Is a Louisiana Non-Resident Permit Valid in New Mexico?

Why

• Louisiana does not issue carry permits to non-residents (r.s. 40:1379.3(b)(1) and (c)(3)-(4): permits are issued only to louisiana residents aged 21+; a permit becomes invalid when the holder ceases to reside in louisiana).

DPS defines reciprocity as permission for 'an out of state license issued to a person who is not a New Mexico resident' to be used while visiting or passing through — the holder need not reside in the issuing state, but NM affords no reciprocity to any out-of-state license held by a New Mexico resident (10.8.2.29(H) NMAC). Several states that honor NM licenses (AL, AK, ID, MN, MT, TN, UT, WV, WI) are NOT honored by NM.

Carry rules in New Mexico

Your Louisiana habits may not match New Mexico's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.

• No proactive duty; a licensee carrying in public must display the license upon demand by a peace officer (10.8.2.16(D) NMAC). Consuming alcohol while carrying is prohibited (10.8.2.16(B)).
• New Mexico sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• New Mexico is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit New Mexico recognizes.
• Anyone not otherwise prohibited may carry a loaded concealed firearm in a private vehicle (including motorcycles and bicycles) without a license, per the DPS FAQ.

Off-limits places in New Mexico

• Schools and preschools (limited private-vehicle exception)
• University premises
• Courts, without the presiding judge's consent (NMSA 29-19-11)
• Establishments licensed to dispense alcohol for on-premises consumption (limited restaurant exception)
• Public buses
• Tribal lands, unless authorized by the tribe

Frequently asked questions

Is a Louisiana non-resident permit valid in New Mexico?

There is nothing to recognize: Louisiana issues permits to its own residents only (r.S. 40:1379.3(B)(1) and (C)(3)-(4): permits are issued only to Louisiana residents aged 21+; a permit becomes invalid when the holder ceases to reside in Louisiana). If you don't live in Louisiana, look at states that do sell non-resident permits and check which of those New Mexico honors.

Do I have to tell police in New Mexico that I am carrying?

No proactive duty; a licensee carrying in public must display the license upon demand by a peace officer (10.8.2.16(D) NMAC). Consuming alcohol while carrying is prohibited (10.8.2.16(B)).

Does New Mexico limit magazine capacity?

New Mexico sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Does Louisiana issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Louisiana issues carry permits to residents only (r.S. 40:1379.3(B)(1) and (C)(3)-(4): permits are issued only to Louisiana residents aged 21+; a permit becomes invalid when the holder ceases to reside in Louisiana). 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.