Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to Pennsylvania. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from the colonial and provincial periods through statehood to the present.

Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, frontier and militia records, armory and manufacturing archives (e.g., gunmaking traditions), and oral histories tied to Pennsylvania people and places.
Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.

Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.

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14 Stat. at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 457-58 (1909)
(1793)
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That in order that the militia may be properly armed, equipped and accoutred, every citizen enrolled and notified of this enrollment in manner aforesaid, except as is hereinbefore excepted, shall, within six months after receiving such notice, provide himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrement hereinafter mentioned, viz.: Every non-commissioned officer and private of the infantry (including grenadiers and light infantry and of the artillery) shall have a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints and a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball, or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch and powder horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle and a quarter of a pound of powder; the commissioned officers of infantry shall be armed with a sword or hanger and an espontoon, and those of artillery with a sword or hanger, a fuzee, bayonet and belt, and a cartridge box to contain twelve cartridges. The commissioned officers of the several troops of horse shall furnish themselves with good horses, of at least fourteen hands and an half high, and shall be armed with a sword and a pair of pistols, the holsters of which shall be covered with bearskin caps; each light-horseman or dragoon shall furnish himself with a serviceable horse, of at least fourteen hands and an half high, a good saddle, bridle, mail pillion and valise holsters, and a breast plate and crupper, a pair of boots and spurs, a pair of pistols, a sabre and a cartouch box, to contain twelve cartridges for pistols; the artillery and horse shall be uniformly clothed in regimentals, to be furnished at their own expense, the color and fashion to be determined by the brigadier commanding the brigade to which they belong; every militiaman shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided when called out to exercise or into service (except that when called out on company days to exercise only he may appear without a knapsack) and every man so enrolled as aforesaid, and providing himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrements required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempted from all suits, distresses, executions, or sales for debt or the payment of taxes. Each battalion and regiment shall be provided with the state and regimental colors by the field officers, and each company with a drum and fife or bugle horn by the commissioned officers of the company; the expenses of such colors, drums, fifes or bugle horns to be repaid to the officers out of the fines incurred by this act.
10 Stat. at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 191 (1904)
(1780)
Every militia company had to "provide or hire one able-bodied man not less than eighteen or more than forty-five years of age" to serve in the Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Charter to William Penn, And Laws of the Province of Pennsylvania, Passed Between the Years 1682 and 1700, at 32 (1879)
(1676)
Prohibited the giving, selling, or bartering guns, ammunition, armour, or boats and the repair of guns to "any Indian," punishable by fine.
16 The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 297 (1911)
(1799)
Explicitly allowed "sons who are not subject to the militia law may be admitted as substitutes for their fathers."
14 The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 456 (1909)
(1793)
"[A]ll young men under the age of twenty-one years, and all servants purchased bona fide and for a valuable consideration," had to enroll in the militia. But "during such minority or servitude," they were exempt from training and from fines for not having the requisite equipment. The exception did not apply "in cases of rebellion, or an actual or threatened invasion of this or any of the neighboring states."
10 The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 191 (1904)
(1780)
Every militia company had to "provide or hire one able-bodied man not less than eighteen or more than forty-five years of age" to serve in the Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Purdon's Digest. A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, from the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred to the Twenty-Eighth Day of May, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-three, at 150, Concealed Weapons, § 1 (1853)
(1853)
Any person within the limits of the city and county of Philadelphia, who shall carry any fire-arms, slung-shot or other deadly weapon concealed upon his person, with the intent therewith unlawfully and maliciously to do injury to any other person, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon the conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to undergo solitary confinement at hard labor in the prison of said county for a period of not less than one month, nor more than one year, at the discretion of the court; and the jury trying the case may infer such intent as aforesaid, from the fact of the said defendant carrying such weapons in the manner as aforesaid
1851 Pa. Laws 382, No. 239, § 4.
(1851)
That any person who shall willfully and maliciously carry any pistol, gun, dirk knife, slung shot, or deadly weapon in said borough of York, shall be deemed guilty of a felony
A Digest of Acts of Assembly, Relating to the Incorporated District of the Northern Liberties; and of the Ordinances for the Government of the District, at 101-02, Gun Cotton, § 1 (1847)
(1847)
§That no gun-cotton shall be introduced in Philadelphia, nor placed in storage therein, in greater bulk or quantity in any one place, than is permitted by existing laws, with regard to gunpowder; and that all the fines, penalties and forfeitures imposed by an act entitled "An act for securing the city of Philadelphia, and the neighborhood thereof, from damage by gunpowder,"
T. Henry, A Digest of the Ordinances of the Corporation of the District of Penn, and Acts of Assembly Relating Thereto 286 (1852)
(1851)
That there shall be appointed a captain of the watch, and a sufficient number of able bodied men as watchmen, as may be deemed necessary from time to time; and it shall be the duty of the said captain to aid the watchmen in preventing burglaries, robberies, and other outrages and disorders within the district. And to that end, be and they are hereby empowered and required to arrest, apprehend and confine all persons whom they shall find disturbing the peace, or shall have cause to suspect of any unlawful or evil design, or persons discharging or firing off any hand gun, pistol or other firearms, or shall cast, throw or fire any squibs, rockets or other fireworks, or make or assist at making bonfires within the regulated parts of the district in the night time; and shall take the person or persons so apprehended, as soon as conveniently may be, before the police or other magistrates, as may be from time to time directed, to be examined and dealt with according to law?
Purdon's Digest, A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, from the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred to the Twenty-Eighth Day of May, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-Three, at 107, Burial Grounds § 2 (Vol. 8, 1853)
(1849)
Any person who shall willfully destroy, mutilate, deface, injure or remove any tomb, monument, grave, stone or other structure, placed in any cemetery or grave yard appropriated to, and used for the internment of human beings, within this state, or shall willfully injure, destroy, or remove any fence, railing or other work for the protection or ornament of such places of internment, or shall willfully destroy, cut break or remove any tree, shrub or plant within the limits of said places of internment, or shall within the same, shoot or discharge any gun or other fire arms, or shall open any tomb or grave within the same, and clandestinely remove or attempt to remove any body or remains therefrom, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction thereof, before any justice of the peace of the county where the said offence is committed, be punished by a fine, at the discretion of the justice, according to the aggravation of the offence, of not less than one nor more than fifty dollars, for the use of the said county. . .
Laws and Ordinances of the Corporation of the Borough of Minersville 33 (1887)
(1858)
any person within the limits of said Borough of Minersville, who shall carry any fire arms, slung shot, or other deadly weapon concealed upon his person with the intent therewith unlawfully and willfully to injure any other person, shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this ordinance
Ordinances of the Borough of Phoenixville, at 9-10, Ordinances 25-26 (1855)
(1855)
§It shall not be lawful for any person or persons whatever to wantonly fire any gun, pistol or any other kind of firearms within the bounds of the Borough, and any person or persons so offending, upon conviction before the Burgess or either of the Justices of the Peace, shall pay a fine of five dollars for each offence, and in default of payment of said fines and costs shall be committed to the jail of Chester County: Provided, That this ordinance shall not apply to the High Constable or to any officer appointed by the Burgess or Town Council in the legal discharge of their office. Also prohibited the concealed carry of firearms
1848 Pa. Laws 182, No. 147, § 13
(1848)
. and if any person shall be guilty of carrying any lighted cigar . . . or who shall discharge any pistol or gun, or any fire arms on or near said bridge, so that the said bridge, by possibility, be set on fire, or injured by said cause, he or she so offending shall forfeit and pay to the said corporation, the sum of five dollars for every such offence. . .
A DIGEST OF ACTS OF ASSEMBLY, RELATING TO THE INCORPORATED DISTRICT OF THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES, at 94, Ordinance of Nov. 6, 1815, § 7 (1847)
(1815)
Prohibited discharge of any cannon, artillery, small arms, or prove any pistol, gun, musket barrels, cannon, or illuminate any house. Violators forfeit the weapons and fined two dollars.
1794 Pa. Laws 764, An Act Providing For The Inspection of Gunpowder chap. 337
(1794)
Required gunpowder intended for sale in Philadelphia to be sold in "good and tight" kegs of varying weights, quality timber,at least twelve hoops, a hole bored, and marked on the barrel. Powder shall be inspected using a pendulum powder proof.
Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, from the Fourteenth Day of October, One Thousand Seven Hundred, to the Twentieth Day of March, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ten, at 182, ch. 1746, § 10 (Vol. 3, 1810)
(1810)
§That if any person within this commonwealth shall challenge, by word or writing, the person of another to fight at sword, rapier, pistol, or other deadly weapon, such person so challenging, shall forfeit and pay for every such offense
1822, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the?Company for Erecting a Permanent Bridge over the River Schuylkill, at 89, Rules and Regulations, pt. 14.
(1822)
No guns or other firearms shall be discharged on or near the bridge. And the toll collectors and watchmen are hereby authorized and required to take every legal measure to bring offenders to justice, who, in violation of this regulation and the laws of the Commonwealth, thus annoy passengers and endanger the bridge. A suitable reward will be given, when such offenders are convicted as the law directs.
33 THE DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION 739 (John Kaminski et al. eds., 2019).
(1787)
Ordered the collection of all public arms to have them repaired in Philadelphia.
11 Stat. at Large of Pa. 209, ch. 1059, §§ 1-2 (1782)
(1783)
all gun-powder brought into the port of Philadelphia should be deposited in a certain powder house therein described, under the penalty of ten pounds for every offense: And Whereas another powder house or magazine hath been erected in the said city in the public square on the south side of Vine street, between the Sixth and Seventh streets from Delaware at the public expense
An Act of Incorporation for that Part of the Northern Liberties, Lying between the Middle of Sixth Street and the River Delaware, and between Vine Street and Cohocksink Creek, with Ordinances for the Improvement of the Same 51 (1824)
(1824)
That no person or persons shall fire, or discharge any cannon, or piece of artillery, or small arms, or prove any pistol, gun, musket barrels, or cannon, or illuminate, or cause to be illuminated, any house within the regulated parts, incorporated as aforesaid, in said township
A Digest of the Acts of Assembly, and the Ordinances, of the Commissioners and Inhabitants of the Kensington District of the Northern Liberties: for the Government of that District, at 45-47, Gunpowder § 2 (1832)
(1787)
No person shall keep in any house, store, shop, cellar or other place within the city of Philadelphia, nor the country adjacent, within two miles of the said city, any greater quantity of gunpowder, at one time, than thirty pounds weight thereof, under the penalty of forfeiture of the whole quantity so over and above stored or kept, together with the sum of twenty pounds for every such offense
9 Stat. at Large of Pa. 336-37, ch. 833, § 9 (1903)
(1779)
That if any person within this commonwealth shall challenge the person of another to fight at sword, pistol, rapier or other dangerous weapon, such person so challenging shall forfeit and pay for every such offense (being lawfully convicted by the testimony of one or more credible witnesses, or by the confession of the party offending,) the sum of five hundred pounds, or suffer twelve months imprisonment without bail or mainprise
An Act for the Regulation of the Militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (20 March, 1780), § 57, Penalty on Officers Misbehaving while on Parade; § 60, Rules and regulations, 12th rule.
(1780)
§ 57 "...and if any non-commissioned officer or private shall, on any occasion of parading the company to which he belongs, appear with his arms and accoutrements in an unfit condition, or be found drunk or shall disobey orders or use any reproachful or abusive language to his officers or any of them ; or shall quarrel himself, or promote any quarrel among his fellow soldiers, he shall be disarmed and put under guard, by order of the commanding officer present, until the company is dismissed, and shall be fined in any sum not exceeding the price of ten day's [sic] labour, nor less than one day's labour.
1763 Pa. Laws 306, An Act to prohibit the Selling of Guns, Gun-Powder, or other Warlike Stores, to the Indians, § 1
(1763)
Prohibited the giving, selling, bartering guns, ammunition, or warlike equipment to "any Indian," punishable by fine or imprisonment.
9 Stat. at Large of Pa. 348, ch. 836 (1903)
(1777)
Required an oath of allegiance; refusal of which punishable by disarming.
9 Stat. at Large of Pa. 347-8, ch. 836 (1903)
(1779)
Prohibited firearm possession for people "disaffected to the liberty and independence" of the state, empowered officers to disarm any person who did not take an oath."
1776 PA. CONST., Declaration of Rights, § XIII
(1776)
Declared a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the state.
11 Pennsylvania Statutes at Large ch. 1059 at 209-12 (1906)
(1782)
prohibited storing more than 30 pounds of gunpowder in Philadelphia or within two miles, except in the public powder magazine
Resolution of the Pennsylvania Committee on Safety, Oct. 27, 1775, Col. Rec. Penn. 10:383.
(1775)
Requiring that all muskets be "proved" prior to purchase
1782 Pa. Acts 193, ch. 101, § 5
(1779)
Authorized the liutenant or sub-liutenant to disarm those who have not taken an oath of allegiance
9 Stat. at Large of Pa. 91, ch. 750, § 32, pt. 9 (1903)
(1777)
Any officer or private man found drunk when under arms, shall be suspended from doing duty in the battalion, company or troop on that day, and be fined at the discretion of a General or Regimental Court-Martial.
1776 Pa. Laws 11, An Ordinance Respecting the Arms of Non-Associators, § 1
(1776)
Authorized officers to collect all arms in the hands of "non associators". -
8 Stat. at Large of Pa. 410-12, ch. 705, § 1 (1902)
(1774)
Restricted the firing of handgun, pistol, or other firearms, as well as squibs, rockets, or other fireworks on New Years Eve or the two days following. Violators fined ten shillings.
The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 108, ch. 388, § 1 (Vol. 5, 1898)
(1751)
"That if any persons or persons whatsoever, within any county town, or within any other town or borough, in this province, already built and settled, or hereafter to be built and settled . .. shall fire any gun or other fire-arm, or shall make or cause to be made, or sell or utter, or offer or expose for sale, any squibs, rockets or other fire-works, within any of the said towns or boroughs without the Governor's special license for the same, every such person or persons, so offending shall be subject to the like penalties and forfeitures, and to be recovered in like manner, as in and by an act, passed in the eighth year of the reign of King George the first, entitled, "An act for preventing accidents that may happen by fire, are directed to be levied and recovered."
3 Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801 255-256 (1896)
(1721)
"if any person or persons shall presume . . . to carry any gun or hunt on the improved or inclosed lands of any plantation other than his own, unless he have license or permission from the owner of such lands or plantation . . . he shall for every such offense forfeit the sum of ten shillings."
2 Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801 ch. 61 sec. 5 at 79 (1896)
(1700)
"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any negro shall presume to carry any guns, swords, pistols, fowling-pieces, clubs or other arms or weapons whatsoever, without his master's special license for the same, and be convicted thereof before a magistrate, he shall be whipped with twenty-one lashes on his bare back." Passed November 27, 1700; repealed by the Queen in Council, February 7, 1705-6.
5 Stat. at Large of Pa. 613 (J. Mitchell & H. Flanders Comm'r. 1898)
(1759)
All persons enrolled to be armed with a musket, fuse, firelock, cutlass, bayonet or tomahawk, cartridge box, twelve shots of ball and powder. Allowed individuals to opt out. Used by the Court to show an idiomatic meaning for the term arms, ie to "carry."
Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, at 270, Hunting (1818)
(1760)
§That no person whatsoever shall presume to shoot at or kill with a firearm any pigeon, dove, partridge, or other fowl in the open streets of the city of Philadelphia, or in the gardens, orchards and enclosures adjoining upon and belonging to any of the dwelling houses within the limits of the said city, upon the forfeiture of five shillings for every such offense.
An Act for Forming and Regulating the Militia of the Province of Pennsylvania, 627, PA. CONS. STAT. (WM Stanley Ray 1898) (Law Passed 1757).
(1757)
That all arms, military accoutrements, gunpowder and ammunition of what kind soever, any papist or reputed papist within this province hath or shall have in his house or houses or elsewhere one month after the publication of this act, shall be taken from such papist or reputed papist by warrant under the hands and seals of any two justices of the peace, who are hereby empowered and required to issue a warrant for search as often as they shall receive information or have good cause to suspect the concealment of arms and ammunition in the houses of any papist or reputed papist; and the said arms, military accoutrements, gunpowder and ammunition so taken shall be delivered to the colonel of the regiment within whose district the said arms are found, by him to be safely kept for the public use. And if any such papist or reputed papist, shall have any arms, military accoutrements, gunpowder or ammunition after the time so as aforesaid limited, the same being so seized shall be forfeited: And if any such papist or reputed papist shall attempt to conceal such arms, military accoutrements, gunpowder and ammunition as aforesaid, or refuse to declare and manifest the same to the said justices of the peace or to any other person authorized by warrant to search for, seize and take the same, every such person so offending shall be imprisoned by warrant from the said justices for the space of three months, without bail or mainprize."

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

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