Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
With the way constitutional—or permitless—carry is getting so common, it’s understandable that you might believe reciprocity doesn’t matter anymore. But the truth is that the laws vary wildly by state, and reciprocity continues to be relevant. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand the nuances of reciprocity and how it affects you as a lawful gun owner.
Table of contents
What Is Reciprocity?
Concealed carry reciprocity is the term used to reference the states that allow lawful gun owners with concealed carry permits issued by a different state to carry in their own state under that permit. For example, if you’re a resident of Washington State and have a current CPL (Concealed Pistol License), you could legally carry in North Carolina under your Washington State CPL. The idea behind reciprocity is that it allows lawful gun owners to legally carry their firearms in states they’re not residents of, all without being forced to get a carry permit in the non-resident state. Before permitless carry caught on, reciprocity was incredibly important, and knowing which states would honor your carry permit was a must. You might think that means reciprocity no longer matters, but it does.
Constitutional or Permitless Carry?
Permitless carry—often referred to as constitutional carry—is the legal ability to carry a firearm without a carry permit. There are regulations, of course. You must be otherwise legally allowed to possess and carry a firearm, and carrying is still not allowed in every location in the state. In Texas, permitless carry still doesn’t allow things like carrying in schools or businesses with a posted 51% sign (meaning 51% or more of their revenue is generated by alcohol sales). Never assume permitless means it’s a free-for-all or that your concealed carry permit is obsolete, because that isn’t true.
Do You Need a Concealed Carry Permit?
There are numerous benefits to maintaining a current concealed carry permit. Reciprocity is certainly one of those benefits, because not all states have permitless carry (and many never will). At the time of this writing, 29 states have some form of permitless carry—it isn’t identical in every state, meaning 21 do not. Getting your concealed carry permit could give you reciprocity with one of those 21 states. On top of that, having your permit in states with permitless carry can grant you the ability to carry in locations you otherwise could not. States like Texas allow you to carry your firearm within 1000 feet of school grounds only if you have a current permit and are not entering the building itself. Considering how many roads run close enough to be within that 1000 feet, you can see how beneficial it would be to keep your carry permit current.
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At this time, the following states don’t have permitless carry:
- Washington
- Oregon
- California
- Nevada
- Colorado
- New Mexico
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Michigan
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Rhode Island
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Hawaii
- Washington, D.C.
Reciprocity
If a state honors your carry permit from a different state, their laws and regulations still apply. Just because you’re in Wisconsin with a Washington State CPL doesn’t mean you’re operating under Washington’s laws. As long as you’re in Wisconsin, you must know and follow that state’s laws regarding firearms and carry. The excuse of being from another state—but hey, I have my carry permit—isn’t a valid legal defense. Always check the laws for every state you plan to travel through or visit.
To take advantage of reciprocity, a few things must apply:
- Your permit must be current.
- The state you’re visiting must honor your state of residence’s carry permit at the time of your visit.
- The firearm you intend to possess and carry must adhere to that state’s laws.
- You must know and follow the laws and regulations of the state you’re visiting. Claiming ignorance isn’t a valid legal defense.
Reciprocity and Open Carry?
The answer to whether reciprocity applies to open carry or concealed carry can only be answered on a state-by-state basis. Different states have varying laws regarding what type of carry is allowed. It’s important to understand that this also applies to permitless carry, because not every state with permitless carry applies it to both open and concealed carry. Check the laws of the state you’re traveling through or visiting. Don’t just take the word of someone on social media—check for yourself.
Should You Get Your Permit?
You might be wondering if reciprocity matters to you. Maybe you reside in a permitless carry state, or perhaps you’re considering not renewing your carry permit because you haven’t been traveling. Reality is, it’s wiser to maintain your carry permit than to let it lapse (and if you don’t have one, you should get one). That includes getting carry permits for multiple states to make your reciprocity possibilities greater.
READ MORE ABOUT GUN LAWS: The Reasonable Person: The Legalese of Self-Defense
It’s impossible to accurately predict whether you’ll ever need to travel and enjoy the benefits of carry permit reciprocity. There could be an emergency with a family member or friend, an unexpected move, or a national disaster that forces you to cross state lines. The point here is that it always benefits you to be prepared.
Nationwide Reciprocity
Many gun owners talk about the possibility of nationwide reciprocity, with or without a carry permit. While nothing is impossible, the idea of a federal law allowing gun owners to carry in all 50 states is a bit much. Certain states will always be more restrictive. That means even if nationwide reciprocity were to become a thing, individual states would still have the ability to make their own laws. California and Washington wouldn’t suddenly drop their gun control measures, and despite the (currently imaginary) reciprocity, you’d still be required to adhere to their laws while you’re in that state. So while it would be fantastic to have nationwide reciprocity, it also wouldn’t make carry totally straightforward or exactly the same across the country.
Check out USCCA’s current reciprocity map here.
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Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a prolific outdoor writer based in North Texas. Her love and enjoyment of firearms extends to both self-defense and hunting, and she’s driven to teach safe gun handling. Kat’s the author of several books and thousands of articles as well as a successful editor with more than a decade of experience in marketing. With experience in everything from defensive handgun use to field dressing a deer, Kat’s background is varied and extensive. She firmly believes in the importance of protecting the Second Amendment as well as the First.
When she’s not behind a gun or processing her own game meat, Kat can be found trapping, boating, doing yoga, and mudding. The outdoors and the Lone Star State are where she belongs.
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as with anything the left will twist, reinterpret, and lie so i would be leary about those states and any officers that might stop you.
THANK YOU!!! I have been a gunner for 63 years or more. I started with The Old NRA program that attracted kids and adults into the Shooting Sports and Hunting, and I believe that program was for 13 year olds and up. My Son and Daughter did the same but the new NRA was not as involved as they got in it for the money. I am 73 and in South Dakota Pay to Play permits became available in about 1960 and I have had a SD Concealed Carry Permit since about 1970. I have CC ever since and the SD permit is honored in a number of states.
A few years back SD decided anyone can CC provided they meet the rules, yes rules, and of course no one is allowed to carry in certain places, IE A Bar, but I carry in Bars, but I do not drink anyway!! I usually still carry unless they are actively sanning for CC. My point here is that We have to know what our so called leaders allow. They blow a lot of hot air but never mention the rules and they will lock u up if you break a rule. So, in SD almost anyone can CC now is not that great a thing. Know the rules and u will be ok. If u want more freedom Pay To Play. Now, Federal USA Wide CC has been a dream of mine for 53 or more years, and the powers that b in DC still have not done beans about it. Push your elected officials and maybe within my life time they will give us USA wide CC, but do not hold your breath.
Thank You for explaining this to Us. Make sure u read it and that u r actually legal in your state. Go Out and Enjoy shooting and learn the maual of arms to keep u and me safe. God Bless Us All
So you’re traveling (driving) through several states that honor your CCP and then must travel through one that doesn’t, before getting to another that does. What do you do with your weapon…some options…while traveling through that one state that doesn’t honor it…??? Must you make detour plans to drive a thousand miles out of your way around that state…? Or can you unload it, separate the ammo into another vehicle compartment from the gun and store them separately while traveling that state…? Or…what are the most practical answers…?
When I traveled to KomiFornia, I placed unloaded handgun in locked case in trunk, mags in center console. I may, or may not, have had a Personal Defense Appliance in my pocket as I toured Alcatraz and other SF sights. Figured I would take chances with Jury of 12 rather than 6 pall bearers, if SHF….
18 U.S.C. § 926A
Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
there are federal laws on how to transport guns, i suggest that people look them up and read them!!!
I am a big supporter of the National Reciprocity Act, but your article makes it sound like it’s a waste of time. We have been told by the political advocates of this act that it would be akin to a drivers license with respect to crossing state lines and as long as one obeyed local traffic laws one would be free to exercise one’s rights. A classic example given was the one in Pennsylvania where you could be driving legally with a CCW but would have to cross a small portion of NJ on the interstate where your CCW and firearm would be illegal. Several people have already run afoul of this situation and have paid the price. Even with a CCW and the National Reciprocity Act in place if one were traveling in California you would have to swap out your high capacity magazines for one at less than 10 rounds. The high capacity magazines your are carrying, now locked in your trunk and unloaded, could sill be confiscated and get you into trouble with the law. The only way in my opinion a National Reciprocity Act would, and should, work is to be totally unrestricted in every state other than following Federal laws, not arbitrary State laws.
I’m not really sure of your definition of permitless carry but Pennsylvania does have open carry/permitless carry with only a few restrictions. Those restrictions are you cannot open carry in class one cities like Philadelphia or in your vehicle… you need a carry permit for those.