Concealed Carry Reciprocity

Know Before You Go!

Regardless of what you read or hear, state laws with regards to handgun carry are constantly changing. You should always call a state or municipality before you travel there to be updated on the latest laws.

When making the life-changing choice to carry a firearm for self-defense, one of the most important aspects is knowing what other states will recognize your concealed carry permit. This term is called reciprocity. The legal definition is the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another. In the concealed carry world, you have to be a student of all the laws regarding carrying a firearm. Not only in your own state but in any state you may travel to.

Gun owners should really consider their CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) reciprocity when leaving their home state and entering a state where they plan on leaving their vehicle and carry their concealed weapon out in public. Many concealed weapon carriers will tell you to get ahold of the authorities and learn the laws before any traveling to another state and taking your concealed weapon. Traveling through a state with a firearm is usually not an issue when it is kept in a locked case and stored somewhere like the trunk where there is no easy access to it. Of course, there are many variations from state to state, and you should always check the laws of any state that you plan on traveling through as well. 

When you are traveling through heavily restricted states, something known as the McClure-Volkmer Act of 1986 gives travelers a “free pass” through these restrictive states,  granted that the guns are unloaded, locked in the case, and kept from being easily accessible. Unfortunately, this law does not always protect people, however, and there are several cases of travelers who have their guns properly cased and stored but are still arrested. The McClure-Volmer Act also only protects you if you are passing through a state with very minimal or no stops. Things like fueling up, getting food, or taking a bathroom break are considered fine, while other things like staying the night at a motel, visiting friends or family, or stopping at a tourist attraction are not. 

Currently, 21 states will recognize the Iowa Carry permit. There are some other restrictions in some states and as I mentioned above, you must have extensive knowledge of those state’s laws if you choose to carry a firearm there.

 

The list of states that recognize Iowa’s Carry permits are as follows:

           

  • Alabama

  • Georgia

  • Indiana

  • Louisiana

  • Montana

  • North Carolina

  • North Dakota

  • Ohio

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Utah

  • Virginia

  • Wisconsin

  • Wyoming

  • Puerto Rico

    For the following states you must be a resident of Iowa;

  • Florida

  • Maine

  • Michigan

  • Pennsylvania

  • Colorado

  • Nebraska

  • South Carolina

Carrying a firearm for self-defense is an awesome responsibility and with that responsibility is your duty to know and understand all laws in any place you may travel to. Traveling laws may differ from actual handgun carry laws, so it is always important to know the rules beforehand before traveling anywhere with your firearm. 

Hopefully, this article will shed some light on the oft-confusing aspect of concealed carry reciprocity. Concealed carrying is important, so taking your firearm wherever you go is vital. And as you can clearly see, getting your Iowa carry permit will allow you to take your firearm with you in many other places.  As always, it is important to do your due diligence and homework in order to make sure you are in compliance with any of the state, county, or city laws and ordinances wherever you plan to be!