Concealed Handgun Carry Info

The LERB Concealed Carry Unit (CCU), part of NMDPS, is responsible for the processing and issuance of concealed handgun carry licenses and renewal licenses in New Mexico.

Location & Hours of Operation

Office hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm
*Open through the lunch hour
*C losed on most holidays

Online Portal Available for Concealed Carry Applicants!

Press the button below if:

• You have met the requirements for a concealed carry license and are ready to submit.
• You need to replace your current license.
• You want to check on your status of an existing/pending application.

Please allow up to 30 days for application processing, as per 10.8.2.17 C NMAC 1978.

Looking for a NMDPS-Approved Instructor?

View our Directory of NMDPS-Approved Instructors near you
for your Concealed Carry Handgun Course Requirement

Already completed a New MExico Concealed carry course with an approved NMDPS instructor?

We would love to hear your feedback on your experience!
Please participate in our survey by clicking the button below.

RECOGNITION AND RECIPROCITY

Important Announcement

Effective June 30, 2023, the two year refresher course will no longer be offered online by DPS. Contact a DPS approved instructor to complete the training course. Submit training certificates to DPS within 30 days of receipt, as per 29-19-6 H NMSA 1978

Concealed Carry Handgun FAQs

I understand that the Department of Public Safety has thirty days to issue my license from the time I submit my application, is this true?

No. Pursuant to Subsection A of NMSA 29-19-6, the department has thirty days after receiving a completed application and completing a background investigation, to either issue a license or deny the applicant. It could take up to ninety (90) days or more to complete a background investigation.

When may I not carry a handgun?

In New Mexico, licensees can only carry one concealed handgun at any time. It is legal to carry more than one firearm. However, only one firearm may be concealed on your person at a time. This restriction does not apply to firearms carried in your vehicles, on or off your person.

You may NOT carry a handgun, openly or concealed, in:

• Schools…except in vehicle if older than 19 (30-7-2.1 NMSA 1978, fourth degree felony)
• University Premises…except in vehicle if older than 19 (30-7-2.4 NMSA 1978 petty misdemeanor)
• Preschools (29-19-8 NMSA 1978)
• Courts (29-19-11 NMSA 1978, without the consent of the presiding judge) Court means: any Federal, State, County, Municipal, or Tribal Court;
• Tribal Land (29-19-10, NMSA, unless authorized by the governing body of the tribe or pueblo)
• Public buses (30-7-13 NMSA 1978, misdemeanor)
• Airport security zones
• Federal Properties…Military Bases, Courthouse, etc. National Parks and National Wildlife Management Areas are OK if you have a NM Permit/License to Carry or a Permit/License valid in New Mexico.
• On private property where the owner has posted signs indicating that you may not carry or if the owner tells you that you cannot.

How long is my license valid?

Civilian concealed handgun licenses are valid for a period of four years from the date of issue, unless the license is suspended or revoked. There is a refresher requirement at the two year mark. Military, LEO, & RLEO are valid for a period of five years from the date of issue.

Does New Mexico honor any other State’s Concealed Carry Permits?

Agreements about honoring CCW Permits in other states can be found above under Recognition and Reciprocity Agreements section of this page. However reciprocity means permission granted for an out of state licenses issued to a person who is not a New Mexico resident to be used in the state of New Mexico by a licensee visiting or passing through the state.

Can I drink alcohol while carrying?

No. Pursuant to NMSA 1978 Section 30-7-4, no person shall carry a concealed handgun while impaired by the use of alcohol, controlled substances, or over-the-counter or prescribed medications. Additionally, 10.8.2.16 NMAC, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LICENSE reads: B. Consumption of alcohol prohibited. No person shall consume alcohol while carrying a concealed handgun.

Can an owner of private property prohibit me from carrying my concealed handgun on his premise?

Yes. Pursuant to Subsection C of NMSA 1978 Section 29-19-12, any person lawfully in possession of private property may prohibit the carrying of concealed handguns on such private property by posting notice in accordance with NMSA 1978 Section 30-14-6 or by verbally notifying persons entering upon the property.

How do I check on the status of my license?

An applicant may contact the Concealed Carry Unit Division by telephone to inquire on the status of their application. Agents may provide the information to the applicant after the applicant has supplied sufficient identifiers such as address, social security number, DOB, etc. However, if at any time there is a problem with your application, a letter will be sent to your provided mailing address detailing the situation.

Do I have to be licensed to have a concealed loaded handgun inside my vehicle?

No. New Mexico law allows a person who is not otherwise prohibited to have a concealed loaded firearm in his/her vehicle (including motorcycles and bicycles). If you are not licensed to carry concealed in this State or in a state that NM recognizes, you may not have the weapon concealed on your person when you exit your vehicle or motorcycle.

If I have my gun holstered in “plain view” on my belt will I be breaking the law?

New Mexico is an Open Carry State, meaning it is legal to carry a loaded weapon as long as it is not concealed. However, it is not legal to carry any firearm in any federal building or school. It is the responsibility of the person carrying the firearm to be informed as to when/where carrying is prohibited.

I am licensed to carry a concealed handgun. As far as licensed liquor establishments are concerned, where can I legally carry my firearm?

As of July 1, 2010, 30-7-3 NMSA a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun in New Mexico is allowed to legally carry into a licensed liquor establishment that DOES NOT sell alcohol for consumption on the premise. Further a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun in New Mexico is allowed to carry into a restaurant licensed to sell only beer and wine that derives no less than sixty percent of its annual gross receipts from the sale of food for consumption on the premises, unless the restaurant has a sign posted, in a conspicuous location at each public entrance, prohibiting the carrying of firearms, or the person is verbally instructed by the owner or manager that the carrying of a firearm is not permitted in the restaurant. Please read and ensure that you thoroughly understand above-referenced statute.

I recently moved and need to update information on my concealed carry license. What should I do?

You are required to notify the Department of this change. Please review 10.8.2.19 NMAC (Rules and Regulations) Complete the Concealed Handgun License/Replacement Card Application and submit to NM Department of Public Safety, SID/Concealed Carry Unit, 6301 Indian School Rd. NE, Suite 310, Albuquerque, NM 87110