{"id":376009,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-gun-control-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-30T16:45:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T21:45:00","slug":"pennsylvania-gun-control-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-gun-control-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Gun Control Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Pennsylvania Gun Control Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Every state has its own experience with gun violence. In Pennsylvania, mass shootings<\/a> have increased in recent years. In 2018, the state experienced its worst gun massacre when an anti-Semitic attacker invaded the Tree of Life synagogue outside Pittsburgh, killing 11 persons and injuring seven more.<\/p>\r\n

Gun violence goes beyond the headlines of the week’s mass shooting. For example, death by firearm<\/a> is the leading cause of death for children and teens. With easy access to firearms, most suicides involve a gun.<\/p>\r\n

Efforts by state lawmakers to address gun safety concerns must balance the rights of lawful gun owners to possess and carry firearms for self-defense and other reasons.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Firearms Law<\/h2>\r\n

Despite proposals in Congress, new federal laws on guns are rare. Political stalemate is often the norm.<\/p>\r\n

Federal regulations limit the ownership of certain dangerous weapons like machine guns and bump stocks<\/a>, which cause semi-automatic rifles to fire like fully automatic weapons.<\/p>\r\n

The federal government controls licensing for firearms dealers. It also bans the possession of firearms by certain persons, like convicted felons and those who use illegal drugs. <\/p>\r\n

Federal law created the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) to alert licensed firearms dealers and law enforcement officers while keeping guns out of the hands of prohibited persons<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Pennsylvania Gun Statutes<\/h2>\r\n

Pennsylvania has somewhat tougher gun laws compared to the rest of the country.<\/p>\r\n

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is politically divided. Republicans control the State Senate while Democrats control the State House. This has often posed a political stalemate on gun control.<\/p>\r\n

State law maintains several common-sense regulations aimed at balancing the right to firearm ownership with laws that combat gun violence.<\/p>\r\n

Pennsylvania gun laws require a purchase application on all handguns bought in the state. All handgun purchases must also go through a dealer for a criminal background check via the Pennsylvania Instant Check System<\/a> (PICS). Sales of handguns, sawed-off shotguns, and sawed-off rifles must go through a licensed dealer or a county sheriff’s office.<\/p>\r\n

These laws bring the Keystone state closer to universal background checks for all gun purchases. For now, private sales of standard long guns (rifles and shotguns) fall outside the regulations.<\/p>\r\n

Pennsylvania does not require a waiting period before the purchase of a gun like some states. The state does not have an assault weapon ban. State law provides categories of persons prohibited<\/a> from possessing a firearm. It is also a felony to provide or deliver a gun to a prohibited person.<\/p>\r\n

With limited exceptions for hunting or that involve adult supervision, a minor (under 18 years of age) cannot possess or carry a firearm in the state. Anyone who provides a gun to a minor can face felony charges. Selling or leasing any deadly weapon, cartridge, or gunpowder to a minor is also a crime.<\/p>\r\n

Pennsylvania License To Carry Firearms<\/h2>\r\n

In Pennsylvania, anyone 21 years or older can apply for a license to carry firearms. Without such a license, it’s a crime to either carry a firearm concealed or have one in a motor vehicle. Exceptions include carrying a firearm at your residence or place of business and for those with a sportsmen’s firearm permit.<\/p>\r\n

Applications for a license to carry (LTC) permit proceed through your county sheriff’s office. The application form is uniform and prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police. Details on eligibility requirements appear in the table below. <\/p>\r\n

The Pennsylvania attorney general provides information on reciprocity agreements<\/a> with other states. Where there is an agreement, a non-resident with a firearm permit from their state may legally carry in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\r\n

In contrast to some other states, Pennsylvania does not require an applicant to complete a firearms training course before qualifying for a carry permit. Although you can obtain the application online, you must appear in person at the sheriff’s office for signature and photograph.<\/p>\r\n

Location Restrictions<\/h2>\r\n

As in other states, Pennsylvania law prohibits carrying firearms into certain locations. Even those with a LTC permit cannot bring a gun to the following places:<\/p>\r\n