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

Why

• New Mexico does not issue carry permits to non-residents (residents only (domiciled 90+ days), except members of the us armed forces permanently stationed in nm and their dependents (nmsa 29-19-4(a)(2)). new residents holding a license from a reciprocity state must transfer to a nm license within 90 days).

Connecticut recognizes no out-of-state permit of any kind. CGS 29-35(a) requires a permit 'issued as provided in section 29-28'; out-of-state permit holders must obtain a Connecticut non-resident permit before carrying.

Carry rules in Connecticut

Connecticut's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• No duty to volunteer. The holder must carry the permit while carrying and must present it upon request of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable suspicion of a crime (CGS 29-35(b)).
• Connecticut limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• Connecticut is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Connecticut recognizes.
• A permit holder may carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle. Without a permit, a pistol may only be transported under narrow exceptions and must be unloaded and not readily accessible from the passenger compartment (or in a locked container) (CGS 29-35(a)(3)-(4)).

Off-limits places in Connecticut

Connecticut bans carry in 3 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• K-12 school grounds and school-sponsored activities (CGS 53a-217b, class D felony)
• Any premises where the owner or person in control prohibits firearms (CGS 29-28(e))

See all 3 places you can't carry in Connecticut →

New Mexico vs Connecticut: what changes at the state line

Crossing from New Mexico into Connecticut changes 3 rules: magazine limit (None → 10 rounds); out-of-state permits honored (20 states → None); open carry (Yes, no permit → No).

Going the other way, a Connecticut non-resident permit in New Mexico: not recognized.

Driving on from Connecticut

How a New Mexico non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Connecticut:

• Massachusetts — No such permit issued
• New York — No such permit issued
• Rhode Island — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Connecticut honor a New Mexico resident permit?

Not recognized. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Connecticut treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Connecticut non-resident permit holder carry in New Mexico?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on New Mexico's law, not Connecticut's.

Does New Mexico issue non-resident carry permits?

No. New Mexico issues carry permits to residents only (residents only (domiciled 90+ days), except members of the US armed forces permanently stationed in NM and their dependents (NMSA 29-19-4(A)(2)). New residents holding a license from a reciprocity state must transfer to a NM license within 90 days). 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.