How to Get Your Concealed Carry Permit

Carrying a concealed weapon or carrying concealed (referenced as CCW or CC) requires a state issued permit. Gun laws will vary greatly state-by-state but many of the core requirements stay the same.  Currently, 48 states allow you to carry concealed and 47 issue permits (the state of Vermont any legal gun owner may carry a concealed weapon).  Two states, Illinois and Wisconsin, have passed laws denying the right to carry concealed.   

Generally speaking, there are three common things that most states offering CCW permits require:

1. Successful completion of a firearms safety course
2. Completed state application and background checks
3. Payment of applicable permit fees

Understanding Concealed Weapons Permit Policies

Shall Issue - A shall-issue state requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun and will issue permits when you have met certain criteria.  There is no discretion from the granting authorities, once you have met requirements you are issued your concealed weapons permit. 

May Issue

There are a number of states that require a permit to carry a concealed handgun but who gets issued such a permit is solely up to the discretion of the local police or sheriff’s department.  As you can imagine, criteria for issue can vary widely:  San Francisco is effectively a no-issue city due to local policies yet rural communities in California are practically shall-issue areas.  See link below for state-by-state information.

Understanding Reciprocity

Reciprocity refers to the recognition of your state issued concealed carry rights and privileges by other states.  These rules vary state-to-state and unfortunately are dynamic and can change frequently.  The BEST policy when travelling to other states is to check for the most recent information with the state agency issuing your concealed carry permit. 

Links for state licensing rules and regulations

The best compilation of state specific concealed carry information can be found at http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_information.html

Be sure to click through to your state’s specific licensing department and verify all information.