What Are the Gun Laws in Pennsylvania?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Pennsylvania allows open carry without a permit but requires a License to Carry Firearms for concealed carry. The state has no assault weapon ban, permits NFA items, and requires background checks for all handgun sales including private transfers.
What This Means for You
Pennsylvania operates under a shall-issue system for concealed carry permits, making it relatively accessible for law-abiding citizens. The state preempts most local gun laws, creating uniform regulations across municipalities. Understanding these laws is crucial for builders since Pennsylvania's regulations affect both possession and transfer of completed firearms.
The Detail
Pennsylvania's firearms laws center around the License to Carry Firearms system. You can openly carry a firearm without a permit in most areas, but concealed carry requires a license from your county sheriff or police chief. The application process involves a background check and costs vary by county, typically ranging from $20 to $26 for residents.
The state requires background checks through licensed dealers for all handgun purchases, including private sales. This means if you build a handgun and later want to sell it privately, the transfer must go through an FFL dealer. Long guns can still be transferred privately without background checks between Pennsylvania residents. Pennsylvania also participates in the federal NICS system and maintains its own instant check system called PICS.
NFA items are legal in Pennsylvania, including suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and machine guns. The state has no assault weapon ban or high-capacity magazine restrictions, though some municipalities had local ordinances that were largely preempted by state law. Pennsylvania also has a castle doctrine law and stand your ground provisions.
Certain locations remain off-limits even with a carry permit, including schools, courthouses, and federal buildings. Some municipalities may have their own restrictions on discharging firearms within city limits, but they generally cannot regulate possession or carrying of firearms due to state preemption laws.
Build Impact
If you're building in Pennsylvania, you'll have relatively few restrictions on what you can construct legally. However, remember that any handgun you build and later transfer must go through an FFL dealer and background check process, which affects the resale market for your builds.