Is a New Hampshire Non-Resident Permit Valid in West Virginia?
Conditionally. West Virginia honors the New Hampshire non-resident permit for holders 21+ who do not live in West Virginia; outside that, it does not count there. West Virginia also allows permitless carry for adults 18+ if you qualify. Holders under 21 and West Virginia residents are not covered by this recognition, but West Virginia's permitless carry from age 18 still applies if they qualify.
Why
- West Virginia's official reciprocity list includes New Hampshire.
- West Virginia honors out-of-state permits only for holders 21 and older; New Hampshire's minimum permit age is not verified.
- West Virginia does not honor an out-of-state permit held by a West Virginia resident.
- West Virginia allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
W. Va. Code § 61-7-6a: an out-of-state permit is valid in WV only if the holder is 21+, has the permit in immediate possession, is NOT a West Virginia resident, and the issuing state recognizes WV CHLs (governor notification or written reciprocity agreement). The issuing state's permit need not be a resident permit, so qualifying non-resident permits count. Recognition is largely academic for visitors 21+, who may carry permitless anyway; under-21 out-of-state permit holders are NOT covered. Honored list derived from the AG's official reciprocity map (as of Oct 1, 2025): every permit-issuing state recognizes WV CHLs except CA, CT, HI, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI and WA (Vermont issues no permits).
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 (West Virginia)
- Recognition policy
- Honors a named list of 36 states
- Permitless carry
- Yes (18+)
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in West Virginia
Crossing into West Virginia swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.
- No proactive duty-to-inform appears in WV statute, the AG's guide or the AG's FAQ; out-of-state holders must have the permit in immediate possession (§ 61-7-6a(a)(2)).
- West Virginia sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- West Virginia allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Permitless carry (21+, non-prohibited) extends to loaded handguns in vehicles. A lawfully possessed firearm may be kept locked and out of view in a vehicle in any parking lot (§ 61-7-14) and on the State Capitol Complex (§ 61-6-19(b)).
Off-limits places in West Virginia
West Virginia bans carry in 5 kinds of places. The first on the list:
- State Capitol Complex (W. Va. Code § 61-6-19(b); locked-vehicle exception)
- Regional jails, detention facilities and Division of Corrections facilities (§ 61-5-8(c))
New Hampshire vs West Virginia: what changes at the state line
Crossing from New Hampshire into West Virginia changes 2 rules: permitless carry (Yes → Yes (18+)); out-of-state permits honored (All states → 36 states).
| Rule | New Hampshire | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Permitless carry | Yes | Yes (18+) |
| Duty to inform police | No | No |
| Magazine limit | None | None |
| Out-of-state permits honored | All states | 36 states |
| Open carry | Yes, no permit | Yes, no permit |
Going the other way, a West Virginia non-resident permit in New Hampshire: recognized — and permitless carry applies.
Driving on from West Virginia
How a New Hampshire non-resident permit fares in the states bordering West Virginia:
- Kentucky — Recognized — not for Kentucky residents; permitless carry applies
- Maryland — Not recognized
- Ohio — Recognized — not for Ohio residents; permitless carry applies
- Pennsylvania — Not recognized
- Virginia — Recognized — holders 21+ only
Frequently asked questions
- Does West Virginia honor a New Hampshire resident permit?
- Recognized — holders 21+ only; permitless carry applies. The verdict matches the non-resident permit on this page, but the conditions differ.
- Can a West Virginia non-resident permit holder carry in New Hampshire?
- Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on New Hampshire's law, not West Virginia's.
- Where does West Virginia publish its official reciprocity list?
- West Virginia 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
- WV Attorney General — Gun Reciprocity Frequently Asked Questions — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Attorney General — On The Mark: A Guide to Concealed Handgun Laws in West Virginia (July 2024, incl. full text of W. Va. Code § 61-7-6a) — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Attorney General — Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map, as of October 1, 2025 — accessed 2026-08-08
- WV Legislature — HB 4106 (2026 RS) enrolled text, amending § 61-7-7(c) (permitless carry 18+) — accessed 2026-09-27
- WV Legislature — HB 4106 bill history (approved 2026-04-01; effective June 12, 2026; Acts ch. 75) — accessed 2026-09-27
- W. Va. Code § 61-7-4 — License to carry deadly weapons (fees, training, term) (via Wayback 2025-11-16) — accessed 2026-09-27
- 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