Resident permit · MI → CA
Is a Michigan Resident Permit Valid in California?
Not recognizedVerified 2026-08-08
No. California does not honor Michigan resident permits, and it has no permitless-carry option for visitors. Carrying a concealed handgun there on your Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) is a crime.
Why
- California does not recognize any out-of-state carry permit.
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.
The permit (Michigan)
- Permit
- Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL)
- Issued by
- County clerk
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
The destination (California)
- Recognition policy
- Honors no out-of-state permits
- Permitless carry
- No
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- 10 rounds
Carry rules in California
Whatever your permit status, California law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.
- 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
- K-12 schools, school zones and college/university campuses
- Government buildings, courthouses and jails
- Hospitals and other medical facilities
- Bars and establishments serving alcohol for on-site consumption
- Parks, playgrounds, stadiums, casinos and public transit
- Airports and passenger terminals
Frequently asked questions
- Is a Michigan resident permit valid in California?
- No. California does not honor Michigan resident permits, and it has no permitless-carry option for visitors. Carrying a concealed handgun there on your Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) is a crime.
- Do I have to tell police in California that I am carrying?
- No statewide statutory duty to proactively inform an officer; individual issuing authorities may attach notification conditions to the license.
- Does California limit magazine capacity?
- California limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
- Where does California publish its official reciprocity list?
- California 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
- 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
- Michigan State Police — Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Concealed Pistol License Requirements — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Prohibited Premises (MCL 28.425o) — accessed 2026-08-08
- MCL 750.231a — exceptions incl. license issued by state of residence; vehicle transport — accessed 2026-08-08
- MCL 28.425f — duty to disclose to peace officer — accessed 2026-08-08