Last updated on: 4/10/2023 | Author: ProCon.org

State-by-State Concealed Carry Permit Laws

(Apr. 10, 2023)

May Issue

The state will make a judgment call about to whom to issue a concealed carry permit after the resident has completed the application and met the requirements. Some states will only issue permits to residents, while others will issue to some non-residents, such as members of the military


Shall Issue

The state will issue a concealed carry permit to any person who applies and meets the requirements. Some states will only issue permits to residents, while others will issue permits to some or all non-residents.


No Permits

No permits are issued, however the state allows concealed carry.

Please note that “shall issue” states may not require permits, also making them “constitutional carry” states. If a state issues permits, the state has been categorized first by permit issuance. As of Apr. 14, 2022, Vermont is the only state that never issues permits.

In many “constitutional carry” states permits will be issued upon request and completion of requirements for purposes of reciprocity (concealed carry in other states) or other reasons. If a state is marked “no permit” and “residents only,” the state will only issue permits to residents, but non-residents may be able to carry without a permit.

We do not track concealed weapons permits reciprocity (the ability to carry in a state other than that of residence). So, some non-residents may be able to concealed carry in states that only issue permits to residents if that state does not require permits. We also do not track temporary reciprocity permits.

Shall Issue PermitsMay Issue PermitsPermits Issued to Residents OnlyPermits Issued to Residents & Some or All Non-ResidentsNo Permit Required
(also called "constitutional carry")
Non-Resident Permit Requirements
Alabamaxxx
Alaskaxxx
Arizonaxxx
Arkansasxxx
CaliforniaxxNon-residents who work in the state and active-duty military stationed in the state.
Coloradoxx
ConnecticutxxNon-residents with a license/permit issued by a state that Georgia honors.
DCxx
Delawarexx
FloridaxxxFlorida's constitutional carry law goes into effect on July 1, 2023.
Georgiaxxx
Hawaiixx
Idahoxxx
IllinoisxxResidents of Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia.
IndianaxxxNon-residents with valid state license.
Iowaxxx
KansasxxxMembers of the military stationed in Kansas.
KentuckyxxxMilitary personnel stationed in Kentucky.
Louisianaxx
Mainexxx
Marylandxx
Massachusettsxx
MichiganxxNon-residents that are at least 21 years old and who have licenses/permits from their state of residency.
Minnesotaxx
MississippixxxNon-resident with a valid permit from another state, active duty member of the military stationed in Mississippi or be a retired law enforcement officer establishing residency in the state.
MissourixxxActive military duty or veterans who are at least 18 years old and stationed in Missouri.
Montanaxxx
NebraskaxxMilitary personnel and their spouses stationed in Nebraska.
Nevadaxx
New Hampshirexxx
New Jerseyxx
New MexicoxxMembers of the military permanently stationed in New Mexico and their dependents.
New YorkxxPart-time residents or anyone who is principally employed or has their principal place of business in the state.
North CarolinaxxMembers of the military permanently posted in North Carolina.
North DakotaxxxFull-time active military duty stationed in ND and non-residents if they have a concealed carry permit from their home state, which must have reciprocity with North Dakota.
Adults that have been residents for at least 30 days and are not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm and for non-residents with a valid resident concealed carry license from a state that North Dakota honors.
OhioxxxNon-residents can obtain a permit if they work in Ohio.
OklahomaxxxMilitary personnel and their spouses stationed in Oklahoma only.
OregonxxNon-residents who live in contiguous states may apply for a permit.
PennsylvaniaxxNon-residents must already have a permit to carry in their home state in order to obtain a Pennsylvania license.
Rhode IslandxxNon-residents that have a permit from their home state may apply for a permit through local law enforcement.
South CarolinaxxNon-residents who own property in the state and military personnel stationed in South Carolina.
South DakotaxxxMembers of the military and their spouses stationed in South Dakota.
TennesseexxxNon-residents may apply for a permit if they work in the state on a regular basis and hold a valid concealed carry permit in their home state. They can only make an application after being employed for six months and then only within six months after the initial six-month work period.
Texasxxx
UtahxxxNon-residents at least 21 years of age who have a permit from their home state may also apply for permits.
VermontxVermont does not issue or require permits.
Virginiaxx
Washingtonxx
West Virginiaxxx
WisconsinxxMilitary personnel stationed in Wisconsin.
Wyomingxxx

Sources:

Kelsey Gibbs, “Constitutional Carry Law Goes into Effect July 1,” newschannel5.com, July 1, 2021

Jamiel Lynch and Aya Elamroussi, “Alabama Becomes the 22nd State to Allow People to Carry Concealed Guns without Permit,” cnn.com, Mar. 11, 2022

USA Carry, “Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Map,” usacarry.com, Mar. 12, 2019

US Concealed Carry Association, “USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws by State,” usconcealedcarry.com (accessed Jan. 11, 2022)

Wikipedia, “Constitutional Carry,” wikipedia.org (accessed Apr. 9, 2021)

Reid Wilson, “Ohio Governor Signs Permitless Concealed Carry Bill,” thehill.com, Mar. 15, 2022

Andy Rose and Theresa Waldrop, “Georgia Governor Signs Bill Allowing Most Residents to Carry a Concealed Gun without a Permit,” cnn.com, Apr. 12, 2022