Reciprocity is when one state honors a concealed carry permit issued by another state. Some states sign formal reciprocity agreements with each other. Others choose to recognize certain out-of-state permits on their own, without an agreement. Either way, the result for you is the same: you have the same permission to carry as residents of that state, with a permit from that state, would have.

No. Every state decides which permits it will honor, and no single permit is honored everywhere. Use the map builder above to see exactly where your resident permit and any non-resident permits are honored. This is why some people seek out additional permits from other states beyond their resident permit in order to expand generally their overall reciprocity.

Some states issue two levels of concealed carry permit: a standard (or basic) permit and an enhanced permit. Enhanced permits usually require more training, often including live-fire qualification. In some states they also let you carry in places a standard permit doesn’t. For reciprocity, the difference can matter a lot, because some states honor only the enhanced version of another state’s permit. If you hold an enhanced permit, choose the enhanced option for that state in the map builder’s dropdown. The map will then show the extra states your enhanced permit covers. If you’re not sure which type you have, check your permit card or contact the agency that issued it.

You follow the laws of the state you’re in, not your home state. That includes where carry is prohibited, whether you must tell an officer you’re carrying, how you can carry in a vehicle, and any limits on magazines or ammunition. Check the specific state’s laws before you travel.

In most permitless (constitutional) carry states, the law applies to both residents and non-residents who meet the state’s age and eligibility requirements. A few limit permitless carry to residents only. Even where you can carry without a permit, a permit often gives you more privileges. Examples include carrying in more locations or skipping the background check when buying a firearm. See which states have permitless carry.

For many people who travel, a non-resident permit is the easiest way to expand where they can legally carry. Several states issue permits to non-residents. Add any non-resident permits to the map builder to see how much coverage they add to your resident permit.

Usually not. Many states will not honor a non-resident permit held by their own residents. If you live in a state that issues permits, you’ll generally need that state’s permit to carry there.

In national parks, the carry laws of the state the park is in generally apply. Firearms are still prohibited in federal buildings, such as visitor centers, ranger stations and post offices. Other federal property, like military bases and courthouses, has its own restrictions regardless of your permit.

Federal law (the Firearm Owners Protection Act) protects transporting a firearm through a state where you can’t legally possess it. The protection only applies if the firearm is unloaded, and both the firearm and its ammunition are out of reach from the passenger compartment, such as in the trunk or a locked container. This “safe passage” protection does not allow concealed carry, and some states have been known to enforce it narrowly. Read our full guide to interstate travel under FOPA.

Reciprocity changes several times a year as states pass new laws, change their permit policies, or sign new agreements. We update the map when changes take effect. Always confirm with the state before you travel, as noted in the legal disclaimer above.