All we need to do is turn on the television, read a newspaper or go online on our computers each day and ask why gun violence is so prevalent on our city streets. Philadelphia, like other major cities in the United States, experiences high gun violence especially in the areas of north Philadelphia, west Philadelphia and southwest Philadelphia. Our police department and criminal justice system along with area hospitals see way too many lives ruined by this senseless violence. So just how are the citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania impacted by our gun laws?

Here is a brief summary of our state’s gun laws:

  • To purchase a firearm, you must be at least 18 years of age. You also 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Residents in Pennsylvania may also purchase firearms from gun shows and private dealers. When purchasing from a federally licensed dealer, the process remains the same. However, when purchasing a long gun from a private dealer, an individual is exempt from obtaining a background check. Transfers of handguns between spouses, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild or between active law enforcement officers are exempt from the above requirements. Rifles and shotguns may be transferred between unlicensed individuals.  Antique firearms are exempt from the requirements regarding transfer of firearms through dealers.
  • In first-class cities, such as Philadelphia, a permit (18 Pa. C.S. Section 6109) is required for both concealed carry, and open carry. When transporting firearms in Pennsylvania without a concealed carry permit, the firearm and ammunition must be in two separate containers within the vehicle. Some laws, such as 18 Pa. C.S. Section 6108, only apply to conduct that occurs within the geographic boundaries of Philadelphia.
  • Individuals in Pennsylvania are permitted to open carry firearms as long as the firearm is in plain view. When concealing a firearm, individuals must obtain a concealed carry permit from the local sheriffs’ office. An individual must have a concealed carry permit to carry a loaded firearm in Pennsylvania.
  • To apply for a license to carry in Pennsylvania, individuals must be at least 21 years of age. The application process requires submitting the Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms application to the sheriff of the county in which they reside. Individuals who are not residents of Pennsylvania but are 21 years of age or older may submit the application for a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms to any Pennsylvania County Sheriff’s office along with the required fee.