• Permit-to-Carry and Reciprocity

    by
    uapdi
    Reciprocity is what you have when states honour each others permit to carry a firearm. For example, at the time of this writing, if you have a permit to carry a firearm in the state of Minnesota, you can also carry your firearm in South Dakota, Montana and approximately 12 other states. If you have a Minnesota permit to carry and a non-resident Utah permit to carry, you can carry your firearm in more than 30 states.

    Establishing reciprocity is a political process and not a legislative process which essentially means that reciprocity is determined by leaders in state government and not by law makers. Because of this, reciprocity between states can be granted and then be denied with or without notice on a whim.

    Regarding reciprocity, keep the following in mind:

    • When travelling out of your home state with your firearm, always check this WEB site to find out which states your permit is valid in. This site is privately operated so there is a chance the information could be inaccurate or outdated. When in doubt, check on the government run WEB site for firearm carry laws regarding reciprocity.
    • If travelling to a state where your permit is valid, brush up on that states carry laws. This will help to avoid issues and unwanted interaction with law enforcement. For example, in MN you can carry openly but maybe not in the state you plan on visiting.
    • If you will be passing through states where your permit is not valid, be mindful of federal and state transportation laws regarding firearms. Usually a firearm will have to be kept unloaded, stored in a secure container specifically designed for a firearm (zippered gun tote or pouch) and stored out of reach (in the trunk). If transporting a pistol, ensure the magazines are unloaded and removed from the firearm. In some states, a loaded magazine inserted into the firearm with an EMPTY chamber is considered to be loaded.
    • Indian reservations are considered to be sovereign territories. Therefore, reservation laws apply. Do your homework and make phone calls when in doubt.