In Pennsylvania, an unlicensed seller may only sell a handgun or short-barreled rifle or shotgun to an unlicensed purchaser at the place of business of a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer or county sheriff’s office.¹ The licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer or sheriff must comply with all of the dealer regulations set forth in the Pennsylvania Dealer Regulations section, including a background check on prospective purchaser.² These requirements do not apply to transfers between spouses, parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren.³ These requirements also do not generally apply to transfers of long guns.⁴

Any seller who knowingly and intentionally delivers a firearm to an individual who is not eligible to possess a firearm commits a third degree felony.⁵

No seller may deliver a handgun or short-barreled rifle or shotgun to the purchaser or transferee unless the firearm is securely wrapped and unloaded.⁶

A person violating these provisions who has already been convicted under them previously (in other words, a repeat offender), receives an enhanced punishment under Pennsylvania law.⁷

See the section entitled Firearms Trafficking for additional laws that limit private sales of firearms.

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1. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6111(c), (f)(1), (2).[↩]
2. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6111(a), (c).[↩]
3. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6111(c).[↩]
4. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6111(f)(2).[↩]
5. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6111(g)(2).[↩]
6. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6111(a).[↩]
7. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6111(h).[↩]