Resident vs. Non-Resident Carry Permits: What's the Difference?

If you've spent any time reading about carry permits, you've probably run into the term "non-resident permit." It sounds technical. It's actually pretty simple.

A resident permit is issued by the state where you live. A non-resident permit is issued by a state where you don't live. That's the basic difference. The details are where it gets interesting.

Resident permits: the starting point for most people

For most people, the first permit is a resident permit from their home state. You apply where you live, through whatever agency handles permits in your state. You meet your state's requirements for age, background check and training, if any.

Your resident permit is what lets you carry in your home state, if your state requires a permit. It's also what other states look at when they decide whether to honor your permit under reciprocity. (New to reciprocity? Start with our plain-English guide.)

Non-resident permits: what they are

Some states will issue a permit to someone who lives in a different state. That's a non-resident permit. Not every state does this. Some states only issue permits to their own residents. Others issue to non-residents, sometimes with extra conditions.

The application usually looks similar to a resident application: a background check, fingerprints, any required training, and a fee. Some states let you apply by mail. Some require you to show up in person. Some require non-residents to already hold a permit from their home state first.

Why people get non-resident permits

There are a few common reasons:

• Travel. If you regularly visit a state that doesn't honor your home-state permit, a permit from that state, or from a state it does honor, may cover you there. This is the most common reason.
• Work. People who live in one state and work in another, or drive across state lines for a living, sometimes want a permit that's valid where they spend their days.
• Your home state doesn't issue permits easily. Historically, some states made it hard for residents to get a permit. In some cases, residents of those states held non-resident permits so they could carry when traveling elsewhere.
• A second home. If you split your time between two states, you may want a permit that covers you in both.

The catch: not every state treats them the same

Here's what trips people up. A non-resident permit doesn't always get the same respect as a resident permit.

• Some states only honor resident permits. Under their rules, a permit generally counts only if it was issued by the state where you live. A non-resident permit from somewhere else may not count there.
• Your home state may not accept it at home. In many cases, a non-resident permit from another state doesn't let you carry in your own state of residence. For that, you usually need your home state's permit, or your home state's permitless carry law.
• Reciprocity lists can differ. A state's agreements might cover resident permits from a particular state but not non-resident permits from that same state.

So before you get a non-resident permit for a specific reason, check that it actually does what you need, in the states you care about. Use each state's official site, not just a map.

What happens when you move

If you move to a new state, your permit situation changes. Your old resident permit is now from a state you don't live in. Some states give new residents a grace period. Some don't recognize the old permit at all once you've established residency.

Plan to apply for a resident permit in your new state as soon as you can. Our application checklist covers what you'll typically need.

Is a non-resident permit right for you?

For most people, a resident permit from their home state is the right place to start. It covers you at home, and it's what most reciprocity decisions are based on.

A non-resident permit can make sense later if you have a specific need, like regular trips to a state that doesn't honor your current permit. Think of it as a tool for a particular job, not a replacement for your home-state permit.

The bottom line

Start with your home state. Get your resident permit if your state issues one and you're eligible. Then, if your travel or work takes you somewhere your permit isn't honored, look at whether a non-resident permit fills the gap. Either way, check the official rules for every state involved, and check again before you travel. (Our road-trip checklist can help.)