Pennsylvania law generally allows for individuals over the age of 18 years-old to openly carry firearms without a License to Carry Firearms (LTCF). However, the law provides for extremely limited transportation of firearms absent a LTCF – allowing an individual to take an unloaded firearm from their home to only certain locations. As a result, people without LTCFs may not take an unloaded firearm from their home to most locations in order to then openly carry for self defense. To compound the issue further, the law does not allow for an individual under the age of 21 to apply for a LTCF.
As a result, Young Adults (ages 18-20-years-old) are unable to acquire licenses and are barred from exercising their right to bear arms outside the home. The Second Amendment’s plain text, as informed by this nation’s history and tradition, reveals that prohibiting the bearing of arms by Young Adults is constitutionally impermissible. There were no colonial or founding era laws that restricted the rights of Young Adults to keep and carry arms.
After a partial victory in Lara v. Evanchick, where the district court enjoined the Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner from enforcing the carry ban as it pertained to 18-20-year-olds open carrying during a declared state of emergency, the Second Amendment Foundation, joined by three individuals, again filed suit against the Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order, preliminary and permanent injunction, which would enable 18-20-year-olds to apply for a LTCF or prevent the enforcement of the laws which prohibit carry absent a LTCF, along with a declaration that the law and regulations violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.
Case Team: Joshua Prince, SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut
Recent Docket Activity
June 18th, 2026
STATUS REPORT Joint by Taylor Brown, Max Ness, Shawn Palmer, Second Amendment Foundation.
May 22nd, 2026
STATUS REPORT Joint by Taylor Brown, Max Ness, Shawn Palmer, Second Amendment Foundation.
April 22nd, 2026
MEMORANDUM ORDER - GRANTING Defendant's Motion for extension of time 45 ; All deadlines in this case are STAYED pending resolution of the petitions for a writ of certiorari in Paris v. Second Amendment Foundation, et al., No. 24-1329 ; Nat'I Rifle Ass'n v. Glass, No. 24-1185 ; and McCoy v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, No. 25-24 .; the parties shall file a joint status report every 30 days; and the Clerk of Court shall term plaintiff's pending motion 27 and it will be addressed pending the lifting of the stay. Signed by Honorable Julia K Munley on 4/22/26.
November 24th, 2025
WITHDRAWAL OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE - Attorney Erich Thomas Greiner terminated on behalf of Defendant Col. Christopher Paris.
October 3rd, 2025
NOTICE by Taylor Brown, Max Ness, Shawn Palmer, Second Amendment Foundation re 28 Brief in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment, 27 MOTION for Summary Judgment of Supplemental Authority
August 7th, 2025
BRIEF IN OPPOSITION re 45 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Dispositive Motion and Supporting Brief filed by Taylor Brown, Max Ness, Shawn Palmer, Second Amendment Foundation.
August 7th, 2025
REPLY BRIEF re 45 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Dispositive Motion and Supporting Brief filed by Christopher Paris.
