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

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).

Miss. Code 45-9-101(19): 'Any person holding a valid unrevoked and unexpired license to carry stun guns, concealed pistols or revolvers issued in another state shall have such license recognized by this state' — no residency condition, so non-resident permits from any state are also recognized.

Carry rules in Mississippi

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Mississippi, these rules replace the ones you know from North Carolina.

• No proactive duty: a licensee must display the license and identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer; failure is a $25 noncriminal violation (Miss. Code 45-9-101(1)(b)).
• Mississippi sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Mississippi allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Loaded vehicle carry is generally lawful without a permit for adults who may lawfully possess a handgun, under the permitless-carry provisions (Miss. Code 45-9-101(24), 97-37-1).

Off-limits places in Mississippi

• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations (45-9-101(13))
• Detention facilities, prisons and jails
• Courthouses and courtrooms (judges may authorize in their courtroom)
• Polling places and meetings of governmental bodies or the Legislature
• School, college or professional athletic events not related to firearms; elementary, secondary and college facilities
• Bar areas of establishments serving alcohol, airport passenger terminals, and premises posted with a 'carrying of a pistol or revolver is prohibited' notice

Frequently asked questions

Is a North Carolina non-resident permit valid in Mississippi?

A North Carolina non-resident permit isn't something you can hold — the state doesn't issue one (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). The question for Mississippi is which resident or non-resident permits from other states it honors.

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

No proactive duty: a licensee must display the license and identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer; failure is a $25 noncriminal violation (Miss. Code 45-9-101(1)(b)).

Does Mississippi limit magazine capacity?

Mississippi sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Mississippi without any permit?

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

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.