Is a South Dakota Resident Permit Valid in Pennsylvania?

Why

• Pennsylvania's official reciprocity list includes South Dakota.
• The agreement covers only permits issued to South Dakota residents.

AG rule: where Pennsylvania grants reciprocity, ONLY individuals who are both residents of the issuing state AND 21 or older may carry in Pennsylvania — non-resident permits are never recognized. Several states are recognized only for specific license classes (see overrides). Virginia became the 30th recognized state in Feb 2026. Not recognized: CA, CT, DE, DC, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, MN, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, SC, VT, WA.

Carry rules in Pennsylvania

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Pennsylvania, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• No Pennsylvania statute requires a carrier to proactively inform police; carry the license and produce it on lawful demand.
• Pennsylvania sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Pennsylvania is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Pennsylvania recognizes.
• Carrying a firearm in any vehicle, loaded or unloaded, requires a valid LTCF or a recognized reciprocal license (18 Pa.C.S. § 6106).

Off-limits places in Pennsylvania

• Court facilities (18 Pa.C.S. § 913)
• Elementary and secondary school buildings, grounds and buses (18 Pa.C.S. § 912; statutory 'other lawful purpose' defense)
• Correctional institutions and detention facilities

Frequently asked questions

Is a South Dakota resident permit valid in Pennsylvania?

Good news for this trip: Pennsylvania honors your South Dakota resident permit. You carry under Pennsylvania law, not South Dakota law, once you arrive.

Do I have to tell police in Pennsylvania that I am carrying?

No Pennsylvania statute requires a carrier to proactively inform police; carry the license and produce it on lawful demand.

Does Pennsylvania limit magazine capacity?

Pennsylvania sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Where does Pennsylvania publish its official reciprocity list?

Pennsylvania publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.