State profile · NH
New Hampshire Concealed Carry Reciprocity: Where Your Permit Works
A New Hampshire resident permit (New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License) is honored in 30 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 4 more allow permitless carry even though they do not recognize the permit itself. In the other direction, New Hampshire recognizes valid carry permits from every US state. New Hampshire allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
Where a New Hampshire permit is honored
Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.
* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.
Whose permits New Hampshire honors
New Hampshire recognizes valid concealed-carry permits from every US state and DC.
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.
New Hampshire at a glance
- Permit
- New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License
- Issued by
- Local chief of police, selectmen or mayor (residents); NH State Police (non-residents)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Resident minimum age
- Not verified
- Non-resident permits
- Issued
- Permitless carry
- Yes
- Duty to inform
- No
- Magazine limit
- None
Non-resident licenses are issued by the NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit ($100, 5 years); resident licenses by the local licensing authority ($10). RSA 159:6 sets no minimum age — federal law governs handgun possession by minors. NH-issued non-resident licenses are valid only in NH or states that recognize them.
Vehicle carry
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
- Which states honor a New Hampshire carry permit?
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
- Does New Hampshire recognize out-of-state carry permits?
- 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.
- Can I carry in New Hampshire without a permit?
- New Hampshire allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- 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.
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