With second amendment issues on the rise, diversity of firearm laws through each state and the lack of knowledge of many local law enforcement regarding reciprocity agreements on Nonresident Concealed Carry Permits, it is imperative to have as many as you possibly can, even more importantly for those states that you visit on a continuous basis.

Let's examine several issues with carrying a firearm outside of your home state.

1. Not all states have reciprocity agreements with other states to allow you to carry your firearm in the state you may be traveling to.
2. Reciprocity agreements change
3. Local law enforcement is not always privy  to state reciprocity agreements
4. Not all law enforcement is aware of Federal Interstate Transport of Firearms Law
5. Non-resident Concealed Carry Permits

Not all states have reciprocity agreements with other states to allow you to carry your firearm in the state you may be traveling to.  Two states that come to mind very quickly which do not have any agreements in place at all would be New York and New Jersey. Unlike a drivers license which is good throughout the United States, your Concealed Carry Permits are not and are subject to a lot more scrutiny by local law enforcement of the area you are visiting.  Reciprocity agreements allow you to carry your firearms under an agreement through the Attorney General Office and possibly state law from the state in which you possess the permit. As previously stated not all states have agreements in place and this is mostly granted on mutual reciprocity based on the granting states review of the firearms laws of the reciprocal state

Reciprocity agreements change as the firearms laws change in each state .  States often dictate the process necessary to obtain a concealed carry permit through state law. Many states require some sort of background check including moral character, criminal background and an inquiry into any mental deficiencies. Some states will verify the information given by applicants utilizing a name and social security number search, while others will require the processing of fingerprints on local state and federal levels before granting a permit. Based on the processes, laws and overall firearms policies, states may or may not grant reciprocity and can always change this at any time.

Local law enforcement is not always privy to state reciprocity agreements. Local law enforcement are a great asset and have a difficult job protecting the everyday citizen from would be criminals especially those that have illegally obtained and/or carry firearms. When being approached by a law enforcement official it is important to remember three very simple words "Reasonable and Necessary".  Law enforcement officers in nearly all jurisdictions only need to follow these simple words when it comes to the detention and use of force on any individual. Being an individual with a firearm and without that states' concealed carry permit puts you at a greater risk of being detained until a time they can sort through the legal red tape having wasted your precious time. As reciprocity agreements change, many local law enforcement personnel do not keep up with these changes and are often times not trained on this to begin with.  It is advisable to have the Non Resident Concealed Carry Permit for the state you are visiting regardless if reciprocity is available. This will save you time, money and embarrassment in the long run. If you decide not to obtain the permit please visit the state agency responsible for reciprocity agreements as often time they will have a list of states which they have reciprocal agreements with. Once you have a copy of the list of reciprocal states carry it with you. It may save you some heartache.

Not all law enforcement is aware of Federal Interstate Transport of Firearms Law. Did you know that federal law allows you to transport your firearms across state lines so long as you have a right to legally posses it at your point of origin and you can legally posses it at your destination. Here is a copy of the law " §926A. Interstate Transportation of Firearms

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. (Added Pub.L. 99-360, § 1(a), July 8, 1986, 100 Stat. 766.)"  Many Local law enforcement officials are not aware that this law exists, however even if they do you may be subject to other limitations. Some states have limitations on the type of ammunition you are allowed to have.  One state that comes to mind does not allow the possession of hollow point rounds. If found to be in possession you are in  violation and will results in a fine for each round. 

Non-resident Concealed Carry Permits are imperative to have if you plan on traveling based on everything else you have read in this edition.  Each state has their own laws in regards to getting a firearms permit and may have different laws or procedures to obtain a Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit. Many states besides requiring the necessary background checks require some sort of training, in most cases these states require the NRA Basic Pistol Course which has been the gold standard across the board for many years. Some of the states that require the NRA Basic Pistol Course are Connecticut, Florida and Rhode Island, Rhode Island  also requires a live fire component which needs to be witnessed  by a NRA Certified Instructor , some municipalities in New York State require the course and as does Massachusetts, just to name a few. There are also some states that require that you take their own course such as Utah.  This course can often be found with a local instructor approved by the Utah Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

"With great power comes great responsibility" as quoted from the Stan Lee comic Spider Man, but it is very true for this situation.  In order to protect the power you have of being able to possess a firearm you must also be responsible to do your research and be aware of the laws pertaining to its ownership and possession at home and beyond your home states lines.