duty to inform
What Gun Laws Should You Check Before Traveling to Another State?
Traveling with a firearm? Learn which state laws vary—and why checking them before you go is critical. Plus…
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Last reviewed: September 29, 2026
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 |
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