Pennsylvania Background Check and Gun Laws
|
Subject/Law
|
Long guns
|
Handguns
|
Relevant Statutes
|
Notes
|
| State Permit to Purchase? | No | No | — | No |
| Firearm registration? | No | No | — | No |
| "Assault weapon" law? | No | No | — | No |
| Owner license required? | No | No | — | No |
| Carry permits issued? | No | Yes | — | *See note above |
| State Preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| NFA weapons restricted? | Partial | Partial | — | Ban on explosive destructive devices. |
In Pennsylvania a License To Carry Firearms is only required to conceal a firearm, or to carry a firearm in a motor vehicle. The law is silent on the act of openly carrying a firearm while not in a vehicle making it de-facto legal. It must be noted however that due to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6108 (Carrying firearms on public streets or public property in Philadelphia) a License To Carry Firearms is required to carry a firearm in any manner on the streets or public property of a "City of the first class" (Philadelphia.) Nonetheless, all Pennsylvania LTCF permits are valid in Philadelphia.