Gun Laws in Pennsylvania

Subject/Law	Long Guns	Hand Guns	Relevant Statutes	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	No	No
Firearm registration?	No	No	18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4	All handgun buyers in the state must undergo a PICS check at the point of sale, a record of which is maintained by the state police in a "sales database". However, firearm owners moving to Pennsylvania from another state are not required to register their firearms. As stated in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4: "Notwithstanding any section of this chapter to the contrary, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to allow any government or law enforcement agency or any agent thereof to create, maintain or operate any registry of firearm ownership within this Commonwealth."
Assault weapon law?	No	No
Magazine capacity restriction?	No	No
Owner license required?	No	No
Permit required for concealed carry?	N/A	Yes	18 Pa.C.S. § 6109	Pennsylvania is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 21 years or older. A License to Carry Firearms is required to carry a firearm concealed on one's person, in a vehicle, or during a declared state of emergency.
Permit required for open carry?	No	No	18 Pa.C.S. § 6107 18 Pa.C.S. § 6108	May carry openly without permit, except LTCF required in Philadelphia (City of the First Class), in a vehicle, or during a declared state of emergency. On May 31, 2019, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled that carrying a firearm is not reasonable suspicion to detain someone.[132]
Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law?	Yes	Yes	18 Pa.C.S. § 505	"An actor who is not engaged in a criminal activity, who is not in illegal possession of a firearm...has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his ground and use force, including deadly force, if: (i) the actor has a right to be in the place where he was attacked; (ii) the actor believes it is immediately necessary to do so to protect himself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual intercourse by force or threat; and (iii) the person against whom the force is used displays or otherwise uses: (A) a firearm or replica of a firearm as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9712 (relating to sentences for offenses committed with firearms); or (B) any other weapon readily or apparently capable of lethal use"
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	18 Pa.C.S. § 6120	"No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth."
NFA weapons restricted?	No	No
Peaceable Journey laws?	Yes	Yes	18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(b)(11)(14)	Non-residents may carry in a vehicle if in possession of a valid carry permit from any state. Otherwise, federal rules observed.
Background checks required for private sales?	No	Yes	18 Pa.C.S. § 6111(c)	All private party transfers of handguns must be processed through a licensed dealer, or at a county sheriff's office. In either case a background check is required.

Understanding Gun Laws in Pennsylvania

Gun laws vary significantly across different states in the United States. In this article, we will focus on the gun laws in the state of Pennsylvania. We will cover various aspects of these laws, including permits, firearm registration, assault weapon laws, and more. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide for anyone interested in Pennsylvania's gun laws.

Permits and Firearm Registration

In Pennsylvania, there is no state permit required to purchase either long guns or handguns. This means that Pennsylvania residents can purchase these firearms without needing to obtain a specific permit from the state. Furthermore, there is no requirement for firearm registration in Pennsylvania for both long guns and handguns. However, all handgun buyers must undergo a Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) check at the point of sale, and a record of this is maintained by the state police in a sales database. This is according to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4.

Assault Weapon Laws and Magazine Capacity

When it comes to assault weapons and magazine capacity, Pennsylvania does not have specific laws restricting these. This means that there are no assault weapon laws and no magazine capacity restrictions in the state.

Carrying Firearms

While no owner license is required for either long guns or handguns, Pennsylvania does have laws regarding carrying firearms. A License to Carry Firearms is required to carry a firearm concealed on one's person, in a vehicle, or during a declared state of emergency. This is according to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6109. Pennsylvania is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 21 years or older.

On the other hand, open carry does not require a permit in Pennsylvania, except in Philadelphia, in a vehicle, or during a declared state of emergency. This is according to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6107 and 18 Pa.C.S. § 6108.

Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground Law

Pennsylvania has a Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law in place. According to 18 Pa.C.S. § 505, an individual who is not engaged in a criminal activity, who is not in illegal possession of a firearm, has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand their ground and use force, including deadly force, if necessary to protect themselves against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping, or sexual intercourse by force or threat.

State Preemption of Local Restrictions

Pennsylvania law preempts local restrictions on firearms. According to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6120, no county, municipality, or township may regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth.

NFA Weapons and Peaceable Journey Laws

There are no restrictions on National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons in Pennsylvania. In terms of peaceable journey laws, non-residents may carry in a vehicle if in possession of a valid carry permit from any state. Otherwise, federal rules are observed. This is according to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(b)(11)(14).

Background Checks for Private Sales

While there are no background checks required for private sales of long guns, all private party transfers of handguns must be processed through a licensed dealer, or at a county sheriff's office. In either case, a background check is required. This is according to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111(c).

In conclusion, Pennsylvania's gun laws are relatively straightforward, but it's important to understand them fully to ensure lawful and responsible firearm ownership and use. Always remember to follow the law, respect others' rights, and prioritize safety when handling firearms.