GUN CONTROL

States’ Laws and 

Requirements for 

Concealed Carry 

Permits Vary across 

the Nation

Report to Congressional Requesters

July 2012

GAO-12-717

United States Government Accountability Office

GAO
United States Government Accountability Office

Highlights of GAO-12-717, a report to 

congressional requesters

July 2012

GUN CONTROL

States’ Laws and Requirements for Concealed Carry 

Permits Vary across the Nation

Why GAO Did This Study

According to state reporting to GAO, 

there were at least 8 million active 

permits to carry concealed handguns 

in the United States as of December 

31, 2011. States and local authorities 

control the issuance of concealed carry 

permits. Applicants who wish to obtain 

such permits are required to meet 

certain state eligibility requirements, 

such as minimum age and the lack of a 

felony conviction. States also decide 

which other states’ permits to honor. 

Typically, states enter into reciprocity 

agreements that establish which outof-state permit holders can carry 

concealed firearms within each state. 

In recent years, Members of Congress 

have introduced legislation that would 

require each issuing state to recognize 

any permit. GAO was asked to provide 

information on the status of concealedcarry permitting. This report describes

(1) the extent to which states allow 

concealed carry permits, and how 

select states’ eligibility requirements 

and recognition of other states’ permits 

differ, (2) what processes select states 

use to help ensure they revoke permits 

when holders no longer meet eligibility 

requirements, and (3) how law 

enforcement officials in select states 

determine whether permits they 

encounter are current and valid. GAO 

gathered information on the number of 

permits, laws, issuing authorities, and 

reciprocity agreements for 50 states

and the District of Columbia, and 

conducted a case study on 9 states 

that issue permits. GAO selected these

states to reflect differences among

states’ eligibility requirements, state 

reciprocity of permits, and permitissuing processes; the results cannot 

be generalized across all states but

provide a broad understanding of the 

different requirements and processes 

states utilized in issuing permits. 

What GAO Found

The number of states allowing concealed carry permits is increasing, and states 

broadly differ in eligibility requirements and the extent to which they have 

reciprocity agreements. In June 2002, 7 states and the District of Columbia

prohibited the concealed carry of handguns. As of March 2012, individuals can 

carry concealed handguns in all but 1 state (Illinois) and the District of Columbia

(see fig. below). “Shall-issue” states—in which issuing authorities are required to 

issue a permit to an applicant that fulfills the objective statutory criteria—

generally issue more permits than states with greater discretion in granting 

permits (“may-issue” states). Because of differing eligibility requirements, some 

states would issue a permit to an applicant, while others would not. For example, 

some states define what constitutes a disqualifying felony differently or have 

different firearms training requirements. As of March 2012, 39 states that issue 

permits and Vermont (permits not required) recognize concealed carry permits 

from other states. Of the 9 states that do not grant reciprocity, 8 are may-issue 

states. 

State Concealed Carry Permit Designation as of 2012

Issuing authorities from all 9 states included in GAO’s case study stated that they

take action to confirm an individual’s continued eligibility to hold a permit as part 

of the permit renewal process; and issuing authorities from 8 of these 9 states 

reported using mechanisms to monitor resident permit holders’ continued 

eligibility between issuance and renewal. In these 8 states, issuing authorities

told GAO that they are notified if a permit holder commits a disqualifying act 

within their state through law enforcement or state databases. After detecting a 

disqualifying criminal offense or other disqualifying factors, each of the 9 states 

begins the revocation process by notifying the permit holder. The states have 

varying retrieval processes, and 3 of them have authority to impose a penalty for 

failure to surrender a revoked permit or continuing to possess one. 

Law enforcement in the 9 case study states that issue permits told GAO that 

when encountering permits, such as during routine traffic stops, they visually 

check them and can take additional steps, such as checking state databases, as 

needed, to determine whether the permits are current and valid. View GAO-12-717. For more information, 

contact Carol R. Cha (202)512-8777 or 

chac@gao.gov. 
Page i GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Letter 1 

Background 5

States Allowing Concealed Carry Permits Have Increased, but 

Eligibility Requirements and Extent of Reciprocity Differ 8

Select States Reported Monitoring if Certain Permits Should Be 

Revoked and Having Processes to Revoke Them when Needed 23

Law Enforcement in Select States Visually Check Permits to Verify 

Validity, among Other Actions 29

Appendix I Case Study State Summaries 33

Appendix II Objectives, Scope and Methodology 68

Appendix III State Issuing Authority, as of March 2012 71

Appendix IV State Concealed Carry Permit Designation, as of March 28, 2012 73

Appendix V Number of Valid Permits 75

Appendix VI Approximate Total Number of Active Permits by Residency 78

Appendix VII State Reciprocity, as of March 2012 80

Appendix VIII GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments 84

Tables

Table 1: Change in States’ Concealed Carry Permit Designation, 

2002 and 2012 8

Contents
Page ii GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Table 2: Case Study States’ Specific Disqualifiers for Concealed 

Carry Permits 17

Table 3: Case Study States’ Training Requirements to Qualify for a 

Concealed Carry Permit 18

Table 4: Approximate Numbers of Revoked and Issued Permits, 

2011 26

Table 5: Physical Characteristics of Case Study States’ Concealed 

Carry Permits 30

Table 6: State Concealed Carry Permit Designation, as of March 

2012 73

Table 7: Number of Valid Permits (as Reported by States) as of 

December 31, 2011, unless noted otherwise 75

Table 8: Status for States that issue to Nonresidents, as of 

December 31, 2011, unless otherwise noted 78

Figures

Figure 1: State Concealed Carry Permit Designation for 2002 and 

2012 9

Figure 2: State Concealed Carry Permits Profile 2011 11

Figure 3: State Reciprocity as of March 2012 20

Figure 4: Length of Time Permit Is Valid for Initial Applicants 24
Page iii GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Abbreviations

ATF Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

CA DOJ California Department of Justice 

CCDW Carry of Concealed Deadly Weapon

CWP/CWL Concealed Weapon Permit/License

CHL/CHP Concealed Handgun License/Permit

CJIS Criminal Justice Information Services 

CPL Concealed Pistol License

DUI driving under the influence

DWI driving while intoxicated

FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation

FOID Firearm Owner’s Identification Card

III Interstate Identification Index

LTC/LTCF License To Carry (Firearms)

NCIC National Crime Information Center

NGI Next Generation Identification

NICS National Instant Criminal Background Check System

NRA National Rifle Association

Nlets International Justice and Public Safety Network 

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Page 1 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

United States Government Accountability Office

Washington, DC 20548

July 17, 2012

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Chair, Caucus on International Narcotics Control

United States Senate

The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.

Chairman, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security

Committee on the Judiciary

House of Representatives

In 2010, approximately 118 million handguns were available for sale to, or 

were possessed by, civilians in the United States.1 States regulate if, 

where, and how their residents can carry handguns—openly or 

concealed.2 According to state reporting, there were approximately 8 

million active concealed carry permits in the United States as of 

December 31, 2011.3 Through the years, gun rights and gun control 

advocates have debated the efficacy of carrying a concealed handgun 

and constitutionality of the right to carry a concealed handgun. The 

debates have included such issues as who may legally carry a concealed 

handgun and where the concealed handgun may be legally carried (i.e., 

state parks, government buildings, public arenas, etc.), among other 

issues. State and local authorities control the issuance of concealed carry 

permits.4

 

1

GAO estimate based on Congressional Research Service Report Gun Control 

Legislation, (March 12, 2012) RL 32842 p. 5 and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 

Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Firearms Commerce in the United States Annual 

Statistical Update 2012 (May 4, 2012).

Applicants who wish to obtain such permits are required to meet 

2

For the purposes of this report, we will refer to firearms and weapons as handguns (i.e., 

pistols and revolvers)—although some states’ permits also define weapons as knives, 

rifles, and billy clubs, and so forth. 

3

This number is an estimate based upon state reporting to GAO. Given that many states 

reported approximate numbers and some states that issue permits were unable to provide 

the number of permits, the number is likely understated. 

4

For the purposes of this report, we will refer to all permits as concealed carry permits. 

States use different terms for licenses or permits to carry a concealed firearm, such as

Concealed Handgun License/Permit (CHL/CHP),Concealed Weapon Permit/License 

(CWP/CWL), Concealed Firearm Permit/License, License To Carry (Firearms) 

(LTC/LTCF), Carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon License (CCDW), Concealed Pistol 

License (CPL), and so forth.

 
 

Page 2 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

certain state eligibility requirements. For example, in many states, a 

person must be at least 21 years old and not have any felony convictions 

to receive a permit.5 Currently, state law determines whether and to what 

degree to honor other states’ permits. Typically, states enter into 

reciprocity agreements that establish which out-of-state permit holders 

can carry concealed firearms within each state. Congress has considered 

the issue of concealed carry permitting and the concept of national 

reciprocity. Most recently, Members of the 112th Congress have 

proposed legislation that would address certain aspects of concealed 

carry permitting as well as national reciprocity.6

 

5

For example, Arizona specifically requires, among other things, that an individual be 21 

years of age or older and have not been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony unless 

that conviction has been expunged, set aside, or vacated or in certain other limited 

circumstances under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(E). For more information on select states’ 

eligibility requirements for concealed weapons permits, see appendix I. 

Proposed legislation 

currently pending in Congress would provide national reciprocity or allow 

individuals that have a concealed carry permit issued from one state to be 

eligible to carry a concealed weapon in any other state that issues 

concealed carry permits. Other proposed legislation would require states 

to have minimum standards for the process of issuing concealed carry 

permits as well as minimum eligibility requirements to attain a permit.

Both gun rights and gun control advocates have raised concerns with a 

6

For example, one proposed bill, H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 

2011, would generally allow persons with valid state-issued concealed firearm permits or 

licenses to carry a concealed firearm in any other state that also issues concealed 

firearms permits or licenses, or in any other state that does not generally prohibit the 

carrying of concealed firearms, subject to the same conditions and limitations (except as 

to eligibility to possess or carry) imposed by federal, state, or local law that apply to 

residents of the state. This proposed bill would not create a national licensing scheme, but 

would require states that currently permit people to carry concealed firearms to recognize 

other states’ valid concealed carry permits. Similarly to the National Right-to-Carry 

Reciprocity Act of 2011, another proposed bill, the Secure Access to Firearms 

Enhancement Act of 2011, H.R. 2900, 112th Cong. (2011), would generally allow a person 

who is not prohibited by federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a 

firearm, and is carrying a valid license or permit to carry a concealed weapon issued by a 

state, to carry a concealed weapon in any state in accordance with the terms of the 

license or permit and the laws of the state in which the firearm is carried concerning 

specific types of locations in which firearms may not be carried. The Common Sense 

Concealed Firearms Permit Act of 2011, S. 176, 112th Cong. (2011), another proposed 

bill, would require states that allow residents of the state to carry concealed firearms to 

establish a process to issue permits to residents of the state to carry concealed firearms 

and require that each resident of the state seeking to carry a concealed firearm in the 

state obtain a permit through this process. Further, in establishing a process, the state 

would have minimum requirements related to the process as well as the eligibility 

requirements of the applicant.
 

Page 3 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

variety of proposed legislation related to concealed carry permitting and 

national reciprocity. In this context, you requested that we provide 

information on the status of concealed carry permitting. Accordingly, this 

report describes

• the extent to which states allow concealed carry permits, and how 

select states’ eligibility requirements and laws regarding recognition of 

other states’ permits differ;

• the processes select states use to help ensure they revoke permits 

when holders no longer meet eligibility requirements; and

• how law enforcement officials in select states determine whether 

permits they encounter are current and valid.

To answer these objectives, we contacted 48 states to obtain information 

on the number of valid concealed carry permits, denials, and revocations 

in each state.7 Further, we gathered information for 50 states and the 

District of Columbia on their permit issuing laws (as they were as of 

March 2012), issuing authorities, and reciprocity agreements, among 

other things.8

 

7

The remaining 2 states (Illinois and Vermont) and the District of Columbia do not issue 

concealed carry permits, so the number of valid permits does not apply to them. However, 

Vermont allows individuals to carry concealed handguns without a permit. 

 Moreover, we conducted a case study on 9 of the 50 

states—Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, 

Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia—which we selected to reflect differing 

state eligibility requirements, state reciprocity of permits, and permitissuing processes. From these states, we obtained and analyzed state 

data and information for 2011 on their eligibility requirements for issuing 

permits, procedures for monitoring permit holders’ continued eligibility, 

and the number of permits issued and revoked. In the 9 states included in 

our case study that issue permits, we also interviewed state and local 

officials responsible for issuing permits to obtain information on applicable 

laws and procedures for issuing, monitoring, and revoking permits, and 

entering into reciprocity agreements. In addition, we interviewed state and 

local law enforcement officials in these states to obtain information on 

8

On the basis of their permit issuing laws, states and the District of Columbia are generally 

designated as:(1) No-issue: carrying concealed is prohibited; (2) May-issue: the issuing 

authority has discretion to grant concealed carry permits to eligible individuals after 

considering additional subjective prohibitors, such as the applicant’s history, character, 

and intended purpose for carrying a firearm; (3) Shall-issue: a concealed carry permit 

must be issued if no statutory reason for denial is revealed during a background check of 

the applicant; and (4) Permit not required to carry concealed. 
 

Page 4 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

processes they use to determine whether permits are valid when needed. 

The results from our case studies cannot be generalized across all states.

However, the information obtained from these case studies provides a 

broad understanding of the different requirements and processes states

utilize in issuing permits. To assess the reliability of the data and 

information, we asked the states about the systems they use to track the 

data, any steps taken to verify accuracy, and any limitations to the data. 

Our analysis was largely dependent on the availability of state data on the 

number of concealed carry permits. In some cases, statewide data were 

not available, and in other cases only data from certain time periods were 

available. As a result of these limitations, we determined that the data

were sufficiently reliable solely to illustrate a minimum number of total 

active permits and approximate number of state-specific permits.

In addition, we obtained information from and interviewed federal officials 

with firearms-related experience and law enforcement responsibilities—

the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the 

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). We obtained information from and 

interviewed FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division 

officials on their federal databases that states query when screening 

concealed carry permit applicants’ criminal history backgrounds. We 

obtained information and interviewed ATF headquarters officials and field 

special agents on their experience with and perspectives on state 

concealed carry permits. We also interviewed non-governmental groups 

representing a cross section of different views on concealed carry permit 

issues to gain an understanding of the historical context on these issues.9

We conducted our work from August 2011 through July 2012 in 

accordance with all sections of GAO’s Quality Assurance Framework that 

are relevant to our objectives. The framework requires that we plan and 

perform the engagement to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to 

meet our stated objectives and to discuss any limitations in our work. We 

believe that the information and data obtained, and the analysis 

conducted, provide a reasonable basis for any findings in this product.

Appendix II contains a more detailed discussion of our objectives, scope, 

and methodology.

 

9

We interviewed organizations such as the Brady Campaign, Gun Owners of America, 

Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and the National Rifle Association.
 

Page 5 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

States’ concealed carry laws can allow handgun owners, under certain 

conditions, to carry a loaded handgun either concealed on a person, in a 

vehicle, or in public. “Concealed carry” means a person may carry a 

handgun in a manner so that others cannot see the handgun. Generally, 

these laws apply to handguns—i.e. pistols and revolvers; therefore, for 

the purposes of this report, we use this category to define firearms.10

States can be classified into one of the following four categories based on 

their concealed carry laws:

States can allow civilians to carry a concealed handgun with or without a 

permit. Generally, states regulate whether individuals can carry handguns 

in public places such as schools, government buildings, and state and 

national parks, among other restricted places.

• No-issue: The state does not permit residents or nonresidents to carry 

concealed handguns.

• May-issue: The state applies discretion in granting permits to carry 

concealed handguns.

• Shall-issue: Issuing authorities are required to issue a permit to an 

applicant that fulfills the objective statutory criteria if no statutory 

reason for denial exists.

• Permit not required: States do not require a permit to carry a 

concealed handgun.11

State laws also define which entities issue permits in their state. For 

example, some states have delegated the authority to issue permits to a 

single issuing authority (sometimes referred to as a centralized system), 

such as departments of public safety, while other states have multiple 

issuing authorities (referred to as a decentralized system), such as local 

law enforcement and local courts. There are also states with a mixture of 

 

10States’ concealed carry laws can also regulate the carrying of other weapons (e.g., 

knives). 

11For the purposes of this report, we will refer to states’ issue designation as, no-issue, 

may-issue, shall-issue, or permit not required. These designations exclude individuals 

permitted to carry concealed weapons under federal law, such as qualified law 

enforcement officers under 18 U.S.C. § 926B, or qualified retired law enforcement officers 

under 18 U.S.C. § 926C.

Background 

State Concealed Carry 

Laws 
 

Page 6 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

both centralized and decentralized systems. Of the 48 states that issue 

concealed carry permits (2 states do not issue permits—Illinois and 

Vermont), 20 states have centralized issuing authorities that process all 

applications and issue all permits for their state. Another 23 states have 

decentralized issuing authorities that process applications and issue 

permits at the jurisdictional level. The remaining 5 states use a combination 

of centralized and decentralized issuing authorities. These states generally 

utilize decentralized authorities for residents and a centralized authority for 

nonresidents (see app. III for a list of states’ issuing authorities).

There is no federal law specifically addressing the issuance of concealed 

carry permits at the state level. While the FBI does not have a direct role 

in the issuance of concealed carry permits, the FBI serves as a source for 

criminal history background information.12 States may contact the FBI to 

obtain national criminal history records, if any, on applicants who apply for 

a concealed carry permit, but checking with the FBI prior to issuing a 

state permit is not required by federal law. Generally, states request 

name-based background checks from the FBI CJIS Division’s National 

Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to help them make a

determination about who is prohibited from receiving or possessing a 

handgun and thus prohibited from obtaining a concealed carry permit.13

During the course of a NICS background check, the applicant’s 

descriptive information is checked against three computerized systems to 

determine if the person is eligible to obtain the handgun. Those systems 

include the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Interstate 

Identification Index (III), and the NICS Index.14

 

12Under 28 U.S.C. § 534(a)(1), the Attorney General has the authority to acquire, collect, 

classify, and preserve identification, criminal identification, crime, and other records. 

If the applicant indicates 

13Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Pub. L. No. 103-159, 107 Stat. 1536 (1993); 

and GAO, Gun Control: Opportunities to Close Loopholes in the National Instant Criminal 

Background Check System, GAO-02-720 (Washington, D.C.: July 12, 2002).

14Specifically, a NICS check queries the following three information sources: (1) the 

National Crime Information Center (NCIC) which, inter alia, provides access to fugitive 

arrest warrants and protective orders; (2) the Interstate Identification Index (III), an indexpointer system that provides access to state criminal history records and FBI criminal 

history databases; and (3) the NICS Index, which contains information provided by local, 

state, tribal, and federal agencies on persons prohibited from receiving or possessing 

firearms under federal law that is not found in the NCIC or the III, e.g., information 

concerning persons who have been adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a 

mental institution.

Federal Role
 

Page 7 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

that he or she is not a U.S. citizen, a query is generated against the 

immigration and naturalization databases maintained by the Department 

of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ATF 

is the primary agency that enforces federal firearms laws regulating the 

commerce of firearms in the United States.

Although the federal government does not have a direct role in the 

issuance of concealed carry, there is federal law making it unlawful for 

individuals to receive or possess a handgun if they

(1) have been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by 

imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year;

(2) are fugitives from justice;

(3) are unlawful drug users or are addicted to any controlled 

substance;

(4) have been adjudicated as mental defective or have been 

committed to a mental institution;

(5) are aliens illegally or unlawfully in the United States, or certain 

other aliens admitted under a nonimmigrant visa;

(6) have been discharged from the Armed Forces under 

dishonorable conditions;

(7) have renounced their U.S. citizenship;

(8) are the subject of certain types of a qualifying restraining order 

of a court; or

(9) have been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of 

domestic violence.15

In practice, state determinations about eligibility to obtain concealed carry 

permits depend largely upon a person’s criminal history. When 

determining who should receive a concealed carry permit, generally 

states use eligibility prohibitors that are similar to the federal eligibility 

 

1518 U.S.C. § 922(g). Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(n), it is unlawful for any person who is under 

indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year to ship or 

transport in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm or ammunition or receive any 

firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign 

commerce. In addition, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 922(x)(2), generally it is unlawful for any 

person who is a juvenile, a person that is less than 18 years of age, to knowingly possess 

a handgun or ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun. 

State Eligibility 

Restrictions 
 

Page 8 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

restrictions that apply for possessing or receiving a handgun. For 

example, persons convicted of a felony, the subject of certain types of 

orders of protection, or who have been committed to a mental institution 

are disqualified from receiving a concealed carry permit in many states.

Since 2002, more states are required by law to issue permits and more 

permits have been issued to eligible applicants, although some states still 

maintain discretion in determining who receives permits. States can issue 

to either residents of the state only or to both residents and nonresidents, 

depending on state law. Because eligibility requirements differ, an 

individual could obtain a permit in one state but not another. In addition, 

the number of states that recognize other states’ permits has grown since 

2002, but some states do not recognize any other states’ permits.

Over time, more states have changed their concealed carry laws either 

from no-issue or may-issue to shall-issue, as shown in table 1 below.

Table 1: Change in States’ Concealed Carry Permit Designation, 2002 and 2012

Number of States by Issue Designation June 2002 March 2012

No-issue States that Prohibit the 

Concealed Carry of Handguns 

7 states and the 

District of Columbia

1 state and the 

District of Columbia

Shall-Issue States 29 39

May-Issue States 13 10

States that Do Not Require a Permit to 

Concealed Carry

1 4 a

Source: GAO analysis of state laws.

b

a

States Allowing 

Concealed Carry 

Permits Have 

Increased, but 

Eligibility 

Requirements and 

Extent of Reciprocity 

Differ 

The total number of states and the District of Columbia adds to 51.

Since 2002, More States 

Required to Issue Permits 

to Eligible Applicants, 

though Some States Have 

Discretion in Who 

Receives a Permit

More States Are Granting 

Permits
 

Page 9 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

b

The total number of states and the District of Columbia adds to 55 in this analysis, because 4 states 

(Alaska, Arizona, Rhode Island, and Wyoming) are counted in two categories. Alaska, Arizona, and 

Wyoming do not require permits but are considered shall-issue; and Rhode Island provides may- and 

shall-issue authority. Rhode Island law provides for two mechanisms for obtaining a permit: the 

Rhode Island Attorney General has “may- issue” authority to issue permits under R.I. Gen. Laws § 

11-47-18, and cities and towns have “shall-issue” authority, with limited discretion, to issue a permit, 

under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-11.

Figure 1 below shows changes in issue designation, by state, for 2002 

and 2012. See app. IV for a list of issue designation by state).

Figure 1: State Concealed Carry Permit Designation for 2002 and 2012

Shall-issue states generally issue more permits than may-issue states 

relative to the state population. (See app. V for information on the 

approximate number of active permits by state as of December 31, 2011.)

Of the 48 states that issue permits, 45 provided us with permit 

information. The top 5 states by ratio of active permits issued to the adult 

population (20 years or older) are shall-issue states—Utah, Iowa, South 

Shall-Issue States Issue More 

Permits than May-Issue States
 

Page 10 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Dakota, Georgia, and Indiana.16 The ratio of active permits relative to 

adult population in Georgia and South Dakota (shall-issue states) is 

approximately 9 percent and 11 percent respectively, while the same ratio 

in California and Maryland (may-issue states) is approximately 0.1 

percent and 0.3 percent respectively.17

 

16Of these 5 states, Utah, Iowa, and Indiana issue to both residents and nonresidents, 

while Georgia and South Dakota issue to residents only.

See figure 2 for state-specific 

profiles (see apps. III, IV, and V for detailed information on each state).

17The states and percentages mentioned above include permits issued to both residents 

and nonresidents.
Page 11 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Pa.*

Ore.*

Nev.*

Idaho*

Mont.

Wyo.

Utah*

Ariz.*

N.Mex.

Colo.

N.Dak.*

S.Dak.

Nebr.

Tex.*

Kans.

Okla.

Minn.*

Iowa*

Mo.

Ark.

La.

Ill.

Miss.

Ind.*

Ky.

Tenn.*

Ala.

Fla.*

Ga.

S.C.*

N.C.

Va.*

Ohio

N.H.*

Mass.*

Conn.*

Mich.

Calif.*

Wash.*

Wisc.

N.Y.*

N.J.*

Md.*

D.C.

Del.

R.I.*

Maine*

Vt.

W.VA.

Alaska

Hawaii* Permit not required

No-Issue

State issue classification

Source: GAO analysis based on state reported data and state laws.

Shall-issue

Classified as both May 

and Shall-Issue

May-issue 

Permit not required and

Shall-Issue

Represents number of

resident and non-resident

permits

Interactive graphic Figure 2: State Concealed Carry Permits Profile 2011

Move mouse over the name of each state for its concealed carry information.
 

Page 12 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

If applicants do not meet states’ eligibility requirements, issuing 

authorities may deny the applicant a permit. Of the 45 states that reported 

permit information, 36 stated that they track denials and 29 provided 

some common reasons for the denials. For example, in 2011, Louisiana 

reported that the state denied approximately 400 permits and issued 

12,000 concealed handgun permits (this includes original and renewal) 

citing failure to provide information within the specified time frames as 

required by the state as a common cause of denial. Likewise, Florida 

reported that from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, the state issued 

approximately 124,000 concealed carry permits (this includes original), 

and denied approximately 2,000 permits. Like Louisiana officials, Florida 

officials identified failure to provide required information, such as proof of 

citizenship and legible fingerprint cards, as common reasons for denial.

Authorities in 26 states (10 may-issue and 16 shall-issue) that grant 

permits have discretion in making permit decisions. While 10 may-issue 

states have broad discretion in making permit decisions, authorities in 16 

shall-issue states have limited discretion in making permit decisions, if no 

statutory reason for denial exists. In Virginia (a shall-issue state), for 

example, issuing authorities stated that they can deny individuals whom 

the court finds are likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to 

endanger others, based on a preponderance of the evidence.18 Similarly, 

in Georgia (a shall-issue state), issuing authorities noted that applicants 

are subject to denial if the issuing authority determines, among other 

things, that the applicant is not of good moral character.19

In the 10 may-issue states, issuing authorities may issue a permit to 

eligible individuals after considering additional requirements, such as the 

However, both 

Virginia and Georgia officials told us that although they have the 

discretion to deny a permit based on the factors mentioned above, it is 

rarely utilized.

 

18Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(E)(13). The sheriff, chief of police, or attorney for the 

Commonwealth may submit to the court a sworn written statement indicating that, in the 

opinion of the sheriff, chief of police, or attorney of the Commonwealth, based upon a 

disqualifying conviction or upon specific acts set forth in the statement, the applicant is 

likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently to endanger others. 

19Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(d)(4). The judge of the probate court shall issue an 

applicant a license or renewal license to carry any weapon unless facts establishing 

ineligibility have been reported or unless the judge determines such applicant has not met 

all the qualifications, is not of good moral character, or has failed to comply with any of the 

statutory requirements to receive a license.

About Half of the States’ Laws 

Provide Issuing Authorities 

Discretion, beyond Standard 

Eligibility Requirements, in 

Granting Permits
 

Page 13 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

applicant’s history and personal character. For example, Maryland issues 

permits to residents who, on the basis of an investigation, can 

demonstrate a good and substantial reason for needing a permit, and 

Maryland’s issuing authority is responsible for making the determination 

of what constitutes a good and substantial reason.20 For example, in one 

instance, Maryland’s issuing authority denied a permit to a community 

activist working in anti-drug and anti-crime programs because, although 

the activist claimed that people had told him that others had made threats 

of bodily harm against him, the activist could not provide the names of the 

persons who had made the threats and had not reported any assaults. In 

upholding the denial on appeal, the issuing authority explained that a 

good and substantial reason should include additional evidence, rather 

than be based solely on personal anxiety or concern about 

unsubstantiated threats. Similarly, issuing authorities in California use 

discretion to determine if the applicant is of good moral character, and 

good cause exists for the issuance of the permit.21

 

20Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety§ 5-306(a)(5)(ii). However, the United States District Court 

for the District of Maryland held in Woollard v. Sheridan, Civil Case No. L-10-2068, 2012 

WL 695674 (Mar. 2, 2012) that Maryland’s requirement of a “good and substantial reason” 

for issuance of a handgun permit is insufficiently tailored to the State’s interest in public 

safety and crime prevention and therefore this portion of the Maryland law is 

unconstitutional because it impermissibly infringes upon the right to keep and bear arms 

as guaranteed by the Second Amendment. The State of Maryland has filed a timely 

appeal of this ruling.

For example, issuing 

authorities in California (local law enforcement) told us that an example of 

a good cause is a business owner who may regularly retain cash on-hand 

used to pay employees. The issuing authorities of the 2 may-issue states 

in our case study also conduct additional detailed investigations (e.g., 

physical verification of residency, reviews of applicants’ financial history, 

and in-person interviews, etc.) of permit applicants. For example, 

Maryland’s issuing authority sends local law enforcement to an 

applicant’s neighborhood or place of business to verify the applicant’s 

address and help decide whether to issue a permit, according to the 

Maryland State Police. Likewise, several of the issuing authorities in 

California that we interviewed noted that they hold face-to-face interviews 

with applicants when determining permit eligibility.

21Cal. Penal Code § 26150(a)(1)-(2). 
 

Page 14 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Of the 48 states that issue permits, 22 states’ laws allow for authorities to 

issue only to residents of their state, while 26 allow for issuance to both 

residents and nonresidents. State laws allow issuing authorities to issue 

permits to nonresidents in 10 of these 26 states on a limited basis. For 

example, the issuing authorities in California may issue permits to 

nonresidents whose principal place of employment or business is within 

the state.22 The remaining 16 states do not have such limitations. See 

appendix VI for a listing of states that issue nonresident permits and the 

number of permits issued as of December 31, 2011. 

While the majority of states share some common eligibility requirements 

for qualifying an individual for a concealed carry permit, such as firearms 

safety training and being at least 21 years of age, the 9 states included in 

our case study that issue permits define certain eligibility requirements 

very differently, which can affect who is granted a permit (see app. I for 

individual state summaries in our case study). States disqualify 

individuals convicted of a felony, but these 9 states differed in defining 

what crimes constitute a felony (i.e., a particular crime could be a felony 

in a particular state, but a misdemeanor in another). For example, in 

Virginia, certain types of larceny are considered Class 6 felonies and 

would disqualify an individual convicted of these crimes from being 

eligible for a concealed carry permit.23

 

22California issues permits to applicants whose principal place of employment or business 

is in the country or city, and the applicant spends a substantial period of time in that place 

of employment or business. Cal. Penal Code, § 26150(a)(3). However, this type of permit 

is valid for any period of time not to exceed 90 days from the issue date of the license 

(Cal. Penal Code, § 26220(b)) and is valid only in the county in which it was originally

issued Cal. Penal Code, § 26220(b). 

If an individual either takes money 

or an item worth at least $5 directly from a person, or takes goods valued 

23The least severe punishment for a felony in Virginia is for a Class 6 felony, which has an 

authorized punishment for conviction of a term of imprisonment of not less than 1 year nor 

more than 5 years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a 

jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, 

either or both. Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-10. By statute in Virginia, any person who (i) commits 

larceny from the person of another of money or other thing of value of $5 or more, (ii) 

commits simple larceny not from the person of another of goods or chattels of the value of 

$200 or more, or (iii) commits simple larceny not from the person of another of any 

firearm, regardless of the firearm’s value, shall be guilty of grand larceny, punishable by 

imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than 1 nor more than 20 years or, 

in the discretion of the jury or court trying the case without a jury, be confined in jail for a 

period not exceeding 12 months or fined not more than $2,500, either or both. Va. Code 

Ann. § 18.2-95. 

More than Half of the States 

Grant Permits to Nonresidents 

who are Eligible

States’ Eligibility 

Requirements Differ; Thus 

Some States Would Issue a 

Permit to an Applicant and 

Others Would Not
 

Page 15 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

at $200 or more not directly from a person, he or she could be convicted 

of a Class 6 felony in Virginia. Alternatively, in Tennessee, if an individual 

commits a crime of theft of property or services that is valued at $500 or 

less, it would be classified as a Class A misdemeanor and the individual 

would remain eligible for a concealed carry permit.24

In another example, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia all disqualify 

applicants if they have been convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) 

or driving under the influence (DUI), but each state has its own definitions 

for what warrants disqualification. For instance, Louisiana disqualifies 

applicants who have been convicted of operating a vehicle while 

intoxicated at any time in the 5 years before the individual applied for a 

permit,

Thus, permit 

applicants who have committed a particular crime could be eligible to 

receive a permit in some states, but not in others.

25 while Virginia uses the prior 3 years,26 and Tennessee 

disqualifies applicants who were convicted two or more times within 10 

years of the date of the application of driving under the influence and one 

of the convictions has occurred within 5 years from the date of application 

or renewal.27

Some states also have unique eligibility requirements that may disqualify 

applicants. For example, Louisiana’s, Florida’s, and Tennessee’s laws 

Thus, it is possible for an applicant who was convicted of a 

DWI in Virginia or DUI in Tennessee 4 years ago to qualify for a permit in 

those states, but not in Louisiana; and an applicant who was convicted of 

two DWIs in Virginia 5 years ago to qualify for a permit, while in Louisiana 

and Tennessee an individual convicted of two DWIs or DUIs within 5 

years of applying for a permit would be ineligible.

 

24Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-105. In Tennessee, “theft” constitutes a single offense 

embracing the separate offenses that were referenced as embezzlement, false pretense, 

fraudulent conversion, larceny, receiving or concealing stolen property, and other similar 

offenses. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-101. Further, a person commits theft of property if, 

with intent to deprive the owner of property, the person knowingly obtains or exercises 

control over the property without the owner’s effective consent. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-

103(a).

25La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(C)(8).

26Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(E)(9). 

27Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(c)(11). According to Tennessee’s Department of Public 

Safety and Homeland Security, if a person is currently under the jurisdiction of the court 

for driving under the influence and that person’s driver’s license is revoked, the person is 

ineligible for a concealed carry permit. 
 

Page 16 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

specifically disqualify applicants who suffer from a mental or physical 

infirmity,28 while the other 6 states in our case study that issue permits do 

not.29 Similarly, Texas and Tennessee disqualify applicants for 

delinquency on child support.30 The other 7 states in our case study that 

issue permits did not cite this as a factor for denial or revocation. See 

table 2 below for a listing of state disqualifiers for the 9 states included in 

our case study. 

 

28La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(C)(5) (disqualifying an applicant for a concealed 

handgun permit who suffers from a mental or physical infirmity due to disease, illness, or 

retardation which prevents the safe handling of a handgun); Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.06(2)(c), 

(i) (disqualifying an applicant for a license who suffers from a physical infirmity which 

prevents the safe handling of a weapon or firearm; or has been adjudicated an 

incapacitated person by Florida statute, or similar laws of any other state, unless 5 years 

have elapsed since the applicant’s restoration to capacity by court order). Tenn. Code 

Ann. § 39-17-1351(c)(12)(generally disqualifying an applicant that has been adjudicated 

as a mental defective, been judicially committed to or hospitalized in a mental institution 

by statute, has had a court appoint a conservator for the applicant by reason of a mental 

defect, or has been judicially determined to be disabled by reason of mental illness, 

developmental disability or other mental incapacity).

29The other select states may refer to mental deficiencies or psychiatric disorders that 

disqualify applicants for eligibility for a permit. In Georgia, under Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-

129(b)(2)(J), any person who has been hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental hospital 

within the five years immediately preceding the application for a permit may be prohibited 

from eligibility for a permit.

30Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.172(a)(10)-(11). Under 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(16), each state 

must have procedures under which the state has (and uses in appropriate cases) authority 

to withhold or suspend, or to restrict the use of driver’s licenses, professional and 

occupational licenses, and recreational and sporting licenses of individuals owing overdue 

support or failing, after receiving appropriate notice, to comply with subpoenas or warrants 

relating to paternity or child support proceedings. Some states may consider a concealed 

carry permit to be a “recreational” or “sporting” license. For instance, Tennessee considers 

any concealed carry permit to be deemed a “license” when dealing with the enforcement 

of child support obligations through license denial and revocation. Tenn. Code. Ann. § 39-

17-1351(v). 
 

Page 17 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Table 2: Case Study States’ Specific Disqualifiers for Concealed Carry Permits

Arizona California Florida Georgia Louisiana Maryland Tennessee Texas Virginia

Abuse of controlled 

substances 

X X X X X X X X X 

Conviction of a 

felony 

X X X X X X X X X 

Mental deficiencies 

or psychiatric 

disorders 

X X X X X X X X X 

Subject of a 

protective/restraining 

order 

X X X X X X X X X 

Discharged from the 

armed forces under 

dishonorable 

conditions

X X X X X X X X 

Conviction for a 

crime of domestic 

violence 

X X X X X X X 

Chronic/habitual use 

of alcohol 

X X X X X X X 

History of violent 

behavior 

X X X 

Needs a “good and 

substantial” reason 

to carry

X X 

Mental or physical 

Infirmity 

X X X 

Must be of “good 

moral character”

X X X 

Violent 

misdemeanor 

X X X X 

Delinquency in the 

payment of child 

support 

X X X 

Delinquency in the 

payment of taxes 

X X 

Source: GAO analysis of state laws in the 9 states in its review.

The laws of 8 of the 9 states we examined that issue permits also require 

applicants to complete training related to firearms safety to qualify for a 

permit; however, the training requirements differ considerably. These 

requirements range from a list of approved training courses with no 

specified curriculum to a prescriptive state curriculum that can include a 

combination of classroom and live fire proficiency testing, which table 3 

illustrates (also see app. I for state summaries):
 

Page 18 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Table 3: Case Study States’ Training Requirements to Qualify for a Concealed Carry Permit

State 

Training 

requirement Live fire required 

Hours of 

Instruction required

Proficiency 

requirement

(written or shooting)

Specific topics

as prescribed by state

regulations/laws covered

Tennessee Yes Yes: 48 rounds (12 

rounds each at 3, 7, 

and 15 yards, as 

well as a distance 

between 2 and 25 

yards specified by 

the instructor)

8 (4 hours of 

classroom and 4 hours 

of firing range.)

70% on both written 

and shooting exams

Handgun Nomenclature, 

function, and operation; 

handgun Safety, cleaning, and 

storage; legal liabilities of 

carrying a handgun 

Texas Yes Yes Between 10 and 15 70% on both written 

and shooting exams

Use of deadly force; Handgun 

use, proficiency, and safety; 

nonviolent dispute resolution; 

proper storage practices with 

an emphasis on child access 

prevention

Arizona Yes a Not specified No b No Not specified

California

b

Yes Not specified Up to 16 hours b 75% on both written 

and shooting exams

Firearm safety; and permissible 

use of a firearm laws

Florida Yes a Yes Not specified Yes b Not specified

Louisiana

b

Yes a Not specified Not specified b No b Child access prevention

Virginia Yes a Not specified Not specified b No b Not specified

Georgia

b

No Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Maryland No c Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Source: GAO analysis of state information.

a

Applicants in these states can fulfill their training requirement by taking a state-approved National 

Rifle Association, law enforcement, or other firearms safety-training course, or by presenting 

evidence of experience with a firearm through participation in current military service or proof of an 

honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services. In Florida, an applicant may also 

demonstrate firearm proficiency by presenting evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm 

through participation in organized shooting competition. Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.06(2)(h)5.

b

For certain states, the amount of training and the specific topics are not specified in their state laws.

c

Maryland does not require training for applicants wishing to obtain a permit for personal protection. 

However, other applicants (e.g., security guards) have to show evidence of training completion to 

qualify for a permit.

Further, differences in the information required by issuing authorities for 

eligibility determination exist not only between states but within states.

Issuing authorities in some decentralized states augment their application 

process with additional requirements, which means the steps an 

individual must take to get a permit will vary by jurisdiction. For example, 

the issuing authority in one of the California counties we interviewed 

reported that it requires applicants to have three letters of reference 

before considering applicants for a permit. Other California counties in our 

review do not have this requirement. In another example, in Virginia, a 
 

Page 19 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

shall-issue state, the decision of requiring applicants to submit fingerprints 

was left to the discretion of each issuing authority, however this discretion 

has been removed by the Virginia legislature effective July 1, 2012.31

As of March 2012, 39 of the 48 states that issue permits and Vermont allow 

concealed carry, and recognize permits from other states. Of these, the 

number of other states whose permits they recognize varies, as follows:

• 7 states recognize permits issued in 1 to 19 states,

• 17 states recognize permits issued in 20 to 39 states, and

• 15 states recognize permits issued in 40 or more states—of these, 13 

states recognize permits issued in all 47 other states that issue permits.

• Vermont does not require a permit to carry concealed handguns and 

does not issue permits (residents and nonresidents can carry 

concealed handguns).32

The other 9 states that issue permits do not recognize permits issued 

from other states; 8 of these states are may-issue states. In addition, 

Illinois and the District of Columbia do not allow concealed carrying of 

handguns or issue permits, nor do they recognize other states’ permits.33

Over the last 10 years, shall-issue states have increasingly honored more 

states’ permits. For example, Georgia honored 12 states’ permits in 2002, 

but increased that number to 26 by 2012. Similarly, Louisiana honored 5 

states’ permits in 2002, but honored 38 states’ permits as of March 2012.

Figure 3 shows which states’ permits each state will recognize (see app. 

VII for a listing by state).

 

31Pursuant to H.B. 754, 2012 Va. Acts ch. 175, the Virginia legislature amended the 

Virginia statute governing the issuance of concealed handgun permits, Va. Code Ann. § 

18.2-308, to remove the option for a locality to require that an applicant for a concealed 

handgun permit submit fingerprints as part of the application effective July 1, 2012.

32Alaska, Arizona, Wyoming, and Vermont do not require permits to carry concealed 

handguns; however, Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming issue permits to their residents so 

that they may carry concealed handguns outside their state and other states may 

recognize these permits, whereas Vermont does not issue any permits.

33Illinois law requires anyone acquiring or possessing a firearm to have a Firearm Owner’s 

Identification Card (FOID card). 430 Ill. Comp. Stat. 65/2(a)(1).

Majority of States 

Recognize Permits of at 

Least 20 Other States; MayIssue States Generally Do 

Not Grant Reciprocity 
Page 20 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Pa.

Ore.

Nev.

Idaho

Mont.

Wyo.

Utah

Ariz.

N.Mex.

Colo.

N.Dak.

S.Dak.

Nebr.

Tex.

Kans.

Okla.

Minn.

Iowa

Mo.

Ark.

La.

Ill.

Miss.

Ind.

Ky.

Tenn.

Ala.

Fla.

Ga.

S.C.

N.C.

Va.

Ohio

N.H.

Mass.

Conn.

Mich.

Calif.

Wash.

Wisc.

N.Y.

N.J.

Md.

D.C.

Del.

R.I.

Maine

Vt.

W.VA.

Alaska

Hawaii

Permits from Other States that are Recognized by this State

States that Recognize Permits Issued in this State

2012 State 

Reciprocity 

Profile 

Source: GAO analysis of state published information.

Interactive graphic Figure 3: State Reciprocity as of March 2012

Move mouse over the black and teal circle in each state to see carry permit information for states.
 

Page 21 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

In general, shall-issue states recognize permits from more states than 

may-issue states. For example, Texas honors the permits of 40 states, 

while 32 states honor Texas permits; and Arizona and Tennessee honor 

the permits of 47 states, while 35 states honor Arizona permits, and 37 

honor Tennessee permits. Alternatively, may-issue states do not 

generally grant reciprocity. Of the 10 may-issue states, Alabama and 

Delaware are the only states whose laws allow for recognition of permits 

issued by other states.34

• Tennessee and Arizona (shall-issue states), as required by law, will 

recognize permits issued in any other state.

States may not grant reciprocity for a number of 

reasons. For example, states may require that eligibility requirements are 

similar to those of their own state, or that similar background checks are 

conducted on permit applicants; if this is not the case, they are unlikely to 

enter into a reciprocity agreement. For the 9 states included in our case 

study, state laws prescribe the criteria for recognizing other states’ 

permits, as discussed below.

35

• Florida,36 Georgia,37 and Louisiana’s (shall-issue states) laws require 

that they can only recognize a state if the other state recognizes their 

permit.38

• Under Texas (a shall-issue state) law, the Governor of Texas can only 

enter into reciprocity agreements with states if the Texas Attorney 

General determines that the other states check two of the three 

 

34Ala. Code § 13A-11-85, Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, § 1441(j). 

35Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(r), (recognizing that a facially valid handgun permit, 

firearms permit, weapons permit or license issued by another state is valid in Tennessee 

according to its terms and is treated as if it is a handgun permit issued by Tennessee; 

provided, however, this is not construed to authorize the holder of any out-of-state permit 

or license to carry any firearm or weapon other than a handgun within the state). Ariz. 

Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(Q) (recognizing concealed weapon permits issued by other states if 

the permit is recognized as valid in the issuing state, and the permit holder is legally 

present in Arizona and not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm in Arizona).

However, even when these requirements are met, a person with a permit from another 

state may not carry a concealed weapon in Arizona if the person is under 21 years of age, 

or is under indictment for, or has been convicted of, a felony in any jurisdiction, unless the 

conviction has been expunged, set aside or vacated, or the person’s rights have been 

restored pursuant to Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(S). 

36Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.015.

37Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-126(e).

38La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(T)(2).
 

Page 22 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

criminal history databases that make up NICS when screening 

applicants for a concealed carry permit.39

• Virginia (a shall-issue state) law allows for recognition of permits 

issued only in states that provide the means for validation of a permit 

24 hours a day, among other things.40

• California and Maryland (may-issue states) alternatively, by law, do 

not recognize permits issued in any other state.

States also have the ability to rescind reciprocity agreements, particularly 

if reciprocal states make changes to their concealed carry laws or 

requirements. For example, according to a Florida issuing authority 

official, Nevada no longer recognizes Florida permits because the time 

between renewals, and subsequent background checks, was changed 

from 5 to 7 years in 2009, and thus deemed too long for Nevada’s 

standards.

Currently, permit holders who want to carry concealed during their travel 

to or through other states must know which states will recognize their 

permits or else they must obtain a nonresident permit in the state they are 

traveling to or through. This can be challenging since state laws change 

regularly and permit holders may not always be aware of the most recent 

changes, though state websites post information on whose permits they 

honor. For example, because of a recent change in Louisiana’s 

reciprocity laws, while Louisiana recognizes nonresident permits issued in 

other states, Louisiana residents can no longer use a nonresident permit 

from another state to carry a concealed weapon in Louisiana.41

 

39Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.173(b). Texas will only recognize permits issued in states 

that conduct background checks in NCIC and III.

40Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(P). 

41La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1379.3(T)(4).
 

Page 23 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

All 9 states in our case study reported reconfirming permit holders’ 

eligibility at renewal, and 8 reported having mechanisms to monitor 

eligibility between issuance and renewal. These 9 states utilize similar 

methods to revoke permits, provide for an appeal process, and use 

varying processes to retrieve revoked permits.

Issuing authorities from all 9 states included in our case study reported 

that they take action to confirm an individual’s continued eligibility to hold 

a permit as part of the permit renewal process, and 8 of these 9 states 

also use mechanisms to monitor resident permit holders’ continued 

eligibility between issuance and renewal. As part of this process, issuing 

authorities consider the length of time permits are valid. During this 

period, they look for any violations committed by the permit holders since 

issuance of the permit. The length of time that issuing authorities have to 

monitor permits holders generally ranges from 1 to 7 years, as shown in 

figure 4, with the majority (38 of 48) of the states that issue permits 

having a 4 to 5-year period of validity (see app. V for specific state 

information on length of time a permit is valid).

Select States 

Reported Monitoring 

if Certain Permits 

Should Be Revoked 

and Having Processes

to Revoke Them when 

Needed 

Select States Reported 

Having Mechanisms to 

Monitor Continued 

Eligibility
 

Page 24 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Figure 4: Length of Time Permit Is Valid for Initial Applicants

In 8 of the 9 states that issue permits in our case study, issuing 

authorities are to be notified if a resident or nonresident permit holder 

commits a disqualifying act within their state through law enforcement or 

state databases. For example, according to officials from the Virginia 

State Police, they monitor their state criminal databases on a daily basis 

and receive information from the courts that they use to identify resident 

permit holders who commit offenses that would make them ineligible to 

hold permits. In such cases, the Virginia State Police is to inform the 

state’s local permit issuing authorities via fax when permit holders are 

convicted of a criminal offense or commit an act that would make them 

ineligible. However, authorities may not be made aware if permit holders 

commit disqualifying acts outside of their state until conducting 

background checks during the renewal period or if an out-of-state law 

enforcement official contacts the state issuing authority. In Florida and 

Tennessee, issuing authority officials said that they receive arrest reports 

and review the reports for matches against their permit databases, and 

when necessary, take appropriate action, such as revoking the permit. In 

Arizona, California, Louisiana, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia, issuing 
 

Page 25 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

authority officials reported that they receive an automatic alert if permit 

holders are arrested within their state, which they refer to as “rap back.”42

According to FBI officials, in response to user needs including those of 

law enforcement for notification of nationwide, subsequent criminal 

activity, the FBI is developing a national Rap Back service. Specifically, 

through the Next Generation Identification’s (NGI) Rap Back Service of 

the FBI CJIS Division, states may have the opportunity to subscribe to 

this service and automatically be notified of subsequent arrests across 

the United States for crimes committed by permit holders and other 

individuals who have had a federal background check. In order for states 

to use FBI’s NGI Rap Back, technical and legislative updates may be 

required.

The issuing authorities in these states then review the charges and take 

appropriate action, to include revoking of a permit if warranted.

43

In Georgia, the remaining case study state, the state’s 159 county 

probate courts that issue permits in the state could become aware of 

disqualifying acts committed by permit holders through other means. For 

example, according to Georgia permit issuing authority officials, law 

enforcement entities within the issuing county may call the issuing 

probate courts of permit holders who have committed disqualifying acts, 

which may result in the court revoking the permit. Additionally, probate 

court officials could become aware of disqualifying acts committed by 

permit holders through other means, such as reading or scanning the 

local newspaper and watching local news television broadcasts, which 

may result in a revocation.

The FBI’s NGI Rap Back Service is expected to be available to 

states by the summer of 2014.

 

42A “rap back” or “hit notice” program will inform a designated entity (i.e., state police) 

when an individual who has undergone a fingerprint-based background check, and whose 

fingerprints are retained by a criminal history repository after the check, is subsequently 

arrested. His or her fingerprints, obtained after the arrest, are matched against a database 

that contains the fingerprints that were initially submitted. Designated entities are then 

notified of the individual’s arrest.

43 With respect to legislation, states that wish to use the FBI’s NGI Rap Back services 

need legislation requiring concealed carry permit applicants to be fingerprinted and a 

background check conducted at the federal level. Further, state legislation would also 

have to allow for retention of those fingerprints at the federal level for use in the FBI’s NGI 

Rap Back Services.
 

Page 26 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Of the 45 states that reported permitting information, 35 reported that they 

track revocation information, such as the number of permits revoked and 

the general reasons for the revocations. For the 9 states in our case 

study, in 2011, the number of revocations per state ranged from 

approximately 30 to 900. All except 1 select state (Georgia) provided data 

on the number of revocations for 2011.44

Table 4: Approximate Numbers of Revoked and Issued Permits, 2011

As shown in table 4, the number 

of revocations and issuances vary across the case study states.

State Revoked Issued

Virginia 920 49,000

Texas 900 143,700

Florida (fiscal year) 790 123,800

Maryland 270 1,700

California 150 32,700

Tennessee 100 95,000

Louisiana 60 12,000

Arizona 30 12,200

Source: GAO analysis of state reported data.

Generally, issuing authorities in the 9 states in our case study that issue 

permits revoke permits when a permit holder commits a criminal offense, 

such as a felony, that would make the individual no longer eligible to hold 

a permit. In Virginia, an issuing authority reported that a common reason 

for a revocation is if a permit holder is found to be driving under the 

influence. In Louisiana, the issuing authority reported that a common 

reason for a revocation is if a permit holder failed to notify the department 

of public safety of an arrest within 15 days. In Virginia, for example, a 

revocation could also be warranted if the permit holder has a noncriminal 

prohibition against carrying a concealed firearm, such as being diagnosed 

with a mental illness or subject to a domestic violence restraining order. 

For example, in Arizona, if a judge orders a permit holder to receive 

mental health treatment or a permit holder is involuntarily committed to a 

mental health facility, the holder’s permit is revoked.

 

44 Georgia does not have a centralized database to track permit information from its 159 

permit issuing authorities. Rather, each permit issuing authority may track revocations for 

its respective jurisdiction.

Most States Track 

Revocations, and Select 

States Use Similar 

Mechanisms to Revoke 

Permits and Provide for an 

Appeals Process
 

Page 27 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

After detecting a disqualifying criminal offense or other disqualifying 

factors, officials from each of the 9 states in our case study that issues 

permits reported that they begin the revocation process by notifying the 

permit holder through a letter or court order, or in some cases, issuing 

authorities send law enforcement to deliver the letter and retrieve the 

permit. The letter is to outline the procedures for either appealing the 

revocation (if applicable) or physically surrendering the permit. Further, all 

9 states in our case study have an appeals process.45 Some states, such 

as Louisiana and Texas, have a suspension process until the appeal 

process is completed, final disposition is determined by a court, or the 

individual surrenders the permit. For example, when a permit holder is 

arrested, the issuing authority is to suspend the permit until the final 

disposition has been determined by the court. If the court convicts the 

permit holder, the issuing authority is to revoke the permit. For example, 

Louisiana offers permit holders the option of providing additional evidence 

for the issuing authority to consider as part of its appeals process before 

final revocation. Texas offers its permit holders the option of requesting a 

hearing to review the denial, suspension, or revocation of their permit.

As mentioned above, the 9 states in our case study that issue permits 

have mechanisms for indicating in their respective systems that a permit 

has been revoked. In addition, these states have varying retrieval 

processes. For example:

• In Arizona, the permit holder is required to surrender a revoked 

permit. If the holder does not surrender the permit and is caught by 

law enforcement with the revoked permit, the law enforcement officer 

is directed to seize the permit and return it to the issuing authority.

• In California, although doing so is not a requirement in state law, local 

law enforcement officials said that permit holders are asked to 

physically return their revoked permit to the issuing authority (a city 

police department or sheriff’s department).

• Some Georgia issuing authorities send a letter communicating the 

court order via certified mail notifying permit holders that their permits 

have been revoked and to surrender the permits. If the issuing 

authorities do not receive a response, they can send local law 

enforcement to retrieve the revoked permit.

 

45In California, the ability to appeal a permit issuance or non-issuance is at the discretion 

of the local issuing authority (i.e., county sheriff or city police department). 

Select States Use Different 

Mechanisms to Retrieve 

Revoked Permits
 

Page 28 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

• Virginia’s issuing authorities use different processes to retrieve 

revoked permits. For example, one issuing authority in Virginia sends 

local law enforcement to the permit holder’s residence to retrieve the 

revoked permit. Another jurisdiction requires the permit holder to 

come to the circuit court for a hearing. The judge may charge the 

permit holder with contempt if the person does not show up for the 

hearing.

Of the 9 states in our case study that issue permits, 3 (Georgia, Maryland, 

and Tennessee) reported that they can impose a penalty for failure to 

surrender a revoked permit or continuing to possess one.46 Permit issuing 

authority officials in 5 out of the remaining 6 states (Arizona, California, 

Florida,

47 Louisiana, Texas, and Virginia) said that they were not aware of 

any instances where individuals have presented revoked permits to law 

enforcement and noted that because revocations are annotated in their 

state-wide systems available to law enforcement, law enforcement could 

know if someone presented a revoked permit.

 

46While Georgia state law does not mandate retrieval of revoked permits, one of the select 

counties reported sending sheriffs to serve revoked permit holders and seize the permits.

47Florida issuing authority has been made aware of isolated instances when a suspended 

license has been presented to law enforcement.
 

Page 29 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

When encountering an individual with a concealed carry permit, such as 

during a routine traffic stop, law enforcement officials in our 9 case study 

states that issue permits told us that they visually inspect a permit to 

verify its status to ensure it is valid and active.48 They also have 

mechanisms available to further validate the permit, as needed, such as 

checking a permit against state databases or contacting state 

dispatchers. Law enforcement in these states may take steps to confirm a 

permit is valid and active if law enforcement knows a person has a permit 

and determines a need to take this action. In Texas, permit holders are 

required by law to present their permit when encountering law 

enforcement and identification is requested.

49 In addition, in 5 of our case 

study states (Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia), 

permit holders are required to produce a permit if law enforcement 

demands it.50

 

48The extent to which law enforcement in states encounters permits would likely depend 

upon the extent to which states issue permits and recognize other states’ permits. As 

such, law enforcement in may-issue states that issue a lower number of permits relative to 

their state population and do not recognize other states’ permits would be less likely to 

encounter permits than law enforcement in shall-issue states. Further, law enforcement 

officials in 9 of the states in our case study said that during the course of performing their 

duties, they can become aware that an individual possesses a permit through various 

means. For example, during a routine traffic stop, permit holders may inform law 

enforcement officials that they have a firearm in their car and provide the officer a permit 

along with their driver’s license. 

For example, in 4 of these states (Louisiana, Tennessee, 

Texas, and Virginia), law enforcement could become aware if an 

individual had an active permit when running his or her driver’s license, as 

permits in these states are linked to the driver’s license system. During 

these checks, law enforcement in these states would also receive 

information on whether the individual had a permit revoked. Permit 

holders may also voluntarily present permits to law enforcement officials 

immediately when being pulled over for a traffic stop regardless of state 

requirements. While Tennessee law does not require permit holders to 

present permits unless requested by law enforcement officers, according 

to Tennessee issuing authority officials, firearms safety training required 

49Pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.205, if a permit holder is carrying a handgun on 

or about the person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the permit holder 

display identification, the permit holder is required to display both the permit holder’s 

driver’s license or identification certificate and the permit holder’s handgun permit.

50There is no statutory requirement for California residents to declare firearms to law 

enforcement upon a routine traffic stop. However, individual chiefs/sheriffs may require 

such behavior as a condition of permit issuance.

Law Enforcement in 

Select States Visually 

Check Permits to 

Verify Validity, among 

Other Actions
 

Page 30 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

for all Tennessee permit holders teaches them to do so when 

encountering law enforcement.

Generally, law enforcement officials in all 9 case study states said that 

when presented with a permit, they would visually inspect the permit to 

verify that the permit was current and belonged to the individual. All of 

these states have a standardized permit prescribed by state law, which 

can make it easier for law enforcement to verify. Further, all of these 

states’ permits contain the permit holders’ name, permit expiration date, 

and unique permit number—this information assists law enforcement in 

verifying whether a permit is current. As shown in table 5, the permits 

have other physical features such as a photograph, the date of birth, or a 

state seal or hologram, among others.

Table 5: Physical Characteristics of Case Study States’ Concealed Carry Permits

State Arizona California Florida Georgia Louisiana Maryland Tennessee Texas Virginia

Permit holder’s name

a

X X X X X X X X X 

Expiration date X X X X X X X X X 

Permit number X X X X X X X X X 

Height/Weight X X X X X X X X 

Date of birth X X X X X X X 

Issuing authority and contact 

information

X X X X X X X 

Issuance date X X X X X X X 

Address X X X X X X 

Photograph X X X X X X 

State seal X X X X X X 

Laminated X X X X X X 

Hologram X X X X X 

Driver’s license lumber X X X X 

Race X X X X 

Bar code X X X X 

Sex X X X X X 

Permit holder’s signature X X X 

Other b X X X X 

Source: GAO analysis of state reported data.

a

Virginia nonresident permit includes a photo and is laminated while the resident permit does not 

have these features.

b

Other features may include hair color, eye color, magnetic strip, listing of firearms authorized to be 

carried concealed, or fingerprint, among other things.

Law enforcement officials in all 9 case study states said they would not 

routinely take additional steps to verify a permit beyond visual inspection 
 

Page 31 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

and verifying permit information in the driver’s license system in states 

where permits are linked to such systems. These officials explained that 

their top priorities during a traffic stop would be officer safety and the 

reason for the stop (e.g., traffic violation). However, law enforcement in all 

of these states has other means to further validate a permit as needed, 

although some methods are easier to use than others. According to 

issuing authority officials in Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, 

Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, law enforcement within their 

state can instantly access state databases, which have permit holders’ 

information, to validate the status of a permit as needed. In Florida, for 

example, issuing authority officials said that they update all information 

related to permit holders in the state’s criminal database nightly. The 

Florida Department of Law Enforcement —which manages the 

database—makes the information available to all law enforcement 

agencies. Thus, a law enforcement officer in the field can obtain current 

information on the status of a permit usually by contacting the officer’s 

dispatcher, or in some Florida jurisdictions, law enforcement can obtain 

current permit information from their vehicles’ on-board computer 

systems. In Georgia and Maryland, law enforcement officers can call the 

issuing authority to verify the status of resident permits. However, law 

enforcement may not be able to instantly validate a permit because 

permit issuing authorities generally operate during normal business hours 

(Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

In addition, law enforcement may have mechanisms to validate permits 

issued by other states. As noted above, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, and 

Virginia provide access to permit information when officers check these 

driver’s licenses; consequently, this check can be used to validate permits 

within their state or outside of their state. Further, an out-of-state law 

enforcement agency can obtain current information on Florida-issued 

permits by submitting an information request to the Florida Department of 

Law Enforcement Customer Support Center. Additionally, Arizona, Florida, 

Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia input permit information into the 

International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets), an informationsharing system available to all states’ law enforcement agencies. Nlets 

provides users instant access to permit holder information, such as permit 

status (i.e., whether the permit is valid, active, or revoked, etc.), and a 

description of the permit holder. Submission of permit holder information 

into Nlets is strictly voluntary for states that have a centralized state 

database. Currently, approximately 20 states input permit information into 

Nlets. States that do not have a centralized state database of permit 

holders (e.g., Georgia) cannot make information available in Nlets. Law 

enforcement in other states can also call select states’ dispatchers in 
 

Page 32 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Florida and Maryland to validate permits issued by these states. To validate 

a permit issued in California, officers from other states could call the 

California Department of Justice, which collects permit information from the 

issuing authorities throughout the state. 

We provided portions of a draft of this report to state and local officials in 

Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Tennessee, 

Texas, and Virginia. We did not obtain official comments from the 

Department of Justice because we were not directly auditing its 

programs. However to ensure the accuracy of the information in the 

report that relates to the department provided, the department provided 

technical comments, which we incorporated as appropriate.

We are sending copies of this report to the appropriate congressional 

committees, the Attorney General of the United States; and other 

interested parties. In addition, this report is available at no charge on the 

GAO web site at: http://www.gao.gov. 

If you or your staff members have any questions about this report please 

contact Carol Cha at (202) 512-4456 or chac@gao.gov or Eileen Larence 

at (202) 512-6510 or larencee@gao.gov. Contact points for our Offices of 

Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page 

of this report. GAO staff who made major contributions to this report are 

listed in appendix VIII.

Carol R. Cha

Acting Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues

Eileen R. Larence

Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 33 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of December 31, 2011: 163,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per U.S. 2010 Census:

4,572,376

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: Yes

Permit to Carry Concealed: Arizona significantly revised its weapons 

permit laws in 2010. Arizona had allowed the open carrying of a weapon 

without a permit prior to that time, but since 2010, Arizona has allowed 

residents to carry a firearm open or concealed without a permit.1

However, Arizona does issue concealed carry permits, which may be 

used for purposes of reciprocity, and to carry in certain locations.2

Length of Permit Validity: 5 years

Eligibility Requirements: The Arizona Department of Public Safety is 

required to issue a permit to carry a concealed weapon to a person who 

meets all of the following eligibility requirements:3

1. is a resident of Arizona or a United States citizen (i.e., in-state and 

out-of-state residents);

2. is 21 years of age or older;

3. is not under indictment for and has not been convicted in any 

jurisdiction of a felony;4

4. does not suffer from mental illness and has not been adjudicated 

mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution;

5. is not unlawfully present in the United States;

 

1

2010 Ariz. Sess. Laws ch. 59, § 2 (amending Ariz. Rev. Stat. §13-3102, which formerly 

read, “A person commits misconduct involving weapons by knowingly: 1. Carrying a 

deadly weapon without a permit pursuant to section 13–3112 except a pocket knife 

concealed on his person; 2. Carrying a deadly weapon without a permit pursuant to 

section 13–3112 concealed within immediate control of any person in or on a means of 

transportation...”).

2

See Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112; § 4-244 (29)-(30) (premises that sell alcohol).

3

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(A). 

4

Unless the conviction has been set aside in some way, or the applicant’s rights have 

restored, and applicant is not a prohibited possessor under state or federal law.

Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Arizona Summary: ShallIssue State (Residents and 

Nonresidents) 
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 34 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

6. has ever demonstrated competence with a firearm (as described in 

the training requirement section below) and provides adequate 

documentation that the person has satisfactorily completed a training 

program

a. adequate documentation means: a) a current or expired 

Arizona permit; b) a certificate or affidavit of completion from 

the conductor of the course; c) evidence of current military 

service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge 

under honorable conditions from the United States armed 

forces; d) a concealed weapon permit as described in the 

training requirement section below.5

Firearms Training Requirements: An applicant shall demonstrate 

competence with a firearm through any of the following:

1. Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class that is 

available to the general public; that is offered by a law enforcement 

agency, a junior college, a college or a private or public institution, 

academy, organization or firearms training school; and that is approved 

by the Department of Public Safety or that uses instructors who are 

certified by the National Rifle Association.

2. Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved 

by the Arizona game and fish department or a similar agency of another 

state.

3. Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training 

course.

4. Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course 

or class that is offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, 

or other divisions or subdivisions of law enforcement or security 

enforcement and that is approved by the Department of Public Safety.

5. Evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or 

general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States 

armed forces.

 

5 Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(E).
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 35 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

6. A valid current or expired concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun 

permit or license that is issued by another state or a political subdivision 

of another state and that has a training or testing requirement for initial 

issuance.

7. Completion of any governmental police agency firearms training course 

and qualification to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties.

8. Completion of any other firearms safety or training course or class that 

is conducted by a Department of Public Safety-approved or National Rifle 

Association-certified firearms instructor.6

Factors State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: Arizona law requires 

that the concealed weapon, firearm, or handgun permit or license issued 

by another state or its political subdivision be recognized if the following 

conditions are met:

1. the permit or license is recognized as valid in the issuing state;

2. the permit holder is legally present in Arizona;

3. the permit holder is not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm in 

Arizona.7

4. the permit holder is 21 years of age or older; and

5. the permit holder is not under indictment for, or been convicted of, a 

felony offense in any jurisdiction (unless the conviction has been set 

aside in some way, or the applicant’s rights have been restored, and 

the permit holder is not a prohibited possessor under state or federal 

law).8

Revocation Process: The permit must be suspended or revoked if the 

person no longer meets the eligibility requirements listed above. The 

department must notify the permit holder in writing within 15 working days 

of the revocation or suspension and state the reasons for the action.9

 

6

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(N). 

Arizona law also provides that if a person is arrested or indicted for an 

offense that would disqualify him or her from obtaining a permit, or 

7

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(Q).

8

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(S). 

9

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(M).
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 36 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

prohibited from possessing a weapon under state law,10 the permit is 

required to be immediately suspended and seized.11 The permit is to be 

restored if the permittee is found not guilty or the charges are 

dismissed.12 Permits may also be suspended when permittees do not

present their permit at the request of law enforcement.13

Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officers within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in This 

State:

Law enforcement officials in Arizona, and in states that participate in the 

International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets), can run a 

Concealed Weapons Query through the system. Law enforcement 

officials in states that do not participate in Nlets can call dispatch at the 

Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of September 1, 2011: 35,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per U.S. 2010 Census:

26,801,914

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: No

Permit to Carry Concealed: California law provides license-issuing 

authority to various officials:

• a sheriff of a county;14

 

10Under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3101(A)(7), this includes a person who has been found to 

constitute a danger to himself or others, who has been convicted of a felony, who is 

serving a term of imprisonment or probation, or is an undocumented alien, among other 

things. 

or

11Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(B). 

12Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(B). 

13Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3112(C).

14Cal. Penal Code § 26150(b).

California Summary: MayIssue State (Residents)
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 37 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

• the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city, or 

city and county.15

The issuing authority may issue one or two forms of concealed carry 

license:

• a license to carry a firearm capable of being concealed on the person; 

or

• in a county of less than 200,000, a license to carry, only in that 

county, a loaded and exposed firearm capable of being concealed 

upon the person.16

The issuing authority may include any reasonable restrictions or 

conditions that the issuing authority deems warranted, including 

restrictions as to the time, place, manner, and circumstances under which 

the person may carry the concealed firearm.17 These restrictions are to be 

indicated on the permit.18

Length of Permit Validity: The license is generally valid for a period not 

to exceed 2 years.19 For peace officers, it is 4 years.20 For judges, it is 3 

years.21

Eligibility Requirements: The license may be issued if the following 

conditions are met:

1. the person applying is of good moral character;

2. good cause exists for the issuance;

3. the applicant is a resident of the county or city within the county;

4. the applicant has completed a course of training; and

 

15Cal. Penal Code § 26155(a).

16Cal. Penal Code §§ 26150(b), 26155(b). 

17Cal. Penal Code § 26200(a). 

18Cal. Penal Code § 26200(b). 

19Cal. Penal Code § 26220(a). 

20Cal. Penal Code § 26220(e).

21Cal .Penal Code § 26220(c).
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 38 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

5. The California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) has determined that 

the person is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, 

receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.22

Firearms Training Requirements: Applicant must complete a firearms 

safety training course:

a. For new applicants, the course must be acceptable to the 

licensing authority, not be longer than 16 hours, and must include 

instruction on at least firearm safety and the law regarding the 

permissible use of a firearm.

b. For renewal applicants, the course must be acceptable to the 

licensing authority, be at least 4 hours, and must include 

instruction on at least firearm safety and the law regarding the 

permissible use of a firearm.23

Factors State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: California does not 

recognize concealed carry permits from other states.

Revocation Process: The license must be revoked by the local licensing 

authority if it has either been notified by the CA DOJ or determines that 

the person is prohibited by California or federal law from possessing, 

receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm.24 Correspondingly, if the CA 

DOJ determines that the licensee is subject to any of these prohibitions, it 

must notify the local licensing authority.25 If the licensing authority revokes 

the license, the CA DOJ must be notified of the revocation immediately. 

The licensee must also be immediately notified of the revocation in 

writing.26

 

22Cal. Penal Code § 26195(a).

23Cal. Penal Code §26165. The licensing authority may require a community college 

course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, up to a 

maximum of 24 hours, but only if required uniformly of all license applicants without 

exception. 

24Cal. Penal Code § 26195(b)(1).

25Cal. Penal Code § 26195(b)(2).

26Cal. Penal Code § 26195(b)(3).
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 39 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

If a person moves from his or her original county of residence, the license 

will expire 90 days after the move.27 If the license was to carry a loaded 

and exposed firearm, the license will be revoked immediately when the 

licensee changes his or her place of residence.28

Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officers within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in This 

State:

California law enforcement uses local law enforcement and the CA DOJ 

databases to verify the validity of permits; for example:

• A California police department enters all concealed carry permit 

information into the Police Department Records Management System 

which is linked to COPLINK (a computer system that accepts 

information from all law enforcement agencies that are linked into 

COPLINK). Other law enforcement entities that are linked into 

COPLINK can get concealed carry permit information.

• Another police department stated that it can check its database or CA 

DOJ databases to verify the status of a concealed carry holder’s 

permit.

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of December 31, 2011: 887,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per U.S. 2010 Census:

14,288,320

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: No

Permit to Carry Concealed: Yes. Under Florida law, it is a crime to carry 

a concealed firearm without having a license to carry.29

 

27Cal. Penal Code § 26210(d).

28Cal. Penal Code § 26210(e).

29Fla. Stat. Ann § 790.01.

Florida Summary: ShallIssue State (Residents and 

Nonresidents) 
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 40 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Length of Permit Validity: Licenses are valid for 7 years from the date of 

issuance.30

Eligibility Requirements: The Department of Agriculture and Consumer 

Services is required to issue a license when the applicant meets the 

following requirements:31

1. General:

a. Is a resident of the United States or permanent resident alien, in 

certain circumstances, a foreign government official;

b. Is 21 years of age or older;

c. Does not suffer from a physical infirmity that prevents the safe 

handling of a firearm;

d. Desires a legal means to carry a concealed firearm for lawful selfdefense;

2. Criminal History Information:

a. Is not ineligible to possess a firearm by virtue of a felony 

conviction;

b. Is not prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm by any 

other provision of Florida or federal laws.

c. Has not had adjudication of guilt withheld or imposition of 

sentence suspended on any felony or misdemeanor crime of 

domestic violence unless 3 years have elapsed since probation or 

any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled, or the 

record has been sealed or expunged;

d. Has not been issued an injunction that is currently in force and 

effect and that restrains the applicant from committing acts of 

domestic violence or acts of repeat violence;

e. Licenses must be denied if the applicant has been found guilty of, 

had adjudication of guilt withheld for, or had imposition of 

sentence suspended for one or more crimes of violence 

constituting a misdemeanor, unless 3 years have elapsed since 

probation or any other conditions set by the court have been 

fulfilled or the record has been sealed or expunged.32

 

30Fla. Stat. Ann § 790.06(1).

If the 

31Fla. Stat. Ann § 790.06(2).

32Fla. Stat. Ann § 790.06(3). 
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 41 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

applicant is charged with a disqualifying crime or injunction related 

to domestic violence during the processing, the processing must 

be suspended pending final disposition.33

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Information

a. Has not been committed for the abuse of a controlled substance 

or been found guilty under Florida’s drug laws or similar laws of 

another state within 3 years prior to the application submission;

b. Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages or 

other substances to the extent that his or her normal faculties are 

impaired;34

c. Has not been adjudicated an incapacitated person under Florida 

law or similar laws or another state unless 5 years have elapsed 

since the applicant’s restoration to capacity by court order;

d. Has not been committed to a mental institution under Florida law 

or similar laws of another state, unless the applicant produces a 

certificate from a licensed psychiatrist that the applicant has not 

suffered from the disability for at least 5 years prior to the date of 

submission.

Firearms Training Requirements: The Department of Agriculture and 

Consumer Services is required to issue a license when the applicant:35

• Demonstrates competence with a firearm by completion of an 

approved class, such as one offered by the National Rifle Association, 

a certified instructor, or law enforcement, or through evidence of 

experience through the military service, among other things.

Factors State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: Florida will grant 

reciprocity to only those states that honor its concealed weapons permit.

Revocation or Suspension Process: Licenses must be revoked if the 

licensee has been found guilty of a crime of violence within the preceding 

 

33Fla. Stat. Ann § 790.06(3). 

34This will be presumed where in the 3 years immediately preceding the application, the 

applicant has been committed for substance abuse treatment under Florida law, has been 

convicted as a habitual offender of disorderly intoxication, or has two or more convictions 

of driving under the influence or similar state law. 

35Fla. Stat. Ann § 790.06(2).
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 42 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

3 years.36 Once the department has been notified by a law enforcement 

agency, court, or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that an 

applicant or licensee has been arrested or formally charged for a 

disqualifying crime, or an injunction related to domestic violence, the 

department must obtain written verification and then must suspend the 

license.37 Florida also provides suspension and revocation authority to the 

department if a licensee becomes ineligible due to the previously outlined 

physical, mental health or criminal disqualifications.38

Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officer’s within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in this 

State:

Law enforcement (in-state and out-of-state) can check the validity of a 

Florida permit through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s 

database.

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of December 31, 2011: 600,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per US 2010 Census:

6,906,024

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: No

Permit to Carry Concealed: Georgia law allows an individual to carry a 

weapon in a concealed or open manner—in the person’s home, car, or 

place of business.

Length of Permit Validity: License valid for 5 years

Eligibility Requirements: The judge of the probate court of each county 

has the authority to issue a weapons carry license or renewal license for 

a 5-year period, which allows the person to carry any weapon in any 

 

36Includes where the holder had an adjudication of guilt withheld or had the imposition of 

sentence suspended.

37Fla. Stat. Ann § 790.06(3).

38Fla. Stat. Ann § 790.06(10).

Georgia Summary: ShallIssue State (Residents)
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 43 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

county.39

1. is domiciled in that county.

An applicant is eligible for a license to carry a concealed 

handgun if the person:

40

2. is at least 21 years of age.

This also includes non-citizens, who 

provide certain identifying information.

41

Criminal history

3. has not been convicted42

4. does not have felony proceedings pending against the person;

of a felony by any court (unless pardoned);

5. is not a fugitive from justice; 

6. is not federally prohibited from possessing or shipping a firearm;

7. has not been convicted of the offense of unlawful manufacture or 

distribution of a controlled substance or other dangerous drug;43

8. has not had his or her weapons carry license revoked;

9. has not been convicted of specified weapons-related offenses, such 

as carrying a weapon without a license, unless it has been 5 years 

since any related restraint or supervision or other conviction; and44

10. has not been convicted of a drug-related offense and is not subject to 

related restraint and supervision, a second drug related conviction, or 

a conviction related to (6)–(8) above, in the 5 years prior to the date of 

application.

 

39Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(a). This language provides that the judge “may” issue a 

permit; however, Ga. Code. Ann. 16-11-129(d)(4) requires the judge to issue the permit if 

certain eligibility requirements are met. A 1989 opinion by the Georgia Attorney General 

clarifies that the judge does not have discretion to deny a permit if the eligibility 

requirements are met, other than the “good moral character” determination1989 Op. Atty 

Gen. Ga. 188; 1989 Ga. AG LEXIS 64.

40May also provide licenses to military personnel. Ga. Code Ann. §16-11-129(a).

41Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(b)(2)(A). 

42Convicted includes a plea of guilty or a finding of guilt by a court of competent 

jurisdiction or the acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere, irrespective of the pendency or 

availability of an appeal or an application for collateral relief. Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-

129(b)(1)(B). 

43Unless it was first offender treatment without adjudication of guilt for a conviction and 

such sentence was successfully completed and the person has not had any other 

conviction since the completion of such sentence and for at least five years prior to the 

application. Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(b)(3).

44Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(b)(2)(H).
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Page 44 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

11. Has not been hospitalized as an inpatient in any mental hospital or 

alcohol or drug treatment center within the 5 years immediately 

preceding the application; however, the judge has discretion to issue 

the weapons carry license or renewal license, considering the 

circumstances surrounding the hospitalization and the 

recommendation of the superintendent of the hospital or treatment 

center where the individual was a patient.45

Firearms Training Requirements: Not Required

Factors State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: Georgia law 

provides that an out-of-state resident who is licensed to carry a weapon in 

a state whose laws recognize Georgia licenses can carry a weapon in 

Georgia. The license holder must follow Georgia law in carrying the 

weapon.46 Other states’ permits are not valid for Georgia residents.47

Revocation Process: If the judge learns or has brought to his or her 

attention any reasonable ground to believe that the licensee is not eligible 

to have the license, after notice and hearing, the judge may revoke the 

license.48 The judge must find that the person does not meet the weapons 

carry license eligibility requirements, has falsified the application, is 

mentally incompetent, or chronically uses alcohol or narcotics.49

Possession of a revoked license is a misdemeanor offense.50

Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officers within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in This 

State:

 

45Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(b)(2)(J).

46Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-126(e).

47Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-126(e).

48Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(e).

49Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(e).

50Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-129(e).
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Page 45 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Law enforcement officers within and outside of the state can call the 

issuing probate court during normal business hours to verify the validity of 

permits. Some probate courts require documentation or other proof that 

the person requesting is a member of law enforcement (a faxed request 

on letterhead, or an in-person request by a uniformed officer with a proper 

identification such as a badge).

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of December 31, 2011: 40,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per U.S. 2010 Census:

3,279,135

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: Yes

Permit to Carry Concealed: The Deputy Secretary of Public Safety 

Services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections is required 

to issue a concealed handgun permit to any Louisiana resident who 

qualifies for a permit under the Louisiana permit eligibility provisions.51

Length of Permit Validity: 5 years.52

Eligibility Requirements: Permits can be issued only to Louisiana 

residents who qualify.53

1. Include any training in pistols or revolvers on the application;

Applicants must make a sworn application to the 

Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services of the Department of Public 

Safety and Corrections. Any false or misleading information provided is 

grounds for the denial or revocation of a permit. As part of the application, 

the applicant must:

2. be a resident of the state and not be an illegal alien; and

3. be 21 years of age or older.

4. Criminal history:

 

51La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(A)(1).

52La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(H)(2).

53La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(B).

Louisiana Summary: ShallIssue State (Residents)
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Page 46 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

a. not be ineligible to possess a firearm by virtue of having been 

convicted of a felony;

b. not have been convicted of a crime of violence at the 

misdemeanor level, unless 5 years have elapsed since the 

completion of any sentence or conditions set by the court. Or 

unless the conviction was set aside and the prosecution 

dismissed, prior to the date on which the application is submitted;

c. not have been convicted of or charged with any crime of violence 

or any crime punishable for a term of imprisonment of greater than 

1 year;54

d. not have a history of engaging in violent behavior;55

e. not be ineligible to possess a firearm under federal law; and

f. not be a fugitive from justice.

5. Mental health information:

a. not suffer from a mental or physical infirmity due to disease, 

illness, or retardation that prevents the safe handling of a 

handgun;

b. not have been committed, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for the 

abuse of a controlled dangerous substance or have been 

convicted of a misdemeanor relating to a controlled dangerous 

substance within the last 5 years, or be currently charged with 

such an offense;

c. not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages to the 

extent that his normal faculties are impaired;56

d. not be an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana, depressants, 

stimulants, or narcotic drugs; and

e. not have been adjudicated to be mentally deficient or been 

committed to a mental institution;

 

54This includes even where the conviction has been set aside or expunged, except for 

individuals convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 491(a), who shall be permitted to qualify for a 

concealed handgun permit if 15 or more years has elapsed between the date of 

application and the successful completion or service of any sentence, deferred 

adjudication, or period of probation or parole.

55There is a rebuttable presumption that an applicant has a history of engaging in violent 

behavior upon proof that, within a 10-year period immediately preceding the date of the 

application, the applicant has been arrested or charged on three or more occasions for 

any crime of violence, or has been arrested or charged on two or more occasions for any 

crime of violence that may be punished by death.

56This will be assumed if the applicant has been convicted of operating a vehicle while 

intoxicated, or has been admitted, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for treatment as an 

alcoholic, within the last 5 years, or at any time after the application has been submitted.
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Page 47 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

6. not have been discharged from the U.S. armed forces under certain 

circumstances (e.g., dishonorable discharge).

7. Prior permit applications:

a. not have had a permit denied within 1-year prior to the most 

recent application; and

b. not have a permit revoked within 4 years prior to the most recent 

application.57

8. demonstrate competence with a handgun.

Firearms Training Requirements: Upon application to the department 

for a permit, all applicants shall demonstrate competence with a handgun 

by any one of the following:

a. completion of any Department of Public Safety and Correctionsapproved firearms safety or training course that shall include at 

least a minimum of 9 hours of instruction as detailed below:

i. one hour of instruction on handgun nomenclature and safe 

handling procedures of a revolver and semi-automatic pistol;

ii. one hour of instruction on ammunition knowledge and 

fundamentals of pistol shooting;

iii. one hour of instruction on handgun shooting positions;

iv. three hours of instruction on the use of deadly force and 

conflict resolution that will include a review of La. Rev. Stat. 

Ann. §§14:18 through 14:22 and which may include a review 

of any other laws relating to the use of deadly force;

v. one hour of instruction on child access prevention; and

vi. two hours of actual live range fire and proper handgun 

cleaning procedures:

1. live range fire shall include 12 rounds each at 6 feet, 10 

feet, and 15 feet for a total of 36 rounds;

2. each applicant or permittee must perform at least one safe 

reload of the handgun at each distance;

3. each applicant or permittee must score 100 percent hits 

within the silhouette portion of a National Rifle Association 

(NRA) B-27-type silhouette target with at least 36 rounds;

 

57La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(C). The applicant must also agree in writing to hold 

harmless and indemnify the department, the state, or any peace officer for any and all 

liability arising out of the issuance or use of the concealed handgun permit;
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Page 48 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

b. completion of the NRA personal protection course including 

instruction in child access prevention conducted by a NRA 

certified instructor;

c. completion of the NRA basic pistol shooting course including 

instruction in child access prevention conducted by a NRA 

certified instructor;

d. completion of a firearms training course approved by the 

Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners, in 

accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 37:3284 et seq., including 

instruction in child access prevention;

e. possession of a current valid license or permit to carry a 

concealed handgun issued by a parish law enforcement officer;

f. completion of a law enforcement training academy program 

certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training; 

or

g. proof of completion of small arms training while serving with the 

armed forces of The United States of America as described in La. 

Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(D)(1).58

Factors State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: While Louisiana law 

recognizes the validity of out-of-state permits when carried by out-of-state 

residents, it does not allow Louisiana residents to obtain permits from 

other states for the purpose of carrying a concealed weapon in Louisiana.

The permits of out-of-state residents are valid in Louisiana in the following 

circumstances:

1. The permit is current and valid;

2. the permit holder is at least 21 years of age; and

3. the state in which the permit was issued recognizes permits issued by 

Louisiana.59

Louisiana residents may not use permits issued by another state for the 

purpose of authorizing the carrying of a concealed weapon in Louisiana.

 

58La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(D).

59La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(T)(2).
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The Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Services is authorized to enter 

into reciprocity agreements with other states so that full-time active peace 

officers commissioned in another state have the same authority as a 

person issued a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun 

while in Louisiana, regardless of whether or not they are in the official 

discharge of their duties.60

Revocation Process: A permit is to be revoked if the permittee fails to 

satisfy any of the qualification requirements. 

Permit holders are prohibited from carrying a weapon while under the 

influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance; the permit is 

considered automatically suspended and is not valid.61 The department 

is required to revoke the permit where the holder has carried the weapon 

in these circumstances, refuses to submit to a chemical test, or where the 

holder commits negligent carrying of a concealed handgun.62

Permit holders are required to make law enforcement officers aware that 

the holder has a weapon and the permit is to be revoked for violation of 

this requirement.63 

Whenever a peace officer determines that grounds under exist for the 

revocation of a concealed handgun permit, the officer is to prepare an 

affidavit indicating the reasons for the revocation and all other available 

information regarding the revocation. A copy of the peace officer’s report 

relating to the incident must be attached to the affidavit when submitted to 

the department.64 

 

60La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(T).

61La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(F).

62La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(F), (I).

63La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(I)(2).

64La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 40:1379.3(I)(5).
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Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officers within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in This 

State:

Law enforcement officers can access concealed carry permit status when 

checking a Louisiana resident’s driver’s license.

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of October 1, 2011: 12,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per U.S. 2010 Census:

4,256,926

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: Maryland state law requires a 

person to have a permit issued “before the person carries, wears, or 

transports a handgun.”65 The person must have the permit in his or her 

possession whenever carrying, wearing, or transporting a handgun.66

Permit to Carry Concealed: A permit is to be issued to a person when 

the Secretary of the Maryland State Police finds that the applicant meets 

specific eligibility requirements.

Length of Permit Validity: Permits expire on the last day of the holder’s 

birth month following 2 years after the date the permit is issued and may 

be renewed for successive 3-year periods.67

Eligibility Requirements: A permit is to be issued to a person when the 

Secretary of the Maryland State Police finds that the applicant:

1. is an adult;

2. has not been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor for which a 

sentence of imprisonment of more than 1 year has been imposed;68

 

65Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-303; Md. Code. Ann., Crim., § 4-203(a).

66Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-308.

67Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-309.

68Unless the person is pardoned or granted other relief by the Attorney General.

Maryland Summary: MayIssue State (Residents and 

Nonresidents) 
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Page 51 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

3. has not been convicted or a crime involving the possession, use, or 

distribution of a controlled dangerous substance;

4. is not presently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled 

dangerous substance, unless under legitimate medical direction;

5. based on an investigation, has not exhibited a propensity for violence 

or instability that may reasonably render the person’s possession of a 

handgun a danger to the person or to another; and

6. based on an investigation, has good and substantial reason to wear, 

carry, or transport a handgun, such as a finding that the permit is 

necessary as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger.69

When an applicant is under 30 years of age, the Secretary must 

additionally find that the applicant has not been:

1. committed to a juvenile facility for longer than 1 year after an 

adjudication of delinquency by a juvenile court; or

2. adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court for an act that if committed 

by an adult would be a crime of violence, a felony under Maryland 

law, or a misdemeanor under Maryland law that carries a statutory 

penalty of more than 2 years.70

These requirements are in addition to those enumerated in Maryland law 

to legally possess a firearm.71

Firearms Training Requirements: Maryland does not require handgun 

safety training for residents wishing to obtain a concealed handgun permit 

for specific purposes of personal protection.

Factors State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: Maryland does not 

recognize other states’ concealed carry handgun permits with the 

 

69Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-306(a). ). However, the United States District Court for 

the District of Maryland held in Woollard v. Sheridan, Civil Case No. L-10-2068, 2012 WL 

695674 (Mar. 2, 2012) that Maryland’s requirement of a “good and substantial reason” for 

issuance of a handgun permit is insufficiently tailored to the State’s interest in public safety 

and crime prevention and therefore this portion of the Maryland law is unconstitutional 

because it impermissibly infringes upon the right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by 

the Second Amendment. The State of Maryland has filed a timely appeal of this ruling.

70Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-306(b).

71 See Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-133.
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exception of other states’ armored car personnel who possess a valid 

permit who are on duty in Maryland.

Revocation Process: The Secretary may revoke the permit after finding 

that the holder does not meet the permit application requirements listed 

above, or did not have the permit in the person’s possession when 

carrying, wearing, or transporting a handgun.72 The failure to return a 

revoked permit is a misdemeanor offense, subject to the imprisonment of 

up to 1 year, and/or a fine between $100 and $1,000.73 A permit holder is 

prohibited from wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun while under 

the influence of alcohol or drugs, and doing so may result in a 

misdemeanor violation subject to 1 year of imprisonment and/or a fine of 

up to $1,000.74

Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officers within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in This 

State:

Law enforcement officers within Maryland can check the Maryland 

Automated Firearms Services System to verify the validity of concealed 

carry weapons permits. Law enforcement officers from other states can 

call the Licensing Division of the Maryland State Police during normal 

business hours to verify the validity of permits.

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of January 3, 2012: 341,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per U.S. 2010 Census:

4,669,984

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: No

 

72Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-310.

73Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-313.

74Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety, § 5-314.

Tennessee Summary: ShallIssue State (Residents and 

Nonresidents) 
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Page 53 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Permit to Carry Concealed: Permit holders do not have to carry 

handguns in a concealed manner.75

Length of Permit Validity: Permits are generally valid for 4 years.76

Eligibility Requirements: The following are eligibility requirements for a 

permit, and the applicant must provide information about them on the 

application under oath.77

1. be a resident of Tennessee;

In addition to being eligible to purchase or 

possess a handgun under state and federal law, the applicant must:

78

2. have United States citizenship or be a permanent lawful resident; and

3. be at least 21 years of age.79

1. Identifying information:

a. full legal name and any aliases;

b. addresses for the last 5 years;

c. date of birth;

d. Social Security number;

e. physical description (height, weight, race, sex, hair color 

and eye color);

2. Criminal History Information:

a. that the applicant has not been convicted of or currently 

charged with a criminal offense that is designated as a 

felony,80 or that is one of the disqualifying 

misdemeanors;81

 

75Tenn. Att’y Gen. Op. 05-154.

76Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(n).

77Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(c). 

78A resident is someone who has lived in Tennessee for more than 30 days, is employed 

in the state, would qualify as registered voter, or has taken action to establish the state as 

his or her principal place of domicile. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-102(47).

79Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(b).

80Disqualifying felonies do not include those pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade 

practices, restraints of trade, or similar offenses related to the regulation of business 

practices. 

81 Disqualifying misdemeanors include driving under the influence, in Tennessee or 

another state, 2 or more times in the past 10 years or in the past 5 years; crimes of 

domestic violence; and stalking.
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b. that the applicant is not currently subject to any order of 

protection and, if so, the applicant must provide a copy of 

the order; and

c. that the applicant is not a fugitive from justice;

3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Information: 

a. that the applicant is not an unlawful user of or addicted to 

alcohol or any controlled substance, and the applicant has 

not been a patient in a rehabilitation program or 

hospitalized for alcohol or controlled substance abuse or 

addiction within 10 years from the date of application;

b. that the applicant has not been adjudicated as a mental 

defective; has not been judicially committed to or 

hospitalized in a mental institution;82

c. that the applicant is not receiving Social Security disability 

benefits by reason of alcohol dependence, drug 

dependence, or mental disability;

has not had a court 

appoint a conservator for the applicant by reason of a 

mental defect; has not been judicially determined to be 

disabled by reason of mental illness, developmental 

disability, or other mental incapacity; and has not, within 7 

years from the date of application, been found by a court to 

pose an immediate substantial likelihood of serious harm 

because of mental illness; and

1. that the applicant is not an alien and is not illegally or 

unlawfully in the United States;

2. that the applicant has not renounced the applicant’s United 

States citizenship; and

3. that the applicant has not been discharged from the armed 

forces under dishonorable conditions.83

The applicant must also provide two sets of classifiable fingerprints and 

must be photographed for the permit.84 The applicant must present photo 

identification to the department when filing the application; the name and 

photo must match those of the application.85

 

82Under Tennessee’s procedures for involuntary commitment. 

83Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(c).

84Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(d)(1). 

85Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(d)(2). 
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Firearms Training Requirements: The department must require 

applicants to provide proof of successful completion of an approved 

handgun safety course. The course must include both classroom hours 

and firing range hours, as well as instruction on alcohol and drugs; the 

effects of those substances on a person’s reflexes, judgment, and ability 

to handle a firearm; and laws related to possession of a firearm while 

intoxicated.

An applicant may be exempt from the firing range and classroom hours 

requirements if, within the past 5 years, the applicant completed training 

or had been certified related to being a law enforcement officer, security 

guard, or in the military.86

Once a permit has been obtained, permit holders cannot be required to 

complete a handgun safety course to maintain or renew a permit.87

Factors State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: An out-of-state 

permit is valid in Tennessee to carry a handgun, and the holder must 

carry the permit at all times the person carries a handgun in Tennessee.88

Tennessee law requires the Commissioner of Safety to enter into 

reciprocity agreements with other states that require the execution of 

such agreements. The Commissioner is to publish a list of the states that 

honor the permits of Tennessee, as well as a list of the states that refuse 

to enter into reciprocity agreements with the state, or honor Tennessee 

handgun carry permits. If another state imposes conditions on Tennessee 

permit holder in a reciprocity agreement, the conditions will apply to the 

other state’s permit holder when they carry a handgun in Tennessee.89

Persons who move to Tennessee: If a person with a handgun permit from 

another state decides to become a resident of Tennessee, the person 

must obtain a Tennessee handgun permit within 6 months. If the state the 

person moved from has substantially similar permit eligibility 

requirements, the permit may be issued based on the fact that the person 

 

86Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(e).

87Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(m)

88Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(r)(1)-(2). 

89Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1351(r)(3). 
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Page 56 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

already has a permit. If the permit application is denied in Tennessee, 

that person cannot carry a handgun based on the former state’s permit.

Persons who work in Tennessee: If a person is a resident and a permit 

holder of another state, but is employed in Tennessee and wants to carry 

a handgun in Tennessee, once the person has been working in 

Tennessee for 6 months, the person has 6 months to obtain a Tennessee 

handgun permit. If the state the person has a permit from has 

substantially similar permit eligibility requirements, the permit may be 

issued based on the fact that the person already has a permit. If the 

application for a permit is denied in Tennessee, that person cannot carry 

a handgun based on the former state’s permit. These provisions do not 

apply if the state of residence of the person employed has a reciprocity 

agreement with Tennessee.

Revocation Process: The department is required to suspend or revoke a 

handgun permit when its records or other evidence show that the holder:

1. is prohibited from purchasing a handgun under applicable state or 

federal law;

2. has not accurately disclosed material information required for 

permit eligibility;

3. poses a material likelihood of risk of harm to the public;

4. has been arrested for a felony that involves the use or attempted 

use of force, violence, or a deadly weapon, or for a felony drug 

offense;

5. has been convicted of a felony;

6. has violated any provision of the Tennessee code related to 

weapons permits;

7. has engaged in conduct that would make the holder ineligible to 

apply for or obtain a permit under the permit eligibility 

requirements;

8. has been convicted of domestic assault or other misdemeanor 

crime of domestic violence and is still subject to the disabilities of 

such a conviction;

9. is subject to a current order of protection; or

10. has been judicially committed to a mental institution or adjudicated 

as a mental defective.90

 

90Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1352(a).
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Page 57 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Once the department suspends or revokes a permit, the department is 

required to send notice to the holder and appropriate law enforcement 

officers. In addition to stating that the permit has been suspended or 

revoked, the notice must tell the holder to surrender the permit within 10 

days and that it is a crime not to do so, and that the permit holder has 30 

days to request a hearing, among other things.91

The permit holder has 10 days to surrender the permit once the holder 

has notice it has been surrendered or revoked. Failure to do so is a Class 

A misdemeanor.92

The permit holder has a right to have the suspension or revocation 

reviewed in court.93 If the holder has been arrested and charged with 

certain felony offenses, including a felony offense involving violence or 

the use of a firearm, the court with jurisdiction over the criminal charge is 

required to find out if the defendant has a permit and order the surrender 

of the permit. On other felony charges, the permit holder can petition for a 

hearing to keep the permit and may retain the permit if the court 

determines that the permit holder will not present a material risk of 

physical harm to the public if released and allowed to retain the permit. If 

the holder is acquitted of charges, the permit is restored; if the holder is 

convicted, the permit is revoked. Permits are suspended during pre-trial 

diversion or judicial diversion.94 Permit holders must also surrender their 

permits if convicted of a Class A misdemeanor for the term of the 

sentence imposed.95 Permit holders who have received a notice of 

suspension or revocation may make a written request for review of the 

determination at a hearing. The hearing must be scheduled within 30 

days.96 After this determination, there is a right of review in court.97

 

91Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1352(c).

92Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1352(b).

93Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1352(d).

94Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1352(e).

95Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1352(f).

96Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1353.

97Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-1354.
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Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officers within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in This 

State:

Information about the status of a Tennessee handgun permit (whether it 

is valid, or revoked, or there is no permit) is in the Tennessee driver’s 

license system and the status is shown on the driver’s license. However, 

there is no way to check all states’ databases to determine the status of a 

permit unless the states’ permits are linked to their driver’s license 

systems. 

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of December 31, 2011: 519,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per U.S. 2010 Census:

17,523,847

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: No

Permit to Carry Concealed: If specific eligibility and application 

requirements are met, the Texas Department of Public Safety is required 

to issue a license to the applicant.98

Length of Permit Validity: Texas licenses to carry concealed weapons 

expire on the first birthday of the license holder occurring after the fourth 

anniversary of the date of issuance, and renewed licenses expire on the 

license holder’s birth date, 5 years after the date of the expiration of the 

previous license.99

Eligibility Requirements: Under Texas law, a person is eligible for a 

license to carry a concealed handgun if the person:

1. has been a legal resident of Texas for 6 months, or meets eligibility 

requirements for out-of-state residents;

 

98Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.177(a). 

99Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.183.

Texas Summary: ShallIssue State (Residents and 

Nonresidents) 
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 59 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

2. is at least 21 years of age;100

3. with respect to criminal history: Is not charged with or convicted of a 

felony;

101 is not charged with or has not been convicted of in the past 

5 years a Class A or Class B misdemeanor offense102

4. is not fugitive from justice for a felony or a Class A or Class B 

misdemeanor or equivalent offense;

or disorderly 

conduct or equivalent offenses; and has not been adjudicated as 

having engaged in delinquent conduct constituting a felony;

5. is not a chemically dependent person;103

6. is not incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the 

proper use and storage of a handgun;104

7. is qualified under state and federal law to purchase a handgun;

8. has not been determined to be delinquent in paying a child support 

payment or taxes;

 

100A person at least 18 years of age is eligible if the person is a veteran of the US Armed 

Forces and discharged honorably, so long as the person meets the other eligibility 

requirements. 

101Texas’s eligibility statute gives further content to these requirements. Specifically, there 

is a definition for what constitutes a felony. Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.172(b).

102Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to 1 year in prison or a fine of $4,000, or 

both, Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.21; Class B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 6 

months in prison, a fine of $2,000, or both, Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.22.

103A chemically dependent person means a person who frequently or repeatedly becomes 

intoxicated by excessive indulgence in alcohol or uses controlled substances or 

dangerous drugs so as to acquire a fixed habit and an involuntary tendency to become 

intoxicated or use those substances as often as the opportunity is presented. Tex. Gov’t 

Code Ann. § 411.172. A person is also chemically dependent and not entitled to a permit 

if, within the past 10 years, the person has been convicted two times of a Class B 

misdemeanor or greater that involves alcohol or a controlled substance as part of the 

crime. Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.172(c). Other evidence may also show someone is a 

chemically dependent person. 

104A person is incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and 

storage of a handgun if the person has been diagnosed with or suffers from certain 

psychiatric disorders or conditions; has been declared incompetent to manage the 

person’s own affairs; or has entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, among other 

things. Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.172(d). Evidence that a person has a psychiatric 

disorder, or condition may include, for example, involuntary psychiatric hospitalization; 

inpatient or residential substance abuse treatment in the preceding 5-year period; or 

diagnoses by a physician that the person is dependent on alcohol or drugs, or has certain 

mental disorders including bipolar disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or chronic 

dementia, among others. Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.172(e). The person may, however, 

provide a certificate from a physician stating that the disorder or condition is in remission 

and not likely to develop at a future time. Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.172(f).
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 60 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

9. is not subject to a restraining order or court protective order; and

10. has not made any material misrepresentation, or failed to disclose any 

material fact in the permit application.105

Firearms Training Requirements: The Department of Public Safety is 

required to establish minimum standards for handgun proficiency, 

develop a course to teach proficiency, and administer examinations to 

measure proficiency. One part of the course is to be classroom, and the 

other part range instruction, where the applicant must demonstrate the 

applicant’s ability to safely and proficiently use the applicable category of 

handgun.

The course must be administered by a qualified instructor. The course 

must include between 10 and 15 hours of instruction on 1) laws related to 

deadly force; 2) handgun use, proficiency, and safety; 3) nonviolent 

dispute resolution; and 4) proper storage practices.

The department must also develop a continuing education course for 

holders who want to renew a license. The course must be administrated 

by a qualified instructor and must include at least 4 hours of the subjects 

from the initial course.

The proficiency exam includes a written exam on the subjects taught in 

the course and a physical demonstration of proficiency and handgun 

safety procedures. The qualified handgun instructor may submit to the 

department a recommendation concerning an applicant’s proficiency.106

Certain applicants and license holders do not have to complete the range 

instruction portion of the course. These include persons who are currently 

serving or were honorably discharged from the U.S. or Texas state 

military forces; and who within the last 5 years have completed a course 

in handgun proficiency with the military forces. Applicants and license 

holders that work in the criminal justice system may also avail themselves 

of alternative proficiency procedures.107

 

105Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.172.

106Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.188.

107Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. §§ 411.1881-411.1882.
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 61 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Unique State Disqualifiers/Prohibitions: Delinquent taxes or child 

support payment.

Factors State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: Texas law requires 

the Governor to negotiate reciprocity agreements with any other states 

that provide conceal carry licenses, if the Texas Attorney General 

determines that the authorities of the other state initiate background 

checks of its applicants. The background check must include a search of 

the FBI’s National Crime Information Center database and the Interstate 

Identification Index.108

Every year, the Texas Attorney General must submit a report listing the 

states that the Attorney General has determined qualify for reciprocity and 

review the statutes of states that do not to determine whether changes to 

their statues are necessary to qualify.

Revocation Process: Licenses are to be revoked if the holder:

1. was not entitled to the license when it was issued;

2. made a material misrepresentation or failed to disclose a material fact 

in an application;

3. becomes ineligible, unless the only basis of ineligibility is being 

charged with the commission of a crime (in which case the license is 

suspended);

4. is convicted of an offense related to the unlawful carrying of a 

handgun by a license holder;

5. is determined to have engaged in conduct constituting a reason to 

suspend a license (listed above) after the person’s license has been 

previously suspended twice for the same reason; or

6. the holder’s fee is returned and the holder does not repay it plus $25, 

within 30 days of being notified.

The holder can reapply for a license after 2 years and the reason for 

revocation does not exist and has not existed for 2 years. A holder whose 

fee was returned can reapply at any time.109

 

108Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.173(b).

 

109Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.186.
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 62 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

After receiving written notice of a denial, revocation, or suspension of a 

license, the holder has 30 days to request a hearing before a justice of 

the peace acting as an administrative hearing officer. The hearing must 

be scheduled within 30 days of the request and held within no more than 

60 days. The ruling may be appealed within 30 days to a county court.110

Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officers within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in This 

State:

Law enforcement officials in Texas, and other states, have access to 

concealed carry permit information when they run a wanted person check 

on permit holders. Texas law enforcement officers can also access 

concealed carry permit information from the computers of squad cars.

Approximate Number of Active Concealed Carry Permit Holders as 

of December 31, 2011: 279,000 (rounded to the nearest thousand)

State Adult Population (age 20 or over) per U.S. 2010 Census:

5,917,339

Unlicensed Open Carry Permitted: Virginia allows residents to carry 

firearms openly without a permit.

Permit to Carry Concealed: Persons wishing to apply for a concealed 

carry permit can apply to the clerk of the circuit court of their county or 

city.

Length of Permit Validity: 5 years111

Eligibility Requirements: The applicant must be 21 years of age or 

older112

Criminal History:

and the following persons are ineligible to be issued a permit:

 

110Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 411.180.

111Va Code Ann. § 18.2-308(D).

112Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(D). 

Virginia Summary: ShallIssue State (Residents and 

Nonresidents) 
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 63 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

1. Persons who have been convicted of a felony;

2. individuals subject to a restraining or protective order and prohibited 

from purchasing or transporting a firearm;

3. persons who have been adjudicated delinquent for certain crimes, 

unless they file a petition to the circuit court that is granted;

4. individuals who have been convicted of two or more misdemeanors 

within the 5 years prior to the application, if one of the misdemeanors 

was Class 1; if two or more of the misdemeanors are not Class 1, 

then the judge has discretion;

5. individuals who have been convicted of driving while under the 

influence or public drunkenness within the 3-year period preceding the 

application, or have been determined to be a habitual drunkard under 

Virginia law.

6. fugitives from justice;

7. individuals who have been convicted within 3 years of the application, 

or have a charge pending for, specified crimes, including assault, 

assault and battery, sexual battery, discharging a firearm, and 

brandishing a firearm;

8. individuals who have been convicted of or have a charge pending for 

stalking; and

9. Individuals who have previous convictions or adjudications of 

delinquency that would have been a felony if committed by an 

adult;113

Mental Health and Substance Abuse:

10. persons who were admitted to outpatient treatment; adjudicated 

mentally incapacitated or legally incompetent; or were acquitted by 

reason of insanity under Virginia or similar state law, unless the 

person was discharged or released from custody, or competency was 

restored, as applicable, more than 5 years prior to the date of 

application;

11. individuals addicted to, using, or distributing any controlled substance; 

12. individuals who have received mental health treatment or substance 

abuse treatment in a residential setting within 5 years prior to the date 

of their application; and

 

113Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(E)(16). This applies where the convictions occurred within 

16 years of the later of the conviction or adjudication or the release from incarceration. Id.
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 64 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

13. individuals who within the 3 years prior to the date of application were 

found guilty of any criminal offense set forth in Virginia’s controlled 

substances laws, or of illegal possession or distribution of any 

controlled substance; this prohibitor also applies where the court find 

the facts sufficient for a finding of guilty but ordered probation or other 

conditions;114

Other:

14. aliens not lawfully admitted for permanent residence;

15. persons who have been discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces 

under dishonorable conditions; and

16. individuals who the court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, 

based on specific acts by the applicant, are likely to use a weapon 

unlawfully or negligently to endanger others.115

This final condition provides for limited discretion to deny a permit. To 

support this finding, the sheriff, chief of police, or attorney for the 

Commonwealth may submit to the court a sworn written statement 

indicating the applicant is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or negligently 

to endanger others. This statement is to be based on personal knowledge 

or that of a sheriff, police officer, or assistant attorney for the 

Commonwealth, or a sworn statement of a competent person having 

personal knowledge of specific acts.

Firearms Training Requirements: Each applicant is required to submit 

proof that the applicant has demonstrated competence with a handgun.

This can be satisfied in one of the following ways:

1. Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by 

the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of 

another state;

2. completing any National Rifle Association (NRA) firearms safety or 

training course;

3. completing any firearms safety or training course or class that is 

available to the general public that is approved by the Department of 

Public Safety or that uses NRA-certified instructors. The course may 

be offered by a law enforcement agency, a junior college, a college or 

 

114Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(E). 

115Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(E). 
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 65 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

a private or public institution, academy, organization, or firearms 

training school;

4. completing any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or 

class approved by the department of public safety offered for security 

guards, investigators, etc;

5. presenting evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through 

participation in organized shooting competition or current military 

service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of the 

armed services;

6. obtaining or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in 

Virginia or a locality, unless such license has been revoked for cause;

7. completing any firearms training or safety course or class, including 

an electronic, video, or on-line course, conducted by a state-certified 

or NRA-certified firearms instructor;

8. completing any governmental police agency firearms training course 

and qualifying to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties; 

or

9. completing any other firearms training that the court deems adequate.

The documentation must include one of the following: a photocopy of a 

certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes, an affidavit from 

the instructor or organization that conducted the course or class attesting 

to the completion by the applicant, or a copy of any document that shows 

completion of the course or evidences participation in a firearms 

competition.116

Factor(s) State Considers in Granting Reciprocity: Virginia law 

provides for an out-of-state permit to be valid if the following requirements 

are met:

1. the holder is at least 21 years of age;

2. the issuing state authority provides the means for instantaneous 

verification of the validity permits issued within that state, accessible 

24 hours a day; and

3. the requirements and qualifications of that state’s law are adequate to 

prevent possession of a permit by persons who would be denied a 

 

116Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(G). 
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 66 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

permit in Virginia (other than the age requirements and the type of 

weapon authorized to be carried).117

The Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the 

Attorney General, is required to determine whether states meet these 

requirements, maintain a registry of the qualifying states on the Virginia 

Criminal Information Network, and enter into agreements for reciprocal 

recognition with qualifying states. The registry is to be available to law 

enforcement officers for investigative purposes

Revocation Process: Virginia law provides for revocation of a permit for 

generally any offense that would disqualify a person from obtaining a 

permit and also provides for some specific grounds for revocation. Any 

person who is convicted of an offense that would disqualify that person 

from obtaining a permit, or who made materially false statements on the 

person’s application, is required to forfeit his or her permit and surrender 

it to the court. When the Central Criminal Records Exchange obtains a 

record of arrest, conviction or occurrence of any other event that would 

disqualify a person from obtaining a concealed handgun permit, the 

Central Criminal Records Exchange must notify the court that issued the 

permit. The court will then revoke the permit of the disqualified person, 

and notify the State Police and the person whose permit was revoked.118

The permit is also required to be revoked if the permit holder is under the 

influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while carrying the handgun in a public 

place, which is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The convicting court is 

required to revoke the permit and notify the issuing circuit court. The 

permit holder is ineligible to apply for a permit for 5 years.119

The court must revoke the permit of a person who is admitted to 

outpatient treatment or adjudicated mentally incapacitated or legally 

incompetent under Virginia or similar state law, and must notify the State 

Police and the permit holder of the revocation.120

 

117Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(P). 

118Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(J); Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(D). 

119Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(J1). Conviction of specified crimes is prima facie evidence 

that the person is “under the influence” for purposes of this section. Id. 

120Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-308(J4).
Appendix I: Case Study State Summaries

Page 67 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Virginia law provides for suspension only in limited circumstances, where 

a person has a felony charge pending for stalking or assault, assault and 

battery, sexual battery, discharging a firearm, or brandishing a firearm. In 

these instances, the court hearing the charge or the court that issued the 

permit may have the permit suspended while the charge is pending.

Mechanism Available for Law Enforcement Officers within and 

outside the State to Verify the Validity of Permits Issued in This 

State:

Law enforcement officials in Virginia can check the Virginia Crime 

Information Network to obtain information related to the status of permits 

issued in Virginia. Law enforcement officials from other states can run a 

Concealed Weapons Query in the International Justice and Public Safety 

Network to verify the status of permits issued in Virginia. Law 

enforcement officials from other states can also query the Federal Bureau 

of Investigation’s Interstate Identification Index, or call the Duty Sergeant 

at the Virginia State Police to verify the validity of a Virginia permit.
Appendix II: Objectives, Scope and 

Methodology

Page 68 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

This report describes (1) the extent to which states allow concealed carry 

permits, and how select states’ eligibility requirements and laws regarding 

and recognition of other states’ permits differ, (2) what processes select 

states use to help ensure they revoke permits when holders no longer meet 

eligibility requirements, and (3) how law enforcement officials in select 

states determine whether permits they encounter are current and valid.

To address all three objectives, we conducted a case study on 9 states—

Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Tennessee, 

Texas, and Virginia—which we selected to illustrate a variety of 

applicable state laws and procedures. However the results cannot be 

generalized across all states. The information obtained from these case 

studies provides a broad understanding of the different requirements and 

processes states utilize in issuing permits. Our selection covers states 

representing each of the factors outlined below:

• States from each of the permit issue designations-states classify 

themselves based on their issuing laws: (1) no-issue: where 

concealed carry is prohibited; (2) may-issue: the issuing authority 

has discretion to grant concealed carry permits to eligible 

individuals; (3) shall-issue: a concealed carry permit must be 

issued if no statutory reason for denial exists; and (4) permit not 

required to carry concealed handguns. We selected states that 

issue to residents only, and states that issue to both residents and 

nonresidents.

• Issuing authority—states with a centralized (singular) issuing 

authority and decentralized—multiple issuing authorities within a 

state.

• Reciprocity—the number of states that have reciprocity with each 

other and the number of agreements in place.

• The selection includes states that represent a range of the length 

of time concealed carry permits are valid, as well as differing 

eligibility requirements such as mandatory training on a gun safety 

program or demonstrating proficiency of firing a handgun, and 

reason(s) for requesting the permit.

To determine states’ concealed carry permit practices and whose permits 

they honor, we gathered information on permit issuing laws, issuing 

authorities, and reciprocity agreements for the 50 states and the District 

of Columbia. This report presents the states’ laws as they were as of 

Appendix II: Objectives, Scope and 

Methodology 
Appendix II: Objectives, Scope and 

Methodology

Page 69 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

March 2012. To obtain data on the current number of active concealed 

carry permits, and the length of time a permit is valid, we contacted 48 

states.1 We also contacted the 48 states to obtain information on their 

permit tracking systems, reasons for denials, and revocations. Of the 48 

states, we received data from 45 states.2

In addition, we obtained information from and interviewed federal 

agencies with firearms-related experience and law enforcement 

responsibilities—the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and 

Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). We 

obtained information from and interviewed FBI headquarters officials on 

their audits of select states that utilize federal databases that states query 

when screening concealed carry permit applicants. We obtained 

information and interviewed ATF headquarters officials and field special 

agents on their experience and perspective on state permits. In addition, 

we interviewed non-governmental groups representing a cross section of 

different views on concealed carry permit issues to obtain information 

regarding a historical perspective of carry conceal issues.

We requested data for the 

period 2007 through 2011 to illustrate any trends; however some states 

could not provide complete data for this period. Most states were able to 

provide 2011 data. To assess the reliability of these data, we asked the 

states questions about the systems they use to track the data, any steps 

taken to verity accuracy, and any limitations to the data. Our analysis was 

largely dependent on the availability of state data on the number of 

concealed carry permits. In some cases, statewide data were not 

available, and in other cases only data from certain time periods were 

available. As a result of these limitations, we determined that the data 

were sufficiently reliable solely to illustrate a minimum number of total 

active permits and approximate number of state specific permits.

3

To obtain more detailed information about specific state laws and 

procedures for carry concealed permits, we met with officials at various 

 

1

The remaining 2 states (Illinois and Vermont) do not issue concealed carry permits, so 

the number of valid permits does not apply to them. The District of Columbia does not 

issue concealed carry permits. 

2

Three states did not provide data, 1-state does not capture the data centrally (Alabama), 

2 other states did not respond to our requests for information (New Hampshire and North 

Dakota). 

3

We interviewed organizations such as the Brady Campaign, Gun Owners of America, 

Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and the National Rifle Association.
Appendix II: Objectives, Scope and 

Methodology

Page 70 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

state and local agencies in the 9 states in our case study. We obtained 

and analyzed information about state laws, eligibility requirements, and 

procedures including, (1) how states screen, approve, and deny permit 

applicants and (2) factors considered by states when entering into 

reciprocity agreements with other states and the number of current 

reciprocity agreements in place. We also obtained and analyzed state 

data on state-maintained statistics on the number of active and denied 

permits, and other firearms-related information such as specific 

requirements and training guidance.

To determine how the 9 states we selected for our case study monitor 

active holders to ensure they remain eligible to possess firearms and 

what actions the states take to revoke permits when permit holders 

become ineligible, we obtained information from the 9 states that issue 

permits: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, 

Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Of these 9, 3 states (California, Georgia, 

and Virginia) have a decentralized process for issuing permits. We 

obtained information and interviewed the issuing officials (county sheriffs, 

probate court staff, and circuit court staff) from three to five jurisdictions 

per state. From the 9 states, we selected for our case study that issue 

permits, we obtained and analyzed available data on the number of 

permits revoked, and the extent to which states recovered revoked 

permits from permit holders. We also interviewed state and local officials 

responsible for issuing permits to obtain information on applicable laws 

and procedures for monitoring, and revoking permits.

To identify how law enforcement officials in the 9 select states that issue 

permits determine whether permits they encounter are current and valid, 

we obtained information on the physical features embedded in each state’s 

permit, and the state and federal systems utilized to check the status of 

permits, and we interviewed state and local law enforcement officials 

across the 9 states to obtain information on processes they use to validate 

permits. These law enforcement officials included those representing state 

department of law enforcement, state departments of public safety, state 

police or state highway patrol, county sheriffs, and city police.

We conducted our work from August 2011 through July 2012 in 

accordance with all sections of GAO’s Quality Assurance Framework that 

are relevant to our objectives. The framework requires that we plan and 

perform the engagement to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to 

meet our stated objectives and to discuss any limitations in our work. We 

believe that the information and data obtained, and the analysis 

conducted, provide a reasonable basis for any findings in this product.
Appendix III: State Issuing Authority, as of 

March 2012

Page 71 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State Type of authority Issuing authority

Approximate number

of authorities

(if decentralized)

Alabama Decentralized County sheriffs 67

Alaska Centralized Department of Public Safety 1 

Arizona Centralized Department of Public Safety 1 

Arkansas Centralized Arkansas State Police 1 

California Decentralized County or city sheriffs or other heads of 

municipal police departments 60+

Colorado

a

Decentralized County sheriffs 64

Connecticut Centralized Specialized Licensing and Firearms Unit 1 

Delaware Decentralized Superior courts 3 

Florida Centralized Department of Agriculture and Consumer 

Services 1 

Georgia Decentralized County probate courts 159

Hawaii Decentralized County or municipal police chiefs 4 

Idaho Decentralized County sheriffs 44

Illinois Not applicable Not applicable N/A

Indiana Decentralized Heads of local law enforcement municipalities 556

Iowa Decentralized for 

residents/centralized for 

nonresidents

County sheriffs for residents, Commissioner of 

Public Safety for nonresidents

99

Kansas Centralized Attorney General’s Office 1 

Kentucky Centralized Kentucky State Police 1 

Louisiana Centralized Deputy Secretary of the Department of Public 

Safety and Corrections 1 

Maine Decentralized for 

residents/centralized for 

nonresidents

Mayor and municipal officers or councilors of a 

city or town for residents, Chief of State Police 

for nonresidents 488

Maryland Centralized Licensing Division of the State Police 

Department 1 

Massachusetts Decentralized for 

residents/centralized for 

nonresidents

Local police or Colonel of the State Police

351

Michigan Decentralized Counties Concealed Weapon Licensing Boards 83

Minnesota Decentralized County sheriffs 87

Mississippi Centralized Department of Public Safety 1 

Missouri Decentralized County or city sheriffs 115

Montana Decentralized County sheriffs 56

Nebraska Centralized Nebraska State Patrol 1 

Nevada Decentralized County sheriffs 17

Appendix III: State Issuing Authority, as of 

March 2012
Appendix III: State Issuing Authority, as of 

March 2012

Page 72 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State Type of authority Issuing authority

Approximate number

of authorities

(if decentralized)

New Hampshire Decentralized for 

residents/centralized for 

nonresidents

Local mayor or police chief for residents; Director 

of State Police for nonresidents

235+

New Jersey

a

Decentralized County superior courts 21

New Mexico Centralized Department of Public Safety 1 

New York Decentralized Licensing officer of the city or county of 

applicant’s primary residence or place of 

business 50+

North Carolina Decentralized County sheriffs 100

North Dakota Centralized Bureau of Criminal Investigation 1 

Ohio Decentralized County sheriffs 88

Oklahoma Centralized Bureau of Investigation 1 

Oregon Decentralized County sheriffs 36

Pennsylvania Decentralized County sheriffs or city police chiefs 67+ 

Rhode Island

a

Decentralized Attorney General’s Office and city chiefs of police 39

South Carolina Centralized Law Enforcement Division 1 

South Dakota Decentralized County sheriffs 66

Tennessee Centralized Department of Safety and Homeland Security 1 

Texas Centralized Department of Public Safety 1 

Utah Centralized Bureau of Criminal Identification 1 

Vermont Not applicable Not applicable N/A

Virginia Decentralized for 

residents/centralized for 

nonresidents

Clerk of Circuit Courts for residents, Department 

of State Police for nonresidents

120

Washington Decentralized Chiefs of police of municipalities, county sheriffs 39 + 

Washington D.C.

a

Not applicable Not applicable (N/A) N/A

West Virginia Decentralized County sheriffs 55

Wisconsin Centralized Department of Justice 1 

Wyoming Centralized Attorney General’s Office through the Division of 

Criminal Investigation 1 

Source: GAO analysis of state laws and publicly available state information

a

For states that have a + symbol beside the number of authorities, the approximate number of 

authorities may be significantly higher.
Appendix IV: State Concealed Carry Permit 

Designation, as of March 28, 2012

Page 73 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

While there is no federal law specifically addressing the issuance of 

concealed carry permits, 48 states have passed laws allowing the state to 

issue citizens concealed carry permits. A few states do not require a 

permit to carry certain firearms in public within that particular state, but 

issue permits for reciprocity purposes in other states. See table 6 below.

Table 6: State Concealed Carry Permit Designation, as of March 2012

State-by-state 

issue 

designation

Permit not 

required

Shall-issue 

to residents 

and 

nonresidents

Shallissue to 

residents 

only

Limited 

discretion 

to deny a 

permita

May-issue to 

residents 

and 

 nonresidents

May-issue to 

residents 

only

Nonresidents 

subject to 

certain 

requirements

Noissue b

Alabama X 

Alaska X X 

Arizona X X 

Arkansas X X 

California X X 

Colorado X X 

Connecticut X 

Delaware X 

Florida X 

Georgia X X 

Hawaii X 

Idaho X 

Illinois X 

Indiana X X X 

Iowa X X 

Kansas X 

Kentucky X 

Louisiana X 

Maine X X 

Maryland X 

Massachusetts X X 

Michigan X X 

Minnesota X X 

Mississippi X 

Missouri X X 

Montana X X 

Nebraska X 

Nevada X 

Appendix IV: State Concealed Carry Permit 

Designation, as of March 28, 2012
Appendix IV: State Concealed Carry Permit 

Designation, as of March 28, 2012 

Page 74 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State-by-state 

issue 

designation

Permit not 

required

Shall-issue 

to residents 

and 

nonresidents

Shallissue to 

residents 

only

Limited 

discretion 

to deny a 

permita

May-issue to 

residents 

and 

 nonresidents

May-issue to 

residents 

only

Nonresidents 

subject to 

certain 

requirements

Noissue b

New Hampshire X X 

New Jersey X 

New Mexico X 

New York X X 

North Carolina X 

North Dakota X 

Ohio X 

Oklahoma X 

Oregon X X X 

Pennsylvania X X X 

Rhode Island c X X X 

South Carolina X X 

South Dakota X 

Tennessee X X 

Texas X 

Utah X X X 

Vermont X 

Virginia X X 

Washington X 

Washington D.C. X 

West Virginia X 

Wisconsin X 

Wyoming X X X 

Source: GAO analysis of state laws.

a

These states are “shall-issue” states, but state law provides the licensing authority with limited 

discretion in specified circumstances to deny a permit. For example, based on demonstrated 

evidence, the applicant is likely to use a weapon unlawfully or in such other manner that would 

endanger the applicant or others.

b

The laws of these states provide authority to issue permits to non-residents on a limited basis, for 

example, to non-residents who own property in the state, who are employed in the state, or who have 

a permit from their home state, among other requirements. Oregon shall issue to residents, and may 

issue to residents of contiguous states who have a compelling business interest or other legitimate 

demonstrated need.

c

Rhode Island law provides for two mechanisms for obtaining a permit: the Rhode Island Attorney 

General has "may issue" authority to issue permits under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-18, and cities and 

towns have "shall-issue" authority, with limited discretion, to issue a permit, under R.I. Gen. Laws § 

11-47-11.
Appendix V: Number of Valid Permits

Page 75 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Table 7: Number of Valid Permits (as Reported by States) as of December 31, 2011, unless noted otherwise

State 

Approximate number of 

active permits (as of 

December 31, 2011 or 

unless otherwise noted)

Approximate

adult population

(age 20 or over)

per U.S. 2010 Census

Ratio of active

permits issued

to adult population

(age 20 or over) 

Length of time 

permit/license

valid (years)

for initial applicants

Alabamaa Not available 3,503,000 Not available 1 year

Alaska 7,000 502,000 1.4% 5 years

Arizona 163,000 b 4,572,000 3.6 5 years

Arkansas 111,000 2,120,000 5.2 5 years

Californiab 35,000

(as of 09/01/11)

26,802,000 0.1 2 years ; 4 years for peace 

officers; 3 years for judges

Colorado 90,000 3,665,000 2.5 5 years

Connecticut 165,000 b 2,658,000 6.2 5 years

Delaware 5,000 664,000 0.8 3 years

Florida 887,000 b 14,288,000 6.2 7 years

Georgia 600,000 6,906,000 11.5 5 years

Hawaiib,c 0 1,022,000 0 1 year

Idaho 76,000 b 1,092,000 7.0 4 years if issued before 

7/1/06; 5 yrs if after 7/1/06

Illinois Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 

Indiana 406,000 b 4,677,000 8.7 4 years; lifetime for 

honorably retired law 

enforcement

Iowab (estimate based 243,000

on number of 

issuances from 2007 to 

2011)

2,226,000 10.9 5 years

Kansas 39,000 2,042,000 1.9 4 years

Kentucky 170,000 3,193,000 5.3 5 years

Louisiana (Estimate) 40,000 3,279,000 1.2 5 years

Maine 4,000 b 1,017,000 0.4 4 years

Marylandb 12,000 

(as of 10/1/11)

4,257,000 0.3 2 years; 3 years after 

renewal 

Massachusettsb 251,000

(as of 2/1/12)

4,926,000 5.1 6 years

Michigan (as of 1/5/12) 296,000 7,235,000 4.1 5 years

Minnesota 91,000 b 3,873,000 2.3 5 years

Mississippi 43,000 2,118,000 .2 4 years

Missouri 

(as of 1/20/12)

133,000 4,388,000 3.0 3 years

Montana 27,000 738,000 3.7 4 years

Appendix V: Number of Valid Permits
Appendix V: Number of Valid Permits

Page 76 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State 

Approximate number of 

active permits (as of 

December 31, 2011 or 

unless otherwise noted)

Approximate

adult population

(age 20 or over)

per U.S. 2010 Census

Ratio of active

permits issued

to adult population

(age 20 or over) 

Length of time 

permit/license

valid (years)

for initial applicants

Nebraska 13,000 1,314,000 1.0 5 years

Nevada 55,000 b 1,964,000 2.8 5 years

New Hampshire Not available a,b 991,000 Not available 4 years

New Jersey 32,000 b 6,501,000 At least 0.5 2 years

New Mexico (estimate) 22,000 1,479,000 1.5 4 years (5 years for retired 

law enforcement) 

New Yorkb,d 14,481,000 3 years in New York City; 5 

years for Nassau, Suffolk, 

and Westchester; Until 

Revoked for all other 

counties

North Carolina 240,000 6,977,000 3.4 5 years

North Dakota Not available a,b 501,000 Not available 5 years

Ohio 

(as of 1/1/12)

270,000 8,469,000 3.2 5 years on/after 3/14/07; 4 

years prior to 3/14/07

Oklahoma 

(as of 1/26/12)

122,000 2,710,000 4.5 5 or 10 years (optional if no 

prohibitions)

Oregon 147,000 b 2,859,000 5.1 4 years

Pennsylvaniab 786,000 9,523,000 8.3 5 years

Rhode Islandb (does 4,000

not include permits 

issued by localities)

791,000 At least 0.5 4 years

South Carolinab 148,000

(as of 12/26/11)

3,401,000 4.4 4 years

South Dakota 62,000 587,000 10.6 4 years

Tennesseeb 341,000

(as of 1/3/12)

4,670,000 7.3 4 years

Texas 519,000 b,e 17,524,000 3.0 4 years; 5 years after 

renewal

Utah 347,000 b 1,801,000 19.3 5 years

Vermont Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Virginia 279,000 b 5,917,000 4.7 5 years

Washington 351,000 b 4,955,000 7.1 5 years

Washington D.C. Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

West Virginia 92,000 1,414,000 4.7 5 years

Wisconsin 40,000 4,185,000 1.0 5 years

Wyoming 23,000 412,000 5.6 5 years

Source: GAO analysis of state reported data and state laws.
Appendix V: Number of Valid Permits

Page 77 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

a

States that have missing data either do not track, could not provide, or declined to provide the 

information requested.

b

These states issue permits to residents and nonresidents, and the approximate number for these 

states includes permits issued to both groups. As a result, the ratios of active permit holders to adult 

population for these states reflect permit holders that do not reside in the state, which may result in a 

higher percentage.

c

Of the four counties that issue permits in Hawaii, only two provided information.

d

New York has no mechanism to purge inactive files. The New York State Police became the 

repository for concealed carry permit data in 1936. As of December 31, 2011, New York had 

1,281,662 applications on file since 1936. However, this number is not an accurate count of people 

who possess a valid carry concealed weapons permit from the state of New York. Some permit 

holders may have died and some permit holders may have had their permits revoked or cancelled 

since 1936.

e

Texas’ approximate number of nonresident permits is as of September 22, 2011
Appendix VI: Approximate Total Number of 

Active Permits by Residency

Page 78 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Of the 48 states that issue concealed carry permits, 26 issue to residents 

and nonresidents of their state, and of these 26 states that issue to 

nonresidents, 10 provided data on the number of valid nonresident 

permits, as shown in the table.

Table 8: Status for States that issue to Nonresidents, as of December 31, 2011, unless otherwise noted

State 

Approximate

total number

of active permits

Approximate number of 

active resident permits a

Approximate

number of active

nonresident permits a

Approximate 

percentage of 

nonresident

permit holders a

Arizona 163,000 Not available Not available 

California 

(as of 09/01/11)

37,000 37,000 Not available 

Connecticut 165,000 148,000 16,000 9.7%

Florida 887,000 784,000 104,000 11.7

Hawaiib 0 0 0 0.0

Idaho 77,000 76,000 700 0.9

Indiana 406,000 406,000 50 0.0

Iowa (estimate based on

number of issuances from 

2007 to 2011)

243,000 Not available Not available 

Maine 6,000 4,000 2,000 33.3

Maryland 12,000 Not available Not available 

Massachusetts 

(as of 2/1/12)

251,000 250,000 1,000 0.4

Minnesota 91,000 Not available Not available 

Nevada 55,000 50,000 6,000 10.9

New Hampshire Not available Not available Not available 

New Jersey 32,000 Not available Not available 

New York Not available c Not available Not available 

North Dakota Not available Not available Not available 

Oregon 147,000 Not available Not available 

Pennsylvania 786,000 Not available Not available 

Rhode Island (does not 

include permits issued by 

localities)

4,000 Not available Not available 

South Carolina 

(as of 12/26/11)

148,000 Not available Not available 

Tennessee 

(as of 1/3/12)

341,000 Not available Not available 

Texas 519,000 d 515,000 4,000 0.8

Appendix VI: Approximate Total Number of 

Active Permits by Residency
Appendix VI: Approximate Total Number of 

Active Permits by Residency

Page 79 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State 

Approximate

total number

of active permits

Approximate number of 

active resident permits a

Approximate

number of active

nonresident permits a

Approximate 

percentage of 

nonresident

permit holders a

Utah 347,000 147,000 201,000 57.9

Virginia 279,000 274,000 5,000 1.8

Washington 351,000 Not available Not available 

Source: GAO analysis of state reported data.

Notes: Differences in total are due to the rounding of numbers.

a

States that have missing data either do not track, could not provide, or declined to provide the

information requested.

b

Of the four counties that issue permits in Hawaii, only two provided information.

c

New York has no mechanism to purge inactive files. The New York State Police became the 

repository for concealed carry permit data in 1936. As of December 31, 2011, New York had 

1,281,662 applications on file since 1936. However, this number is not an accurate count of people 

who possess a valid carry concealed weapons permit from the state of New York. Some permit 

holders may have died and some permit holders may have had their permits revoked or cancelled 

since 1936.

d

Texas’ approximate number of nonresident permits is as of September 22, 2011
Appendix VII: State Reciprocity, as of March 

2012

Page 80 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State 

Permits from other states

that are recognized by this state 

States that recognize

permits issued in this state

Alabama AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, 

MO, NH, NC, ND, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, WY (23)

AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, 

MO, NH, NC, ND, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, WY (23)

Alaska AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, 

KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, 

NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, 

MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, 

OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WY (35)

Arizona AL, AK, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, 

KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, 

NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, 

MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, 

PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY (35)

Arkansas AL, AK, AZ, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, 

ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, NC, 

OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, 

WY (38)

AL, AK, AZ, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, 

ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NC, ND, OH, 

OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY 

(37)

California CA does not honor permits issued in other states. AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, MT, NE, NC, OK, SD, 

TN, TX, UT, WI (17)

Colorado AL, AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, 

MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, 

TX, UT, WI, WY (30)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, 

MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, 

TN, TX, UT, WI, WY (30)

Connecticut CT does not honor permits issued in other states. AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, MT, NE, NC, OK, SD, 

TN, TX, UT, WI (17)

Delaware AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, KY, ME, MI, MO, NM, NC, ND, 

OH, OK, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV (19)

AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, ID, IN, IA, KY, ME, MI, MO, NM, 

NC, ND, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV (23)

Florida AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, 

MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY (35)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, 

MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY (33)

Georgia AL, AK, AR, AZ, CO, FL, IA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI, MS, 

MO, MT, ND, NH, NC, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, WI, 

WY (26)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, 

MO, MT, NH, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, WI, 

WY (26)

Hawaii HI does not honor permits issued in other states. AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MO, NE, NC, OK, SD, 

TN, TX, UT, WI (17)

Idaho AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IN, IA, 

KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, 

NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MO, 

MT, NE, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, 

WI, WY (27)

Illinois IL does not honor permits issued in other states. Not applicable

Indiana AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, 

NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, 

MO, MT, NH, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, WI, 

WY (26) 

Iowa AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, 

KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, 

NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, 

MT, NE, NH, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, WI, 

WY (26)

Appendix VII: State Reciprocity, as of March 

2012 
Appendix VII: State Reciprocity, as of March 

2012

Page 81 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State 

Permits from other states

that are recognized by this state 

States that recognize

permits issued in this state

Kansas AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, HI, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, 

NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, WV (23)

AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, 

MT, NE, NV, NC, ND, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, 

WI, WV (27)

Kentucky AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

IN, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, 

NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, 

MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, 

OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY (36)

Louisiana AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, 

MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NM, NV, NH, NC, ND, OH, 

OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY 

(38)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, 

MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, 

PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY (36)

Maine AR, DE, LA, MI, ND, PA, SD, WY (8) AK, AZ, AR, DE, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MO, NE, NC, 

ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, UT, WY (20)

Maryland MD does not honor permits issued in other states. AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, MT, NC OK, SD, TN, 

TX, UT, WI (16)

Massachusetts MA does not honor permits issued in other states. AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, MT, NC, OK, SD, TN, 

TX, UT (15)

Michigan AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, 

NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, ME, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, 

OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, 

WY (38)

Minnesota AK, AR, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, NM, NV, OH, OK, TN, TX, 

UT, WY (15)

AK, AZ, AR, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, MT, 

NE, NM, NC, OK, SD, TN, UT, VA, WI, WY (23)

Mississippi AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, 

MT, NH, NC, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY 

(25)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, 

MO, MT, NH, NC, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, 

WY (26)

Missouri AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, 

NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, 

SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, 

OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY (36)

Montana AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, 

NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, 

WA, WI, WV, WY (41)

AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, 

MO, NE, NM, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, 

WI, WY (27)

Nebraska AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, 

ME, MI, MN, MT, MO, NV, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, 

OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WY (34)

AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, 

MT, NV, NC, ND, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, 

WY (26)

Nevada AK, AZ, AR, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, NE, NM, NC, OH, TN, 

RI, WV (15)

AK, AZ, AR, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MT, 

NE, NC, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT (20)

New Hampshire AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI, 

MO, MS, NC, ND, OK, PA, TN, UT, WY (22)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, 

MS, MO, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, UT, WY (23)

New Jersey NJ does not honor permits issued in other states. AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MO, MT, NE, NC, OK, 

SD, TN, TX, UT (17)

New Mexico AK, AZ, CO, DE, FL, KY, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, 

OH, OK, SC, TN, TX , VA, WY (19)

AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, 

MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NC, ND, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, 

UT, VA, WV, WI, WY (30)
Appendix VII: State Reciprocity, as of March 

2012

Page 82 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State 

Permits from other states

that are recognized by this state 

States that recognize

permits issued in this state

New York NY does not honor permits issued in other states AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, MT, NC, OK, SD, TN, 

TX, UT, WI (16)

North Carolina AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, 

NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OH, OK, 

PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY (36)

North Dakota AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, ME, MI, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY (35)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, ME, MI, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, 

SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (34)

Ohio AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, ID, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, NE, NM, 

NC, ND, OK, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY (23)

AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, 

MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OK, SC, SD, TN, UT, 

VA, WA, WV, WY (29)

Oklahoma AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, 

NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, 

SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, 

PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY (35)

Oregon OR does not honor permits issued in other states. AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, MT, NE, NC, OK, SD, 

TN, UT (15)

Pennsylvania AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KY, LA. ME, MI, 

MO, MT, ND, NH, NC, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, 

WV, WY (27)

AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MI, 

MO, MT, NH, NC, ND, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, 

WI, WY (27)

Rhode Island RI does not honor permits issued in other states. AK, AZ, ID, IN, IA, KY, MI, MO, NE, NV, NC, OK, SD, 

TN, TX, UT (16)

South Carolina AK, AZ, AR, FL, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, NC, OH, OK, TX, 

TN, VA, WV, WY (17)

AK, AZ, AR, FL, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MT, 

NE, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, 

WY (26)

South Dakota AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, 

NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, 

RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, 

MI, MS, MO, MT, NC, ND, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, 

WV, WY (27)

Tennessee AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, 

NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, 

RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, 

OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY 

(37)

Texas AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, 

IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NM, 

NC, ND, NJ, NV, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, 

WA, WV, WY (41)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, 

LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NM, NC, ND, OK, PA, 

SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY (33)

Utah AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO ,CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, 

IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, 

NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, 

RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (47)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, 

MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, 

SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY (34)

Vermont VT does not require concealed weapons carriers to 

have a permit. Therefore, reciprocity does not apply in 

the state. Local statutes may vary.

Not applicable
Appendix VII: State Reciprocity, as of March 

2012

Page 83 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

State 

Permits from other states

that are recognized by this state 

States that recognize

permits issued in this state

Virginia AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, 

NC, ND, NM, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, 

WV, WY (27)

AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, 

MT, NE, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, 

UT, WV, WI, WY (29)

Washington AR, FL, LA, MI, MS, MO, NC, ND, OH, OK, TN, UT (12) AK, AZ, AR, FL, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, MT, 

NC, ND, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI (23)

Washington D.C. DC does not honor permits issued in other states. Not applicable

West Virginia AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, KS, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, NM, NC, 

ND, OK, OH, PA, SC, SD, TX, TN, UT, VA, WI (24)

AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MS, 

MO, MT, NE, NV, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TX, 

TN, UT, VA, WY (29)

Wisconsin AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, GA, HI, ID, IA, IN, KS, KY, LA, 

MD, MI, MN, MT, NE, NM, NY, NC, ND, PA, TN, TX, 

UT, VA, WA, WY (29)

AK, AZ, AR, CO, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, 

MT, NE, NV, NH, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, TN, UT, WV 

(26)

Wyoming AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, 

MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, 

PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV (33)

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, 

MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, 

PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI (33)

Source: GAO analysis of publically available state information.
Appendix VIII: GAO Contacts and Staff 

Acknowledgments

Page 84 GAO-12-717 Concealed Carry Permits

Carol R. Cha (202) 512-4456 or chac@gao.gov

Eileen R. Larence (202) 512-6510 or larencee@gao.gov

In addition to the contacts named above, Kirk Kiester (Assistant Director), 

Aditi S. Archer, Willie Commons III, Michele C. Fejfar, Sally P. Gilley, 

Andrew C. Moore, and Janet G. Temko made significant contributions to 

the work. Also contributing to this report were Katherine M. Davis, Eric 

Hauswirth, Linda S. Miller, and Robert Robinson.

Appendix VIII: GAO Contacts and Staff 

Acknowledgments 

GAO Contacts 

Staff 

Acknowledgments 

(440992)
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