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Overview for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s State Constitution guarantees people the right to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state.

In Pennsylvania it is illegal for anyone convicted of a violent crime to own a handgun. It is also a crime to alter or remove a firearm’s serial number unless the firearm is an antique. For a firearm to be considered antique the gun must have been made in or before 1898, or a replica of a firearm made on or before 1898.

Currently Pennsylvania does not have a Firearm registration, though State police do keep track of handgun sales. More information on Pennsylvania gun laws ca be found here.


Permit to PurchaseDetails
Open CarryDetails
Concealed CarryDetails
State Preemption of Local RestrictionsDetails
Firearm RegistrationDetails
Owner LicenseDetails

Law Long-guns Handguns
Permit to Purchase No No
Open Carry Yes Yes
Concealed Carry Yes Yes
State Preemption of Local Restrictions Yes Yes
Firearm Registration No No
Owner License No No

The Concealed Carry Permit

(often encompasses the open carry permit)

Official Concealed Carry page for Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Reciprocity


Pennsylvania Magazine Capacity

N/A
N/A

Pennsylvania Imitation Firearms

What is classified as an Imitation Firearm in Pennsylvania?

The following is a list of imitation firearms in Pennsylvania:

air rifles


Does Pennsylvania have a gun buy back program?

Pennsylvania does not run, or fund any gun buyback programs.

Local communities including Northampton County and Philadelphia have held gun buy back events.

Does Pennsylvania have an inheritance gun law?

Yes, Pennsylvania has an inheritance gun law.


Pennsylvania FAQ


State Source