Is a Wisconsin Non-Resident Permit Valid in Arkansas?

Why

• Wisconsin does not issue carry permits to non-residents (issued only to wisconsin residents (valid wi driver's license or id required) or active-duty military stationed in wisconsin (wi doj ccw faq)).

Since Aug 16, 2013 Arkansas 'acknowledges all concealed handgun carry licenses lawfully issued by another state' (§ 5-73-321) — the statute covers any license issued to the person by another state, with no resident-only condition; out-of-state licensees are subject to Arkansas restrictions.

Carry rules in Arkansas

Crossing into Arkansas swaps the rulebook. Here is what changes for a visiting carrier.

• Arkansas imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. ASP rule (Code of Arkansas Rules, CHCL): a licensee carrying a handgun who is asked by an officer for identification must present the CHCL AND notify the officer of the handgun — even if the officer never asks about weapons. No notification is required if not carrying, and § 5-73-315(b)(2) separately requires displaying the license on demand.
• Arkansas sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Arkansas allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A loaded handgun may be carried in a private vehicle without a license — § 5-73-120(c)(1) presumes lawful purpose in one's own vehicle, and lawful carry extends to vehicles generally absent unlawful intent.

Off-limits places in Arkansas

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

• K-12 school property, school buses and designated bus stops
• Courthouses, courtrooms and county offices

See all 6 places you can't carry in Arkansas →

Wisconsin vs Arkansas: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Wisconsin into Arkansas changes 3 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (18+)); duty to inform police (No → Yes); out-of-state permits honored (46 states → All states).

Going the other way, an Arkansas non-resident permit in Wisconsin: no such permit issued.

Permits that do work in Arkansas

These non-resident permits are honored in Arkansas, 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 Arkansas

How a Wisconsin non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Arkansas:

• Louisiana — No such permit issued
• Mississippi — No such permit issued
• Missouri — No such permit issued
• Oklahoma — No such permit issued
• Tennessee — No such permit issued
• Texas — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Arkansas honor a Wisconsin resident permit?

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

Can an Arkansas non-resident permit holder carry in Wisconsin?

Arkansas does not issue non-resident carry permits, so there is no such permit to carry in Wisconsin.

Does Wisconsin issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Wisconsin issues carry permits to residents only (issued only to Wisconsin residents (valid WI driver's license or ID required) or active-duty military stationed in Wisconsin (WI DOJ CCW FAQ)). 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.