With Which States Does Pennsylvania Have Concealed Carry Reciprocity?
In Pennsylvania, a person may carry a concealed firearm if they have the proper license to do so. Carrying a concealed firearm in a different state might be a different story. Many states share reciprocity when it comes to concealed carry permits, meaning that some states agree to recognize and uphold concealed carry permits from certain other states. Pennsylvania has such reciprocity with multiple other states, and you should know which ones are which before you attempt to travel with a firearm.
Reciprocity is not exactly a black and white issue. Some states have reciprocity while others do not. Some states do not require gun owners to even have a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Still, some states do not share reciprocity but allow Pennsylvania gun owners to apply for concealed firearm permits. However, a few states do not allow people with Pennsylvania permits to carry concealed firearms to apply for such permits. If you are arrested for carrying a concealed firearm in a state that lacks reciprocity with Pennsylvania, you might need help from our legal team in addition to an attorney from the other state.
Get a free review of your case from our Pennsylvania weapons charges attorneys at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates by calling us at 215-639-5297.
States That Have Concealed Carry Reciprocity with Pennsylvania
Reciprocity is a tricky thing to sort through. Some states have full reciprocity with Pennsylvania, and you may carry a concealed firearm in those states with your Pennsylvania concealed carry permit. However, other states do not have reciprocity and may or may not even allow Pennsylvania gun owners to apply for permits.
States With Reciprocity
According to the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania, there are multiple states with reciprocity with Pennsylvania regarding concealed carry permits. These states include the following:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
If you have a valid license to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania, your license may be valid in the states listed above. You would not need to apply for a separate permit to carry a concealed firearm. However, you should keep in mind that these laws are subject to change. If you plan to travel with your firearm, talk to an attorney first about whether you are able to use your Pennsylvania concealed carry license in another state.
States Without Reciprocity
Many other states do not have reciprocity with Pennsylvania when it comes to permits for firearms. If you have a license to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania, your license is not valid in the states listed below. You may need additional licensing from the new state before you can carry a firearm.
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Washington
States That Do Not Require Concealed Carry Permits
Some states do not require anyone to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. As long as you own your firearm lawfully, you may carry it. Even so, this does not mean that you may carry your firearm anywhere at any time. Each state might have different restrictions on where and how a firearm may be carried, and you should consult with an attorney before taking a firearm anywhere.
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Idaho
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- West Virginia
States Where People with Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permits May Apply for Permits
Even if a state does not have reciprocity with Pennsylvania regarding concealed carry permits, some may allow Pennsylvania permit holders to apply for permits. The following states allow Pennsylvania concealed carry permit holders to also apply for concealed carry permits:
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
States That Do Not Allow People with Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Permits to Apply
Some states do not allow Pennsylvania concealed carry permit holders to even apply for new permits in the other state. If this is a problem for you, speak to an attorney. If you are moving to a new state, you might have to relinquish your permits in Pennsylvania before you can apply for new permits. The following states do not allow Pennsylvania permit holders to apply for new concealed carry permits:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
What Happens if I Carry a Concealed Firearm in a State Without Reciprocity with Pennsylvania?
The penalties for carrying a concealed firearm without the proper permits may vary from state to state. Remember, having a permit in Pennsylvania does not guarantee that you can carry a concealed firearm anywhere in the country. The potential penalties depend on the state in which the violation occurs. Generally, weapons charges tend to be harsh.
You should contact an attorney for help as soon as possible. If you were carrying a firearm under the mistaken impression that your Pennsylvania concealed carry permit was valid in the other state, your attorney might be able to persuade the authorities to let you go with a warning. A responsible gun owner who understands gun safety and is not dangerous might manage to avoid serious penalties. However, if you have no permit at all, you are more likely going to face serious consequences.
While a Pennsylvania attorney can help you sort out Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws, you might also need an attorney in whatever state you are in to help you. For example, if you are in California, which does not have reciprocity with Pennsylvania, you might need a California attorney to help you.
Speak to Our Pennsylvania Weapons Charge Attorneys About Your Concealed Carry Permit
Get a free review of your case from our Pennsylvania weapons charges attorneys at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates by calling us at 215-639-5297.