Out of state PP in PA.

NYlakesider

NYlakesider

Gold Supporter
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
9,059
Reaction score
15,539
Location
Northern NY-AdirondackMts
My wife just hit me up to get some info for her. She wants to do some shooting and classes in Pa. and wants to know what counties are the most friendly in issuing a out of state PP and more important will do it the fastest time. She has heard some good things about Berks county.

We live close to Albany NY so what do you good folks in Pa. have to say about the quickest/friendliest countys.

Thanks, Dave
 
Register to hide this ad
You don't need a permit to own a pistol (or any other gun) in PA. You can transport it, unloaded, with the gun and ammo separated (think gun in the trunk. ammo in the glove compartment).

If you're talking about a carry permit, AFAIK they are only issued to state residents.
 
I got a Pa. non-resident carry permit over 20 years ago, all done by mail, from Greene Co. Since WV has reciprocity with Pa. I no longer renew it.
 
If your wife has an unrestricted license in NY Lackawanna Cty is the fastest If she has a restricted license I understand that ONLY Centre. I would call both and ask.
 
The PA counties on the border usually will only issue to NY residents from border counties and only if the NY county will issue permits to their residents.

Mine is out of Centre county. It was a nice drive and 20 minutes in the Sheriffs office, chatting with the Sheriff while waiting.
 
Pike County used to do it, since that's how I got mine when I lived in NY. The passing of the Safe Act prompted d the sheriff to stop the practice. But Wayne County still does, I am told.
 
Wyoming County will issue permits to non county residents.

While PA is shall issue, the county sheriff's have discretion as to whether or not they will issue to a non county resident.

The way I found Wyoming County was by looking at counties closest to the NY/PA state line and visiting each sheriff's website. Most of the ones that will issue to non county residents will now allow you to send the application and fee via mail. They will then contact you via phone to schedule the appointment to come in in person. At that point they will run an NCIC check, then take a photo and print your license right on the spot.

That was my experience in Berks County with my first license, and Wyoming with my second. The reason I didn't re up in Berks is that at the start of Covid they changed their policy on issuing to non county residents.

Note that I don't say out of state residents, because the sheriffs can refuse to issue to people who live in a different county in PA as well as people who live in other states.

Also, the permit is identical and does not say anything like "PA non resident permit." The only hint is your home address if it's not in PA.

At $20.00 and a ride into a pretty part of PA, it's well worth the cost.
 
If one can, they should collect as many useful carry licenses as they can. I am pretty sure that you folks in NY are about as well served by Utah and Florida licenses as I am. I'd also get CT and Mass. I've had both, along with NH and Maine.
 
Dave,

Way BITD, all done through the mail.

First one was with Centre County. Sheriff Nau, now retired was the best.

Then they changed the law and made you come in.

Lackawanna County was my last. Ten minutes in and out.

Moved south.

Let mine expire, NC is good in PA but I have to go through MD to get to Carlisle, so I leave my guns home.

Hate MD.
 
I lived in Lycoming county till I was 42 and moved to TN. For many years I kept a nonresident form there as we returned several times a year to visit family and never had any concerns from the sheriff. I just wanted to keep a PA license for old times sake I guess. When I came up for renewal in 2019 Lycoming County would no longer issue a nonresident permit. I could not get a concrete reason other than "he said we no longer issue nonresident permits". With any sheriff's department its about all there is to it and I respect that as its the sheriffs across the country that show any sanity in the RTKBA as applies to the average person. Its not a big problem as Pa recognizes TN but I would still like to have the PA permit. I call each year and ask if it has changed but no joy...
 
ladder13 said:
Dave,

Way BITD, all done through the mail.

First one was with Centre County. Sheriff Nau, now retired was the best.

Then they changed the law and made you come in.

Lackawanna County was my last. Ten minutes in and out.

Moved south.

Let mine expire, NC is good in PA but I have to go through MD to get to Carlisle, so I leave my guns home.



When I go back to PA I run up I 81. My TN permit gets me through VA and WVA. It is then 11 minutes across MD at 65 miles/hr. that I have to pull over, unload and lockup the pistols for. The first rest stop in PA is 3 miles over the line. I pull in, take care of the necessities, pour a cup from the thermos, unlock-reload-reholster and on the road again. Absolutely ridiculous for 11 minutes! I don't know what the odds are of being stopped but, as they (MD nanny's) planned, the consequences are enough of a deterrent to the law-abiding to make you jump through the hoop and hopefully not even bring your fire arm into the state...How American of the great state of Maryland...
Click to expand...
 
jem102 said:
ladder13 said:
Dave,

Way BITD, all done through the mail.

First one was with Centre County. Sheriff Nau, now retired was the best.

Then they changed the law and made you come in.

Lackawanna County was my last. Ten minutes in and out.

Moved south.

Let mine expire, NC is good in PA but I have to go through MD to get to Carlisle, so I leave my guns home.



When I go back to PA I run up I 81. My TN permit gets me through VA and WVA. It is then 11 minutes across MD at 65 miles/hr. that I have to pull over, unload and lockup the pistols for. The first rest stop in PA is 3 miles over the line. I pull in, take care of the necessities, pour a cup from the thermos, unlock-reload-reholster and on the road again. Absolutely ridiculous for 11 minutes! I don't know what the odds are of being stopped but, as they (MD nanny's) planned, the consequences are enough of a deterrent to the law-abiding to make you jump through the hoop and hopefully not even bring your fire arm into the state...How American of the great state of Maryland...
Click to expand...


I just don't want to deal with MD LE.

I just got back from southeast VA and felt totally comfy with my Seecamp 32 tucked in my pocket.
Click to expand...
 
I don't think that Pennsylvania would confer any benefits beyond my North Carolina CCW but I'll try it next time we get up there. Just got back from Greene County, PA this afternoon. That part of SW PA is as gun friendly as it comes.

I'll also join those with a strong dislike for Maryland. Was a Maryland District Court Commissioner for 2 years in Montgomery County and could not get a permit, even in that capacity. I go back as little as possible.
 
I have meant for some time now to get to this thread. I have stated my travel issue as to traveling through MD but I want to add that although my TN permit is honored by PA I continued to keep a NR from PA in Lycoming County as much for the sake of nostalgia as anything else . I do not return to PA as often since my children are grown but always made sure to return for renewal time. There have been several changes of sheriff over the ensuing 30 years they have all been great to deal with and have had no qualms about issuing the permit as long as I had one from my state of residence. My last permit was due to expire in 2019 and when I attempted to renew they would no longer issue a non resident permit. I very politely inquired why and it was simply they did not want to deal with it anymore. As has been previously stated even though PA is shall issue it is up to the county sheriff for the decision on NR permits. I check every year hoping for a change but so far no joy. I could try another county but I was raised in Lycoming and that is where most of my family still resides. It is not anything to do with me personally so I abide by his decision and hope for a change. Now that its 2022 I will make my yearly call sometime in the next few weeks...
 
jem102 said:
I have meant for some time now to get to this thread. I have stated my travel issue as to traveling through MD but I want to add that although my TN permit is honored by PA I continued to keep a NR from PA in Lycoming County as much for the sake of nostalgia as anything else . I do not return to PA as often since my children are grown but always made sure to return for renewal time. There have been several changes of sheriff over the ensuing 30 years they have all been great to deal with and have had no qualms about issuing the permit as long as I had one from my state of residence. My last permit was due to expire in 2019 and when I attempted to renew they would no longer issue a non resident permit. I very politely inquired why and it was simply they did not want to deal with it anymore. As has been previously stated even though PA is shall issue it is up to the county sheriff for the decision on NR permits. I check every year hoping for a change but so far no joy. I could try another county but I was raised in Lycoming and that is where most of my family still resides. It is not anything to do with me personally so I abide by his decision and hope for a change. Now that its 2022 I will make my yearly call sometime in the next few weeks...
Click to expand...


It's actually not his decision to make, he's violating Pennsylvania state law by not issuing NR permits. I'm guessing no one has challenged him on it yet and just accept his decision.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
My wife in her glory today!
Replies
2
Views
293
jeffrefrig
J
IAM Rand
Stop blaming men for small pockets!
2
Replies
23
Views
779
bushmaster1313
bushmaster1313
Ματθιας
Closing out an Estate
2 3 4
Replies
66
Views
3K
rwsmith
rwsmith
R
Anniversary
Replies
11
Views
475
quikdraw67
quikdraw67
LVSteve
North Texas growth pains
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
bobsguns
bobsguns

Latest posts

Back
Top