Non-Resident permit · CT → MS
Is a Connecticut Non-Resident Permit Valid in Mississippi?
Recognized — and permitless carry appliesVerified 2026-08-08
Yes — and Mississippi would let you carry even without the permit. The state honors Connecticut non-resident permits and allows permitless carry for adults 18+ for anyone who may legally possess a handgun.
Why
- Mississippi recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
- Mississippi allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
Miss. Code 45-9-101(19): 'Any person holding a valid unrevoked and unexpired license to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued in another state shall have such license recognized by this state' — no residency condition, so non-resident permits from any state are also recognized.
The permit (Connecticut)
- Permit
- State Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers (Connecticut State Pistol Permit)
- Issued by
- Two-step - local police chief/chief executive officer issues a temporary state permit, then the DESPP Special Licensing and Firearms Unit issues the state permit
- Issue policy
- May-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- Yes — A bona fide US resident with no Connecticut residence who holds a carry permit or license issued by another state or subdivision may apply directly to the DESPP commissioner for a non-resident Connecticut permit (CGS 29-28(f)); DESPP requires that non-resident applicants already hold a home-state carry permit.
The destination (Mississippi)
- Recognition policy
- Honors permits from all states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (18+)
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in Mississippi
Whatever your permit status, Mississippi law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.
- No proactive duty: a licensee must display the license and identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer; failure is a $25 noncriminal violation (Miss. Code 45-9-101(1)(b)).
- Mississippi sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Mississippi allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Loaded vehicle carry is generally lawful without a permit for adults who may lawfully possess a handgun, under the permitless-carry provisions (Miss. Code 45-9-101(24), 97-37-1).
Off-limits places in Mississippi
- Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations (45-9-101(13))
- Detention facilities, prisons and jails
- Courthouses and courtrooms (judges may authorize in their courtroom)
- Polling places and meetings of governmental bodies or the Legislature
- School, college or professional athletic events not related to firearms; elementary, secondary and college facilities
- Bar areas of establishments serving alcohol, airport passenger terminals, and premises posted with a 'carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited' notice
Frequently asked questions
- Is a Connecticut non-resident permit valid in Mississippi?
- Yes — and Mississippi would let you carry even without the permit. The state honors Connecticut non-resident permits and allows permitless carry for adults 18+ for anyone who may legally possess a handgun.
- Do I have to tell police in Mississippi that I am carrying?
- No proactive duty: a licensee must display the license and identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer; failure is a $25 noncriminal violation (Miss. Code 45-9-101(1)(b)).
- Does Mississippi limit magazine capacity?
- Mississippi sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Can I carry in Mississippi without any permit?
- Mississippi allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Where does Mississippi publish its official reciprocity list?
- Mississippi publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.
Official sources
- Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau — Firearm Permit Laws and Codes (hosts 45-9-101 as amended) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Miss. Code 45-9-101 as amended by HB 786 (2016) — official enrolled text, Mississippi Legislature — accessed 2026-08-08
- Mississippi DPS — Miss. Code 97-37-1 (concealed carry; holster and 18+ exemptions) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Mississippi DPS — Miss. Code 97-37-7 (enhanced carry endorsement; reciprocal agreements) — accessed 2026-08-08
- CT DESPP - Connecticut State Pistol Permit — accessed 2026-08-08
- CT DESPP - Pistol Permit FAQ (non-resident application process) — accessed 2026-08-08
- CGS Chapter 529 - Secs. 29-28 (permits) and 29-35 (carrying without permit prohibited) — accessed 2026-08-08
- CGS Sec. 53-202w - Large capacity magazines (10-round limit) — accessed 2026-08-08
- CGS Sec. 53a-217b - Possession of a weapon on school grounds — accessed 2026-08-08