Is a North Carolina Non-Resident Permit Valid in Arizona?

Why

• North Carolina does not issue carry permits to non-residents (applicant must have been a north carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (g.s. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits).

A.R.S. § 13-3112(Q): Arizona recognizes any other state's permit if it is valid in the issuing state and the holder is legally present and not prohibited — no resident-only condition, so non-resident permits qualify. But out-of-state permit holders under 21 may not carry concealed in Arizona (§ 13-3112(S)).

Carry rules in Arizona

Your North Carolina habits may not match Arizona's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.

• No proactive duty, but if an officer asks whether you are carrying a concealed deadly weapon you must answer accurately (A.R.S. § 13-3102(A)(1)(b)); permit holders must present the permit for inspection on request (§ 13-3112(A), civil penalty up to $300).
• Arizona sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Arizona allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Anyone 21+ who may lawfully possess may carry a loaded handgun, concealed, in a vehicle without a permit; under-21s are limited to visible-holster or cased transport.

Off-limits places in Arizona

Arizona bans carry in 5 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• School grounds (K-12)
• Polling places on election day

See all 5 places you can't carry in Arizona →

North Carolina vs Arizona: what changes at the state line

Crossing from North Carolina into Arizona changes 2 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); duty to inform police (Yes → No).

Going the other way, an Arizona non-resident permit in North Carolina: recognized — carry with your permit.

Permits that do work in Arizona

These non-resident permits are honored in Arizona, 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 Arizona

How a North Carolina non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Arizona:

• California — No such permit issued
• Nevada — No such permit issued
• New Mexico — No such permit issued
• Utah — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Arizona honor a North Carolina resident permit?

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

Can an Arizona non-resident permit holder carry in North Carolina?

Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on North Carolina's law, not Arizona's.

Does North Carolina issue non-resident carry permits?

No. North Carolina issues carry permits to residents only (applicant must have been a North Carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (G.S. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits). 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.