CCW Database

The states' differing approaches to carrying concealed weapons

by Jeffrey A. Showell

Thanks to Michael Kielsky (Michael, Kielsky, Sui Juris, Juris et de jure), who originated and maintained some of this information for several years (kielsky@primenet.com).

Since 1987 there has been a remarkable increase in the number of states allowing ordinary citizens to carry concealed weapons via a permit system. These are aptly termed "shall issue" states, since these laws typically obligate the issuance of a permit within a certain number of days if the applicant is not disqualified by convictions for a felony or violent misdemeanor, adjudicated mental problems, drug use, or other narrow, objective criteria. Fingerprinting, a background check, verification of firearms training and proof of a rudimentary knowledge of applicable laws are usually part of the application process. A few states additionally require references. Denied applicants typically have the right of appeal to a commission or a court, with the burden of showing ineligibility falling on the issuing authority. Permits in these states are valid statewide, since the standards used for issuance are uniform statewide, though locations like schools, government offices and liquor serving establishments are commonly excluded. The permits issued by the various states vary in validity from 1 to 5 years, and in cost from $10 to $140. Several of these states also allow non-residents to apply for permits, or grant reciprocal rights to permitees from certain states.

Vermont is unique among American jurisdictions. The carrying of handguns, either openly or concealed, has never been regulated by the state, although a few cities apparently do so. No permit of any kind is required of residents or non-residents.

The concealed carry laws of several other states are conveniently termed "discretionary." To differing extents, applicants have the burden of showing need for a permit. Standards vary widely not only between states, but also frequently internally where decisions are made locally, such as in California and Colorado. In other states where permits are administered centrally, standards seem to be more uniform, though usually stringent. In the following database, I have tried to make the included information as accurate as possible, but do not rely upon it! State laws can change quickly, and there is no substitute for consulting the proper law enforcement authorities and an attorney in your jurisdiction for complete and up to date information and laws. Please feel free to send comments, corrections and updates to the e-mail address listed at the end of this document.

STATE	DURATION	COST	VALID STATEWIDE	NON-RESIDENT PERMITS OR RECOGNITION	ISSUING AGENCY

UNREGULATED (1)

Vermont	na	na	na	na	na

SHALL ISSUE (30)

Alabama	1	20	yes	no	Sheriff
Alaska	5	<125	yes	no	Dept. of Public Safety
Arizona	4	50	yes	no	Dept. of Public Safety
Arkansas	4	100	yes	no	State Police
Connecticut	5	50	yes	yes	State Police
Florida	3	117	yes	yes	Dept. of State
Georgia	5	32	yes	yes	Judge of Probate Court
Idaho	4	20	yes	yes	Sheriff
Indiana	4	25	yes	yes	Chief of Police in towns, Sheriff elsewhere
Kentucky	3	?	yes	yes	State Police
Louisiana	4	100	yes	?	Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections
Maine	4	35	yes	yes	Chief of Police in towns, State Police else.
Mississippi	3	100	yes	no	Highway Patrol
Montana	4	50	yes	no	Sheriff
Nevada	5	60	yes	no	Sheriff
New Hampshire	4	10	yes	yes	Chief of Police
North Carolina	4	90	yes	no	Sheriff
North Dakota	3	60	yes	yes	Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Oklahoma	4	100	yes	yes	State Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Oregon	2	65	yes	yes	Sheriff
Pennsylvania	5	13	yes	yes	Chief of Police in large cities, Sheriff else.
South Carolina	4	50	yes	yes	State Law Enforcement Division
South Dakota	4	6	yes	no	Chief of Police in towns, Sheriff elsewhere
Tennessee	4	100	yes	no	Chief of Police in towns, Sheriff elsewhere
Texas	2,4	70,140	yes	no	Dept of Public Safety
Utah	2	59	yes	yes	Dept. of Public Safety
Virginia	2	50	yes	no	Clerk of Circuit court
Washington	5	60	yes	yes	Judge, Chief of Police or Sheriff
West Virginia	5	70	yes	no	Sheriff
Wyoming	5	50	yes	yes	Attorney General

DISCRETION (13)

California	1	28	yes	no	Sheriff, Chief of Police
Colorado	varies	10-100	yes	no	Sheriff, Chief of Police
Delaware	2	35	?	no	Protnotary of the Superior Court
Hawaii	1	10	no	?	Chief of Police
Illinois	5	5	no	yes	?
Iowa	1	10	yes	yes	Sheriff
Maryland	2	75	yes	yes	Superintendant of State Police
Massachusetts	5	20	yes	yes	Chief of Police
Michigan	3	10	no	yes	Concealed Weapons Licensure Board
Minnesota	1	free	?	yes	Police or Sheriff
New Jersey	2	20	?	yes	Superior Court
New York	indef	45	no	yes	?
Rhode Island	2	20	yes	yes	State Attorney General

PROHIBITED:

District of Columbia
Kansas
Missouri
Nebraska
New Mexico
Ohio
Wisconsin

NOTES:

CT: Applicants must first obtain a permit in a town. Non-residents can, in theory,apply in any town.
ID: Out-of-state permits honored
GA: Permits are honored from states which honor GA's permit
IN: Out-of-state permits are honored
KY: Out-of-state permits honored from states which honor KY's permit. Effective 7/1/96.
ME: Issuing authority for non-residents is the State Police. Cost is $60
MI: Will apparently recognize out-of-state permits
NH: Issuing authority for non-residents is the State Police. Cost is $20
OK: Out-of-state permits honored from states which have requirements as strict as OK's.
OR: Will apparently issue to residents of neighboring states with demonstrated need. Can recognize out-of-state permits if the Attorney General declares the permits to be "equivalent." None has yet been so declared.
PA: Many sheriffs unaware that they can issue to non-residents. There is a provision for reciprocity with other states, if the Attorney General decides it.
SC: Permits honored from states which honor SC's permit.
TX: Permits from other can be recognized if the Attorney General decides that the required training is equivalent.
VT: A few cities apparently have some restrictions.
WY: Will recognize out-of-state permits issued by a "state agency. '

USA: Recently introduced House Bill 3838 would apparently make state CCW permits valid nationwide, even in states which do not issue such permits.

http://www.arts.arizona.edu/showell/CCW.html
Jeffrey Showell, showell@u.arizona.edu,

There have been

accesses of the page since February 9, 1996 http://www.arts.arizona.edu/showell/ccw.html
Last Updated on February 6, 1996.