Duty To Notify Law Enforcement

Last reviewed: May 8, 2026

Alaska: Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requestedAlabama: Only when asked by the officerArkansas: Rule 3.2 Contact With Law Enforcement (b) In any official contact with law enforcement, if the licensee is in possession of a handgun, when the officer asks the licensee for identification (driver’s license, or personal information, such as name and date of birth), the licensee shall notify the officer that he or she holds a concealed handgun carry license and that he or she has a handgun in his or her possession.Arizona: Only when asked by the officerCalifornia: Varies by county or cityColorado: Only when asked by the officerConnecticut: Only when asked by the officerDistrict of Columbia: Required to notify immediately upon official contactDelaware: Only when asked by the officerFlorida: Only when asked by the officerGeorgia: No duty to informHawaii: If actively carrying you "shall immediately disclose" that you are carrying and identify the specific location of the firearm and present your license to carry.Iowa: Only when asked by the officerIdaho: Only when asked by the officerIllinois: Only when asked by the officerIndiana: No DutyKansas: Only when asked by the officerKentucky: Only when asked by the officerLouisiana: Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requestedMassachusetts: Only when asked by the officerMaryland: Only when asked by the officerMaine: If permitted there is no duty to notify until asked. If carrying under constitutional carry one must notify upon official contact.Michigan: Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requestedMinnesota: Only when asked by the officerMissouri: Only when asked by the officerMississippi: Only when asked by the officerMontana: Only when asked by the officerNorth Carolina: Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requestedNorth Dakota: No duty to notify unless asked directlyNebraska: Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requestedNew Hampshire: NoNew Jersey: If stopped or detained by law enforcement you must immediately disclose that you are carrying a handgun or that a handgun is stored in the vehicle and display the permitNew Mexico: Only when asked by the officerNevada: Only when asked by the officerNew York: Varies by city/countyOhio: Only when askedOklahoma: Upon request of an officer you must supply a valid form of identification but are not obligated to inform the officer of your firearm or permit upon contact.Oregon: Only when asked by the officerPennsylvania: Not required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested.Rhode Island: Only when asked by the officerSouth Carolina: NoSouth Dakota: Only when asked by the officerTennessee: Only when asked by the officerTexas: Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requestedUtah: Only when asked by the officerVirginia: Only when asked by the officerVermont: No duty to notifyWashington: Only when asked by the officerWisconsin: Only when asked by the officerWest Virginia: Only when asked by the officerWyoming: Only when asked by the officer AKALARAZCACOCTDCDEFLGAHIIAIDILINKSKYLAMAMDMEMIMNMOMSMTNCNDNENHNJNMNVNYOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVAVTWAWIWVWY
Permitted Partial Restricted Informational

Showing 51 states

State Duty to Notify Law Enforcement Status
Alabama Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Alaska Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested Restricted
Arizona Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Arkansas Rule 3.2 Contact With Law Enforcement (b) In any official contact with law enforcement, if the licensee is in possession of a handgun, when the officer asks the licensee for identification (driver’s license, or personal information, such as name and date of birth), the licensee shall notify the officer that he or she holds a concealed handgun carry license and that he or she has a handgun in his or her possession. Informational
California Varies by county or city Informational
Colorado Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Connecticut Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Delaware Only when asked by the officer Permitted
District of Columbia Required to notify immediately upon official contact Informational
Florida Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Georgia No duty to inform Permitted
Hawaii If actively carrying you "shall immediately disclose" that you are carrying and identify the specific location of the firearm and present your license to carry. Restricted
Idaho Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Illinois Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Indiana No Duty Permitted
Iowa Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Kansas Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Kentucky Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Louisiana Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested Restricted
Maine If permitted there is no duty to notify until asked. If carrying under constitutional carry one must notify upon official contact. Restricted
Maryland Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Massachusetts Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Michigan Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested Restricted
Minnesota Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Mississippi Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Missouri Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Montana Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Nebraska Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested Restricted
Nevada Only when asked by the officer Permitted
New Hampshire No Permitted
New Jersey If stopped or detained by law enforcement you must immediately disclose that you are carrying a handgun or that a handgun is stored in the vehicle and display the permit Restricted
New Mexico Only when asked by the officer Permitted
New York Varies by city/county Informational
North Carolina Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested Restricted
North Dakota No duty to notify unless asked directly Permitted
Ohio Only when asked Permitted
Oklahoma Upon request of an officer you must supply a valid form of identification but are not obligated to inform the officer of your firearm or permit upon contact. Permitted
Oregon Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Pennsylvania Not required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested. Permitted
Rhode Island Only when asked by the officer Permitted
South Carolina No Permitted
South Dakota Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Tennessee Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Texas Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested Restricted
Utah Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Vermont No duty to notify Permitted
Virginia Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Washington Only when asked by the officer Permitted
West Virginia Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Wisconsin Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Wyoming Only when asked by the officer Permitted
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.

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