STATE
PENNSYLVANIA GUN LAWS
Pennsylvania has made modest improvements to its gun safety laws in recent years, but can do much more to protect residents from gun violence.
Scorecard Grade
Pennsylvania requires background checks on all handgun sales, including at gun shows, but does not extend this requirement to long guns including assault rifles. In 2024, Pennsylvania had the 17th lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 1,806 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every five hours. Fifty-seven percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 41% are gun homicides. In Pennsylvania, the rate of gun deaths increased 4% from 2015 to 2024, compared to a 15% increase nationwide.
EXPLORE PENNSYLVANIA’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
What Pennsylvania Does Well
- Universal background checks for handguns
- Domestic violence gun laws
- Extended background check period
- State database background checks
- Disarming procedures
- Gun dealer regulation
- Partial state firearm sale records retention
- Community violence intervention funding
What Pennsylvania Is Missing
- Universal background checks for long guns
- Gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Open carry regulations
- Child access prevention laws
- Preempts local gun laws
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?