Pennsylvania and Virginia have signed a new reciprocity agreement allowing concealed carry permit holders from each state to legally carry handguns across state lines. This brings Pennsylvania’s total number of reciprocity partners to 30, expanding rights for responsible firearm carriers.
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HARRISBURG, PA (2-minute read) — In a significant win for concealed carry permit holders, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares have finalized a new reciprocity agreement that allows residents of both states to legally carry handguns across state lines. The agreement makes Virginia the 30th state recognized under Pennsylvania’s concealed carry reciprocity program.
According to Attorney General Sunday, his office conducted a thorough review to ensure that both states’ laws align without contradiction. The evaluation concluded that no statutes or provisions in either jurisdiction would prevent such mutual recognition, paving the way for the formal agreement. “Our research of law in both states revealed nothing conflicting that would disallow permit holders to carry in both states,” Sunday stated.
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Expands Across State Lines
Under the renewed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), any valid license to carry a firearm issued by Virginia will be honored in Pennsylvania, and vice versa. The agreement specifically applies to handguns and outlines several conditions that all permit holders must meet:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must carry a valid photo ID
- Must present the concealed carry permit upon request by law enforcement
- Must not have had their permit previously revoked
The mutual recognition policy allows individuals with valid permits to carry a concealed handgun either on their person or within a vehicle while traveling in either state. This provides not only legal coverage for cross-state travel but also reinforces the constitutional rights of responsible gun owners.
This kind of reciprocity is especially important for individuals who frequently travel between states for work, family, or leisure. It simplifies the legal landscape and encourages consistent compliance with firearm laws. However, gun owners are still responsible for knowing and adhering to the specific firearm regulations of the state they are in, even under a reciprocity agreement.
Safety Tip: Always research and understand the concealed carry laws of any state you travel to, even under reciprocity agreements. Local laws may differ on where you can legally carry, prohibited locations, and how firearms must be stored in vehicles.
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