CarryReciprocity

This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.

New HampshireConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity

Compiled and verified against primary sources by CarryReciprocity. How we source & verify →

New Hampshire is a permitless (constitutional) carry state as of 2017 (SB 12). Any person — resident, non-resident, or alien — who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a loaded pistol or revolver openly or concealed without a license. The New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License, issued by the local police chief (residents) or the State Police (non-residents), remains available and is worth holding for out-of-state reciprocity; it requires no training, costs $10 for residents, is valid for five years, and — by statute — may not require a photograph or fingerprints. New Hampshire has no duty to inform. Because permitless carry extends to non-residents, an out-of-state carrier may already carry in New Hampshire; RSA 159:6-d adds formal reciprocity, so New Hampshire effectively recognizes every state's carriers.

New Hampshire New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License (License to Carry)

Issuing authority
Local Police Chief (residents) / New Hampshire State Police (non-residents)
Carry regime
constitutional
Minimum age
18
Fee
$10
Training
Not required
Validity
5 years

Full New Hampshire permit requirements →

Carry practicalities

Permitless carry

Allowed — minimum age 18

New Hampshire has permitless (constitutional) carry since 2017 (SB 12). Any person — resident, non-resident, or alien — who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a loaded pistol or revolver openly or concealed without a license (RSA 159:6-e).

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Open carry

Permitless

Open carry of a pistol or revolver is lawful in New Hampshire without a license for a person who may lawfully possess a firearm. Open carry remains subject to the prohibited-place restrictions and to private-property rules.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Duty to inform

Not required

New Hampshire imposes no statutory duty to proactively notify a law enforcement officer that you are carrying. There is no proactive notification requirement.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Off-limits locations

  • K-12 school property and safe school zones (RSA 193-D / 159:26 as applicable)
  • courthouses and court facilities
  • correctional and detention facilities
  • the secured (past-screening) areas of airports
  • private property and businesses that prohibit carry
  • places where carrying a firearm is prohibited by federal law

Curated key categories, not exhaustive. New Hampshire has relatively few state-law prohibited places; firearms are restricted on school property and in courthouses and secured facilities. Property owners may prohibit carry.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

New Hampshire formally recognizes 49 states' permits · a New Hampshire permit is honored by 32 states.

New Hampshire reciprocity

Where New Hampshire's permit is honored

Honored — no extra conditions (27)

Honored — resident permits only (5)

Not honored (17)

You may also carry without a permit in 1 permitless-carry state, where no permit is required at all.

Full sortable table & per-state detail →

Whose permits New Hampshire honors

Honored — no extra conditions (49)

Not honored (1)

Full detail on whose permits New Hampshire honors →

Last verified 2026-07-10 against New Hampshire State Police — Pistol and Revolver Licensing.

Verify New Hampshire rules on the official page →

We may earn a commission from some links, at no cost to you.

New Hampshire FAQ

Does New Hampshire have constitutional carry?
Yes. New Hampshire is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The License to Carry remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.
How much does a New Hampshire License to Carry cost?
The License to Carry application fee in New Hampshire is $10. $10 for a resident license; the non-resident license fee is higher (RSA 159:6). No photo or fingerprints may be required.
Does New Hampshire honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?
New Hampshire honors concealed-carry permits from 49 other states, subject to the qualifiers (resident-only or permit-class restrictions) noted on each reciprocity pair. See the full inbound list on the "who New Hampshire honors" page.
Where is a New Hampshire License to Carry honored?
A New Hampshire License to Carry is honored by 32 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
How long is a New Hampshire License to Carry valid?
A New Hampshire License to Carry is valid for 5 years before renewal is required.

Sources