On Packing.org, I notice that if you are applying for a non-resident PA permit, you have to show the sheriff a permit to carry from your state of residence (if your state issues them). What happens if you live in a cesspool like Maryland, which technically issues permits, but only to the politically well connected? For the regular unwashed masses who don't have a MD permit, would we still be able to get a PA non-resident permit? Does PA consider "may-issue" to be the same as "shall issue" in this case?

I would suggest looking into Florida's out of state permit.  It works in PA and many other states on the east cost.  Good Luck.

it doesn't matter if your state is may issue or shall issue you can't get a PA permit if you don't have one from your home state unless your state doesn't have a permit.

Before I moved to PA I had the same problem living in New Jersey and I couldn't get a PA permit so I got a Florida one instead.  A FL permit has reciprocity with alot more states than PAso FL is actually a better permit anyway.  FL issues to anyone wether they have a permit or not

And a Florida permit is good to go in PA, even if its a non-resident permit?

eta nevermind, i just looked it up on packing.org.

Thanks for the help!

Quoted: And a Florida permit is good to go in PA, even if its a non-resident permit? eta nevermind, i just looked it up on packing.org. Thanks for the help!

Florida doesn't make a distinction between a resident and non resident permit they are both the same.  Just go by wether the other state accepts out of state permits which PA does and as do most others.

I have a PA resident Permit and I am thinking of getting a Florida permit.  I can pick up a lot of states since Florida is so widely accepted.