Reciprocity Overview

Under the Uniform Firearms Act, the Office of Attorney General is responsible for reviewing and identifying the status of concealed carry reciprocity with other states. Another state may recognize the validity of a Pennsylvania concealed carry license through (1) written reciprocity agreement, (2) mutual statutory reciprocity, or (3) unilateral recognition.

Reciprocity agreements are written agreements signed by representatives from both states which specify the reciprocity granted by each state.

Statutory reciprocity occurs where the law allows both states to recognize the other’s concealed carry licenses, without requiring a written agreement.

Unilateral recognition occurs when a state recognizes the validity of a Pennsylvania concealed carry license in that state regardless of whether Pennsylvania is able to recognize concealed carry licenses issued by that state within Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania may recognize the validity of concealed carry licenses from other states through either (1) written reciprocity agreements or (2) mutual statutory reciprocity. Pennsylvania residents must have a concealed carry license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania.

Where Pennsylvania grants reciprocity to another state’s concealed carry licenses (whether through written reciprocity agreement or mutual statutory reciprocity) only individuals who are both residents of the state and 21 years of age or older may carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania. Also, the reciprocity status in Pennsylvania may be different for different types of concealed carry licenses issued by states that offer multiple types of concealed carry licenses.

Additional firearms information is available from the Pennsylvania State Police.

http://www.psp.pa.gov/firearms-information/Pages/Firearms-Information.aspx