Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permit Laws
Shall-Issue Permit
A license is required; sheriffs must issue a license to carry firearms to qualified applicants meeting criteria.
What “Shall-Issue Permit” means
A permit is required, but authorities must issue it to any applicant who meets objective criteria (training, background check, age) — no discretion.
15 of 51 states are in the same category
Alongside Pennsylvania: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and 2 more.
Source: public state-law references (Wikipedia, USCCA, Giffords Law Center) · as of July 2026 · last verified August 5, 2026
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