Information on Pennsylvania Conceal Carry Permits, Shooting Ranges, Hunting/Fishing Licenses, and buying a firearm in PA.
- PA Conceal Carry Permits and open carry.
- Local shooting ranges
- PA Hunting and Fishing Licenses
- Buying a firearm in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permits
In Pennsylvania it is legal to “open carry” a handgun. That is, if you legally own the handgun you can carry it loaded as long as the firearm is VISIBLE. However, getting into a vehicle is considered “concealed”. So if you open carry without the PA Concealed Carry Permit you MUST unload the handgun BEFORE getting into a vehicle.
A Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permit allows you to carry a loaded firearm in a pocket, a holster, a purse and in a vehicle. You can also still open carry if you want. A PA conceal carry permit costs $20.00 for five years. County Sheriffs issue conceal carry permits in PA. You can apply online at the Luzerne County Sheriffs office. Click here to apply for a PA Concealed Carry Permit.
Local Shooting Ranges
In Luzerne County there are two PA Game Commission shooting ranges. One is on Suscon Road, State Game Lands 91 and one is off of State route 118 near Sweet Valley SGL 206. To use any of the PA Game Commission ranges you must have either a Range Permit or a valid PA hunting or furtaker license. The range permits cost $31.97 and are valid for 1 year from the purchase date. For more information and/or to purchase a PA Range Permit click here.
Pennsylvania Hunting & Fishing Licenses.
Pennsylvania hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online at the same website HuntfishPA. For more information and/or to purchase a PA Hunting and/or Fishing License click here.
Buying a Firearm in Pennsylvania
- Person to Person
- From an FFL Dealer
- At Gun shows
- Buying a firearm online
Person to Person
Person to Person firearms sales in PA are legal. For a long gun no paperwork or background check is needed. Although a person selling a long gun should not knowingly sell a firearm to any person not allowed to own or possess firearms.
Person to person sales of handguns requires the buyer and seller to appear in person at an FFL dealer so the buyer can complete the Federal 4473 form and the State Police SP-4 form and undergo a background check.
PA does not require any permits purchase a firearm. PA does not have any magazine restrictions or any other restrictions on firearms. There is NO gun registration in PA.
Buying a firearm from an FFL dealer.
When you purchase a firearm from a licensed FFL dealer in PA or in any State, long gun or hand gun, you will need to have a valid photo ID and complete the required paperwork and undergo a background check. In PA the PA State Police run the background check system (EPICS).
If you are a resident of PA you will be able to walk out with the purchased firearm upon receiving a background check approval. PA is a SHALL issue state. As long as you do not have anything on your record to prevent you from owning a firearm you SHALL be approved.
For non PA residents depending on the laws of your home state you may be able to purchase a long gun in person in PA. However, all handgun purchases for non PA residents MUST be shipped to an FFL dealer in your home state for pickup.
Buying a firearm for anyone but yourself is a violation of both Federal and State laws and subject to 10 years in prison and a $250k fine.
There are some exceptions to the background check and paperwork requirements in PA . Husband and wife, parents to children and grandparents to grandchildren do NOT require any paperwork or background checks.
Buying a firearm at a PA Gun show
All of the rules and requirements noted above apply to buying or selling a firearm at a PA Gun Show. Individuals and FFL dealers can buy and sell firearms at a gun show. There are NO LOOPHOLES.
Buying a firearm online
Buying a firearm online whether from and auction site like Gunbroker, or an FFL dealer website like Gunhippo, or from another private seller through Armslist is not that complicated. Once you buy or win an auction you first have to pay the seller. Most sellers accept major credit cards or will accept a money order through the mail. You then also need to select and FFL Dealer near you to receive shipment of the firearm. That dealer will need to mail or email a copy of their FFL license to the dealer with the firearm for shipping. Once that dealer receives payment and the FFL for shipping they will send the firearm to the receiving dealer. You then will go to your dealer to pick up the firearm after completing the necessary paperwork and background check. The receiving dealer will charge a fee for that service. Be sure to check with the receiving dealer first to be sure they offer the service. There are some FFL Dealers who do not accept online transfers.