After a frustrating seven-year standoff, concealed carry reciprocity has officially been restored between Pennsylvania and Virginia. On June 9, 2025, the attorneys general from both states signed a memorandum of agreement that allows legally permitted gun owners to carry concealed handguns across the state line once again. According to Michael Hensley of Gun Owners of America, the change is a huge win for the 718,000 concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders in Virginia who were previously treated, in his words, “as second-class citizens” when traveling into Pennsylvania.
The Long Road Back from 2018
This reversal undoes a controversial 2018 decision made by then-Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, now governor. As The Reload’s Benjamin Owen explains, Shapiro claimed Virginia’s background check process didn’t meet Pennsylvania’s legal standards, and used that argument to unilaterally revoke the reciprocity agreement. That decision cut off CHP holders from Virginia and left them at legal risk if they carried concealed in Pennsylvania, even with valid permits.
The Turning Point Under New Leadership
Newly elected Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday wasted no time reexamining the situation. According to Benjamin Owen, Sunday directed his staff to look for ways to strengthen and expand reciprocity with other states. Their legal review found no conflict between Virginia’s permit laws and Pennsylvania’s requirements. “There is no Virginia statute or provision incompatible with Pennsylvania law,” Sunday’s office stated, ultimately concluding that the two states could safely honor each other’s permits again.
GOA and VCDL Did the Heavy Lifting
But this win didn’t happen by accident. Michael Hensley credits much of the success to Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL). In April 2025, GOA’s Pennsylvania Director Dr. Val Finnell and attorney Gilbert Ambler met directly with AG Dave Sunday. During that meeting, they laid out the legal flaws in Shapiro’s earlier reasoning. Unlike his predecessor, Sunday actually listened. Jared Yanis of Guns & Gadgets praised this as “what good governance looks like,” pointing to Sunday’s willingness to act on facts instead of anti-gun politics.
Constitutional Rights Finally Respected
In a statement quoted by both Hensley and Owen, Dr. Finnell said, “No longer will Virginians be treated as second-class citizens when they travel to Pennsylvania. They will be able to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms once more.” Yanis echoed that sentiment in his video, reminding viewers that while we still lack national reciprocity, this kind of state-level cooperation helps restore the spirit of the Second Amendment.
What the Agreement Actually Says
The new agreement allows Virginia CHP holders to carry concealed in Pennsylvania and vice versa. It applies only to handguns, and both states require permit holders to be at least 21 years old. Carriers must also have photo ID on them and show their permit to law enforcement if asked. According to Owen, any individual who has had their permit revoked in either state will be ineligible under this agreement.
Why This Matters Beyond These Two States
Jared Yanis believes this restoration is a blueprint for similar efforts nationwide. He noted in his video that “numerous reciprocity agreements were quietly dismantled during the Obama and post-Sandy Hook years.” Rebuilding those lost partnerships, he argues, will require the same level of pressure and commitment shown by GOA and VCDL. Their success in Pennsylvania proves it’s possible – even in states that lean blue.
Pam Bondi Pushed from the Federal Side
Interestingly, the timing of this agreement may also have been influenced by federal pressure. According to The Reload, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently sent a warning letter to AG Sunday, calling out Pennsylvania sheriffs who refused to issue carry permits to non-residents. She argued that such practices violate both Pennsylvania law and the U.S. Constitution, possibly laying the groundwork for future legal challenges.
How Gun Rights Advocates See the Future
All three sources – Hensley, Owen, and Yanis – agree that this win is just one step in a larger battle. GOA’s grassroots lobbying, combined with smart legal strategy and strong communication with state officials, helped move the needle. Yanis praised organizations like GOA and VCDL for never giving up and urged viewers to support them. “This should be a wake-up call,” he said, “We have the power to fix this country, but it takes action.”
Why This Win Is Bigger Than It Looks
This agreement is about more than two states agreeing on paperwork. It’s a statement about respect – respect for law-abiding citizens, for constitutional rights, and for the idea that freedom shouldn’t stop at a state border. For seven years, Virginians were forced to disarm or risk arrest just because one politician didn’t like another state’s process. That’s not public safety; that’s political punishment. This change shows that reason and rights can still win when facts and advocacy come together.
A Reminder of How Fragile Rights Can Be
One of the most important lessons here is how quickly rights can be lost – and how long it can take to restore them. Shapiro’s 2018 move took seconds to announce. It took seven years of fighting to undo it. That’s why people must stay engaged and informed. The cost of apathy is high, and as this case shows, bad policy can linger far longer than it should.
A Victory Worth Celebrating
As Michael Hensley wrote for GOA, this is “great news” for the hundreds of thousands of Virginians who can now carry legally in Pennsylvania. Benjamin Owen at The Reload gave the technical details, while Jared Yanis at Guns & Gadgets gave the emotional punch, calling this victory an example of what happens “when freedom-loving Americans don’t stop fighting.” Let’s hope it’s not the last of its kind.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.