May Issue

May issue means that applicants must pass basic requirements and the issuing authority (county sheriff, police department, etc.) is allowed to use their own discretion in either issuing or denying a permit. Some may-issue states require an applicant to show “good cause” for obtaining a permit, while others require the applicant to show he or she is of suitable character and may require character references in order to authorize a permit. Other states require a mental health records check. There are currently nine may-issue states.

• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island (for permits issued by the Attorney General’s Office)