Is a Wyoming Non-Resident Permit Valid in California?

Why

• Wyoming does not issue carry permits to non-residents (residents only — the dci faq answers 'can a non-resident obtain a concealed firearm permit in wyoming?' with 'no.' active-duty wyoming military stationed out of state may still apply; a permit remains valid if the holder later moves away but cannot be renewed).

California DOJ: 'CCW licenses/permits issued in other states are not valid in California' (Pen. Code §§ 25400-25700). No out-of-state permit of any kind is honored.

Carry rules in California

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter California, these rules replace the ones you know from Wyoming.

• No statewide statutory duty to proactively inform an officer; individual issuing authorities may attach notification conditions to the license.
• California limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• California is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit California recognizes.
• Without a California CCW license, a handgun in a vehicle must be unloaded and in a locked container or the trunk (Pen. Code § 25610); CCW licensees may carry loaded and concealed.

Off-limits places in California

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

• K-12 schools, school zones and college/university campuses
• Government buildings, courthouses and jails

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

Wyoming vs California: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Wyoming into California changes 4 rules: permitless carry (Yes (18+) → No); magazine limit (None → 10 rounds); out-of-state permits honored (35 states → None); open carry (Yes, no permit → Restricted).

Going the other way, a California non-resident permit in Wyoming: permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies.

Driving on from California

How a Wyoming non-resident permit fares in the states bordering California:

• Arizona — No such permit issued
• Nevada — No such permit issued
• Oregon — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does California honor a Wyoming resident permit?

Not recognized. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because California treats the two permit types differently.

Can a California non-resident permit holder carry in Wyoming?

Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Wyoming's law, not California's.

Does Wyoming issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Wyoming issues carry permits to residents only (residents only — the DCI FAQ answers 'Can a non-resident obtain a concealed firearm permit in Wyoming?' with 'No.' Active-duty Wyoming military stationed out of state may still apply; a permit remains valid if the holder later moves away but cannot be renewed). 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.