Jonah Patel
The laws surrounding concealed carry vary across the United States. While some states, like Vermont, do not require a license as long as the gun is legally owned, most states have conditions in place for obtaining a concealed-carry license. These conditions include age and ability requirements, residency, and an application process. Some states, like California, require a minimum number of hours of firearms training to obtain a concealed carry license. In New York, a premises license only allows an individual to possess a firearm at a certain location, such as their home or place of business, and a concealed carry license is required to carry a firearm outside of these locations. Texas law states that a person must intentionally display their handgun in a public place to be guilty of unlawfully carrying a weapon, and a license is required to carry a concealed weapon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 or 21 years old |
| Residency | US citizens and residents of the state in which they apply for the license |
| Application | Applicants must fill out a concealed-carry application and submit it to a state government agency |
| Training | 16-hour classroom and 2-hour live-fire firearm safety training course |
| Recertification | Every 3 years |
| Places where carrying a concealed weapon is prohibited | Schools, courthouses, government buildings, polling places, sports arenas, churches, etc. |
| Exceptions | At home or at one's place of business |
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What You'll Learn
Concealed carry license requirements vary by state
The requirements for obtaining a concealed carry license vary from state to state in the United States. For instance, in New York, a ""premises license"" allows an individual to possess a firearm at a specific location, such as their home or place of business. However, a separate ""concealed carry license"" is required to carry a concealed pistol or revolver outside of one's home or place of business. New York does not honor permits or licenses from any other states and only offers licenses to residents, part-time residents, or those principally employed or with their principal place of business in the state.
In Texas, it is legal to carry a concealed weapon with a valid license, and there is no specific way to carry the weapon as long as it is completely concealed. If a license holder's concealed handgun becomes unconcealed inadvertently, they are not breaking the law as Texas law states that a person must intentionally display their handgun to be guilty of unlawfully carrying a weapon.
In California, a minimum eight-hour firearms training course is required to obtain a concealed carry license. California issues carry licenses to residents, individuals who work in the state, and active-duty military members permanently stationed in California. California does not honor any other states' concealed carry permits.
Some states, like Vermont, do not require a concealed carry license as long as the gun is legally owned. Most states have age and ability requirements, with applicants typically needing to be at least 18 or 21 years old and of sound mind. Residency requirements mandate that applicants be U.S. citizens and residents of the state in which they are applying for the license. Additionally, applicants must fill out a concealed carry application and submit it to a state government agency, usually a local law enforcement agency, along with an application fee.
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Some states require a safety training course
The requirements for obtaining a concealed carry license vary from state to state in the United States. Some states, like Vermont, do not require a license as long as the gun is legally owned. On the other hand, some states require individuals to take a safety training course as part of the process of obtaining a concealed carry license.
New York State, for example, requires individuals seeking a concealed carry license for a pistol or revolver to take a comprehensive firearm safety training course. The course consists of 16 hours of classroom instruction and 2 hours of live-fire training. This requirement has been in effect since September 1, 2022, and individuals must also recertify their license every 3 years.
Similarly, Virginia mandates that applicants attend an in-person firearms course and demonstrate competency with a handgun, although a specific shooting exercise is not mandated. In contrast, Florida previously required a firearms safety course for obtaining a concealed carry permit, but legislation backed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2018 aimed to eliminate this requirement. As of 2022, Florida has not passed this legislation, and it remains one of the states that require safety training for concealed carry permits.
While some states have stringent requirements for safety training, others are more lenient. For instance, Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming allow individuals to conceal carry with certain restrictions, even without a permit. Additionally, states like Pennsylvania do not mandate live-fire training for permit applicants, although voluntary courses are available to learn essential safety fundamentals.
It is important to note that the laws and requirements for concealed carry licenses are subject to change, and individuals should consult the most up-to-date information for their specific state. While some states may not require safety training, it is generally recommended that gun owners seek out firearms safety education to handle their weapons responsibly and confidently.
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There are age and residency restrictions
In the United States, the minimum age to own a firearm is 18 years, and some states have raised this minimum age to 21. For example, in Texas, the minimum age to carry a gun is 21 years, and in New York, the minimum age to purchase or take ownership of a semi-automatic rifle is also 21. However, Texas issues LTCs to residents and non-residents who are at least 18 years old if they are a member or veteran of the U.S. military. Additionally, the licensing authority has the discretion to require applicants to be older than 18 years of age.
There are also residency restrictions for concealed carry permits. For example, California offers resident and non-resident licenses, but it does not honor any other state's concealed carry permits. Texas has a similar system, offering resident and non-resident licenses, but not honoring permits from other states.
In terms of reciprocity, some states have what is known as "constitutional carry," where the state's law does not prohibit citizens who can legally possess a firearm from carrying handguns openly or concealed, and no state permit is required. Permitless carry includes constitutional carry states and states where an individual must meet certain qualifications, such as having no DUIs in the last 10 years, to legally carry.
It is important to note that the laws regarding concealed carry permits vary from state to state, and it is essential to check the specific requirements and restrictions for each state.
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Certain places are off-limits for concealed carry
While laws vary from state to state, certain places are off-limits for concealed carry. These places are considered "sensitive" or "gun-free zones", and carrying a firearm in these areas, even with a license, is illegal.
In Washington, for example, R.S. 40:1379.3 (N) prohibits carrying a concealed handgun in law enforcement offices, stations, or buildings; detention facilities, prisons, or jails; courthouses or courtrooms (unless the weapon belongs to a judge); polling places; meeting places of governing authorities; state capitol buildings; and airport facilities where firearms are prohibited under federal law. Washington also includes churches, synagogues, mosques, and similar places of worship, as well as school "firearm-free zones" and their surrounding areas, in its list of places where concealed weapons are banned.
Federal laws also ban firearms in certain locations, such as federal facilities, military posts (with exceptions for certain law enforcement personnel), rented offices used by the federal government, post offices, and most Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.
Schools are a notable location that is frequently off-limits for concealed carry. The Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, amended in 1995, prohibits carrying firearms within 1,000 feet of school grounds, encompassing public roads and sidewalks within this buffer zone. However, this does not apply to private property or unloaded weapons secured in a locked container.
Other locations that are commonly prohibited include government buildings, courthouses, and polling places. Some states, like Texas, allow open carry while prohibiting concealed carry, or vice versa, depending on the signage posted at the establishment.
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A premises license only permits carrying on your property
A premises license, also known as a "have and possess" license, only permits the carrying of a concealed weapon on one's property. This includes one's home or place of business, and in some states, like California, private property owned or lawfully possessed by the citizen or legal resident. In other words, a premises license holder is authorized to possess a firearm at a specific location, but it does not allow them to carry a concealed weapon outside of their home or business. For instance, in New York State, a person with a premises license cannot legally carry a concealed pistol or revolver outside of their home or place of business.
While a premises license allows individuals to carry a concealed weapon on their property, it is important to note that there may be variations in state laws regarding specific locations. For example, in Michigan, individuals licensed to carry a concealed pistol are prohibited from doing so in schools, daycares, sports arenas, taverns, and places of worship. Additionally, each state has its own rules about sensitive places where guns are restricted, such as schools, courthouses, government buildings, and polling places. These places are off-limits even for individuals with a license to carry in public.
It is worth mentioning that some states, like Vermont, do not require a license as long as the gun is legally owned. On the other hand, states like California require a minimum eight-hour firearms training course for a concealed carry license. Furthermore, while a premises license may not require firearm safety training, a concealed carry license typically does. For instance, New York State requires a 16-hour classroom and a 2-hour live-fire firearm safety training course for a concealed carry license.
In summary, a premises license is limited to carrying a concealed weapon on one's own property, including one's home, place of business, or private property, depending on the state. To carry a concealed weapon outside of these premises, an individual would need to obtain a concealed carry license, which is subject to varying requirements and restrictions depending on the state's laws.
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Frequently asked questions
A "premises license" is a license to "have and possess" a firearm at a certain location, such as your home or place of business.
In most states, you do not need a license to carry a concealed weapon on your own premises. However, if you are in a state like New York, you will need a "premises license" to possess a pistol or revolver in your home or place of business.
"Sensitive places" often include schools, courthouses, government buildings, polling places, and other similar locations. Each state has its own rules about what kinds of places are considered "sensitive".
Most states have the following kinds of conditions: Age and ability requirements (typically 18 or 21 years old and of sound mind), residency requirements (U.S. citizens and residents of the state), and an application process (including an application fee).
Florida prohibits carrying specific weapons, such as "dirk, metallic knuckles, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon, or other deadly weapon." Arizona prohibits carrying any "deadly weapon" designed for lethal use. Alaska allows individuals over 21 to conceal deadly weapons as long as they are not carried in certain places and they inform officers during police encounters.
