State · PA
Pennsylvania gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at Pennsylvania's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permit needed to carry concealed
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- No state permit required. Licensed dealers run the federal NICS background check.
- Long guns
- No state permit required. Licensed dealers run the federal NICS background check.
Registration#
- No registry, but the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) keeps handgun sale records.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- No, not for concealed carry.
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue (officials must issue a license to anyone who qualifies): the License to Carry Firearms, from the county sheriff or, in Philadelphia, the police.
- Open carry
- Generally legal without a license, except in Philadelphia and in vehicles.
- Reciprocity
- Pennsylvania honors permits from states the Attorney General has agreements with. Before you travel, check the current recognition list on the state's official page, because these lists change.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- None at the state level.
Magazine limits#
- None at the state level.
Waiting period#
- None at the state level. Dealers run the federal NICS background check only.
Background checks and private sales#
- Handguns only. Private handgun sales must go through a dealer or sheriff (the PICS check); private long-gun sales are exempt.
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- No state extreme risk protection order law (also called a red flag law).
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Legal to own under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Legal under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. Where Pennsylvania allows these items only if federal requirements are met, it isn't settled how state law treats an item that is no longer federally registered. Check with state authorities before relying on ATF's change.
Ammunition#
- No state background check, license or permit for buying ammunition was identified.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21 from a licensed dealer (federal law). In a private sale, 18: federal law bars anyone from selling or giving a handgun to someone under 18 (18 U.S.C. § 922(x)). Pennsylvania bars anyone under 18 from possessing a firearm except while supervised or hunting (18 Pa.C.S. § 6110.1). Private handgun sales must take place at a licensed dealer or a county sheriff's office, except between spouses, parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild (18 Pa.C.S. § 6111(c)).
- Long gun purchase
- 18 from a licensed dealer (federal law). In a private sale, federal law sets no minimum age, but Pennsylvania bars anyone under 18 from possessing a firearm except while supervised by a parent, guardian or authorized adult, or while hunting (18 Pa.C.S. § 6110.1).
- Notes
- Licenses to carry generally require age 21 or older.
Shipping and buying online#
- No state limits on shipping magazines or ammunition; Philadelphia has local ordinances.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in Pennsylvania. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
No open items right now. Here's what was settled recently.
Recently resolved (1)
United States v. Bost and Williams v. Attorney General (the federal felon ban, 922(g)(1))
Nos. 24-1719 and 24-1091 · U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit (en banc)
Status:
The full Third Circuit, which covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the U.S. Virgin Islands, decided two challenges to 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1). That's the federal ban on having a gun after a conviction for a crime punishable by more than a year in prison. In Bost, the court upheld the ban for a man convicted of terroristic threats, because a conviction involving a threat of violence shows a risk of misusing guns. In Williams, it held that the lifetime ban couldn't be applied to a man whose disqualifying conviction was a repeat drunk-driving offense, because the government didn't show a historical tradition of permanently disarming people for that kind of conduct.
What it changed: In the Third Circuit, a person whose only disqualifying record is a nonviolent offense like Williams's may be able to challenge the ban as applied to them. It isn't automatic: the felon ban still applies, each person's record matters, and the ban still stands for people with violent convictions like Bost's.
Outcome: Decided Oct. 13, 2026: the ban was upheld as applied to Bost (terroristic threats) and held unconstitutional as applied to Williams (a repeat DUI).
Status history (2)
- :
- :
Sources and official links#
- Pennsylvania State Police - Firearms Information · Officialhttps://www.psp.pa.gov/firearms-information/Pages/default.aspx
- 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 61 · Officialhttps://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chapter=61
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 6110.1 (Pennsylvania General Assembly) · Officialhttps://legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.061.010.001..HTM
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111 (Pennsylvania General Assembly) · Officialhttps://legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.061.011.000..HTM
Pennsylvania entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
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Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.