Is a Michigan Non-Resident Permit Valid in Arkansas?

Why

• Michigan does not issue carry permits to non-residents (michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid cpl from another state); active-duty military with michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in michigan, count as residents).

Since Aug 16, 2013 Arkansas 'acknowledges all concealed handgun carry licenses lawfully issued by another state' (§ 5-73-321) — the statute covers any license issued to the person by another state, with no resident-only condition; out-of-state licensees are subject to Arkansas restrictions.

Carry rules in Arkansas

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

• Arkansas imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. ASP rule (Code of Arkansas Rules, CHCL): a licensee carrying a handgun who is asked by an officer for identification must present the CHCL AND notify the officer of the handgun — even if the officer never asks about weapons. No notification is required if not carrying, and § 5-73-315(b)(2) separately requires displaying the license on demand.
• Arkansas sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Arkansas allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A loaded handgun may be carried in a private vehicle without a license — § 5-73-120(c)(1) presumes lawful purpose in one's own vehicle, and lawful carry extends to vehicles generally absent unlawful intent.

Off-limits places in Arkansas

Arkansas bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• K-12 school property, school buses and designated bus stops
• Courthouses, courtrooms and county offices

See all 6 places you can't carry in Arkansas →

Michigan vs Arkansas: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Michigan into Arkansas changes 2 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (18+)); out-of-state permits honored (All (resident permits only) → All states).

Going the other way, an Arkansas non-resident permit in Michigan: no such permit issued.

Permits that do work in Arkansas

These non-resident permits are honored in Arkansas, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states

Driving on from Arkansas

How a Michigan non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Arkansas:

• Louisiana — No such permit issued
• Mississippi — No such permit issued
• Missouri — No such permit issued
• Oklahoma — No such permit issued
• Tennessee — No such permit issued
• Texas — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Arkansas honor a Michigan resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Arkansas treats the two permit types differently.

Can an Arkansas non-resident permit holder carry in Michigan?

Arkansas does not issue non-resident carry permits, so there is no such permit to carry in Michigan.

Does Michigan issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Michigan issues carry permits to residents only (michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in Michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid CPL from another state); active-duty military with Michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in Michigan, count as residents). 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.