I've said this before...I've NEVER had a problem buying a gun (legally) or getting a CCL/CCP. What is it with y'all nikkas making up these lies about it being hard to get a gun? If you just a normal, law abiding citizen, getting a gun is never an issue. I've bought guns straight off of walk-ins to stores, and I've also got them shipped from online vendors before... Again, what are y'all talking about??? On top of that, I live in fukkin Pittsburgh, PA , so if a nikka was gonna have trouble buying a gun it would definitely be in this city
pennsylvania has very soft gun laws
Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant statutes Notes
State permit to purchase? No No
Firearm registration? No No* (18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4) All handgun buyers in the state must undergo a PICS check at the point of sale, a record of which is maintained by the state police in a "sales database". The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that this is legal under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.4, as it is not a comprehensive record of all handgun ownership within the state, as gun owners moving into the state are not required to register their firearms.
Assault weapon law? No No
Owner license required? No No
Carry permits issued? Yes* Yes*
18 Pa.C.S. § 6109 License to Carry Firearms issued on a "shall-issue" basis. *A LTCF is required to carry a firearm within a City of the First Class (Philadelphia), in a vehicle, concealed on one's person, or during a declared state of emergency.
Open carry? Yes Yes Unlicensed open-carry everywhere except Philadelphia or in/on a vehicle.
Castle Law/Stand Your Ground? Yes Yes
[1] Castle Law. No duty to retreat inside castle. No duty to retreat inside castle if confronted with a deadly weapon. (Similar to Florida's stand your
ground law with a minor difference. You may stand your ground in PA but only if the person attempting to confront said person has a weapon that is of lethal force to that individual.)
State preemption of local restrictions? Yes Yes
18 Pa.C.S. § 6120
NFA weapons restricted? No No
Peaceable Journey laws? Yes Yes
[2] Non-residents may carry in a vehicle if in possession of a valid carry permit from any state. Otherwise, federal rules observed.
Background checks required for private sales? No Yes All private party transfers of handguns must be processed through a licensed dealer, or at a county sheriff's office. In either case a background check is required.