Pennsylvania is a shall issue state. Those wishing to obtain a Pennsylvania concealed carry must be 21 years old, or older. Individuals will need to pay various fees, totaling $25 in order to process their application. If denied the issuance of a PA license to carry, $20 will be refunded. Applications should be submitted to a county sheriff, except in Philadelphia, where it must be submitted to the chief of police. Upon issuance, a Pennsylvania license to carry is valid for 5 years. Additionally, the state does issue nonresident permits, though only to those possessing a valid concealed carry permit, or equivalent from their home state. Pennsylvania only accepts resident permits from other states. Those with a Pennsylvania license can carry in 32 other states.
This information was last updated in February 2019.
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Use the tabs below to display states that will accept a Pennsylvania concealed carry permit or those states that Pennsylvania will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
Pennsylvania is a shall issue state. The state takes into consideration an applicants character and reputation with regard to issuing a concealed permit. Therefore, applicants should be in good standing with the state. In addition, applicants for a PA concealed carry permit should not have a history of alcohol or substance abuse. To see the full list of requirements, see the “Issuance of license” portion of the section below.
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The minimum age to be eligible for a Pennsylvania concealed carry license is 21 years old.
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Residents of Pennsylvania should apply with the sheriff of the county in which they reside, or the chief of police if in a city proper (e.g. Philadelphia) to obtain a concealed permit.
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Pennsylvania concealed carry permits are valid for a period of 5 years.
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Pennsylvania does issue nonresident permits. However, applicants must adhere to the same procedure as a resident. Additionally, according to the Pennsylvania Firearms Owners Association, many counties will refuse to process a nonresident permit. Furthermore, according to PA code, applicants must have a concealed permit issued by the authority of their origin state to be eligible.
“A license shall not be issued to any of the following: […] A resident of another state who does not possess a current license or permit or similar document to carry a firearm issued by that state if a license is provided for by the laws of that state […]“
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According to Pennsylvania state code, the issuing authority will issue, or refuse to issue, a license to carry within 45 days to application submission. If the request is refused, the sheriff will notify the applicant in writing of such determination.
“[…] shall be issued if, after an investigation not to exceed 45 days, it appears that the applicant is an individual concerning whom no good cause exists to deny the license.“
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The total fee for an initial license to carry is $25. This fee is broken down as follows; $19 fee for general processing, $1 will be remitted by the sheriff to the Firearms License Validation System account, $5 will remain as an administrative fee (sheriff fee act). If the application for a Pennsylvania concealed carry permit is refused, the applicant will be refunded $20.
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Pennsylvania does not require any form of training to acquire a concealed carry permit. Nothing in PA code requires proof of competency, or firearm safety training as part of the packet submission for a concealed permit.
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