<P> Gun laws in Pennsylvania regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State permit to purchase? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Firearm registration? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No * </Td> <Td> (18 Pa. C.S. § 6111.4) </Td> <Td> All handgun buyers in the state must undergo a PICS check at the point of sale, a record of which is maintained by the state police in a "sales database". The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that this is legal under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6111.4, as it is not a comprehensive record of all handgun ownership within the state, as gun owners moving into the state are not required to register their firearms . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Assault weapon law? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Owner license required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Carry permits required? </Td> <Td> Yes * </Td> <Td> Yes * </Td> <Td> 18 Pa. C.S. § 6109 </Td> <Td> License to Carry Firearms issued on a "shall - issue" basis . * A LTCF is required to carry a firearm within a City of the First Class (Philadelphia), in a vehicle, concealed on one's person, or during a declared state of emergency . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Open carry? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Unlicensed open - carry everywhere except Philadelphia or in / on a vehicle . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Castle Law / Stand Your Ground? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> (1) </Td> <Td> Castle Law . No duty to retreat inside castle . No duty to retreat outside castle if confronted with a deadly weapon or an object that appears to be one in a place where the person has a right to be . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State preemption of local restrictions? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> 18 Pa. C.S. § 6120 </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NFA weapons restricted? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Peaceable Journey laws? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> (2) </Td> <Td> Non-residents may carry in a vehicle if in possession of a valid carry permit from any state . Otherwise, federal rules observed . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Background checks required for private sales? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> All private party transfers of handguns must be processed through a licensed dealer, or at a county sheriff's office . In either case a background check is required . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State permit to purchase? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr>

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