Free Tool
Concealed-Carry Reciprocity Map
Add every concealed-carry permit you hold and see where you can carry — by reciprocity or permitless carry — across all 50 states.
Not legal advice — verify before you carry
This is an educational guide only. Reciprocity laws change frequently and have conditions this tool cannot model — resident-only permits, enhanced/class permits, minimum age, “must-inform” rules, location restrictions, and magazine limits. Permitless-carry states may limit permitless carry to residents or impose other conditions. Always confirm with the official attorney-general or state-police website of every state on your route before carrying across state lines.
Data last verified: June 2026, cross-checked against official state sources and handgunlaw.us. Carrying a firearm in a state that does not recognize your permit is a serious criminal offense.
Many carriers hold a non-resident Utah, Arizona, or Florida permit on top of their home-state permit to cover more states. Add each one to see your combined coverage.
A Florida permit is honored in approximately
38 / 50 states
Florida: Permitless carry since July 2023. Still issues permits for travel reciprocity.
Tap a state to select your permit · add more with the dropdown above · always verify with each state's official source below
Permit honored (38)
Your permit is recognized here. ⚡ = also a permitless-carry state.
Cannot carry (12)
Permit not honored and a permit is required. Do not carry without further licensing.
Before you travel:
- Check the official state website of every state on your route (click any state for its link)
- Verify your specific permit type is honored (some states only accept enhanced or Class 1 permits)
- Confirm resident vs. non-resident rules (some states only honor resident permits)
- For permitless-carry states, confirm non-residents may carry — some limit permitless carry to residents
- Review each state's carry laws — where you can carry, “must-inform” rules, and magazine restrictions differ
Understanding Concealed-Carry Reciprocity
Concealed-carry reciprocity refers to agreements between states that allow a concealed-carry permit issued by one state to be recognized in another. These agreements work similarly to how a driver's license issued in one state is valid in all 50 — except that unlike driver's licenses, there is no federal law requiring states to honor each other's carry permits. Each state sets its own rules about which permits it will accept, creating a patchwork of agreements that can be difficult to navigate without a tool like this map.
Some states have formal bilateral reciprocity agreements, meaning both states agree to honor each other's permits. Other states take a unilateral approach, choosing to honor all valid out-of-state permits regardless of whether the issuing state returns the favor. A handful of states honor no out-of-state permits at all, requiring anyone who wants to carry there to obtain that state's own permit.
It is important to understand that reciprocity is not the same as constitutional carry. Reciprocity is about permit recognition between states, while constitutional carry eliminates the permit requirement within a specific state's borders. A state can have constitutional carry but still not honor your out-of-state permit — and a state that honors your permit may not have constitutional carry. Both concepts affect where you can legally carry, but they operate independently. Use our state freedom rankings to compare how states approach gun rights more broadly.
Constitutional Carry vs. Permit Reciprocity
Constitutional carry — also called permitless carry — means a state allows eligible individuals to carry a concealed firearm without obtaining a permit. As of 2025, approximately 29 states have adopted some form of permitless carry: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The trend has accelerated in recent years, with several states adopting permitless carry since 2020.
However, living in a constitutional carry state does not mean you can carry everywhere. Permitless carry only applies within that state's borders. When you cross into another state, you are subject to that state's laws — and most states that require a permit will only honor a valid permit, not your home state's permitless status. This is why residents of constitutional carry states still benefit from obtaining a permit: it gives them reciprocity coverage when they travel. A permit from a state like Arizona or Utah, for example, is honored in over 30 other states, while having no permit at all is honored in zero.
Best Non-Resident Permits for Maximum Coverage
Gun owners who travel frequently often obtain multiple non-resident permits to maximize the number of states where they can legally carry. The most popular non-resident permits are from Utah, Arizona, Florida, and Virginia, because these states offer relatively straightforward application processes for non-residents and their permits are widely honored across the country. A Utah non-resident permit, for example, requires completing an approved firearms course and submitting an application by mail, and it is honored in roughly 35 states.
The strategy of "stacking" permits works because different states honor different permits. Your home-state permit might be honored in 25 states, but adding a Florida non-resident permit could cover five additional states, and an Arizona non-resident permit could fill in a few more gaps. Use the map above to add multiple permits and see your combined coverage. Many experienced travelers carry three permits — their home state plus two non-resident permits — to achieve coverage in 35 or more states. Take our best-state quiz to find which states align best with your priorities beyond just gun rights.
States That Don't Honor Any Out-of-State Permits
Several states do not recognize any out-of-state concealed-carry permits: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. If you are traveling to or through one of these states, your concealed-carry permit from another state will not protect you. In most cases, your only legal option is to apply for that state's own permit — though some of these states make it extremely difficult for non-residents to obtain one, and a few effectively do not issue non-resident permits at all.
If you must travel through a restrictive state, federal law provides limited protection under the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) "safe passage" provision. FOPA allows you to transport a firearm through a state where you cannot legally carry, provided the firearm is unloaded and locked in a container separate from ammunition, and you are traveling between two locations where you can legally possess it. However, FOPA protection has been interpreted narrowly by some states — particularly New York and New Jersey — so do not rely on it as a substitute for proper licensing.
Tips for Traveling with a Concealed Firearm
- Check reciprocity before every trip. Reciprocity agreements change frequently. A state that honored your permit last year may not honor it today. Use this map before each trip and verify with each state's official attorney-general or state-police website — we link to every one.
- Understand FOPA safe passage. The Firearm Owners Protection Act allows you to transport a firearm through restrictive states if the gun is unloaded and locked separately from ammunition. This is for transporting, not carrying — you cannot stop for extended periods in a state where you cannot legally possess the firearm. Some states interpret FOPA very narrowly, so plan your route carefully.
- Know state-specific restrictions. Even in states that honor your permit, local laws vary significantly. Some states ban magazines over 10 or 15 rounds, restrict certain ammunition types (like hollow-points in New Jersey), require you to inform law enforcement during traffic stops, or prohibit carry in specific locations like bars, schools, or government buildings. Research each state's specific restrictions before you arrive.
- Keep documentation accessible. Carry your permit, a valid photo ID, and any supporting documentation at all times. Some states require you to carry your permit on your person whenever you are armed. If you hold multiple permits, carry all of them. Having documentation readily available can prevent misunderstandings during encounters with law enforcement.
Common questions
What is concealed-carry reciprocity?
Reciprocity is when one state recognizes a concealed-carry permit issued by another state, letting you legally carry there with your home permit. There is no national standard — each state decides individually which other states' permits it will honor through specific agreements or unilateral recognition, so a permit valid in 35 states might be worthless in the next one over.
Which states honor the most permits?
About 30 states — including most constitutional-carry states like Arizona, Utah, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia — honor essentially any valid out-of-state permit. Ten states (California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island) honor no out-of-state permits at all. Eight states (Colorado, Delaware, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin) honor permits only from a specific, limited list of states.
What is the difference between reciprocity and constitutional carry?
Constitutional (permitless) carry means you can carry in that state without any permit at all. Reciprocity is about whether your permit is formally recognized. This tool distinguishes the two: a state shown in green honors your permit, while a state shown in blue does not honor your permit but allows permitless carry anyway. The practical difference matters when a permitless-carry state limits permitless carry to its own residents, or imposes conditions a permit would waive — so even where you can carry without a permit, holding a recognized permit can still grant more. If you travel, you still want a permit, because the next state may require one and only honors permits, not your home state's permitless status.
I have more than one permit — can I see my combined coverage?
Yes. Add every concealed-carry permit you hold (for example a home-state permit plus a non-resident Utah, Arizona, or Florida permit) and the map shows the combined set of states where at least one of your permits is honored. Many carriers stack a widely-recognized non-resident permit on top of their home permit specifically to cover more states.
My permit isn’t honored in a permitless-carry state — what does that mean?
If a state allows permitless (constitutional) carry, you may be able to carry there without any permit at all, even if it does not formally recognize your specific permit. We show these states in blue and labeled "no permit needed." Important caveat: some permitless-carry states limit permitless carry to their own residents, and conditions vary, so always confirm non-resident rules on that state’s official website before carrying.
Why does the map say "approximately"?
Real reciprocity has conditions this map cannot capture: some states only honor "enhanced" or "Class 1" permits, some only honor resident permits (not non-resident), age requirements vary, and agreements change frequently. We source data from official state AG and state police websites, but you must always verify with the official source for each state before carrying. Click any state name in the results to visit its official reciprocity page.
Is this map legally authoritative?
No. This is an educational guide, not legal advice. Carrying a firearm in a state that does not recognize your permit is a serious criminal offense. Always verify with the official attorney-general or state-police website of every state on your route before you carry across state lines. We link to each state's official page — use those links.
Which states honor my concealed carry permit?
It depends entirely on which state issued your permit. Some permits — like those from Florida, Utah, and Arizona — are honored in 30+ states because those states have signed reciprocity agreements with many others or because certain states unilaterally recognize all valid permits. Other permits, like those from Maryland or Hawaii, are honored in very few states. Use the map above to select your permit state and see exactly which states honor it.
Can I carry my gun in another state?
You can carry in another state only if that state either honors your concealed-carry permit through a reciprocity agreement or allows permitless (constitutional) carry. Not every state honors every permit, and some states honor no out-of-state permits at all. Before crossing state lines with a firearm, you must verify that your specific permit is recognized in every state along your route — including states you are only driving through.
What is the best non-resident concealed carry permit?
The most popular non-resident permits are Utah, Arizona, and Florida, because they are relatively easy to obtain and are honored in a large number of states. Many gun owners "stack" two or three non-resident permits on top of their home-state permit to maximize the number of states where they can legally carry. Utah and Arizona non-resident permits are especially popular because together they cover most of the states that honor out-of-state permits.
What is constitutional carry and how many states have it?
Constitutional carry, also called permitless carry, means a state allows individuals to carry a concealed firearm without any permit. As of 2026, approximately 29 states have enacted some form of permitless carry. However, constitutional carry does not replace reciprocity — it only applies within the borders of that state. If you live in a constitutional carry state and travel to a state that requires a permit, you will need one. That is why many residents of permitless-carry states still obtain permits.
Do I need a permit to carry in Texas?
No. Texas enacted constitutional (permitless) carry in September 2021, allowing anyone who is legally eligible to possess a firearm and is at least 21 years old to carry a handgun, concealed or openly, without a permit. However, Texas still issues a License to Carry (LTC), and holding one provides benefits: it serves as an alternative to a NICS background check when purchasing firearms, and it is honored by other states through reciprocity agreements, which permitless status alone is not.
Which states don't allow concealed carry with out-of-state permits?
Several states do not honor any out-of-state concealed-carry permits. These include California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. In these states, you generally cannot carry a concealed firearm unless you obtain that state's own permit — and some of those states make it very difficult to obtain one, especially for non-residents.
Can I carry in California with a Utah permit?
No. California does not honor any out-of-state concealed-carry permits, including Utah. To legally carry a concealed firearm in California, you must obtain a California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license issued by a local sheriff or police chief. California is one of the most restrictive states for concealed carry, though the 2022 Supreme Court decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen has affected how "good cause" requirements are applied.
What is the best concealed carry permit for travel?
There is no single permit that covers all 50 states. For maximum coverage when traveling, most gun owners combine their home-state permit with one or more widely-recognized non-resident permits. A common strategy is to hold a Florida non-resident permit plus a Utah or Arizona non-resident permit — together these typically cover 34-37 states. Check the map above by adding multiple permits to see your combined coverage and identify any gaps along your planned route.