Pennsylvania and Virginia Restore Mutual Concealed Carry Reciprocity—Finally
In a major win for gun owners in the Mid-Atlantic, Pennsylvania and Virginia have officially reinstated mutual recognition of each other’s concealed carry permits. On June 11, 2025, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares signed a new agreement restoring the reciprocity that had been revoked back in 2018.
That seven-year gap meant that law-abiding permit holders in both states—especially commuters and travelers in the DC metro area, lost the ability to legally carry concealed when crossing state lines. Now, that right has been restored.
Virginia had been honoring the PA permit all along, but this new formal agreement ensures PA will once again return the favor.
🔁 What Changed in 2018?
In 2018, then-Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro made the unilateral decision to stop recognizing Virginia’s permits, citing concerns about the difference in permit issuance standards. That decision immediately stripped away reciprocity, despite there being no record of abuse or systemic risk from Virginia permit holders.
The result? Virginians traveling into Pennsylvania (and vice versa) were suddenly at risk of violating felony-level gun laws unless they disarmed or rerouted. For residents near the border or in metro areas like D.C., the change was especially disruptive.
🔐 What This New Agreement Means
With the new memorandum of understanding in place, permit holders from either state may now legally carry in the other—provided they meet basic conditions:
- Must be 21 years or older
- Must carry a valid government-issued photo ID
- Must not have a suspended or revoked permit
Virginia now becomes the 30th state to share concealed carry reciprocity with Pennsylvania, according to the PA Attorney General’s office.
🎯 A Strategic Victory
This isn’t just a return to normal—it’s a reflection of a broader pro-gun policy direction coming out of Pennsylvania. AG Dave Sunday, elected in 2024, has shown strong support for the Second Amendment. In restoring reciprocity, he delivered on promises to undo the Shapiro-era restrictions and rebuild common-sense cooperation between states.
Virginia AG Jason Miyares echoed those sentiments, calling the agreement a matter of “mutual respect and responsible gun ownership.”
💬 Final Thoughts
For many concealed carriers, reciprocity agreements are a patchwork of confusion and risk. This renewed partnership between Pennsylvania and Virginia restores a basic right that never should have been taken away. It also serves as a reminder that elections matter—and that restoring gun rights is often a slow grind requiring committed leadership.
Travelers, commuters, and law-abiding gun owners in both states now enjoy a bit more freedom and security. Let’s hope more states follow suit.
