Does New Mexico have constitutional carry?

No. New Mexico is a shall-issue state — a New Mexico Concealed Handgun License (CHL) is required to carry concealed, and the issuing authority must issue one to any applicant who meets the statutory requirements.

How much does a New Mexico CHL cost?

The CHL application fee in New Mexico is $56. Approximately $56 for a new civilian concealed handgun license, plus fingerprint/background-check costs (confirm current amount with NM DPS).

Does New Mexico honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?

New Mexico honors concealed-carry permits from 20 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 Mexico honors" page.

Where is a New Mexico CHL honored?

A New Mexico CHL is honored by 33 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.

How long is a New Mexico CHL valid?

A New Mexico CHL is valid for 4 years before renewal is required.

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 MexicoConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity

New Mexico is a shall-issue state — it is not a permitless (constitutional) carry state. To carry a handgun concealed you must hold a New Mexico Concealed Handgun License (CHL), issued by the Department of Public Safety; carrying concealed without the physical license on your person is unlawful (NMSA §29-19-9). Applicants must complete a firearms safety training course (covering deadly-force law, safe handling and storage, care and maintenance, and marksmanship, including live fire), submit fingerprints, and pay a fee; the civilian license is valid for four years with a refresher required at the two-year mark. Open carry of a loaded firearm is lawful without a license. New Mexico recognizes the concealed-carry licenses of a specific list of about 20 states whose standards are comparable to its own — not all states.

New Mexico New Mexico Concealed Handgun License (CHL)

Issuing authority: New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Records Bureau
Carry regime: shall issue
Minimum age: 21
Fee: $56
Training: Required
Validity: 4 years

Full New Mexico permit requirements →

Carry practicalities

Permitless carry

Not allowed

New Mexico is NOT a permitless-carry state. Carrying a handgun concealed requires a New Mexico Concealed Handgun License, and the physical license must be on your person while carrying (NMSA §29-19-9). Open carry, however, is lawful without a license.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Open carry

Permitless

New Mexico is an open-carry state: it is lawful to carry a loaded firearm openly (not concealed) 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 (a property owner may prohibit carry by posting or verbal notice).

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Duty to inform

Not required

New Mexico imposes no statutory duty to proactively notify a law enforcement officer that you are carrying. A licensee must carry the physical license while carrying concealed and present it if asked, but there is no proactive notification requirement.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Off-limits locations

K-12 schools and preschools (except a firearm in a private vehicle by a person 19+)
university and college premises (except a firearm in a private vehicle by a person 19+)
courts and court facilities
portions of establishments licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption (with limited restaurant exceptions)
tribal land, absent tribal authorization
public buses/transit
airport security zones (past screening)
federal facilities and other places prohibited by federal law
private property where the owner prohibits carry by posting or verbal notice

Curated key categories, not exhaustive. Prohibited places are in NMSA §29-19-11 and §§30-7-2.1/2.4 (schools/universities). A private-property owner or lessee may prohibit concealed carry by posting notice or verbally notifying entrants.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

New Mexico reciprocity summary

New Mexico honors 20 states' permits · honored by 33 states

Where a New Mexico permit is honored →Whose permits New Mexico honors →

Last verified 2026-07-10 against New Mexico DPS — Concealed Carry Licenses.

Verify New Mexico rules on the official page →

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Get notified when your state's reciprocity changes.

New Mexico FAQ

Does New Mexico have constitutional carry?: No. New Mexico is a shall-issue state — a New Mexico Concealed Handgun License (CHL) is required to carry concealed, and the issuing authority must issue one to any applicant who meets the statutory requirements.
How much does a New Mexico CHL cost?: The CHL application fee in New Mexico is $56. Approximately $56 for a new civilian concealed handgun license, plus fingerprint/background-check costs (confirm current amount with NM DPS).
Does New Mexico honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?: New Mexico honors concealed-carry permits from 20 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 Mexico honors" page.
Where is a New Mexico CHL honored?: A New Mexico CHL is honored by 33 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
How long is a New Mexico CHL valid?: A New Mexico CHL is valid for 4 years before renewal is required.

Sources

New Mexico DPS — Concealed Carry Licenses (2026-07-10)