How Will the New Concealed Carry Reciprocity Legislation Change State Permits?
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Much ado has been made of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Legislation that is making its way through the enactment process. Concerns have been voiced about how states will be forced to accept the concealed carry permits granted by other states.
How much will this change concealed carry laws in individual states? The answer to this question varies from not at all to major changes.
Let’s look at some individual states. Presently, in Alaska, the state does not issue concealed carry permits to non-residents. However, non-residents are encouraged to have the Online Carry Training’s Virginia’s Non Resident Carry Permit. This will allow them to carry their concealed firearm in Alaska. Thus the new legislation won’t change how Alaska treats concealed carry by nonresidents.
The situation is much the same in Arizona. Residents don’t need a permit to concealed carry. Nonresidents can concealed carry with a Virginia Non Resident Carry Permit.
Arkansas issues concealed carry permits to its residents but it already accepts permits from out-of-state for its nonresidents.
In Colorado, permits are issued to residents only. However, the state will accept certain carry permit/licenses issued to residents of other states if you are a resident of the state that issued the permit.
In California, it is quite a different situation. California has strict gun control laws. The state does not yet honor concealed carry permits from other states. That is expected to change if the new Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation becomes law.
Let’s take a look at some eastern states. Connecticut does not presently recognize or accept concealed carry permits from any other states. That is expected to change if the new Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation becomes law.
Connecticut also does not recognize the Virginia Non Resident Carry Permit/License as a legal way to conceal carry in Connecticut. But, at the same time it encourages Connecticut residents to obtain the State of Virginia’s Non Resident Carry Permit/License so they can concealed carry in other states.
Delaware does not recognize the Virginia Non Resident Carry Permit/License as a legal way to conceal carry in Delaware for either residents or nonresident. This means that, like California, Delaware will experience a huge change if the new Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation becomes law.
Georgia issues permits to its residents. It does not issue permits to nonresidents. Further, Georgia does not recognize the Virginia Non Resident Carry Permit/License as a legal way to conceal carry in the state. So, Georgia—like Delaware and California—will experience a marked change if the new Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation becomes law.
Idaho is another state where the proposed Reciprocity legislation will have little effect. In Idaho, you can carry a concealed weapon if you have the Virginia Non Resident Carry Permit/License. Idaho honors the Virginia Non Resident Carry Permit/License as a legal permit for carrying a concealed weapon.
Florida is a state in which changes will occur if and when the Reciprocity legislation is enacted. Florida presently does not recognize permits from other states. That is expected to change if the new Concealed Carry Reciprocity legislation becomes law.
Florida residents are encouraged to obtain the State of Virginia’s Non Resident Carry Permit/License to increase the number of states where they are allowed to conceal carry.
As you can see, changes as a result of the new concealed carry Reciprocity legislation range from no change to significant change depending on present state concealed carry laws.
