CCW's and Reciprocity

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

 

In the past, I had a few out of state CCW permits.   I am from Massachusetts, and I maintained for a while the NH and Pennsylvania state permits.   Mostly for reciprocity for states that recognized them, but not the Mass ones.

I let them all expire well over 10 years ago, and with the recent trend to defacto reciprocity and constitutional carry in many states, I felt the need to maintain them was not all that great.

Well, given all that's going on, I have decided to reapply for a few out of state CCW's, and I was surprised by what I fond.

Pennsylvania:  $20 and can be done online.
Arizona  $60 and can be done online.
New Hampshire, $100, must be mailed in.

Arizona does require you to send in a fingerprint card, but the others do not.  None of them even asked for a picture.

And between the three of them, other than the left coast and certain states here in the Northeast, pretty much the whole country is covered by one of these permits.  I looked into Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and while Maine is the least burdensome, you still need to go to all three states to do in state training.  But Maine recognizes the permits from all other states and has Constitutional Carry itself, so I don't feel the need.   I don't really go to CT or RI in spite of them being right next door, and there is some limited defacto reciprocity in them as well, kinda.

New York remains a practical no go.

But, my overall point is this, the cost for some out of state permits is actually not all that great or difficult if you already have a permit from your home state.   Given various realities, I think it's worth getting them.  Which one(s) to get depends on where you go, how much additional reciprocity they give you over your home state's CCW, 

Take it all with a grain of salt.  

[Doc Shapiro]

Here in Idaho, we have Constitutional Carry.  However, I have my app in for a permit due to the reciprocity.  The only state that I periodically drive through that isn't covered is OR.  I may take a day off work to go get that one.  Requires application in person.

[Alpo]

Florida recently went to permitless carry - not constitutional carry, but at least you don't need to pay for permission to carry your gun.

 

Mostly I stay in Florida, but if I go anywhere else I go through Alabama. Alabama recognizes my Florida permit. Alabama has permitless carry, but only for Alabama residents. Georgia has permitless carry for everybody. So if I go visit my daughter in Atlanta I drive through Alabama to get there. If I have a Florida permit I'm good all the way. But if I rely on the Florida permitless carry, when I'm driving through Alabama I need to stash my gun somewhere.

 

So when I came up for renewal I paid the damn $65 and got it for another 5 years/7 years/whatever the hell it is. Just so I was covered in the next state up.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Ohio has Constitutional carry but you can still get a Concealed Carry permit if you want to travel. The only states that I may go to at this point in my life is PA and Indiana. My son lives in Tennessee so I may go there someday. I’ll have to check if those states have reciprocity with Ohio. 

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

This site is very comprehensive when researching CCW permits, applications, and restrictions. It's great for showing reciprocity. Click on your state and it lets you know what other states honor your CCW permit or not. It also lets you know what states have Constitutional carry.

 

https://www.handgunlaw.us/

[John Kloehr]

21 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

Ohio has Constitutional carry but you can still get a Concealed Carry permit if you want to travel. The only states that I may go to at this point in my life is PA and Indiana. My son lives in Tennessee so I may go there someday. I’ll have to check if those states have reciprocity with Ohio. 

Tennessee honors all permits (resident and non-resident), and is also permit-less.

 

The way the law is written, you do not need a permit if you can qualify for a permit. Technically, visitors do not meet either the residency or employment requirements to qualify but that does not seem to be the interpretation. Not sure if the final version of the law addressed this or the AG guidance did not go there.

 

A permit does allow carry in parks (except in the vicinity of school events) in accordance with the permit. This last wrinkle is because the enhanced permit applies to open and concealed carry, and Tennessee has a concealed-only permit. Plus permit-less which is open or concealed (but does not allow carry in parks!).

 

Almost all states which do not require a permit are technically permit-less and not constitutional carry states. One state which for sure is constitutional carry is Vermont; it does not, and has no way to, issue permits.

[John Kloehr]

4 minutes ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

This site is very comprehensive when researching CCW permits, applications, and restrictions. It's great for showing reciprocity. Click on your state and it lets you know what other states honor your CCW permit or not. It also lets you know what states have Constitutional carry.

 

https://www.handgunlaw.us/

Yes, that site is the work of Gary Slider and he has maintained the site for years. It is my go-to general site (other than official government sites). Watch out for various apps and such which copy his work. Besides being a ripoff for profit, those other sources are not always maintained to the current state.

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

You Pards just have these information threads to make Canadians feel bad don't ya?

The only non-LEO people who get to carry in Canada are the drug dealers, home invaders and other assorted thieves and thugs.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

50 minutes ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

You Pards just have these information threads to make Canadians feel bad don't ya?

The only non-LEO people who get to carry in Canada are the drug dealers, home invaders and other assorted thieves and thugs.

It's your own fault for being there. We'd welcome like minded people here if you'd want to come.

[Eyesa Horg]

If it we're only that simple!

[sassnetguy50]

Be mindful that some states differentiate between resident and nonresident permits for reciprocity. 

[Rye Miles #13621]

2 hours ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

You Pards just have these information threads to make Canadians feel bad don't ya?

The only non-LEO people who get to carry in Canada are the drug dealers, home invaders and other assorted thieves and thugs.

Hey there’s room for ya here in Ohio and we’re not that far away!🤠

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

27 minutes ago, sassnetguy50 said:

Be mindful that some states differentiate between resident and nonresident permits for reciprocity. 

 

Yeah, I know.   A weird proviso, but it is reality.

Still, I think it's worth the effort.

[Pat Riot]

Here’s an up to date reciprocity map. 
 

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/

[John Kloehr]

1 hour ago, Pat Riot said:

Here’s an up to date reciprocity map. 
 

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/

Found 7 errors in less than a minute as regards honoring Tennessee permits, all of which would put certain people in jail.

[Pat Riot]

34 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

Found 7 errors in less than a minute as regards honoring Tennessee permits, all of which would put certain people in jail.

Why are you telling me? Tell them. USCCA. 

[John Kloehr]

5 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

Why are you telling me? Tell them. USCCA. 

I'm making an open post to all readers of the forum, at least from Tennessee. With that understanding, I suggest caution for anyone in another state.

 

I'm not a member of USCCA, and based on errors like those I noted, I have no desire to join.

[Doc Shapiro]

41 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

I'm making an open post to all readers of the forum, at least from Tennessee. With that understanding, I suggest caution for anyone in another state.

 

I'm not a member of USCCA, and based on errors like those I noted, I have no desire to join.

 

To be fair, the laws in Tennessee are a loony tunes patchwork that can be interpreted in many different ways.  They need to scrap the entire set of laws and introduce a fresh, simple, comprehensive carry law.

[Pat Riot]

59 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

I'm making an open post to all readers of the forum, at least from Tennessee. With that understanding, I suggest caution for anyone in another state.

 

I'm not a member of USCCA, and based on errors like those I noted, I have no desire to join.

Well, I am a member of the USCCCA and I have found no issues with their sites or information regarding any of the states I have lived in or traveled through. Since you did not list the supposed errors you found we only have your word regarding the issues you claim are a problem. 

[John Kloehr]

15 minutes ago, Doc Shapiro said:

To be fair, the laws in Tennessee are a loony tunes patchwork that can be interpreted in many different ways.  They need to scrap the entire set of laws and introduce a fresh, simple, comprehensive carry law.

Between CoViD and various changes not going to plan (in terms of calendar), there are some screwed up elements. This is a generally 2A friendly state, with some significant issues in the Memphis area and some others in Nashville. Some of those problems are starting to show up in the Knoxville area.

 

So as to interpretation, I could see an officer in Memphis trying to cause grief if a traveler has a concealed only permit from another state carrying openly in Tennessee. And that is not a valid restriction.

 

Same situation, but in a park... If the home-state permit is concealed-only, then better conceal in a park.

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

On 9/25/2025 at 2:31 PM, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

It's your own fault for being there. We'd welcome like minded people here if you'd want to come.

 

On 9/25/2025 at 4:02 PM, Rye Miles #13621 said:

Hey there’s room for ya here in Ohio and we’re not that far away!🤠

 

I'm considering it, or alternatively, since I'm Alberta Born and Raised, I'm looking at returning there if something develops over the next year or so.

The downside issue is my age (nearly 82) for a move either direction.

[Father Kit Cool Gun Garth]

This might help those new to this Thread and understand the issue at hand...

 

https://www-usconcealedcarry-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/what-is-concealed-carry-reciprocity/amp/?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=17602866280180&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usconcealedcarry.com%2Fblog%2Fwhat-is-concealed-carry-reciprocity%2F

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

I have an Arizona CCW so I don't have to go through a background to buy a gun and because if I'm stopped by a LEO I show him the CCW just so there won't be any surprises.  They seem to appreciate that.

 

Last time I left the state was when we took my wife's ashes to Utah to join her family's remains, and to Nevada for my son's wedding.  I checked before I left and carried my piece everywhere I went, with some exceptions in Nevada, on both sides of the line.

 

It's unlikely that I will ever again leave my adopted state.  I've been here for just over 13 years and within a week of moving here my wife and I agreed the we were finally at home.

[J-BAR #18287]

I don't rely on websites to determine legality of concealed carry outside Missouri.  If traveling out of state, I call sheriff's offices along my route and at my destination.  I ask if I can carry as I pass through. The Deputies I talk with are very nice and helpful.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

5 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

I have an Arizona CCW so I don't have to go through a background to buy a gun and because if I'm stopped by a LEO I show him the CCW just so there won't be any surprises.  They seem to appreciate that.

 

Last time I left the state was when we took my wife's ashes to Utah to join her family's remains, and to Nevada for my son's wedding.  I checked before I left and carried my piece everywhere I went, with some exceptions in Nevada, on both sides of the line.

 

It's unlikely that I will ever again leave my adopted state.  I've been here for just over 13 years and within a week of moving here my wife and I agreed the we were finally at home.

Po-Po will know you have a CCW when they run your plate or DL. 

[Alpo]

I don't know how it is in Arizona. And that might be the way it is where you're at. But that's not the way it is in Florida.

 

Like people keep telling me every time I ask a legal question, IT DEPENDS UPON YOUR STATE.

[Texas Jack Black]

On 9/25/2025 at 10:05 AM, Alpo said:

Florida recently went to permitless carry - not constitutional carry, but at least you don't need to pay for permission to carry your gun.

 

Mostly I stay in Florida, but if I go anywhere else I go through Alabama. Alabama recognizes my Florida permit. Alabama has permitless carry, but only for Alabama residents. Georgia has permitless carry for everybody. So if I go visit my daughter in Atlanta I drive through Alabama to get there. If I have a Florida permit I'm good all the way. But if I rely on the Florida permitless carry, when I'm driving through Alabama I need to stash my gun somewhere.

 

So when I came up for renewal I paid the damn $65 and got it for another 5 years/7 years/whatever the hell it is. Just so I was covered in the next state up.

 Please stay in Florida😄