<P> Pennsylvania state law refers to a handgun as a firearm, while long gun is used to describe a shot gun, or rifle of a certain length or longer . Below the age restriction for purchasing a long gun is 18, and the age restriction for purchasing a handgun is 21 . Although someone can own a handgun if they are 18 and gifted the handgun . </P> <P> To purchase a firearm, buyers must be at least 18 years of age . They can never have been convicted of a violent crime, must not be an undocumented immigrant, declared mentally ill by the court, a drug addict or habitual drunkard, a fugitive from justice, have been convicted of three separate DUI charges within a five - year period or are subject to an active protection from abuse order . </P> <P> No firearms are known to be prohibited by state law . Private sales of handguns must go through a licensed dealer, though long guns may be sold privately without the use of a licensed dealer . Licensed dealers must provide locking devices with handguns unless the handgun has a locking device incorporated in its design . </P> <P> In Pennsylvania, there are more than 2,500 federally licensed firearm dealers where one may make a purchase . Individuals interested in purchasing a firearm must first fill out an application with their basic information . Once the application has been completed, the firearms dealer will input the information into the Pennsylvania Instant Check System to check if the individual is legally allowed to own a firearm . On average in Pennsylvania, this background check costs $20.00 for handgun purchases and $25.00 for a long gun purchase . </P>

Legal age to carry a gun in pennsylvania