§ 6106. Firearms not to be carried without a license.
(a) Offense defined.--
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who carries a firearm in any vehicle
or any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person, except in his
place of abode or fixed place of business, without a valid and lawfully issued license
under this chapter commits a felony of the third degree.
(2) A person who is otherwise eligible to possess a valid license under this chapter but
carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a firearm concealed on
or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without
a valid and lawfully issued license and has not committed any other criminal violation
commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(b) Exceptions.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to:
(1) Constables, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or their deputies, policemen of this
Commonwealth or its political subdivisions, or other law-enforcement officers.
(2) Members of the army, navy, marine corps, air force or coast guard of the United States
or of the National Guard or organized reserves when on duty.
(3) The regularly enrolled members of any organization duly organized to purchase or receive
such firearms from the United States or from this Commonwealth.
(4) Any persons engaged in target shooting with a firearm, if such persons are at or are
going to or from their places of assembly or target practice and if, while going to
or from their places of assembly or target practice, the firearm is not loaded.
(5) Officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry a concealed firearm.
(6) Agents, messengers and other employees of common carriers, banks, or business firms,
whose duties require them to protect moneys, valuables and other property in the discharge
of such duties.
(7) Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms,
or the agent or representative of any such person, having in his possession, using
or carrying a firearm in the usual or ordinary course of such business.
(8) Any person while carrying a firearm which is not loaded and is in a secure wrapper
from the place of purchase to his home or place of business, or to a place of repair,
sale or appraisal or back to his home or place of business, or in moving from one
place of abode or business to another or from his home to a vacation or recreational
home or dwelling or back, or to recover stolen property under section 6111.1(b)(4)
(relating to Pennsylvania State Police), or to a place of instruction intended to
teach the safe handling, use or maintenance of firearms or back or to a location to
which the person has been directed to relinquish firearms under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108
(relating to relief) or back upon return of the relinquished firearm or to a licensed
dealer's place of business for relinquishment pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6108.2 (relating
to relinquishment for consignment sale, lawful transfer or safekeeping) or back upon
return of the relinquished firearm or to a location for safekeeping pursuant to 23
Pa.C.S. § 6108.3 (relating to relinquishment to third party for safekeeping) or back
upon return of the relinquished firearm.
(9) Persons licensed to hunt, take furbearers or fish in this Commonwealth, if such persons
are actually hunting, taking furbearers or fishing as permitted by such license, or
are going to the places where they desire to hunt, take furbearers or fish or returning
from such places.
(10) Persons training dogs, if such persons are actually training dogs during the regular
training season.
(11) Any person while carrying a firearm in any vehicle, which person possesses a valid
and lawfully issued license for that firearm which has been issued under the laws
of the United States or any other state.
(12) A person who has a lawfully issued license to carry a firearm pursuant to section
6109 (relating to licenses) and that said license expired within six months prior
to the date of arrest and that the individual is otherwise eligible for renewal of
the license.
(13) Any person who is otherwise eligible to possess a firearm under this chapter and who
is operating a motor vehicle which is registered in the person's name or the name
of a spouse or parent and which contains a firearm for which a valid license has been
issued pursuant to section 6109 to the spouse or parent owning the firearm.
(14) A person lawfully engaged in the interstate transportation of a firearm as defined
under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3) (relating to definitions) in compliance with 18 U.S.C.
§ 926A (relating to interstate transportation of firearms).
(15) Any person who possesses a valid and lawfully issued license or permit to carry a
firearm which has been issued under the laws of another state, regardless of whether
a reciprocity agreement exists between the Commonwealth and the state under section
6109(k), provided:
(i) The state provides a reciprocal privilege for individuals licensed to carry firearms
under section 6109.
(ii) The Attorney General has determined that the firearm laws of the state are similar
to the firearm laws of this Commonwealth.
(16) Any person holding a license in accordance with section 6109(f)(3).
(c) Sportsman's firearm permit.--
(1) Before any exception shall be granted under paragraph (b)(9) or (10) of this section
to any person 18 years of age or older licensed to hunt, trap or fish or who has been
issued a permit relating to hunting dogs, such person shall, at the time of securing
his hunting, furtaking or fishing license or any time after such license has been
issued, secure a sportsman's firearm permit from the county treasurer. The sportsman's
firearm permit shall be issued immediately and be valid throughout this Commonwealth
for a period of five years from the date of issue for any legal firearm, when carried
in conjunction with a valid hunting, furtaking or fishing license or permit relating
to hunting dogs. The sportsman's firearm permit shall be in triplicate on a form to
be furnished by the Pennsylvania State Police. The original permit shall be delivered
to the person, and the first copy thereof, within seven days, shall be forwarded to
the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police by the county treasurer. The second
copy shall be retained by the county treasurer for a period of two years from the
date of expiration. The county treasurer shall be entitled to collect a fee of not
more than $6 for each such permit issued, which shall include the cost of any official
form. The Pennsylvania State Police may recover from the county treasurer the cost
of any such form, but may not charge more than $1 for each official permit form furnished
to the county treasurer.
(2) Any person who sells or attempts to sell a sportsman's firearm permit for a fee in
excess of that amount fixed under this subsection commits a summary offense.
(d) Revocation of registration.--Any registration of a firearm under subsection (c) of this section may be revoked
by the county treasurer who issued it, upon written notice to the holder thereof.
(e) Definitions.--
(1) For purposes of subsection (b)(3), (4), (5), (7) and (8), the term "firearm" shall
include any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile
by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of the weapon.
(2) As used in this section, the phrase "place of instruction" shall include any hunting
club, rifle club, rifle range, pistol range, shooting range, the premises of a licensed
firearms dealer or a lawful gun show or meet.
(Oct. 12, 1973, P.L.283, No.81, eff. June 6, 1973; July 8, 1986, P.L.442, No.93, eff.
July 1, 1987; Dec. 19, 1988, P.L.1275, No.158, eff. 180 days; Nov. 22, 1995, P.L.621,
No.66, eff. imd.; Apr. 22, 1997, P.L.73, No.5, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.728,
No.101, eff. 60 days; Nov. 10, 2005, P.L.335, No.66, eff. 180 days; Oct. 17, 2008,
P.L.1628, No.131, eff. 60 days)
2008 Amendment. Act 131 added subsec. (b)(16).
2005 Amendment. Act 66 amended subsec. (b) and added subsec. (e).
1997 Amendment. Act 5 amended subsecs. (a) and (b).
1988 Amendment. Act 158 amended subsecs. (b)(4) and (c).
Cross References. Section 6106 is referred to in sections 913, 6105.2, 6106.1, 6107, 6108, 6109, 6118,
6122 of this title; section 6108 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
904
cases (
208 in the last 5 years), 1973–2026 · leading case:
Commonwealth v. Bavusa, 832 A.2d 1042 (Pa. 2003).
Commonwealth v. Bavusa, 832 A.2d 1042 (Pa. 2003).
· cites it 14× “Justice SAYLOR, concurring. Although I concur in the result, I would hold that the statutory criteria by which a perpetrator of the offense of carrying a firearm without a license is adjudged to have committed a felony or misdemeanor, see 18 Pa.”
Com. v. Bieber, E., 283 A.3d 866 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
· cites it 20× “18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Thus, as is relevant in this case, Section 6106 generally prohibits, inter alia, the carrying of a firearm in a vehicle without a carry-concealed permit.”
Commonwealth v. Carr, 483 A.2d 542 (Pa. 1984).
· cites it 30× “JOHNSON, Judge: Albert Carr was tried on various criminal charges in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia but was found guilty only of possessing an unlicensed firearm in violation of a particular section of the Uniform Firearms Act set forth at 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a). [1] After a…”
Commonwealth v. Hicks, M., Aplt., 208 A.3d 916 (Pa. 2019).
· cites it 4× “, whether the person is committing a criminal offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Robinson , 600 A.2d at 959 .”
Commonwealth v. Baldwin, 985 A.2d 830 (Pa. 2009).
· cites it 6× “Appellant was charged with two counts of violating the Uniform Firearms Act: one count of carrying a firearm without a license, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106, and one count of carrying a firearm on the public streets or property of Philadelphia, 18 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. Scott, 176 A.3d 283 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
· cites it 9× “Whether Judge Hathaway abused her discretion in denying [Scott’s] motion for judgment of acquittal for count 1 since [Scott] was exempt under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106(B)(1) [and] (6). II. Whether the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, in that the Commonwealth did…”
Commonwealth v. Stanley, 401 A.2d 1166 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1979).
· cites it 10× “§ 6105), and carrying a firearm without a license (18 Pa.C.S. § 6106). At a trial in the Philadelphia Municipal Court, appellant was found guilty under 18 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. Parrish, 191 A.3d 31 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).
· cites it 3× “2013) (conviction under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a) supported by a finding of constructive possession).”
Commonwealth v. Clancy, J., Aplt., 192 A.3d 44 (Pa. 2018).
· cites it 4× “§ 2501, and carrying a firearm without a license, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a)(1). At trial, Clancy argued to the jury that his actions did not amount to first-degree murder because he had been moved by passion as a result of the fight with Rigins.”
Commonwealth v. Grant, 813 A.2d 726 (Pa. 2002).
· cites it 2× “[4] Appellant argues that in order for § 6104 to apply in a particular case, the Commonwealth must establish a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. [5] However, the plain language of § 6104 does not support Appellant's argument.”
Commonwealth v. McKown, 79 A.3d 678 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2013).
· cites it 7× “Did the trial court err in not finding that 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106 was violative of Article 1, Sections 1, 21, and 25 of the Pennsylvania Constitution? 4.”
Commonwealth v. Parker, 847 A.2d 745 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2004).
· cites it 3× “The crime of carrying a firearm without a license is set forth in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a), which states: Any person who carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a firearm on or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(1) — 2 cases
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(A)(1) — 3 cases
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(B)(1) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Scott, 176 A.3d 283 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“Whether Judge Hathaway abused her discretion in denying [Scott’s] motion for judgment of acquittal for count 1 since [Scott] was exempt under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106(B)(1) [and] (6). II. Whether the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, in that the Commonwealth did…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(a) — 101 cases
Commonwealth v. Carr, 483 A.2d 542 (Pa. 1984).
“JOHNSON, Judge: Albert Carr was tried on various criminal charges in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia but was found guilty only of possessing an unlicensed firearm in violation of a particular section of the Uniform Firearms Act set forth at 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a). [1] After a…”
Commonwealth v. Bavusa, 832 A.2d 1042 (Pa. 2003).
“Justice SAYLOR, concurring. Although I concur in the result, I would hold that the statutory criteria by which a perpetrator of the offense of carrying a firearm without a license is adjudged to have committed a felony or misdemeanor, see 18 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. Hicks, M., Aplt., 208 A.3d 916 (Pa. 2019).
“, whether the person is committing a criminal offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Robinson , 600 A.2d at 959 .”
Commonwealth v. Parker, 847 A.2d 745 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2004).
“The crime of carrying a firearm without a license is set forth in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a), which states: Any person who carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a firearm on or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(a)(1) — 382 cases
Commonwealth v. Clancy, J., Aplt., 192 A.3d 44 (Pa. 2018).
“§ 2501, and carrying a firearm without a license, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a)(1). At trial, Clancy argued to the jury that his actions did not amount to first-degree murder because he had been moved by passion as a result of the fight with Rigins.”
Commonwealth v. Parrish, 191 A.3d 31 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).
“2013) (conviction under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a) supported by a finding of constructive possession).”
Commonwealth v. Baldwin, 985 A.2d 830 (Pa. 2009).
“Appellant was charged with two counts of violating the Uniform Firearms Act: one count of carrying a firearm without a license, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106, and one count of carrying a firearm on the public streets or property of Philadelphia, 18 Pa.”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(a)(1)(c) — 1 case
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(a)(2) — 20 cases
Commonwealth v. Bavusa, 832 A.2d 1042 (Pa. 2003).
“Justice SAYLOR, concurring. Although I concur in the result, I would hold that the statutory criteria by which a perpetrator of the offense of carrying a firearm without a license is adjudged to have committed a felony or misdemeanor, see 18 Pa.”
Com. v. Bieber, E., 283 A.3d 866 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
“18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Thus, as is relevant in this case, Section 6106 generally prohibits, inter alia, the carrying of a firearm in a vehicle without a carry-concealed permit.”
Commonwealth v. Scott, 176 A.3d 283 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“Whether Judge Hathaway abused her discretion in denying [Scott’s] motion for judgment of acquittal for count 1 since [Scott] was exempt under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106(B)(1) [and] (6). II. Whether the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, in that the Commonwealth did…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(a)(l) — 15 cases
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(aXl) — 2 cases
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b) — 13 cases
Commonwealth v. Bavusa, 832 A.2d 1042 (Pa. 2003).
“Justice SAYLOR, concurring. Although I concur in the result, I would hold that the statutory criteria by which a perpetrator of the offense of carrying a firearm without a license is adjudged to have committed a felony or misdemeanor, see 18 Pa.”
Com. v. Bieber, E., 283 A.3d 866 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
“18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Thus, as is relevant in this case, Section 6106 generally prohibits, inter alia, the carrying of a firearm in a vehicle without a carry-concealed permit.”
Commonwealth v. Carr, 483 A.2d 542 (Pa. 1984).
“JOHNSON, Judge: Albert Carr was tried on various criminal charges in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia but was found guilty only of possessing an unlicensed firearm in violation of a particular section of the Uniform Firearms Act set forth at 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a). [1] After a…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b)(1) — 5 cases
Commonwealth v. Scott, 176 A.3d 283 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“Whether Judge Hathaway abused her discretion in denying [Scott’s] motion for judgment of acquittal for count 1 since [Scott] was exempt under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106(B)(1) [and] (6). II. Whether the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, in that the Commonwealth did…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b)(15) — 2 cases
Commonwealth v. McKown, 79 A.3d 678 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2013).
“Did the trial court err in not finding that 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106 was violative of Article 1, Sections 1, 21, and 25 of the Pennsylvania Constitution? 4.”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b)(2) — 2 cases
Commonwealth v. Scott, 176 A.3d 283 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“Whether Judge Hathaway abused her discretion in denying [Scott’s] motion for judgment of acquittal for count 1 since [Scott] was exempt under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106(B)(1) [and] (6). II. Whether the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, in that the Commonwealth did…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b)(4) — 4 cases
Com. v. Bieber, E., 283 A.3d 866 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
“18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Thus, as is relevant in this case, Section 6106 generally prohibits, inter alia, the carrying of a firearm in a vehicle without a carry-concealed permit.”
Commonwealth v. Scott, 176 A.3d 283 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“Whether Judge Hathaway abused her discretion in denying [Scott’s] motion for judgment of acquittal for count 1 since [Scott] was exempt under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106(B)(1) [and] (6). II. Whether the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, in that the Commonwealth did…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b)(6) — 8 cases
Commonwealth v. Scott, 176 A.3d 283 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“Whether Judge Hathaway abused her discretion in denying [Scott’s] motion for judgment of acquittal for count 1 since [Scott] was exempt under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6106(B)(1) [and] (6). II. Whether the guilty verdict was against the weight of the evidence, in that the Commonwealth did…”
Commonwealth v. Carr, 483 A.2d 542 (Pa. 1984).
“JOHNSON, Judge: Albert Carr was tried on various criminal charges in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia but was found guilty only of possessing an unlicensed firearm in violation of a particular section of the Uniform Firearms Act set forth at 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106(a). [1] After a…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b)(8) — 2 cases
Com. v. Bieber, E., 283 A.3d 866 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
“18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Thus, as is relevant in this case, Section 6106 generally prohibits, inter alia, the carrying of a firearm in a vehicle without a carry-concealed permit.”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b)(9) — 1 case
Com. v. Bieber, E., 283 A.3d 866 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
“18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Thus, as is relevant in this case, Section 6106 generally prohibits, inter alia, the carrying of a firearm in a vehicle without a carry-concealed permit.”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(b)(l) — 1 case
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(c) — 2 cases
Com. v. Bieber, E., 283 A.3d 866 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
“18 Pa.C.S. § 6106. Thus, as is relevant in this case, Section 6106 generally prohibits, inter alia, the carrying of a firearm in a vehicle without a carry-concealed permit.”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(e) — 1 case
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(e)(1) — 2 cases
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6106(i) — 1 case
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.