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

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.

Does Arkansas limit magazine capacity?

Arkansas sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Arkansas without any permit?

Arkansas allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Where does Arkansas publish its official reciprocity list?

Arkansas 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.

Non-Resident permit · NH → AR

Is a New Hampshire Non-Resident Permit Valid in Arkansas?

Recognized — and permitless carry appliesVerified 2026-08-08

Yes, twice over. Arkansas honors your New Hampshire non-resident permit, and it also allows permitless carry for adults 18+, so eligible adults can carry there even without one.

Why

Arkansas recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
Arkansas allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

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.

The permit (New Hampshire)

Permit: New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License
Issued by: Local chief of police, selectmen or mayor (residents); NH State Police (non-residents)
Issue policy: Shall-issue
Issued to non-residents?: Yes — Non-resident licenses are issued by the NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit ($100, 5 years); resident licenses by the local licensing authority ($10). RSA 159:6 sets no minimum age — federal law governs handgun possession by minors. NH-issued non-resident licenses are valid only in NH or states that recognize them.

The destination (Arkansas)

Recognition policy: Honors permits from all states
Permitless carry: Yes (18+)
Duty to inform: Yes — proactive
Magazine limit: No state limit

Carry rules in Arkansas

Whatever your permit status, Arkansas law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

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

K-12 school property, school buses and designated bus stops
Courthouses, courtrooms and county offices
Police stations, sheriff's offices and detention facilities
Airport passenger terminals
Portions of establishments licensed to serve alcohol on premises (restaurants excepted)
Publicly owned buildings and State Capitol grounds (E-CHCL exceptions apply)

See the full 50-state map for a New Hampshire non-resident permit →

Frequently asked questions

Is a New Hampshire non-resident permit valid in Arkansas?: Yes, twice over. Arkansas honors your New Hampshire non-resident permit, and it also allows permitless carry for adults 18+, so eligible adults can carry there even without one.
Do I have to tell police in Arkansas that I am carrying?: 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.
Does Arkansas limit magazine capacity?: Arkansas sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
Can I carry in Arkansas without any permit?: Arkansas allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
Where does Arkansas publish its official reciprocity list?: Arkansas 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

Arkansas State Police — Concealed Handgun Carry Licensing (recognition of all states since 2013) — accessed 2026-08-08
ASP — Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry Licensing Code §§ 5-73-301–329 (eligibility, § 5-73-321 recognition, § 5-73-315) — accessed 2026-08-08
ASP — Weapons Possession and Use Code §§ 5-73-101–133 (Aug 1, 2025; § 5-73-120 permitless carry, § 5-73-119) — accessed 2026-08-08
ASP — Locations Where Possession of a Handgun is Prohibited (July 31, 2023) — accessed 2026-08-08
ASP — Code of Arkansas Rules, CHCL (July 8, 2025; notification duty on ID request) — accessed 2026-08-08
NH RSA Chapter 159 — Pistols and Revolvers (159:4 repealed, 159:6, 159:6-d, 159:19) — accessed 2026-08-08
NH State Police — Pistol and Revolver Licensing (incl. outbound reciprocity list) — accessed 2026-08-08