UPDATE: Virginia’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity
By now most have heard about the Attorney General of Virginia’s announcement about the audit of Virginia’s concealed handgun permit reciprocity agreements. He determined that Virginia could no longer accept 25 of the 30 reciprocity agreements that Virginians have enjoyed for many years.
I decided to take a look at the states that the Attorney General is revoking the reciprocity agreements with and see if we have a chance at keeping reciprocity even with the revocation notices the Attorney General has sent out. There are 5 states that Virginia will keep reciprocity agreements with, there are states that require no permit to conceal carry (constitutional carry), and then there are states that have made a state law to honor any permit from any state. I’ve listed them below, and included a couple colorful maps!
Where a Virginia Permit would be honored after Feb 1st, 2016
States Virginia will still have reciprocity
TX, OK, MI, WV, UT (5)
States that honor all 50 state permits and probably will not revoke reciprocity
AL, AR, IA, ID, IN, KY, MO, MS, NC, TN (10)
Constitutional Carry States No Permits Required, No reciprocity needed
AK, AZ, KS, VT (4) *ME* *(ME has constitutional carry and honor permits from non-residents if that person’s state of residence honors a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued by ME)*
States that will probably revoke reciprocity after Feb 1, 2016 (or sooner)
FL, LA, MT, NE, NM, ND, OH, PA, SC, SD, (10)
States that Virginia did not have reciprocity already
CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NV, NH, NJ, NY, OR,
RI, WA, WI, WY (19)
US Territories & Districts that Virginia did not have reciprocity already
AS, DC, GU, NMI, PR, VI (6)
The states that have Constitutional Carry and states that honor all permits and how these states honor other states permits/licenses.
Alabama: Section 13A-11-85 Reciprocity for licenses issued in other states. (a) A person licensed to carry a handgun in any state shall be authorized to carry a handgun in this state. This section shall apply to a license holder from another state only while the license holder is not a resident of this state. A license holder from another state shall carry the handgun in compliance with the laws of this state. (b) The Attorney General is authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states for the mutual recognition of licenses to carry handguns and shall periodically publish a list of states which recognize licenses issued pursuant to Section 13A-11-75. (Act 2001-494, p. 862, §1; Act 2013-283, p. 938, §2.)
Alaska: Sec. 18.65.748. Permit holders from other jurisdictions considered Alaska permit holders. A person holding a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun from another state or a political subdivision of another state is a permittee under AS 18.65.700(b) for purposes of AS 18.65.755 – 18.65.765
Arizona: 13-3112. Concealed weapons; qualification; application; permit to carry; civil penalty; report; applicability Q. This state and any political subdivision of this state shall recognize a concealed weapon, firearm or handgun permit or license that is issued by another state or a political subdivision of another state if both: 1. The permit or license is recognized as valid in the issuing state. 2. The permit or license holder is all of the following: (a) Legally present in this state. (b) Not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm in this state.
Arkansas: 5-73-321. Recognition of Other States’ Licenses. A person in possession of a valid license to carry a concealed handgun issued to the person by another state is entitled to the privileges and subject to the restrictions prescribed by this subchapter. HISTORY: Acts 2009, No. 748, § 43; 2013, No. 1089, § 1.
Idaho: 18-3302. Concealed Weapons (5) The requirement to secure a license to carry concealed weapons under this section shall not apply to the following persons: (g) Any person who has physical possession of his valid license or permit authorizing him to carry concealed weapons from another state; and (h) Any person who has physical possession of a valid license or permit from a local law enforcement agency or court of the United States authorizing him to carry concealed weapons.
Indiana: IC 35-47-2-21 Recognition of Retail Dealers’ Licenses and Licenses to Carry Handguns Issued by Other States Sec. 21. (a) Retail dealers’ licenses issued by other states or foreign countries will not be recognized in Indiana except for sales at wholesale. (b) Licenses to carry handguns, issued by other states or foreign countries, will be recognized according to the terms thereof but only while the holders are not residents of Indiana. As added by P.L.311-1983, SEC.32.
Iowa: 724.11A Recognition. A valid permit or license issued by another state to any nonresident of this state shall be considered to be a valid permit or license to carry weapons issued pursuant to this chapter, except that such permit or license shall not be considered to be a substitute for an annual permit to acquire pistols or revolvers issued pursuant to section 724.15. 2010 Acts, ch 1178, §10, 19
Kansas: 75-7c03. (c) (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c)(2), a valid license or permit to carry concealed weapons, issued by another jurisdiction, shall be recognized by this state, but only while the holder is not a resident of Kansas.
Kentucky: 237.110 License to Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon (20) (a) A person who has a valid license issued by another state of the United States to carry a concealed deadly weapon in that state may, subject to provisions of Kentucky law, carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky, and his or her license shall be considered as valid in Kentucky.
Mississippi: § 45-9-101. License To Carry Stun Gun, Concealed Pistol Or Revolver (19) Any person holding a valid unrevoked and unexpired license to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued in another state shall have such license recognized by this state to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers. The Department of Public Safety is authorized to enter into a reciprocal agreement with another state if that state requires a written agreement in order to recognize licenses to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued by this state.
Missouri: 571.030. Unlawful Use of Weapons–Exceptions–Penalties. 1. A Person Commits the Crime of Unlawful Use of Weapons if He or She Knowingly: (1) Carries concealed upon or about his or her person a knife, a firearm, a blackjack or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use; or 4. Subdivisions (1), (8), and (10) of subsection 1 of this section shall not apply to any person who has a valid concealed carry endorsement issued pursuant to sections 571.101 to 571.121 or a valid permit or endorsement to carry concealed firearms issued by another state or political subdivision of another state
North Carolina: § 14-415.24. Reciprocity; out-of-state handgun permits. (a) A valid concealed handgun permit or license issued by another state is valid in North Carolina. (b) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-268, s. 22(a), effective December 1, 2011. (c) Every 12 months after the effective date of this subsection, the Department of Justice shall make written inquiry of the concealed handgun permitting authorities in each other state as to: (i) whether a North Carolina resident may carry a concealed handgun in their state based upon having a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit and (ii) whether a North Carolina resident may apply for a concealed handgun permit in that state based upon having a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit. The Department of Justice shall attempt to secure from each state permission for North Carolina residents who hold a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun in that state, either on the basis of the North Carolina permit or on the basis that the North Carolina permit is sufficient to permit the issuance of a similar license or permit by the other state. (2003-199, s. 1; 2011-268, s. 22(a).)
Tennessee: 39-17-1351. Handgun Carry Permits. (r) (1) A facially valid handgun permit, firearms permit, weapons permit or license issued by another state shall be valid in this state according to its terms and shall be treated as if it is a handgun permit issued by this state; provided, however, the provisions of this subsection (r) shall not be construed to authorize the holder of any out-of-state permit or license to carry, in this state, any firearm or weapon other than a handgun. (2) For a person to lawfully carry a handgun in this state based upon a permit or license issued in another state, the person must be in possession of the permit or license at all times the person carries a handgun in this state.
Vermont: Vermont does not issue Permit/Licenses to Carry a Concealed firearm. Vermont allows anyone who can legally possess a firearm to carry it concealed without a permit of any kind.
As everyone has figured out, having a Utah Non-Resident permit (and others) will be necessary to have reciprocity with most of the states that are affected by the Attorney General’s audit of reciprocity agreements. Below is the map showing the states honoring a VA resident and a UT non-resident concealed handgun permit.
Reciprocity with a Virginia Resident & a Utah Non-Resident Permit
What will be VA & UT
Utah Non-Resident Permit Reciprocity
AL, AK, AZ, AR, DE, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MS, MO, MT, NE, NC, ND, OH, *OK, SD, TN, *TX, *VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY (29)
Virginia Permit Reciprocity
MI, *OK, *TX, *UT, & *WV (5)
* states that have reciprocity with both VA and UT
Next, I will look into the other Non-Resident permits that you can also get and the steps needed to get them. Stay Tuned, there is more to come.