This question comes up a lot. Is it necessary to keep a concealed carry permit on your person all the time while you’re carrying? Here’s a simple rule of thumb – if you’re not in a state with permitless concealed carry (i.e. Vermont), then yes.
Here’s why: if you need to use your pistol in defense, the police will ask to see your concealed carry permit. Even in an open carry state, if you wear your firearm in that state’s definition of “concealed”, that requires a concealed carry permit.
Notable Exception: Open Carrying in Open Carry States
If you were wearing an outside the waistband holster that’s clearly visible, in an open carry state, you probably don’t need to show your concealed carry permit. It does help.
Where It Pays To Have Your Concealed Carry Permit Ready
States have different names for their individual concealed carry permitting process.
If you’re traveling out of state, in a state that has a reciprocity agreement with your state, the first thing the police are going to want to see is your concealed carry permit. They may call it something else. But, especially in the event that someone was injured or even killed, they need to see that permit or those legal defense costs are going to sky-rocket quickly. These titles include:
| Term | Abbrev. | State(Ex.) |
|---|---|---|
| Concealed Handgun License | CHL | Texas |
| Concealed Handgun Permit | CHP | Louisiana |
| Concealed Firearm Permit | CFP | Utah |
| Concealed Carry License | CCL | Illinois |
| Concealed Carry Permit | CCP | Maine* |
| Conceal Carry Weapon Permit | CCW | Ohio |
| Concealed Defensive Weapon Permit | CDWP | |
| Concealed Deadly Weapon License | CDWL | Delaware |
| Concealed Weapons License | CWL | Idaho |
| Concealed Weapon Permit | CWP | South Carolina |
| License to Carry (Firearms) | LTC/LTCF | Pennsylvania |
| Carry of Concealed Deadly Weapon | CCDW | Kentucky |
| Pistol/Revolver License | PRL | New Hampshire |
| *Constitutional carry as of July, 2015. | ||
Questions Related to Carrying Your Permit On Your Person
Q: I just got word that my concealed carry permit has been issued and is in the mail. Can I start carrying now?
Absolutely not! Until that permit is physically on your person, you are not legally allowed to carry concealed.
This is because it poses a danger for you and those around you in the event you actually do need to use your firearm or, conversely, are confronted about having one in a public place.
If you have a concealed carry permit and are confronted about having a weapon – due to printing, spotting, or similar – you can legally justify it. More importantly, if it’s not an officer of the law asking, you don’t have to respond. Now, if you don’t have your concealed carry permit on you – you are tangibly breaking the law.
Q: What if a state I’m traveling to doesn’t have reciprocity with my state for CCW?
If the state you are in doesn’t acknowledge the state that issued your concealed carry permit, you cannot legally carry concealed in that state. Period.
In many cases, you can apply for a non-resident permit. With exception to New York, New Jersey, and California, non-residents are generally encouraged to investigate non-resident concealed carry permits if their home state isn’t duly acknowledged.
Q: If I need to use my concealed carry firearm and I don’t have my permit on me – what do I do?
Call an attorney. Comply with all lawful orders given to you by law enforcement.
The best mentality to maintain is to understand the police’s viewpoint when dealing with you. Without your permit on you, having just used your concealed carry firearm – the police have absolutely no idea if you’re a good guy or a bad guy. Many factors depend on how the situation went down but ultimately – legally – this is a matter that needs to be put in the capable hands of legal council.
Q: I’m in a constitutional carry state – do I need my concealed carry permit on me?
If you come from a state that issued you a concealed carry permit – keep that permit on you while you’re armed.
Constitutional carry still has restrictions and limitations – it just allows for permitless concealed carry.
Even though Vermont is a constitutional carry state, the City of Burlington tried to pass a gun ban in 2013. It was in effect for a little while until it was eventually overturned – but it goes to show that even in a constitutional carry state, restrictions apply.
Do you have any other questions related to concealed carrying? Feel free to post them below or on our Facebook page. We try to answer them in a timely manner!