Is a Virginia Non-Resident Permit Valid in Louisiana?

Why

• Louisiana's official reciprocity list includes Virginia.
• Louisiana allows permitless carry for eligible adults 18+, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

R.S. 40:1379.3(T)(2): a current, valid permit issued by another state to a holder aged 21+ is valid in Louisiana only if Louisiana's permit is valid in that state (mutual recognition - LSP publishes the list of 37 states). The statute does not require the holder to be a resident of the issuing state. (T)(4): an out-of-state permit is invalid for a LOUISIANA resident. Since July 4, 2024 any non-prohibited person 18+ may carry permitless regardless of permits.

Carry rules in Louisiana

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Louisiana, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• Louisiana imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. R.S. 40:1379.3(I)(2): a permittee - and anyone carrying under permitless R.S. 14:95(M) - must notify any police officer who approaches in an official manner that they have a weapon, submit to a pat-down and allow the officer to temporarily disarm them. Failure triggers automatic 6-month permit suspension for permittees.
• Louisiana sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Louisiana allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle is legal under most circumstances (LSP FAQ), and the 18+ permitless-carry provision applies in vehicles; the statutory duty to inform applies on any official police contact.

Off-limits places in Louisiana

• Law enforcement offices, stations or buildings; detention facilities, prisons and jails (R.S. 40:1379.3(N))
• Courthouses and courtrooms
• Polling places
• Meeting places of governing authorities and the state capitol building
• Any portion of an establishment with a Class A-General retail alcohol permit (bars)
• Schools, school campuses and school buses; places of worship unless authorized

Frequently asked questions

Is a Virginia non-resident permit valid in Louisiana?

Yes — and Louisiana would let you carry even without the permit. The state honors Virginia non-resident permits and allows permitless carry for adults 18+ for anyone who may legally possess a handgun.

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

Louisiana imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. R.S. 40:1379.3(I)(2): a permittee - and anyone carrying under permitless R.S. 14:95(M) - must notify any police officer who approaches in an official manner that they have a weapon, submit to a pat-down and allow the officer to temporarily disarm them. Failure triggers automatic 6-month permit suspension for permittees.

Does Louisiana limit magazine capacity?

Louisiana sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Louisiana without any permit?

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

Where does Louisiana publish its official reciprocity list?

Louisiana publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.