Pennsylvania Concealed Carry License Requirements

Under 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6109, Pennsylvania residents must obtain a License to Carry Firearms from their county sheriff (or Philadelphia chief of police) to carry a concealed firearm or transport a loaded firearm in a vehicle. The state operates as shall-issue: the sheriff must issue the license within 45 days unless the applicant is disqualified by criminal history, mental health adjudication, or character grounds. Pennsylvania honors LTCFs from states with which it has reciprocity agreements administered by the Attorney General. Philadelphia retains some procedural authority over license processing but cannot impose substantive restrictions beyond Section 6109.

Carrying concealed without a valid LTCF is generally a third-degree felony under Section 6106, with separate offenses for vehicle transport.