, only individuals who are residents of the reciprocal state and 21 years or older may legally carry concealed in Pennsylvania.

Check the our Concealed Carry Maps for up-to-date information.

Prohibited Locations for Concealed Carry in Pennsylvania

Even with a Pennsylvania LTCF, concealed carry is not allowed in the following locations:

  • Federal buildings, courthouses, and prisons
  • Schools and school buses (subject to some legal exceptions)
  • Casinos and certain government facilities
  • Private property where firearms are prohibited by the owner

In court facilitiessecure lockers must be provided for firearm storage while conducting business inside.

Recent Changes in Pennsylvania Gun Laws (2025 Updates)

Pennsylvania gun laws have evolved following recent legal decisions. Here are some of the most notable changes:

  • Federal Court Decision (January 2025): A federal appeals court ruled that Pennsylvania’s restrictions on 18- to 20-year-olds carrying firearms in public during a state of emergency are unconstitutional. (Source)
  • The Supreme Court’s Bruen decision continues to impact how Pennsylvania enforces and interprets gun laws.

Additional Resources:

For more details on Pennsylvania concealed carry laws, refer to:

Go To Another State’s Concealed Carry Page

To view a state’s concealed carry permit information click on the state. The state’s color represents whether a state is Shall Issue, May Issue, Constitutional Carry, or Right Denied.

Shall Issue to Residents Only:
California, Colorado, Georgia, Guam, Michigan, New Mexico

Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, MinnesotaNevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

May Issue to Residents Only:
Delaware, Virgin Islands

May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York

Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only:
Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming

Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
Arizona, Arkansas, FloridaHawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, KentuckyMaine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia

Constitutional Carry and Does Not Issue Permits:
Vermont

Right Denied:
American Samoa, N. Mariana Islands


Disclaimer

We try to keep the information on this page as up-to-date as possible, but it is your responsibility to verify all information due to changing laws. The information on this page is for informational purposes only and not to provide legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice concerning any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this Website, emails, or any links within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between USA Carry LLC and the user or browser. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the views of USA Carry LLC.

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I have a concealed carry permit from indiana, can i carry concealed in PA?

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