Is a Indiana Non-Resident Permit Valid in California?

Why

• California does not recognize any out-of-state carry permit.
• Whether Indiana issues non-resident permits could not be verified from official sources.

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

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside California, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• 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

• K-12 schools, school zones and college/university campuses
• Government buildings, courthouses and jails
• Hospitals and other medical facilities
• Bars and establishments serving alcohol for on-site consumption
• Parks, playgrounds, stadiums, casinos and public transit
• Airports and passenger terminals

Frequently asked questions

Is a Indiana non-resident permit valid in California?

No — this is one of the pairs where carrying is off the table. California doesn't honor the permit and doesn't allow permitless carry for visitors, so there is no lawful concealed-carry path on this trip. Verify this one by hand: the controlling detail is not stated plainly in California's official materials, and a phone call to the issuing authority beats an assumption.

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

No statewide statutory duty to proactively inform an officer; individual issuing authorities may attach notification conditions to the license.

Does California limit magazine capacity?

California limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.

Where does California publish its official reciprocity list?

California 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.