Firearms in Public Places.
Philadelphia Code § 10-818
in effect§ 10-818. Firearms in Public Places.
(1) Definition.
Firearms. "Firearms" means any revolver, pistol, rifle, shotgun or other weapon capable of propelling a projectile by means of an explosive material or charge.
(2) Prohibited Conduct. No person shall carry a firearm upon the public streets or upon any public property at any time unless that person is:
(a) either (.1) a resident of Pennsylvania licensed by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to carry a firearm or licensed to hunt; or (.2) a resident of another state, which state has a reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania under 18 Pa. C.S. § 6109(k) or has statutory reciprocity under § 6106(b), and is licensed by such state to carry a firearm or to hunt;
(b) actively engaged in a defense of his life or property from imminent peril or threat; or
(c) a police officer or member of the State or Federal militia on active duty.
(3) In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction determines, in a final Order from which no further appeal is available, that persons with licenses from states other than those set forth in subsection (2)(a) have a statutory right to carry a firearm upon the public streets or public property, then, in addition to the persons categorized in subsection (2)(a), the following persons shall not be prohibited from carrying a firearm upon the public streets or public property:
(a) a person licensed to carry a firearm or to hunt by a state with firearms laws similar to the firearms laws of Pennsylvania, and which provides a reciprocal privilege for individuals licensed by Pennsylvania. For purposes of this subsection (a), only the following states are deemed to have firearms laws similar to those of Pennsylvania: Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota and Utah.
(4) Penalty. The penalty for violation of this Section shall be a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) and imprisonment of not less than ninety days.
Notes
280 | Added, 1967 Ordinances, p. 896; amended, Bill No. 100722-A (approved February 25, 2011). Bill No. 140904 (approved February 18, 2015) provides that this Section shall not be effective until the enactment of authorizing legislation by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-282980Fetched: 10/27/2026