February 6, 2013	2013-R-0048
STATE COMPARISON OF GUN PERMIT FEES
By: Michael Csere, Legislative Fellow

You asked how Connecticut compares to other states regarding gun permit fees. This report has been updated by OLR Report 2017-R-0066.

summary

Statutory gun permit requirements and associated fees vary greatly by state and often within each state. To obtain a permit to carry handguns in Connecticut, applicants must pay (1) an initial $140 fee and (2) for a background check, fingerprinting, and photos. The permit is valid for five years and the renewal fee is $70. A handgun eligibility certificate, which allows an individual only to acquire a handgun in Connecticut, requires a $35 fee and is valid for five years. Many elements contribute to the total cost of obtaining a gun permit, so it is difficult to make a complete comparison. In general, Connecticut’s gun permit fees appear to be higher than most other states’.

In Table 1 we have listed the permits required to purchase, possess, or carry guns as well as the associated fees in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, we have included data on the duration and expiration of each permit, the renewal fee, and other relevant information that could affect the fee amount. When known, we have included additional fees, including those for fingerprinting and criminal history checks. We note where such fees are in addition to, or included with, the standard application fee. The chart also includes the relevant statutory citations and links to official state websites providing fee information. We have not included all existing fee reductions (i.e., many states offer reduced fees to seniors as well as current and retired law enforcement officials). Nor have we listed the handful of states that limit the number of firearms that may be purchased or carried with each permit.

The following list provides a description of the information contained in each column in the chart:

1. State and Link to State Website: This includes the name of the state, district, or city, if applicable. New York City has its own row because its permit scheme differs from the rest of the state. It also provides a link to the state’s official website that displays information on gun permit fees.

2. Permit Type: This column designates the type of permit, including permits to purchase, permits to carry, or required safety certificates that effectively act as permits.

3. Fee: This lists the fee required to obtain a permit.

4. Required?: This designates whether the permit is required to purchase or carry a firearm. (Some states offer an optional permit to carry to allow citizens to satisfy recipricocity agreements and carry guns in other states.)

5. Expiration and Renewal: Notes how long the initial permit is valid and if the renewal fee differs from the initial permit fee.

6. Notes and Additional Fees: Provides additional information that may further the reader’s understanding.

7. Citations: Provides citations to the relevant state statute or regulation.

Table 1: State Gun Permit Fees

State and Link to State Website	Permit Type	Fee	Required?	Expiration and Renewal	Notes and Additional Fees	Citations
Alabama	License to carry concealed handgun	Varies by county, generally $10-$30	Yes	1 year		Ala. Code § 13A-11-75
Alaska	Concealed handgun permit	No more than $99 (currently set at $40 by regulation)	No	5 years, renewal fee of no more than $30 (currently set at $25)	Applicant must also pay for fingerprinting	Alaska Stat. § 18.65.720; Alaska Admin. Code tit. 13, § 30.040
Arizona	Concealed weapons permit (handguns)	$60	No	5 years, $43 renewal fee		Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-3102 and -3112; Ariz. Admin. Code § R13-9-102
Arkansas	Concealed handgun  carry license	$141.50	Yes	5 years, $35 renewal fee	Fee breakdown: $100 application fee, $25 state background check, $16.50 FBI background check. Applicant must also pay for fingerprinting.	Ark. Code §§ 5-73-302, -311, -313
California	Handgun safety certificate (required before purchase)	$25	Yes	5 years	$25 fee allows applicant to take test twice. Additional fees required for background checks.	Cal. Penal Code §§ 26840, 27540, 31615, 31650
	License to carry concealed weapons (handguns)	$44 state fee (plus local authority fee of up to $100, fingerprinting, and background check fees. Typical total fee: $200 or more)	Yes	2 years, $44 renewal fee (not including local authority fees)	$44 state fee is for a 2-year resident license. California has other types of concealed carry permits, including 90 day employment ($22), 3-year judicial ($66), and 4-year reserve peace officer ($88).  Local authority may also require psychological testing (up to $150).	Cal. Penal Code § 26190; Cal. Code Regs. tit. 11, § 4006
Colorado	Concealed handgun permit	$52.50 (plus local authority fee of up to $100)	Yes	5 years, renewal fee varies ($13 or $52.50, depending on whether fingerprints already submitted, plus local authority fee of up to $50)	$52.50 fee includes fingerprints and background check.	Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-12-203, -205, -211, -214
Connecticut	Handgun eligibility certificate (required for purchase)	$35	Yes	5 years, $35 renewal fee	Applicant also responsible for a $66.50 fingerprint fee. In lieu of handgun eligibility certificate, CT resident may purchase a handgun with a valid permit to carry or sell a handgun.	CGS § 29-36f to -36h
	Permit to carry pistols or revolvers	$140	Yes	5 years, $70 renewal fee	$140 fee includes $70 for temporary local permit and $70 for 5-year state permit. Applicant must also pay for fingerprints, photos, and background check.	CGS §§ 29-30
Delaware	License to carry a concealed deadly weapon (handgun)	$65	Yes	3 years for initial permit, renewals are valid for 5 years. $65 renewal fee.	Applicant also responsible for fingerprint fee	Del. Code tit. 11, § 1441
District of Columbia	Firearms registration (required for purchase of firearm)	$48	Yes	3 years	District prohibits open or concealed carrying of firearms. $48 fee includes fingerprints and background check. There may also be a $125 fee to transfer a handgun purchased outside the district.	D.C. Code §§ 7-2502.01 to -2502.07a
Florida	Concealed firearm license (handguns)	$112	Yes	7 years. $60 renewal fee.	Includes fingerprint fee. Open carrying generally prohibited in Florida (Fla. Sta. § 790.053).	Fla. Stat. § 790.06
Georgia	Weapons carry license (handguns)	Varies by county, $75 average fee	Yes	5 years	Fee includes application and fingerprints	Ga. Code § 16-11-129
Hawaii	Permit to acquire (handguns and long guns)	$16.50	Yes	Handguns: Expires after 10 days. Long guns: Expires after one year. No renewal fee.	Fee only charged when individuals apply for their first permit; covers FBI fingerprint check.	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-2
	License to carry (handguns)	$10	Yes	One year, $10 renewal fee	May carry  only in county where permit issued	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-9
Idaho	Concealed weapons permit (handguns)	$20	Yes	5 years, $15 renewal fee	County sheriff may charge additional fees to cover fingerprinting and materials to produce license	Idaho Code § 18-3302
Illinois	Firearm owners' identification card  (required for purchase or possession of firearms)	$10	Yes	10 years	In Illinois, carrying of firearms in public is generally prohibited	IL ST CH 430 §§ 65/5 and 65/7
Indiana	Permit to carry (handguns) (4 year personal protection)	$40	Yes	4 years	Includes state and local fees. Indiana also offers reduced-fee permits for hunting and target practice purposes only.	Ind. Code § 35-47-2-4
	Permit to carry (handguns) (lifetime personal protection)	$125 (with no current license) $100 (with a currently valid license)	Yes	Lifetime	Includes state and local fees	Ind. Code § 35-47-2-4
Iowa	Permit to acquire handguns	Varies by county (generally $5-$11)	Yes	1 year, renewable each year		Iowa Code §§ 724.17 to 724.18, 724.20
	Permit to carry handguns	$50	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $25	Some county sheriffs may charge additional $5 for card production	Iowa Code § 724.7; Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-91.4(724)
Kansas	Permit to carry concealed handguns	$132.50	Yes	4 years, renewal fee $25	$132.50 fee breakdown: $100 to state attorney general, $32.50 to county sheriff	Kan. Stat. §§ 75-7c03, -7c05, -7c08
Kentucky	Permit to carry concealed handguns	$60	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $60	$60 fee breakdown: $40 to state police, $20 to county sheriff	Ky. Rev. Stat. § 237.110
Louisiana	Permit to carry concealed handguns	$125	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $125	People age 65 and older pay half ($62.50). First-time applicants who have not lived in Louisiana during previous 15 years pay additional $50 fee. Individuals may request shorter-duration permit for proportionally reduced fee.	La. Rev. Stat. § 40:1379.3(H)(2)
Maine	Permit to carry concealed handguns	$35	Yes	4 years, renewal fee $20	Fee for nonresidents is $60 (original and renewal application)	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 25, § 2003
Maryland	Permit to carry firearms	$75	Yes	Initial permit expires on last day of holder's birth month following 2 years after date permit was issued. $50 renewal fee for 3 year period.	Fingerprint charges not included in original or renewal fees	Md. Code, Public Safety, §§ 5-304, -309
Massachusetts	Class A license to carry (purchase, possession, and carrying of large capacity guns)	$100	Yes	6 years	Class A license is only license in Massachusetts that allows concealed carrying of handguns.	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 131
	Class B license to carry (purchase, possession, and carrying of non-large capacity guns)	$100	Yes	6 years		Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 131
	Firearms identification card (purchase, possession, and carrying of non-large capacity rifles and shotguns only	$100 (age 18+), $25 (minors)	Yes	6 years		Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 129B
Michigan	License to purchase handguns	No state fee, but applicant may be charged notary fee and $1 by sheriff providing copy of information	Yes	Valid for 30 days	Not required if purchaser already has valid Michigan concealed pistol license	Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.422
	Concealed pistol license	$105	Yes	Valid until applicant's birthday that falls between 4 and 5 years after license issued. Validity and cost of renewal is same as original.	Fee breakdown: $46 to county, $59 to state. Fingerprinting and background check included in fee. If applicant chooses to be fingerprinted at local police agency rather than county sheriff, local police may charge up to $15.	Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 28.425b and 28.425l
Minnesota	Permit to purchase or transfer handguns or assault weapons	No fee	No	One year, no fee for renewal	Permit to carry also constitutes a permit to purchase or transfer. If no purchase permit, applicant can apply to purchase directly with dealer, and dealer may charge background check fee.	Minn. Stat. § 624.7131
	Permit to carry a handgun	Varies by county, not to exceed $100	Yes	5 years, renewal fee not to exceed $75		Minn. Stat.  § 624.714
Mississippi	License to carry concealed handguns	$100	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $50	Fees do not include $32 cost of required fingerprint processing	Miss. Code. § 45-9-101
Missouri	Permit to carry concealed firearms	Varies by county, but no more than $100	Yes	3 years, renewal fee not to exceed $50		Mo. Stat. § 571.101
Montana	Permit to carry concealed weapons	$50	Yes	4 years, renewal fee $25	Permit not required for a person outside the official boundaries of a city or town. County sheriff may charge applicant additional $5 for fingerprinting.	Mont. Code §§ 45-8-317 and -322
Nebraska	Handgun certificate (required to purchase or transfer)	$5	Yes	3 years	Certificate not required if applicant has valid carry permit	Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 69-2404 and -2407
	Permit to carry a concealed handgun	$100	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $50		Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2436
Nevada	Permit to carry concealed firearms	Up to $60	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $25		Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 202.366, 202.3657, 202.3677
New Hampshire	Permit to carry concealed handguns	$10 (NH residents); $100 (non-residents)	Yes	4 years	NH resident fees go to local law enforcement, non-resident fees go to state	N.H. Rev. Stat. § 159:6
New Jersey	Firearms purchaser identification card (required to purchase, possess, and carry long guns)	$5	Yes	Indefinite	Does not include $60.25 fingerprint fee required for initial application for ID card	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-3; N.J. Admin. Code §§ 13:54-1.4 and -1.9
	Permit to purchase a handgun	$2	Yes	90 days, may be renewed for an additional 90 days for good cause.	Does not include $60.25 fingerprint fee required for initial permit application	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-3; N.J. Admin. Code §§ 13:54-1.4 and -1.9
	Permit to possess and carry a handgun	$20	Yes	2 years, $20 renewal fee for subsequent 2-year periods	Does not include $60.25 fingerprint fee required for initial permit application and each subsequent renewal	N.J. Stat. § 2C:58-4
New Mexico	Concealed handgun license	$100	Yes	4 years, renewal fee $75		N.M. Stat. §§ 29-19-3, -5 to -6
New York	License to purchase, possess, and carry	Generally, not to exceed $10 for application processing.	Yes	Handgun owners must “recertify” every 5 years, no cost for recertification.	Average total fee is $100-$130, including fingerprinting, background check, and photograph. $3 fee ($5) in Suffolk county) is charged for each firearm added to or deleted from license	N.Y. Penal Law § 400.00; New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013 (S. 2230)
New York City	License to purchase, possess, and carry	$340 (handguns), $140 (rifles and shotguns)	Yes	3 years	Does not include fingerprint fee ($91.50)	Title 38 RCNY Rev. Nov. 2010
North Carolina	Handgun purchase permit	$5	Yes	5 years		N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-403 to -404
	Concealed handgun permit	$80	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $75	Does not include fingerprint fee of up to $10 (to local sheriff's office). $45 of initial fee and $40 of renewal go to state, remainder to county sheriff	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-415.11, -415.16, -415.19
North Dakota	Concealed weapon license (handguns)	$45	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $45	Fingerprints required in initial license application, not for renewal. Separate fee to obtain fingerprints may be required.	N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-04-03
Ohio	License to carry a concealed handgun	$67	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $50	Applicants who have been residents of Ohio for less than 5 years must also pay for cost of FBI background check.	Ohio Rev. Code § 2923.125
Oklahoma	Self Defense Act license (to carry concealed handguns)	$100 (5 years) or $200 (10 years)	Yes	5 or 10 years. Renewal fee: $85 (5 years) or $170 (10 years)	Additional $25 fee to local sheriff for fingerprints and local criminal history check	Okla. Stat. tit. 21, §§ 1290.5 and 1290.12
Oregon	License to carry a concealed handgun	$65	Yes	4 years, renewal fee $50	Initial fee breakdown: $50 to local sheriff, $15 to state police for background check. Renewal: $50 to local sheriff.	Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 166.291 to  166.292, 166.295
Pennsylvania	License to carry firearms (concealed handguns)	$20	Yes	5 years		18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6109;
Rhode Island	License to carry a concealable weapon (handguns)	$40	Yes	4 years		R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-12
South Carolina	Concealed weapons permit (handguns)	$50	Yes	4 years, renewal fee $50		S.C. Code § 23-31-215
South Dakota	Permit to carry a concealed pistol	$10	Yes	4 years	Fee breakdown: $7 to state, $3 to county	S.D. Codified Laws § 23-7-8.2
Tennessee	Handgun carry permit	$115	Yes	4 years, renewal fee $50	Sheriff may charge up to $5 to take fingerprints	Tenn. Code § 39-17-1351
Texas	Concealed handgun  license	$140	Yes	First birthday after 4th anniversary of issuance of license. Renewal fee $70 for 5 years.		Tex. Gov't Code § 411.183; 37 Tex. Admin. Code § 6.15
Utah	Concealed firearm permit (handguns)	$46 (Utah residents); $51 (non-residents)	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $15	Fee breakdown: $29.50 to state, $16.50 for FBI fingerprint processing. Additional fee for photo.	Utah Code §§ 53-5-704 and -707
Vermont	Does not issue permits
Virginia	Concealed handgun permit	Not to exceed $50 ($100 for non-residents)	Yes	5 years, renewal fee same as initial application fee		Va. Code § 18.2-308
Washington	Concealed pistol license	$52.50	Yes	5 years, renewal fee $32	Initial fee breakdown: $36 to state and local authorities, $16.50 for FBI processing	Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.070
West Virginia	License to carry a concealed deadly weapon (handguns)	$100	Yes	5 years, renewal fee same as initial application fee	$75 due to county sheriff with application. Additional $25 due to state police when license issued.	W. Va. Code § 61-7-4
Wisconsin	Carrying concealed weapon license	$50	Yes	5 years, renewal fee not to exceed $25	Initial fee breakdown: $37 license fee, $13 criminal background check	Wis. Stat. § 175.60
Wyoming	Concealed handgun permit	$74	No	5 years, renewal fee $50	Initial fee breakdown: $50 application fee, $24 FBI fingerprint processing fee	Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-104

MC:mp