Pennsylvania State Law Summary

Last updated December 22, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. Pennsylvania ranked 11 out of 50 – having enacted some relatively strong gun violence prevention laws.

Among other things, Pennsylvania:

• Requires a background check prior to the private sale of a handgun;

• Conducts its own background checks for firearm sales; and

• Requires firearm dealers to obtain a state license. 

However, Pennsylvania does not:

• Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles or large capacity ammunition magazines;

• Require firearm owners to obtain a license;

• Require the registration of firearms;

• Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases;

• Regulate unsafe handguns;

• Regulate ammunition sales;

• Allow local governments to regulate firearms or ammunition; or

• Provide local law enforcement with discretion to deny a license to carry firearms.

Based on data published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, in every year from 2006 through 2009, Pennsylvania was one of the top ten interstate suppliers of crime guns.  Pennsylvania is the top interstate supplier of crime guns to Delaware and New Jersey.

For details about specific firearms laws in Pennsylvania, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking
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