What States Recognize a VA Concealed Weapons Permit?
If you’re a resident of Virginia and have obtained a concealed weapons permit (CWP), you may be wondering which states recognize and honor your permit. This is an important consideration if you plan to travel or relocate to another state, as it can impact your ability to carry a concealed firearm.
Virginia’s Concealed Weapons Permit
Before we dive into which states recognize a VA CWP, let’s briefly discuss Virginia’s permit requirements. To obtain a VA CWP, you must:
- Be a resident of Virginia
- Be at least 21 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence
- Not have any felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions for crimes involving the use or threat of violence
- Not have any restraining orders or protection orders in effect against you
- Complete a firearms training course approved by the Virginia State Police
Which States Recognize a VA Concealed Weapons Permit?
Full Reciprocity
The following states have full reciprocity with Virginia, meaning they recognize and honor a VA CWP without any additional requirements:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Modified Reciprocity
The following states have modified reciprocity with Virginia, meaning they recognize a VA CWP but may have additional requirements or restrictions:
- Colorado: Requires a written application and payment of a fee
- Connecticut: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Florida: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Georgia: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Illinois: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Maine: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Maryland: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Massachusetts: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- New Jersey: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- New York: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Oregon: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Rhode Island: Requires a written application and payment of a fee, and may have additional training requirements
- Virginia’s reciprocity agreement with West Virginia is reciprocal for CWP holders, but may have additional requirements or restrictions
No Reciprocity
The following states do not recognize a VA CWP and require separate permits or licenses to carry concealed firearms:
- California
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- New York (requires a separate permit to carry)
- Oregon (requires a separate permit to carry)
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
Table: States Recognizing VA Concealed Weapons Permit
| State | Recognition Status | Additional Requirements/Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Full | None |
| Alaska | Full | None |
| Arizona | Full | None |
| Arkansas | Full | None |
| California | No | Separate permit/license required |
| Colorado | Modified | Written application, fee |
| Connecticut | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| Delaware | No | Separate permit/license required |
| Florida | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| Georgia | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| Hawaii | No | Separate permit/license required |
| Idaho | Full | None |
| Illinois | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| Indiana | Full | None |
| Iowa | Full | None |
| Kansas | Full | None |
| Kentucky | Full | None |
| Louisiana | Full | None |
| Maine | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| Maryland | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| Massachusetts | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| Michigan | Full | None |
| Minnesota | No | Separate permit/license required |
| Mississippi | Full | None |
| Missouri | Full | None |
| Montana | Full | None |
| Nebraska | Full | None |
| Nevada | Full | None |
| New Hampshire | Full | None |
| New Jersey | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| New Mexico | No | Separate permit/license required |
| New York | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| North Carolina | Full | None |
| North Dakota | Full | None |
| Ohio | Full | None |
| Oklahoma | Full | None |
| Oregon | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| Pennsylvania | Full | None |
| Rhode Island | Modified | Written application, fee, additional training |
| South Carolina | Full | None |
| South Dakota | Full | None |
| Tennessee | Full | None |
| Texas | Full | None |
| Utah | Full | None |
| Virginia | – | – |
| Washington | No | Separate permit/license required |
| West Virginia | Full | (Modified reciprocity agreement) |
| Wisconsin | Full | None |
| Wyoming | Full | None |
Conclusion
If you’re a resident of Virginia with a concealed weapons permit, it’s essential to understand which states recognize and honor your permit. As you can see from the table above, many states have full or modified reciprocity with Virginia, but some states do not recognize a VA CWP at all. Always research the specific laws and regulations of the state you plan to visit or relocate to ensure you’re in compliance with local laws.
