To get a gun license in the United States, you first confirm you meet federal eligibility rules, then check whether your state even requires a permit, complete any state-mandated training, and submit an application with fingerprints, supporting documents, and fees to your state’s issuing authority for a background check. There is no single national process. Requirements come from the state, and they vary a lot.
Check Whether Your State Requires a License at All
As of 2025, 29 states allow legally eligible residents to carry a concealed handgun without a government-issued license. This is often called “permitless carry” or “constitutional carry.” Minimum age in these states ranges from 18 to 21.
Even where a permit isn’t required, many people still get one. A home-state permit may be recognized by other states through reciprocity, which matters when you travel. It also streamlines purchases at licensed dealers and documents that you have passed a background check. If your state still requires a permit to carry, the rest of this guide walks through what to expect.
Federal Eligibility Rules That Apply Everywhere
Federal law sets a baseline that no state permit can override. Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), you cannot possess a firearm or ammunition if you fall into any of these categories:1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts
- Convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. This covers most felonies and certain serious misdemeanors where the maximum sentence exceeds one year.
- Convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence.
- Subject to a qualifying domestic violence restraining order issued after a hearing where you had notice and an opportunity to participate.
- Adjudicated as mentally defective or involuntarily committed. Voluntary outpatient treatment generally does not trigger this bar.
- An unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance under federal drug schedules.
- A fugitive from justice.
- Dishonorably discharged from the military.
- Illegally present in the United States, or admitted on a nonimmigrant visa (with limited exceptions).
- Renounced U.S. citizenship.
The Marijuana Problem
This one catches people who assume their state legalization changes the federal picture. It doesn’t. Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, so any marijuana user is an “unlawful user of a controlled substance” under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) and is barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts
When you buy from a licensed dealer, ATF Form 4473 asks directly whether you are an unlawful user of marijuana or any other controlled substance. Answering “no” while you are a current user is a federal crime, regardless of your state’s laws. A medical marijuana card and a firearms license held at the same time put you in direct conflict with federal law.
Age
Federal law sets two thresholds for purchases from licensed dealers: 21 for handguns and 18 for rifles and shotguns.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 922 – Unlawful Acts3Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Minimum Age for Gun Sales and Transfers Many states set the concealed carry permit age at 21; some allow 18. If you’re between 18 and 20, the answer depends on the firearm type and the permit type, so check your state’s rules directly.
Take a State-Approved Training Course
Most states that require a concealed carry license also require a firearms safety course before you apply. Some mandate as few as four hours of classroom instruction. Others require 16 or more classroom hours plus a separate live-fire qualification on a range. A typical course covers safe handling and storage, your state’s self-defense and carry laws, and basic marksmanship.
Plan on paying $100 to $350 for a state-mandated course that includes classroom and range time. Shorter classroom-only courses exist at the low end, but they won’t satisfy states that require live fire. Confirm that your instructor is certified by your state’s licensing authority before you sign up. A course taught by an uncertified instructor is one of the most common reasons applications get rejected before review.
Several states accept alternatives, including military service, law enforcement training, or certain hunter education programs. Ask the issuing authority whether your prior training counts before assuming it will.
Submit the Application
Once you’re eligible and trained, you gather documents, get fingerprinted, and pay fees. Submission methods vary by state. Some allow online applications. Others require an in-person visit to a sheriff’s office or state police facility. A few accept mailed applications.
Documents to Gather
Typical requirements include a government-issued photo ID, proof of residency such as a utility bill or lease, your training completion certificate, and passport-style photographs. Many jurisdictions ask for personal references or the names of other adults in your household. The form itself will ask for residential history, employment history, and any criminal, psychiatric, or substance-abuse history. Fill it out completely and honestly. False statements or omissions on a firearms application can result in denial and criminal charges.
Fingerprints
Nearly every state that issues carry permits requires fingerprints as part of the background check. Most agencies use digital “Live Scan” systems, which capture prints electronically and transmit them directly to the background check database. Digital submission is faster and produces fewer rejections than ink cards. Your issuing agency will tell you where to get printed, and many bundle fingerprinting into the in-person application appointment.
Fees
Initial permit application fees range from under $50 in some states to over $400 in others. Most states fall between $40 and $200. Fees are almost always non-refundable, so you don’t get your money back if you’re denied. Some states charge a separate fingerprint processing fee on top of the base application fee. Accepted payment methods vary but commonly include checks, money orders, and credit cards.
The Background Check and How Long It Takes
After you submit, the issuing authority runs a background check. Purchases from licensed dealers go through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), maintained by the FBI, which searches criminal history records, mental health adjudications, and related databases.4Federal Bureau of Investigation. National Instant Criminal Background Check System For a carry permit, many states run an additional state-level investigation on top of NICS, which is why permit processing takes longer than a point-of-sale check.
Expect a carry permit application to take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Some states set statutory deadlines for issuing or denying a permit once the application is complete. Others don’t. Processing tends to stretch during high-volume periods. You can usually check status through the issuing authority’s website or by phone.
If Your Application Is Denied
You have the right to know why you were denied and to challenge it. For a NICS-based denial, you can request the reason in writing from the FBI, and the FBI will provide the general reason within five business days of receiving your request.5Federal Bureau of Investigation. NICS Guide for Appealing Because of the Privacy Act, they will not give reasons over the phone.
If the denial rests on incorrect records, you can file a formal appeal with the FBI’s NICS Section. Submitting rolled fingerprints can help challenge a misidentification, which happens more often than people realize with common names.5Federal Bureau of Investigation. NICS Guide for Appealing Many states run their own separate appeal process for permit denials, sometimes involving an administrative hearing or judicial review.
Where Your License Does Not Work
A carry license doesn’t let you take a firearm everywhere. Under 18 U.S.C. § 930, knowingly possessing a firearm in a federal building where federal employees regularly work is illegal, with penalties up to one year in prison. A federal courthouse carries up to two years. If the firearm was intended for use in a crime, the penalty rises to five years.6Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 930 – Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities
The Gun-Free School Zones Act makes it illegal to possess a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. One important exception: if you hold a carry license issued by the state where the school zone is located, and that state required law enforcement to verify your qualifications before issuing the license, you are exempt.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts An out-of-state permit typically will not protect you in another state’s school zones, even under a reciprocity agreement. Most states also maintain their own prohibited-location lists covering bars, government buildings, polling places, and houses of worship.
There is no federal law requiring states to recognize each other’s carry permits. Reciprocity runs through a patchwork of state-to-state agreements. Some states honor every state’s permit. Some honor only permits from states with comparable standards. Others recognize none. Before traveling with a firearm, check the reciprocity between your home state and every state you’ll pass through, not just the destination. Carrying in a state that doesn’t recognize your permit is typically a criminal offense, and lack of knowledge is not a defense. Reciprocity agreements change, so check the issuing authority’s current list each time you travel.
Renewals and Staying Current
Carry permits are not permanent. Most states issue permits valid for four to seven years, with five years the most common. Your issuing authority will usually send a renewal notice as the expiration approaches, but renewing on time is your responsibility. Letting a permit lapse past the grace period generally means starting over with new fingerprints, updated training, and full fees.
Renewal requirements vary. Some states require only a new application and fee. Others require refresher training or another live-fire qualification. Renewal fees are usually lower than initial fees, commonly $20 to $100. You are also generally required to notify the issuing authority of a change of address, a name change, or any event that could affect your eligibility, such as an arrest or a restraining order. Failing to report an address change is a common source of trouble at renewal time and during traffic stops.