Pennsylvania

Permanent URL for this collectionhttps://dspace.firearmsresearchcenter.org/id/frc0001/5079

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.

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 40 of 69

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.
1909 Pa. Laws 466, No. 261, § 1
(1909)
Prohibited unnaturalized foreign born residents from hunting in the Commonwealth, or to possess a shotgun or rifle.
1919 Pa. Laws 710, No. 286, § 1
(1919)
The department may adopt and enforce rules and regulations governing the having, using, storage, sale and keeping of gasoline, naptha, kerosene, or other substance of like character, blasting powder, gun powder, dynamite, or any other inflammable or combustible chemical products or substances or materials. The department may also adopt and enforce rules and regulations requiring the placing of fire extinguishers in buildings.
1903 Pa. Laws 198-99, No. 142, §§ 1-2.
(1903)
§Be it enacted that six months after the passage of this act it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, on the streets or alleys, of any city or borough in this Commonwealth, a flobert rifle, air gun, spring gun, or any implement which impels with force a metal pellet of any kind.§
Ordinances of the Borough of Shamokin, Pa. 71-72 (1896)
(1896)
This section regulates the transportation of gunpowder, blasting powder, and other explosives through borough streets. Quantities greater than 25 pounds must be securely covered with canvas to prevent spilling or accidental ignition from sparks. Anyone violating the rule may have the explosives forfeited and, upon conviction, must pay a fine of $1 to $10.
1905 Pa. Laws 252-53, No. 180, § 8
(1905)
No person shall make use of what is known as buckshot in hunting deer or fawn within this Commonwealth, or shall kill or wound, or attempt to kill or wound, any deer or fawn within this Commonwealth, or shall kill or wound, or attempt to kill or wound, any deer or fawn within this Commonwealth by or with or through the use of a gun propelling or emitting more than one pellet, bullet or ball at a single discharge; and persons violating this provision shall be subject to the penalties provided by existing law for the unlawful taking or killing of deer or fawn.
1905 Pa. Laws 279-80, No. 189, § 1.
(1905)
§Be it enacted, that if any person shall willfully and maliciously, either by day or by night, with or without breaking, enter any building with intent to commit a felony by the use of nitroglycerine, dynamite, gunpowder, or other high explosives, such person shall be guilty of felony, and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, and undergo an imprisonment, by separate and solitary confinement at labor, not exceeding twenty-five years.
Ordinances of Tyrone Borough, Pa. 35 (1893)
(1893)
That from and after the passage of this Ordinance it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any gun, pistol, or other fire arm (in or upon any of the streets or alleys) within the limits of the borough of Tyrone. §2. Any person violating the provisions of this Ordinance, shall, upon conviction before the Burgess, be subject to a fine of not less than one ($1) dollar nor more than fifty ($50) dollars at the discretion of the Burgess, and in default of payment thereof be confined in the lock-up not exceeding forty-eight (48) hours.
1881 Pa. Laws 111, No. 124, § 1
(1881)
makes any person, "who shall knowingly and willfully sell or cause to be sold, to any person under sixteen years of age, any cannon, revolver, pistol or other such deadly weapon, ... shall, in every such case, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars."
A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania: From the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred to the Sixth Day of July, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-Three, at 423-24, Crimes, pt. 6, § 113 (11th ed., Vol. 1, 1885)
(1883)
Any person who shall knowingly and willfully sell or cause to be sold to any person under sixteen years of age, any cannon, revolver, pistol or other such deadly weapon, or who shall knowingly and willfully sell, or cause to be sold, to any such minor, any imitation or toy cannon, revolver or pistol so made, constructed or arranged as to be capable of being loaded with gunpowder or other explosive substance, cartridges, shot, slugs or balls and being exploded, fired off and discharged, and thereby become a dangerous or deadly weapon, or who shall knowingly and willfully sell, or cause to be sold to any such minor, any cartridge, gunpowder or other dangerous and explosive substance, shall in every such case, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars.
1903 Pa. Laws 178, No. 136, §§ 1-2
(1903)
Imposed licensing requirement for non-residents and unnaturalized foreign-born resident to possess a gun in the fields, forests, or waters of the State. Punishable by fine.
John C. McCombs, Charter of the City of Allegheny 141 (1870)
(1870)
Any person who shall fire off, or discharge any gun, pistol, fowling piece, or other fire-arms, within the limits of the city of Allegheny, unless the same be in defense of person or property, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not less than $1.00 nor more than $4.00, upon conviction.]
A Digest of the Laws and Ordinances of the City of Philadelphia, at 462, Bureau of Corrections, pt. 3, § 80 (1887)
(1879)
Any tramp who shall enter any dwelling-house, against the will or*§without the permission of the owner or occupant thereof, or shall kindle any fire in the highway, or on the land of another, without the owner's consent, or shall be found carrying any fire-arms or other dangerous weapon, with intent unlawfully to do injury or intimidate any other person, which intent may be inferred by the jury trying the case, from the facts that the defendant is a tramp, and so armed, or shall do, or threaten to do, any injury, not amounting to a felony, to any person, or to the real or personal estate of another, shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be sentenced to undergo an imprisonment by separate or solitary confinement at labor for a period not exceeding three years."
1875 Pa. Laws 33, No. 38, § 1
(1875)
Prohibited concealed carry of any firearms, slung-shots, billys, dirk-knives, razors, or any other deadly weapon with intent to maliciously do injury to any another person
1876 Pa. Laws 105, No. 77, § 4
(1876)
No person shall, at any time, kill any wild duck or goose with any device or instrument known as a swivel or punt gun, or with any gun other than such guns as habitually are raised at arm's length and fired from the shoulder or shall use any net, device, instrument, or gun other than such gun as aforesaid, with intent to capture or kill any such wild duck or goose, under a penalty of ten dollars.
1875 Pa. Laws 48, no. 52, § 1
(1875)
That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to erect, place or have any booth, stall, tent, carriage, boat, vessel, or any other place whatever, for the purpose of selling, giving, or otherwise disposing of any spirituous, vinous or malt liquors, or cider, or any fermented liquors whatsoever, or any admixtures thereof, or any liquid compounded or composed, in whole or part, of alcohol, or any other intoxicating drink whatever, (except as hereinafter excepted,) within three miles of the place of holding any soldiers' encampment or re-union in this state, during the time of holding such encampment or re-union."
Brightly's Annual Digest for 1873 to 1878, Annual Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, at 1835 Common Carriers, § 1-2 (1878)
(1874)
If any person shall knowingly deliver, or cause to be delivered to any canal, railroad, steamboat or other transportation company, or to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of transportation, any nitro-glycerine, dualin, dynamite, gunpowder, mining or blasting powder, gun-cotton, phosphorus, or other explosive material adapted for blasting, or for any other purpose for which the articles before mentioned, or any of them, may be used, under any false or deceptive invoice or description, or without informing such person, firm or corporation, in writing, at or before the time when such delivery is made, of the true nature of such, and without having the keg, barrel, can or package containing the same plainly marked with the name of the explosive material therein contained, together with the word "dangerous" article, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, from the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred to the Tenth Day of July, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-Two, at 323, Crimes, pt. 7, § 40 (10th ed., vol. 1, 1873)
(1864)
Any person, within the limits of the county of Schuylkill, (b) who shall carry any fire-arms, slung-shot, dirk-knife, 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
A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, from the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred to the Sixth Day of June, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-Three, at 1451, Railroads, pt. 10, § 194 (11th ed., vol. 2, 1885)
(1876)
If any person shall break, pull down or destroy any part or parts of said inclined plane, or other property of the said corporation, or shall willfully obstruct the passage in or to said inclined plane, or any part or parts thereof, each such person shall forfeit and pay to the said corporation the sum of ten dollars for each and every such offence, to be recovered as other debts of a like amount are recoverable; and if any person shall be guilty of carrying a lighted cigar or pipe, or carrying fire into the station-houses and buildings of the corporation, in any manner except in a lantern, or shall discharge any pistol or gun, or any fire-works in or near the building of the said company
1874 Pa. laws 91, Ferries and Bridge Companies, § 31, cl. 5
(1874)
If any person . . . shall discharge any pistol, or gun, or any fire-arms on or near said bridges, he, she or they so offending shall forfeit and pay to the said company the sum of five dollars each. . .
PHOENIXVILLE, A DIGEST OF THE ORDINANCES, Parks, § 1, no. 4 (Daily Republican Print 1906) (Passed 1878).
(1878)
No person shall carry fire-arms or shoot birds or throw stones or other missiles therein."
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,"
A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, from the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred to the Tenth Day of July, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-Two, at 1051, Militia, pt. 10, § 102 (10th ed., vol. 2, 1873)
(1864)
A soldier who unnecessarily, or without order from a superior officer, comes to any parade with his musket, rifle or pistol loaded with ball, slug or shot, or so loads the same while on parade, or unnecessarily or without order from a superior officer, discharges the same, when going to, returning from, or upon parade, shall forfeit not more than twenty dollars, to the use of the brigade fund.
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. . .
A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, From the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred to the Twenty-First Day of May, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-One, at 250, Criminal Procedure, § 6 (9th ed., 1862)
(1860)
"If any person, not being an officer on duty in the military or naval service of the state or of the United States, shall go armed with a dirk, dagger, sword or pistol, or other offensive or dangerous weapon, without reasonable cause to fear an assault or other injury or violence shall be required to find surety upon a complaint
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.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Browse

Filters

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Sort By

Results per page

Search Results