Is a Alabama Non-Resident Permit Valid in Louisiana?

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).

R.S. 40:1379.3(T)(2): a current, valid permit issued by another state to a holder aged 21+ is valid in Louisiana only if Louisiana's permit is valid in that state (mutual recognition - LSP publishes the list of 37 states). The statute does not require the holder to be a resident of the issuing state. (T)(4): an out-of-state permit is invalid for a LOUISIANA resident. Since July 4, 2024 any non-prohibited person 18+ may carry permitless regardless of permits.

Carry rules in Louisiana

Whatever your permit status, Louisiana law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

• Louisiana imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. R.S. 40:1379.3(I)(2): a permittee - and anyone carrying under permitless R.S. 14:95(M) - must notify any police officer who approaches in an official manner that they have a weapon, submit to a pat-down and allow the officer to temporarily disarm them. Failure triggers automatic 6-month permit suspension for permittees.
• Louisiana sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Louisiana allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle is legal under most circumstances (LSP FAQ), and the 18+ permitless-carry provision applies in vehicles; the statutory duty to inform applies on any official police contact.

Off-limits places in Louisiana

• Law enforcement offices, stations or buildings; detention facilities, prisons and jails (R.S. 40:1379.3(N))
• Courthouses and courtrooms
• Polling places
• Meeting places of governing authorities and the state capitol building
• Any portion of an establishment with a Class A-General retail alcohol permit (bars)
• Schools, school campuses and school buses; places of worship unless authorized

Frequently asked questions

Is a Alabama non-resident permit valid in Louisiana?

This permit doesn't exist. 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), so there is no "Alabama non-resident permit" to carry in Louisiana or anywhere else.

Do I have to tell police in Louisiana that I am carrying?

Louisiana imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. R.S. 40:1379.3(I)(2): a permittee - and anyone carrying under permitless R.S. 14:95(M) - must notify any police officer who approaches in an official manner that they have a weapon, submit to a pat-down and allow the officer to temporarily disarm them. Failure triggers automatic 6-month permit suspension for permittees.

Does Louisiana limit magazine capacity?

Louisiana sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Louisiana without any permit?

Louisiana allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

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.