Is a North Carolina Non-Resident Permit Valid in New Mexico?

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).

DPS defines reciprocity as permission for 'an out of state license issued to a person who is not a New Mexico resident' to be used while visiting or passing through — the holder need not reside in the issuing state, but NM affords no reciprocity to any out-of-state license held by a New Mexico resident (10.8.2.29(H) NMAC). Several states that honor NM licenses (AL, AK, ID, MN, MT, TN, UT, WV, WI) are NOT honored by NM.

Carry rules in New Mexico

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

• No proactive duty; a licensee carrying in public must display the license upon demand by a peace officer (10.8.2.16(D) NMAC). Consuming alcohol while carrying is prohibited (10.8.2.16(B)).
• New Mexico sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• New Mexico is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit New Mexico recognizes.
• Anyone not otherwise prohibited may carry a loaded concealed firearm in a private vehicle (including motorcycles and bicycles) without a license, per the DPS FAQ.

Off-limits places in New Mexico

New Mexico bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Schools and preschools (limited private-vehicle exception)
• University premises

See all 6 places you can't carry in New Mexico →

North Carolina vs New Mexico: what changes at the state line

Crossing from North Carolina into New Mexico changes 2 rules: duty to inform police (Yes → No); out-of-state permits honored (All states → 20 states).

Going the other way, a New Mexico non-resident permit in North Carolina: no such permit issued.

Permits that do work in New Mexico

These non-resident permits are honored in New Mexico, 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
• 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
• Arizona non-resident permit · honored in 31 states

Driving on from New Mexico

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

• Arizona — No such permit issued
• Colorado — No such permit issued
• Oklahoma — No such permit issued
• Texas — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does New Mexico honor a North Carolina resident permit?

Recognized — carry with your permit. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because New Mexico treats the two permit types differently.

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

New Mexico does not issue non-resident carry permits, so there is no such permit to carry in North Carolina.

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.