Pennsylvania Gun Laws: Carry and Rights from the Alleghenies to the Delaware Valley

LTCF Permits, Open Carry Traditions, Private Sale FFL Requirements & Preemption in the Keystone State

Pennsylvania has a unique blend of traditions, including a strong open carry culture (outside of Philadelphia) and a “shall-issue” License to Carry Firearms (LTCF). From the hunting camps of the “T” to the metro areas of Pittsburgh and Philly, gun owners must navigate the state’s requirement that all private handgun transfers be conducted through a licensed dealer. This resource covers Pennsylvania’s Castle Doctrine, the state’s preemption over local gun bans, and the legalities of carrying during the commonwealth’s massive deer hunting season.