Resident permit · CA → NH
Is a California Resident Permit Valid in New Hampshire?
Recognized — and permitless carry appliesVerified 2026-08-08
Legal, yes. New Hampshire honors the permit, and permitless carry applies there too. Either way, New Hampshire's carry rules — not California's — control while you're in the state.
Why
- New Hampshire recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
- New Hampshire allows permitless carry, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
New Hampshire has no inbound recognition statute because none is needed — no license is required to carry. Any out-of-state permit holder (or non-holder) who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry. RSA 159:6-d addresses only outbound reciprocity for NH licenses; the State Police publish the list of states honoring NH resident licenses.
The permit (California)
- Permit
- California Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) License
- Issued by
- County sheriff or city police chief
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
The destination (New Hampshire)
- Recognition policy
- Honors permits from all states
- Permitless carry
- Yes
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in New Hampshire
Whatever your permit status, New Hampshire law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.
- No statutory duty to inform a police officer of carrying appears in RSA Chapter 159.
- New Hampshire sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- New Hampshire allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Since Feb 22, 2017, no license is required to carry a loaded pistol or revolver openly or concealed in a vehicle for anyone not prohibited from possessing firearms.
Off-limits places in New Hampshire
- Courtrooms and areas used by a court (RSA 159:19, class B felony)
- Federal facilities (federal law)
- Federal school zones for carriers without a state-issued license (federal Gun-Free School Zones Act)
Frequently asked questions
- Is a California resident permit valid in New Hampshire?
- Legal, yes. New Hampshire honors the permit, and permitless carry applies there too. Either way, New Hampshire's carry rules — not California's — control while you're in the state.
- Do I have to tell police in New Hampshire that I am carrying?
- No statutory duty to inform a police officer of carrying appears in RSA Chapter 159.
- Does New Hampshire limit magazine capacity?
- New Hampshire sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Can I carry in New Hampshire without any permit?
- New Hampshire allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Where does New Hampshire publish its official reciprocity list?
- New Hampshire 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.
Official sources
- NH RSA Chapter 159 — Pistols and Revolvers (159:4 repealed, 159:6, 159:6-d, 159:19) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NH State Police — Pistol and Revolver Licensing (incl. outbound reciprocity list) — accessed 2026-08-08
- California DOJ — Firearms FAQs (out-of-state permits not valid; 10-round magazine limit) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Penal Code § 26150 (CA Legislature) — shall-issue standard, age 21, county residency/employment — accessed 2026-08-08
- Penal Code § 26230 (CA Legislature) — sensitive places off-limits to CCW licensees (SB 2) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Penal Code § 25610 (CA Legislature) — unlicensed vehicle transport (unloaded, locked container) — accessed 2026-08-08