While it seems each State has reinvented the wheel when it comes to gun laws, there are a few similarities. While knowing what is required, in general, for interstate travel, you will want to investigate the actual laws for any state you are visiting or travelling through. The FOPA does cover some transportation issues and each state will be in accordance with that, but you need to be aware of the state, and perhaps county laws governing the possession of a gun. As an example, registering a firearm may be done through an unsuspecting agency, as is the case in Florida where their Department of Agriculture processes firearm permits, which means they do not use the NICS database commonly used by other states to do a background check. You will also find a major divide between which states honor permits from other states and specifically which out-of-state permits are honoured. Some states accept permits from a number of other states, some just accept from one or two while some don’t honor any other permits.

Following are some of the common requirements or stipulations that you can expect when applying for a concealed-carry permit from all the states across the U.S.

Require an NICS background check or have their own system

Have to be 21 years of age or older (some allow 18-year-olds and up if they have served in the army)

• No felony convictions
• No indications of mental illness
• No addiction to alcohol or drugs
• No convictions of any serious or aggravated misdemeanour within 3-5 years
• Not subject to a protection order or involved in domestic violence offences
• Provide proof of completion of a firearms safety or training course
• Must provide a state photo identification
• Must provide fingerprints for file
• Must pay the required fees (varies from state to state)