Is a North Carolina Resident Permit Valid in Missouri?

Why

• Missouri recognizes valid carry permits from every US state.
• Missouri allows permitless carry, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.

RSMo 571.107.1 gives 'a concealed carry endorsement or permit issued by another state or political subdivision of another state' the same statewide effect as a Missouri permit; the AG confirms Missouri recognizes permits from every state that issues them. No issuing-state residency condition.

Carry rules in Missouri

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

• No proactive duty to inform. Permit holders must carry the permit plus photo ID and display them on a peace officer's request (RSMo 571.121); failure is a civil citation up to $35, not a crime.
• Missouri sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Missouri allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Any person 19+ (18 if military or honorably discharged) may carry a loaded concealable firearm in the passenger compartment of a vehicle without a permit (RSMo 571.030.3).

Off-limits places in Missouri

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

• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations
• Within 25 feet of a polling place on election day

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

North Carolina vs Missouri: what changes at the state line

Crossing from North Carolina into Missouri changes 2 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes); duty to inform police (Yes → No).

Going the other way, a Missouri resident permit in North Carolina: recognized — carry with your permit.

Driving on from Missouri

How a North Carolina resident permit fares in the states bordering Missouri:

• Arkansas — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Illinois — Not recognized
• Iowa — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Kansas — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Kentucky — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Nebraska — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Oklahoma — Recognized — and permitless carry applies
• Tennessee — Recognized — and permitless carry applies

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Missouri honor a North Carolina non-resident permit?

North Carolina does not issue non-resident carry permits (applicant must have been a North Carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (G.S. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits), so the question does not arise.

Can a Missouri resident permit holder carry in North Carolina?

Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on North Carolina's law, not Missouri's.

Where does Missouri publish its official reciprocity list?

Missouri 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.