Non-Resident permit · NM → PA
Is a New Mexico Non-Resident Permit Valid in Pennsylvania?
New Mexico does not sell permits to out-of-state applicants (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). For carry in Pennsylvania, what matters is a permit you can actually hold — your resident permit, or a non-resident permit from a state that issues them.
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).
AG rule: where Pennsylvania grants reciprocity, ONLY individuals who are both residents of the issuing state AND 21 or older may carry in Pennsylvania — non-resident permits are never recognized. Several states are recognized only for specific license classes (see overrides). Virginia became the 30th recognized state in Feb 2026. Not recognized: CA, CT, DE, DC, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, MN, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, SC, VT, WA.
The permit (New Mexico)
- Permit
- New Mexico Concealed Handgun License
- Issued by
- New Mexico Department of Public Safety (Concealed Carry Unit)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- No — 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.
The destination (Pennsylvania)
- Recognition policy
- Honors a named list of 30 states
- Permitless carry
- No
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in Pennsylvania
Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Pennsylvania, these rules replace the ones you know from New Mexico.
- No Pennsylvania statute requires a carrier to proactively inform police; carry the license and produce it on lawful demand.
- Pennsylvania sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Pennsylvania is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Pennsylvania recognizes.
- Carrying a firearm in any vehicle, loaded or unloaded, requires a valid LTCF or a recognized reciprocal license (18 Pa.C.S. § 6106).
Off-limits places in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania bans carry in 3 kinds of places. The first on the list:
- Court facilities (18 Pa.C.S. § 913)
- Elementary and secondary school buildings, grounds and buses (18 Pa.C.S. § 912; statutory 'other lawful purpose' defense)
New Mexico vs Pennsylvania: what changes at the state line
Crossing from New Mexico into Pennsylvania changes one rule: out-of-state permits honored (20 states → 30 states).
| Rule | New Mexico | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Permitless carry | No | No |
| Duty to inform police | No | No |
| Magazine limit | None | None |
| Out-of-state permits honored | 20 states | 30 states |
| Open carry | Yes, no permit | Yes, no permit |
Going the other way, a Pennsylvania non-resident permit in New Mexico: not recognized.
Driving on from Pennsylvania
How a New Mexico non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Pennsylvania:
- Delaware — No such permit issued
- Maryland — No such permit issued
- New Jersey — No such permit issued
- New York — No such permit issued
- Ohio — No such permit issued
- West Virginia — No such permit issued
Frequently asked questions
- Does Pennsylvania honor a New Mexico resident permit?
- Not recognized. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Pennsylvania treats the two permit types differently.
- Can a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania'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.
Official sources
- PA Office of Attorney General — Concealed Carry Reciprocity (per-state map data) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Pennsylvania State Police — Carrying Firearms in Pennsylvania — accessed 2026-08-08
- PA OAG press release — Virginia becomes 30th reciprocity state — accessed 2026-08-08
- Chester County Sheriff — PA License to Carry Firearms Information — accessed 2026-09-27
- Centre County Sheriff — License to Carry Firearms — accessed 2026-09-27
- City of Philadelphia — Application for a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearm — accessed 2026-09-27
- NM Department of Public Safety — Concealed Carry Licenses (reciprocity table by state, prohibited places, vehicle carry FAQ) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NM DPS — Concealed Handgun Carry Act booklet with NMSA 29-19 and 10.8.2 NMAC (updated, effective 12/9/2025) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NM DPS — Concealed Carry Handgun Application (packet with fees) — accessed 2026-09-27