Is a Colorado Non-Resident Permit Valid in Massachusetts?

Why

• Colorado does not issue carry permits to non-residents (no non-resident permits. armed-forces members stationed in colorado on permanent duty station orders, and their immediate family living in colorado, are deemed legal residents (c.r.s. 18-12-203(1)(a))).

Mass.gov firearms FAQ: 'No. Massachusetts does not have reciprocity with any other states.' The former MGL c.140 §131G exemption letting non-residents with home-state permits carry for competition/hunting was REPEALED by Ch. 135 of the Acts of 2024, effective Oct 2, 2024 — no out-of-state permit is valid in MA for any purpose.

Carry rules in Massachusetts

Massachusetts's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• No Massachusetts statute imposes a proactive duty to tell an officer you are carrying; carry the LTC when carrying and present it on lawful demand.
• Massachusetts limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• Massachusetts is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Massachusetts recognizes.
• An LTC is required to have a loaded handgun in a vehicle, and MGL c.140 §131C requires it to be under the licensee's direct control or secured in a locked container.

Off-limits places in Massachusetts

Massachusetts bans carry in 3 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Elementary/secondary schools, colleges and universities without written authorization (MGL c.269 §10(j))
• Government administrative, judicial/court and correctional buildings, including grounds and parking areas (MGL c.269 §10(k), added by Ch. 135 of 2024)

See all 3 places you can't carry in Massachusetts →

Colorado vs Massachusetts: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Colorado into Massachusetts changes 3 rules: magazine limit (15 rounds → 10 rounds); out-of-state permits honored (34 states → None); open carry (Yes, no permit → With a permit).

Going the other way, a Massachusetts non-resident permit in Colorado: not recognized.

Driving on from Massachusetts

How a Colorado non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Massachusetts:

• Connecticut — No such permit issued
• New Hampshire — No such permit issued
• New York — No such permit issued
• Rhode Island — No such permit issued
• Vermont — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Massachusetts honor a Colorado resident permit?

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

Can a Massachusetts non-resident permit holder carry in Colorado?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Colorado's law, not Massachusetts's.

Does Colorado issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Colorado issues carry permits to residents only (no non-resident permits. Armed-forces members stationed in Colorado on permanent duty station orders, and their immediate family living in Colorado, are deemed legal residents (C.R.S. 18-12-203(1)(a))). 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.