Concealed Carry Reciprocity and Traveling With a Gun

No federal reciprocity

No federal law requires one state to honor another state’s carry permit. Instead, each state decides by statute or agreement which out-of-state permits it recognizes. A bill to create national reciprocity, H.R. 38 (the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025), was reported by the House Judiciary Committee and placed on the House calendar on October 3, 2025, but it has not received a floor vote. So before you travel, check each state’s current reciprocity list.

Traveling through restrictive states

any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle

18 U.S.C. § 926A

In a vehicle without a separate trunk, the firearm or ammunition must be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. The protection covers travel through a state, not stays within it.

Law enforcement officers (LEOSA)

Under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C, qualified active and retired officers carrying the required identification may carry a concealed firearm nationwide. Even so, LEOSA does not override state laws that let private owners restrict carry or that restrict guns on state or local government property.

School zones

In United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995), the Supreme Court struck down the first Gun-Free School Zones Act as beyond Congress’s commerce power. Congress re-enacted it with a link to interstate commerce. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(q), it is generally unlawful to possess a firearm in a school zone, with exceptions that include a person licensed by the state where the school is located.

This guide explains the law in general and reports what courts have held. It is not legal advice. Firearm laws change often and differ by state and city, so check the current law where you are.

Researching concealed carry reciprocity in your state

First, find the statute or rule that governs concealed carry reciprocity where you live. State law controls most of these questions, so the answer can change from one state to the next. Next, read recent decisions from the appellate courts in your state. They show how judges apply the law today. Also, check the local rules of the court that would hear your case. Our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. In addition, the Research Center explains how to confirm a source is still good law.

Sources and further reading

Official sources used on this page:

• law.cornell.edu
• law.cornell.edu
• law.cornell.edu
• tile.loc.gov
• govinfo.gov

Related reading on Lawtopolis:

• Concealed Carry Permits and Permitless Carry
• Federal Gun Laws: The National Firearms Act and Gun Control Act