Is an Alabama Non-Resident Permit Valid in California?

Why

• Alabama does not issue carry permits to non-residents (alea: alabama issues concealed carry permits only to alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence).

California DOJ: 'CCW licenses/permits issued in other states are not valid in California' (Pen. Code §§ 25400-25700). No out-of-state permit of any kind is honored.

Carry rules in California

Crossing into California swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.

• No statewide statutory duty to proactively inform an officer; individual issuing authorities may attach notification conditions to the license.
• California limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• California is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit California recognizes.
• Without a California CCW license, a handgun in a vehicle must be unloaded and in a locked container or the trunk (Pen. Code § 25610); CCW licensees may carry loaded and concealed.

Off-limits places in California

California bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• K-12 schools, school zones and college/university campuses
• Government buildings, courthouses and jails

See all 6 places you can't carry in California →

Alabama vs California: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Alabama into California changes 4 rules: permitless carry (Yes (19+) → No); magazine limit (None → 10 rounds); out-of-state permits honored (All states → None); open carry (Yes, no permit → Restricted).

Going the other way, a California non-resident permit in Alabama: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from California

How an Alabama non-resident permit fares in the states bordering California:

• Arizona — No such permit issued
• Nevada — No such permit issued
• Oregon — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does California honor an Alabama resident permit?

Not recognized. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because California treats the two permit types differently.

Can a California non-resident permit holder carry in Alabama?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Alabama's law, not California's.

Does Alabama issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Alabama issues carry permits to residents only (aLEA: Alabama issues concealed carry permits only to Alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.