How About Your State?

[biku324]

I live in New Mexico and just finished my 2-year refresher on my CCL. The course of fire is way easy, but the folks running the business care about passing safe, accurate shooters, so they qualify all students one-on-one and also use training targets that challenge each person on the line to do far more than the sadly easy minimum qualification.

The law here is that you can carry any caliber up to what you qualify with in semi-auto, then separately with the largest caliber revolver with which you fire a qualifying score. I use a 45 ACP semi-auto and a 45 Auto Rim revolver - not planning to conceal and 480s or 50s, thank you.

One quibble I have is that both single- and double-action revolvers are allowable; my preference is to always fire DA revolvers DA. The rangemasters allow SA or DA with DA revolvers, but that's a minor quibble. I could use any number of other CCL instructors that are much, much easier, but these folks do a fine job, so I'll not whine.

How about your states?

 

[Doug M.]

No qual required here, although given the on-going problems with the Good Idea Fairy and our legislature, goodness knows what we might experience.

However, I do my LEOSA qual annually and prefer to do it twice a year. I should be doing it in a week, assuming the doctor clears me on Monday. Although not required here, I try to do it with 3 platforms - revolver, striker fired, and 1911.

 

[offrdmania]

Im in California and the Cali permit is only good here. Its qual is every 2 years..
I also have an Arizona permit which recognizes Cali qualifications as sufficient for theirs. The Arizona permit allows me to carry in another 30 some odd states.

 

[GypsmJim]

Yeah, NY is a problem state for CCL. Really?

I qualified for my permit after taking a course at an instructor's range, and of course having 3 neighbor references attest to my sanity. It was listed as "Target Shooting only", because that's all I did.

In later years after starting my own business, I upgraded to Full Carry, and all I had to do was fill out a form and have the judge sign it.

I have been licensed to carry a handgun since 1971. Permits don't expire.

Maybe NY ain't so bad after all....

 

[Doriangray6]

Other than being legal to own firearms there are no requirements to carry concealed or openly in Wyoming but a lot of folks get a CCW permit anyway so that they can carry in states with CCW reciprocity programs.

 

[Sixgun100]

Vermont has Constitutional Carry. I complete an annual LEOSA certification. Not always easy to find here.

 

[78bagger]

Arizona is Constitutional Carry but again, I have a CCW because it simplifies buying a gun. Also, like Doriangray6, it makes traveling easier.

 

[marinevet]

The great state of Kansas is a Constitutional Carry state, but I do have a permit so I can carry in almost all the states.

 

[biku324]

Vermont has Constitutional Carry. I complete an annual LEOSA certification. Not always easy to find here.

I've mentioned this before, but I don't do LEOSA - the whole rationale for the law was to have more armed, police-experienced people in society. First, I'm retired; I'm not taking any LE action. My firearms are for my defense and that of my family. I might feel differently if LEOSA qualification were accompanied by civil liability coverage. YMMV.

 

[31FordA]

Here in PA there is no qualification course. You fill out a form, pay a fee and if you pass the background check you get your license to carry. The license is good for 5 years. You can carry any handgun, or multiple handguns, you want. It's good everywhere in PA, even in Philly. We are also an open carry state, and that doesn't require a license, unless you are in Philly. To open carry in Philly you need the license. You also need the license if you want to have a loaded handgun with you in your vehicle. No such thing as open carry in a motor vehicle in PA.

I've had my license since I was 21. My renewal notice just came in the mail today, I'll stop in and see the guys in the sheriffs office when I'm at the courthouse. Should take about ten minutes to get my new license, including taking my picture.

 

[ladder13]

Two resident permits. NY and NC.

Both good for 5 years, NC renewal, NY recertify.

No live fire to renew.

No restrictions at all in NC, gun, mags, etc. NFA

No registration in NC. OC is legal without permission.

UT, FL non residents.

 

[cololab]

I qualify under LEOSA and I see zero downside to it. I earned the right to avail myself of LEOSA, and in terms of being recognized in every state in the Union, I don't think there is anything much better.

With the laws being changed in Colorado, there's no telling how convenient it will be to get a CCW permit or how the State may modify reciprocity.

 

[Bald1]

Yeah, NY is a problem state for CCL. Really?

I qualified for my permit after taking a course at an instructor's range, and of course having 3 neighbor references attest to my sanity. It was listed as "Target Shooting only", because that's all I did.

In later years after starting my own business, I upgraded to Full Carry, and all I had to do was fill out a form and have the judge sign it.

I have been licensed to carry a handgun since 1971. Permits don't expire.

Maybe NY ain't so bad after all....

No really it's bad. New permit applications require training and qualifications. And like everything else in NY it's expensive. Then the permit takes a yr to go through the system. It's actually cost prohibitive. They are denying the right to protect yourself from the people who often need it most.

 

[Bald1]

Two resident permits. NY and NC.

Both good for 5 years, NC renewal, NY recertify.

No live fire to renew.

No restrictions at all in NC, gun, mags, etc. NFA

No registration in NC. OC is legal without permission.

UT, FL non residents.

I'm curious because it will soon affect me. When you recert your NY permit does being a NC resident not matter?

 

[smoothshooter]

They would have to allow DA revolvers because, at least in revolvers, that's probably what 80% of handguns owners have.

 

[Rick Sanborn]

NH is Constitutional carry. No issues.

 

[Capt. F.]

Maine is CC and permitted carry for those who may travel outside the state.

 

[Rob613]

Anyone, not prohibited, 18 and over, can carry what they can legally own. No permit or qualification required. The owner of a LGS carries a Glock 18 for fun sometimes.

MT does have a CCW for reciprocity reasons, it allows you to carry in government buildings, and no NICS checks when buying from an FFL. Private sales are legal.

 

[MetalMan]

While Ohio is also a constitutional carry state, I prefer to maintain my CC permit which, IIRC, has reciprocity with 32 states. Permit is good for 5 years and my renewal is coming up this summer.

I also have a CT non-resident permit which is only good in CT. Also a 5-year renewal process.

So, when I travel from OH to CT to see kids/grandkids, all is good except for having to stop at the PA/ NY line to unstrap, unload and lock everything up for the 80 mile trip across NY to the CT state line.

 

[Rob613]

I'm curious because it will soon affect me. When you recert your NY permit does being a NC resident not matter?

Nothing in state law that says you can't keep it. Change your address, recert every 3 years and you are good to go.

Some counties will tell you that you can't keep it though.

My NY permit has my MT address on it, I just recertified this month. I only have two guns listed on it now, they don't need to know about my guns that'll never go back to NY.

 

[.38SuperMan]

Other than being legal to own firearms there are no requirements to carry concealed or openly in Wyoming but a lot of folks get a CCW permit anyway so that they can carry in states with CCW reciprocity programs.

I'm in Tennessee and no license necessary here. You can get a permit, which I have, that involves classroom and range time and qualification. The advantage is other states recognize it and you can open carry. Basically if you're legal to own a gun you can carry it. I've had my permit since they became available which must be close to 40 years. I think the requirements for passing the test have gotten easier over the years and when I got mine one was required to carry. Our permits are good for 10 years for $50 or you can get a lifetime for $300 I think it is.

 

[TST]

Just to expand on California's permits- guns are listed by serial number, and many places have a three gun limit.

 

[Chubbs103]

I'm in California as well. My county allows up to 10 on the permit (by serial number). You have to qualify with each one listed.

 

[Doug M.]

LEOSA imposes no duty to act. I use it to keep myself as legal as possible in as many places as possible. I also have FL/UT non-resident. Whatever and wherever I might be, I want to be armed. I also want to be discreet and unperceived.

 

[Matt_X]

Good summary. I can add that Phila County now is much less waiting as during the pandemic they changed the process. Now most of the paperwork can be done on-line, pick up and final paperwork in person. My observation was that new permit holders were given a little verbal introduction, and renewals are not.



The guys at my LGS thought some sort of demonstration of competance would not hurt. This came up a couple weeks back I was on their range and a guy with a new permit and semi-auto told them he was familiar with the rules and the pistol. He wasn't. I had to tell him to keep the thing pointed down range when he turned to ask me a question about his new pistol. Shop employee saw and was coming over as I went to get him. Told me this is not the first time a new permit holder thinks that means he knows what he's doing.

Here in PA there is no qualification course. You fill out a form, pay a fee and if you pass the background check you get your license to carry. The license is good for 5 years. You can carry any handgun, or multiple handguns, you want. It's good everywhere in PA, even in Philly. We are also an open carry state, and that doesn't require a license, unless you are in Philly. To open carry in Philly you need the license. You also need the license if you want to have a loaded handgun with you in your vehicle. No such thing as open carry in a motor vehicle in PA.

I've had my license since I was 21. My renewal notice just came in the mail today, I'll stop in and see the guys in the sheriffs office when I'm at the courthouse. Should take about ten minutes to get my new license, including taking my picture.

 

[ladder13]

I'm curious because it will soon affect me. When you recert your NY permit does being a NC resident not matter?

Nope. Just do a recertification when due with NYSP and put your new address on the form. Some county clerks may balk, I lived in Putnam, the county clerk is very pro 2A. NY permits haven't been for life (north of Westchester County) since 2013 and SAFE.

To add…..if you or someone in your family owns property in NY, you can use that address if that makes you feel better.

Private sales legal, permits qualify as NICS in NC.

 

[Oldsalt66]

None of that nonsense here in Florida.

If someone still chooses to obtain a (no longer required) Florida Concealed Weapons and Firearms License as I do for out of state travel purposes, "qualification" consists of firing a single round from any handgun with the only provision being the round must exit the barrel and head in some direction down range.

There's been no blood in the streets or other evidence of any public safety issue since we went "shall issue" in 1983 and permitless carry in 2023 while maintaining our "qualification requirements" or lack thereof.

 

[Hair Trigger]

No requalification in NC as long as the permit is kept continuously valid. If you let it lapse between renewal then you have to retake the course. I'm on my 4th renewal, which is every five years, and have to renew it later this year. You can't renew until within 90 days of expiration.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

Wisconsin Weighs In

I've had my WI carry permit since the law was passed back in 2011. No range qualification required. Certified class was required, unless you could show proof of other firearm-safety training, which included LEO/military experience, active or expired permit from another jurisdiction, and even hunter-safety training. Renewal is just a matter of paying the fee every 5 years. Far as I know, they haven't changed anything.

 

[Mongo1958]

Here in PA there is no qualification course. You fill out a form, pay a fee and if you pass the background check you get your license to carry. The license is good for 5 years. You can carry any handgun, or multiple handguns, you want. It's good everywhere in PA, even in Philly. We are also an open carry state, and that doesn't require a license, unless you are in Philly. To open carry in Philly you need the license. You also need the license if you want to have a loaded handgun with you in your vehicle. No such thing as open carry in a motor vehicle in PA.

I've had my license since I was 21. My renewal notice just came in the mail today, I'll stop in and see the guys in the sheriffs office when I'm at the courthouse. Should take about ten minutes to get my new license, including taking my picture.

Same here in GA but it takes longer.
It's more like a revenue gimmick than anything else.