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Purchasing a firearm in Pennsylvania

Steps to Register a Firearm in Pennsylvania

Firearm dealers must keep records of sales of handguns and certain other firearms and provide those to the Firearms Division of the Pennsylvania State Police for its permanent database of handgun sales

Requirements to hold a firearm license

More information on Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL), as well as what each license type can do, can be found on our FFL home page.
We also have a very helpful FFL search tool if you want to search by postal code, state, business name, or even license number.

Does Pennsylvania Require a Background Check to purchase a Firearm?

Yes, Pennsylvania has a state law that requires a background check prior to the sale of a firearm.

• applies to sales through licensed dealers and private sellers except for sales of long guns through private sellers

Owning a firearm in Pennsylvania

Does Pennsylvania have a Gun Free Zone law?

Yes, Pennsylvania has a defined list of gun free zones:

• school property
• court facility including courtrooms, judge's chambers, jury deliberation rooms, witness rooms, attorney conference rooms, office court clerks, and prisoner holding cells and any adjoining corridors
• on public streets or public property during a proclaimed emergency without concealed carry license

Does Pennsylvania Require a Safety Course to own a Firearm?

You are not required to take a safety course in order to own a firearm in Pennsylvania.

Common Firearm Offenses in Pennsylvania

• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 907 Possessing instruments of crime
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 912 Possession of weapon on school property
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 913 Possession of firearm or other dangerous weapon in court facility
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2702.1 Assault of a law enforcement officer * 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2707.1 Discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3929 Retail theft * 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5104.1 Disarming law enforcement officer
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5122 Weapons or implements for escape * Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5501 Riot
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5501 Riot
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5515 Prohibiting paramilitary training
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6103 Crimes committed with firearms
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6105 Persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control sell or transfer firearms
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106 Firearms not to be carried without a license
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6107 Prohibited conduct during emergency
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6110.1 Possession of a firearm by minor
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6110.2 Possession of a firearm with altered manufacturer's number
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6111 Sale or transfer of firearms
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6115 Loans on, or lending or giving firearms prohibited
• 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6117 Altering or obliterating marks of identification
• 34 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2126 Unlawful activities
• 34 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2322 Prohibited Devices and methods
• 34 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2503 Loaded firearms in vehicles
• 34 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2507 Restrictions on shooting
• 34 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2522 Shooting at or causing injury to human beings
• 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7727 Additional limitations on operation

More on Pennsylvania Firearm Laws

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