Can I Carry a Gun in Pennsylvania?
The great state of Pennsylvania! Home to the City of Brotherly Love, the famous Hersheypark, and some of the most beautiful countryside in the United States. And, like many states in America, Pennsylvania has a complex web of laws governing the right to carry firearms.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Pennsylvania’s gun laws, what it means to "open carry" versus "concealed carry," and who is legally allowed to carry a gun in the Keystone State.
A Quick Answer to Your Question
In short, the answer to the question "Can I carry a gun in Pennsylvania?" is:
Yes, but not everywhere
Requirements and Restrictions
Before we dive deeper into the nitty-gritty, let’s start with the basics:
• Permit requirement: Pennsylvania law requires anyone carrying a concealed firearm to have a License to Carry a Firearm (LTCF). There is no permit requirement for open carrying.
• Background check: As of November 2021, Pennsylvania no longer conducts instant background checks for handgun purchases.
• Felon status: Individuals convicted of certain felony crimes (see below) are barred from carrying firearms in Pennsylvania.
• Mental health: If you’re involuntarily committed to a mental institution or subject to a protective order due to a mental health condition, you may not be able to carry a firearm in Pennsylvania.
• Domestic violence: If you have a protective order in place due to domestic violence or stalking, you may not be able to carry a firearm in Pennsylvania.
Felonies Prohibiting Gun Ownership in Pennsylvania
A quick scan of the list above highlights a key aspect of Pennsylvania’s gun laws: if you’ve been convicted of a specified felony offense, you may not legally own or carry a firearm. Some of the offenses that qualify as specified felonies in Pennsylvania include:
• Aggravated assault with a firearm
• Criminal homicide (manslaughter or murder)
• Forgery, including false endorsement and altering checks
• Kidnapping or kidnaping to effect bodily injury or sexual contact
• Sexual abuse
• Illegal firearms violations (such as owning a stolen or straw-purchased weapon)
• Domestic violence, including spousal or child abuse
What Does It Mean to Open Carry or Concealed Carry in Pennsylvania?
Open carry versus concealed carry? It’s not as straightforward as some people think! Let’s break it down:
• Open carrying: To open carry, you display your firearm openly in plain sight. For example, wearing a visible firearm as a fashion statement (remember the classic cop movies!) is open carrying.
• Concealed carrying: Concealed carrying involves carrying a firearm hidden from public view, usually through clothing, accessories, or cases.
In Pennsylvania, the main difference between the two lies in the level of concealment:
Concealed carrying
To concealed carry a firearm in Pennsylvania, you’ll need a License to Carry a Firearm (LTCF) issued by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Here’s a step-by-step process:
- Apply online for the LTCF and submit fingerprints through Idemia Inc. ($7 application fee, payable online)
- Submit required documentation: identity proof (ID card or passport), birth certificate, proof of Pennsylvania residency (lease or mortgage documents)
- Attend an 8-hour firearms training course, certified by the Pennsylvania Criminal Justice Education Agency
After passing a background check, your application will be processed. A decision should be made within 14 business days, or longer if there’s a processing issue.
Who is Eligible for a Concealed Carry License in Pennsylvania?
So, who’s eligible to apply for an LTCF? Not everyone can:
Qualifications and Limitations
You must meet these essential criteria:
- Be a resident of Pennsylvania for at least six months prior to application submission
- Be 21 years of age (or 18 for current military or veteran with DD-214 documentation)
- Pass the FBI-approved firearms training course (explained above)
- No disqualifying mental or emotional issues, felonies, or court-mandated restraining orders
- Pass the character-based inquiry ( background check) – clean slate, if you will
If you have an open criminal record, an existing LTCF revoked by a court order, or pending charges for any offenses listed in Pennsylvania’s crimes, you’re out of luck for the moment!
In-Person Checks
A clever tactic adopted by the Pennsylvania State Police in recent years involves regular, in-person checks (think "wellness" visits) on existing LTCF holders:
- Upon issuing a license, your personal and demographic information (and license information) becomes accessible for searches
Police will notify and interrogate suspected felons or those in mental institutions – effectively closing loopholes. Who’s at fault for non-compliance will bear all civil liabilities and fines. Take care of your firearm storage habits and record keeping, everyone!
Open Carrying without a License in Pennsylvania
The scenario we covered so far emphasizes license carrying, a step the Keystone State enforces heavily. Let’s review that.
However, open carrying is possible, though be mindful:
- Openly displaying a firearm while operating a motor vehicle can incur criminal charges and a stiffer penalty for recklessness, criminal recklessness, or negligent or criminally reckless conduct, etc. The gun will only bring a curse when displayed unnecessarily
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