Is a California Non-Resident Permit Valid in Wyoming?

Why

• California does not issue carry permits to non-residents (penal code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city or have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path).

Statutory test, not a closed list: Wyoming honors an out-of-state permit if (1) the issuing state recognizes Wyoming permits and (2) the permit is valid statewide in the issuing state — holder residency in the issuing state is not required, so qualifying non-resident permits count. DCI publishes the 35-state list above 'for convenience only... this listing has no legal effect.' Largely academic for most visitors: permitless carry already covers any US resident who may lawfully possess a firearm.

Carry rules in Wyoming

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

• No proactive duty to inform. Permit holders must carry the permit with valid ID whenever carrying concealed and display both upon request of any peace officer (W.S. 6-8-104(b)).
• Wyoming sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Wyoming allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Permitless carry extends to vehicles — any US resident who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry a loaded handgun concealed in a vehicle without a permit.

Off-limits places in Wyoming

• Law enforcement facilities, without the chief administrator's written consent (W.S. 6-8-104(t))
• Detention facilities, prisons and jails
• Courtrooms (unless authorized by the judge)
• Portions of establishments primarily devoted to dispensing alcohol for on-premises consumption
• K-12 school and public college/university facilities — opened in 2025 ONLY to holders of Wyoming-issued CFPs (W.S. 6-8-105(c), HB0172); out-of-state permit holders and permitless carriers remain prohibited
• Places where firearms are prohibited by federal law

Frequently asked questions

Is a California non-resident permit valid in Wyoming?

None issued, so none recognized. California keeps its permits resident-only (penal Code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city OR have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path). Your route to carrying in Wyoming runs through a permit you are eligible to obtain elsewhere.

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

No proactive duty to inform. Permit holders must carry the permit with valid ID whenever carrying concealed and display both upon request of any peace officer (W.S. 6-8-104(b)).

Does Wyoming limit magazine capacity?

Wyoming sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Wyoming without any permit?

Wyoming allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does California issue non-resident carry permits?

No. California issues carry permits to residents only (penal Code § 26150 requires the applicant to be a resident of the issuing county/city OR have a principal place of employment or business there where substantial time is spent; there is no general non-resident path). 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.