New Hampshire Concealed Carry Permit Information

Click here to view the New Hampshire Concealed Carry Permit Map at the bottom of the page.

Information on how to obtain your permit, fees, and locations coming soon. If you would like to contribute to this page, please post the information in the State Forums.

Concealed Permit:
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents

Example of New Hampshire Non-Resident Permit:

New Hampshire Non-Resident Permit
New Hampshire Non-Resident Permit

Issuing Authority:
Pistol and Revolver licenses are only issued to Non-Residents by the New Hampshire State Police. Please contact your local policing agency for a Resident Pistol/Revolver License.

Out Of State Permit Issue:
New Hamppshire does issue permits to non-residents.

NICS/Background Check:

Permit Valid For:
Licenses expire at midnight on the anniversary of the holder’s date or birth no less than 4 years from the date of issue, with March 2 the expiration for persons born on February 29.

Permit Issued Timeline:
Licenses must be issued or denied within 14 days of application, and if denied, the reason shall be stated in writing and delivered to the applicant within 14 days, with a copy kept by the denying authority. The applicant may appeal a denial within 30 days to the District Court in the jurisdiction in which the person resides, and the court shall hold a hearing within 14 days.

Cost:
License fees are $10 for residents, for the use of the local law enforcement department, and $100 for nonresidents, for the use of the State.

Requirements:
1. Be a suitable person to be licensed and has good reason to fear an injury to his person or property or has any other “proper purpose.” Hunting, target shooting or self-defense shall be considered proper purposes.

Required Documents:
1. Application form
Download Resident Application
Download Non-Resident Application
2. Non-Resident Only – A copy (front & back) of your valid concealed carry permit issued by the state, county, or town in which you reside, or a valid concealed permit issued by any other state.

Renewal Information:

Change of Name or Address:
If a resident license holder moves to another community, he or she shall notify in writing the licensing authority in his or her new place of residence that he or she has a current license, and the license shall remain in effect until it would otherwise expire. For non-residents, please forward a letter to NH State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord NH 03305 notifying us of the change of address, including the old and new address. If you would like to receive a license that reflects the new address, enclose a fee of $3.00 made out to State of New Hampshire – Treasurer.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Permits:

Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:

Automobile carry:
License to carry is required to carry a loaded pistol or revolver in a motor vehicle. Without a permit, handguns must be unloaded and may be carried openly or contained in gun case in the passenger compartment; rifles and shotguns must be unloaded while in a vehicle.

Places off-limits when carrying:
1. Courtroom or area used by a court.

Alcohol and Drugs:
As always, alcohol/drugs don’t mix with firearms. That’s a pretty simple rule of thumb.

Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
New Hampshire is not a Castle Doctrine state and has no stand-your-ground law.

Open Carry:
Unrestricted under state law and generally accepted.

Localities with Varying Laws:
State law prevents cities and other localities from enacting laws concerning the regulation of firearms, components, ammunition and supplies, which are not in conformity with state law. A municipality or any political subdivision of the state may not any ordinance, law or rule regulating hunting, fishing and trapping.

Forms & Links:
Download Resident Application
Download Non-Resident Application
NRA-ILA: New Hampshire Gun Laws

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  • Bob

    Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:

    New Hampshire has Castle Doctrine now FYI =D

  • Jon

    I just want to make sure i have this right… Since i have a conceal license for NH I can also  conceal in (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming) without acquiring a separate license from those states? Also what is  (NH Res Permits Only:
    Colorado, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina)?

    • Xmanhockey7

      In states like Michigan, Colorado, Florida, South Carolina (yes SC and there could be more states) you must have a permit from the state that you reside in to have it recognized. So if you have a Utah non-resident you could not carry in Michigan but with any resident permit from any of the 48 issue states you can.

  • Jasonkorinko

    so what are reasons for them to deny your app?

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CXB74RMW7LL4I27VTSQ3CQTWXQ Redline

       Felon & mental issues are the two most common. Thankfully it’s not like Mass where they can deny you because the police chief or selectmen had a bad bowel movement that day and don’t feel like approving your permit.

      • Holla64

        Can the check be a personal one or does it need to be money order

  • Luger_38

    How old do u have to be to get ur license because I’m 18

    • Joe

      age isnt a disqualifying factor im 17 now and i just had my permit signed today

  • Sonnyd69

    just got My MA class A with Res target and hunting was woundering if i can apply for a non res LTC for NH??

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_J5FMU24XXVTPBK3B2TCNGYL7T4 petes a gobblin

    picked up my permit yesterday,  it’s a 4″x6″ piece of paper.   wonder how they expect them to last for 4 years folded up in someones wallet?

    • O_

      Copy and laminate. Shrink it down to so that its credit card size. Mine still looks brand new after 2 years.

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CXB74RMW7LL4I27VTSQ3CQTWXQ Redline

         Careful, that is not considered a legal document at that point as it’s been modified from it’s original format. Depending on the officers mood it could be problematic. I’d be sure to have the original handy. Mine needs renewal this month and it looks just the way it did when I received it from the Police Cheif except for mines folded into a small square and resides in my wallet behind my Boating license and Auto license. It’s coming up on 4 years and I haven’t had a problem.

    • Josh

      I too thought it was funny a Resident gets a little POS paper, but a NON-Resident gets a little card. Is that weird??? Show’s how much common sense runs New Hampshire, and now the NON-Resident is $100. Sorry, but “The right to bear arms” mentioned no tax’s, I mean I do not mind $10, but $100 for the state to spend as they see fit, to much fine print has been added to the right to bear arms.

       I love my country and would die to defend it, but WTF. We keep allowing these laws, fees, and registrations and soon enough all weapons will have a $200 tax stamp, and endless loop holes to jump through.

      P.S. I as well laminated my CCW permit, and it has been accepted by 5 police officers over the course of time, I think most of the State Police and Local Police understand the concern for protecting your license

  • Heath_475

    Use packing tape to keep it new and readable

  • Rmosher65

    went online got a nh res. lic. to carry application it says phone numbers are optional, nh law says that cities and towns can’t make up their own laws but town of plaistow says you have to give your home phone # are they breaking the law by wanting thi to get your permit.??????

    • Mudman413

      yes, it’s not a requirement to have a phone to carry concealed. read up on your state laws. print them out and present them when you apply for a permit. some towns just suck. mine wanted a photocopy of my license, till I pointed out to them the statute saying “NO OTHER FORM OR PHOTOGRAPH NEEDED”

  • Anonymous

    Did New Hampshire just pass the Castle Doctrine and stand-your-ground law? I hope they update this here.

  • Nick Knee

    they just denied my application to carry bc of a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge 10 years ago. is there anything i can do?

  • Nick Knee

    here’s my permit and i am currently carrying!!!!

  • Biggmattman19

    Do you have to be twenty one to carry a concealed wepon in NH?

  • Josh

    New Hampshire has tried for the Castle Doctrine, and I feel we should have it, but as of 3/20/2012 we have to run and hide from a attacker, not defend our selfs. We have a right to defend our self’s, but Gov. Lynch is a asshole stuck in his own ways. He has single handly shit on our rights because he’s scared it will drum up violence. 

    • Rerochejr

      I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that NH recently passed a new law that allows one to basically stand your ground to protect yourself, your property or another person. In fact it evens protects you from civil liaibilty.

  • Jason C

    I’m a PA CCW. Got my non resident license today. I’ll be traveling up to NH for the weekend to open carry. I just wonder are LEO’s knowledgable of the law or will they try to give me a hard time if they see me open carrying.