US Concealed Carry Laws by State
What States allow the concealed carry of a firearm?
**Disclaimer. This information is not legal advice. It is your responsibility to know the laws where you will be carrying a firearm. Laws often change and I do not guarantee that this information is accurate at the time you read it, although I will make every effort to keep this page up to date.
Almost all the states allow some form of concealed carry. Some states require permits and some do not. Many states have recently passed Constitutional Carry Laws that generally allow “permitless” carry for adults who can legally possess a firearm. The details can vary from state to state so be sure you know the rules in the state you will be carrying!
Open Carry
Some states also allow the carry of a firearm in the open. This is known as “Open Carry”. There are typically more restrictions to this type of carry. See my article “Which States Have Open Carry Laws”.
It is important to know the laws in your state if you plan to open carry a firearm. The laws vary greatly by state. Some states require a permit to open carry and other states do not. There are also states that do not allow open carry at all.
What is Concealed Carry?
Concealed Carry is to carry a firearm that cannot be seen by the public. This typically means a handgun that is carried in a waistband holster under a jacket, loose fitting shirt or other garment that covers it. Concealed Carry can also refer to a gun in an ankle holster, pocket, purse, fanny pack, etc.
Most states currently require a permit to Concealed Carry, although more and more states are passing laws to make it legal to concealed carry or open carry without a permit (Constitutional Carry) as long as you meet certain requirements. These requirements are usually a minimum age and you must not be convicted felon or have psychological or mental issues.
See: Which States have Constitutional Carry?
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Are There Restrictions On Concealed Carry?
Yes. In this article I am going to tell you which states allow concealed carry and what requirements must be met. Please be aware that concealed carry ALWAYS comes with restrictions. A lot of states that allow concealed carry do not allow concealed carry inside a school or on school property, in bars or other establishments that sell alcohol or at certain other specified locations.
Generally, most states allow concealed or open carry on your own property or place of business without any issues, although there are some states that severely restrict what kind of gun you can own and how many rounds it can hold in the magazine. (I am looking at you, CA, NJ and NY)
Where applicable, I will note some of the more common restrictions on open carry for each state. It is also important to note that if you are a prohibited person (which means you may be a felon) or are prohibited from possessing a firearm you cannot concealed carry. This is simply because you’re not allowed to possess a firearm, period.
Federal Concealed Carry Restrictions
Here is a short list of places that you CANNOT Carry, even if you have a concealed Carry Permit:
- Airport Secure Areas
- Post Office Property
- Federal Facilities
- Military Bases
- Veterans Affairs Property
- Within 1000 feet of a Public, Parochial or Private K-12 School
Here are the states that allow concealed carry (most require a permit), with any applicable notes you need to know. Gun laws are constantly changing, so please check your current laws to be sure. I will try to keep this up to date but I am not guaranteeing accuracy. It is ultimately up to you to know the laws where you will be carrying your firearm.
Concealed Carry States List
I am listing all the states and their CCW (Carrying a Concealed Weapon) status. However, this is not a complete list of rules and/or restrictions. Please check a resource such as USCCA (United States Concealed Carry Association) or handgunlaw.us for current and detailed information.
Most states have standard restrictions in places such as courthouses, police stations, Psychiatric/mental hospitals, prisons, correctional facilities, etc.
In addition, NO state allows a prohibited person (felon, mentally deficient, etc) to concealed carry, open carry or even possess a firearm.
| State | CCW | Need a Permit? | Shall Issue | Additional Restrictions* and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | YES | ✔ | Beginning on January 1, 2023, anyone who is 21 years old or older and legally permitted to carry a firearm will no longer be required to obtain a permit in order to carry a concealed pistol. See Alabama Constitutional Carry. Also See Alabama Concealed Carry Reciprocity. |
| Alaska | Yes | NO | ✔ | Anywhere alcohol is sold for consumption (excluding restaurants if you don’t drink) |
| Arizona | Yes | NO | ✔ | Tribal Lands |
| Arkansas | Yes | NO | ✔ | Any church or place of worship. See handgunlaw.us/arkansas for details. |
| California | Yes | YES | California is NOT a gun friendly state. Do yourself a favor and leave at once. | |
| Colorado | Yes | YES | ✔ | Be careful here. Magazines with more than a 15 round capacity are not legal to sell, transfer or possess. There are exceptions. |
| Connecticut | Yes | YES | Not a gun-friendly state. Magazines over 10 rounds are prohibited. | |
| Delaware | Yes | YES | Be careful here. | |
| Florida | Yes | YES | ✔ | OPEN CARRY is prohibited, but Florida does allow Concealed carry with a permit and is reasonably gun-friendly. See Concealed Carry Laws in Florida and Florida Concealed Carry Reciprocal States |
| Georgia | Yes | NO | ✔ | A permit is needed to OPEN carry a handgun in Georgia. Georgia now has Constitutional Carry See Georgia Concealed Carry Reciprocity. |
| Hawaii | Yes | YES | You need a permit to open carry in Hawaii and it is only good in the county that issued it. It is doubtful that ANY Concealed Carry permits have been issued in Hawaii. Magazines over 10 rounds are prohibited. | |
| Idaho | Yes | NO | ✔ | Constitutional Carry became legal March 25, 2020. |
| Illinois | Yes | YES | ✔ | Not a gun-friendly state. Even with a permit, there are MANY, MANY restrictions. See Illinois Concealed Carry Reciprocity |
| Indiana | Yes | NO | ✔ | Constitutional Carry became legal July 1, 2022 |
| Iowa | Yes | NO | ✔ | Constitutional Carry became legal July 1, 2021 |
| Kansas | Yes | NO | ✔ | No permit required statewide to Open Carry in Kansas as of July 1, 2014 |
| Kentucky | Yes | NO | ✔ | No permit required statewide. |
| Louisiana | Yes | NO | ✔ | No permit required. |
| Maine | Yes | NO | ✔ | You DO need a permit to Carry in State Parks and Employee Vehicles on work premises. See Maine Constitutional Carry Laws and Maine Concealed Carry Reciprocity. |
| Maryland | Yes | YES | Not a gun-friendly state. Magazines over 10 rounds are prohibited. Recent Court Ruling has made it easier to get a Concealed Carry Permit in Maryland. | |
| Massa- chusetts | Yes | YES | Not a gun-friendly state. Magazines over 10 rounds are prohibited. | |
| Michigan | Yes | YES | ✔ | See https://handgunlaw.us/states/michigan.pdf |
| Minnesota | Yes | YES | ✔ | In Minnesota you are required to render aid to a shooting victim. |
| Mississippi | Yes | NO | ✔ | An Enhanced Endorsement is available which allows concealed carry in many otherwise restricted areas. |
| Missouri | Yes | NO | ✔ | A concealed carry permit is required to OPEN carry in Missouri. |
| Montana | Yes | NO | ✔ | No permit is needed to concealed carry in Montana |
| Nebraska | Yes | YES | ✔ | Alcohol consumption is specifically prohibited while carrying. |
| Nevada | Yes | YES | ✔ | Nevada is constantly changing its reciprocity agreements with other states. Be careful if traveling to Nevada with an out-of-state Permit. |
| New Hampshire | Yes | NO | ✔ | A permit is not required to concealed carry in New Hampshire. |
| New Jersey | Yes | YES | New Jersey is an extremely gun unfriendly state. Cities and towns can pass their own ordinances. Magazines over 10 rounds are prohibited. also, hollow point rounds are prohibited. | |
| New Mexico | Yes | YES | ✔ | Concealed Carry permit is good for only 1 concealed weapon at a time. Permit is not valid on Tribal land. |
| New York | Yes | YES | New York is an extremely gun unfriendly state. New York City is EXTREMELY unfriendly to guns. Note: On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court handed down a ruling that New York’s restrictions on Concealed Carry Permits is Unconstitutional. Stay tuned for updates and law changes. | |
| North Carolina | Yes | YES | ✔ | Alcohol consumption is specifically prohibited while carrying. |
| North Dakota | Yes | NO | ✔ | Only Residents of North Dakota can enjoy Constitutional Carry |
| Ohio | Yes | NO | ✔ | Constitutional Carry became effective June 12, 2022. See Ohio Concealed Carry Reciprocity. |
| Oklahoma | Yes | NO | ✔ | Effective 11/1/19, A permit is no longer required to Concealed Carry in Oklahoma. |
| Oregon | Yes | YES | ✔ | Oregon does not honor any other states permit. |
| Pennsyl- vania | Yes | YES | ✔ | A PA resident MUST have a PA Permit to carry concealed. See article on PA Gun Laws |
| Rhode Island | Yes | YES | It is unlawful to carry or TRANSPORT and firearm while intoxicated. | |
| South Carolina | Yes | YES | ✔ | Effective 2/11/14, a permit holder may now carry a firearm into an establishment that serves alcohol as long as they do not consume any alcohol. Also see: South Carolina Concealed Carry Reciprocity |
| South Dakota | Yes | NO | ✔ | Constitutional Carry Effective 7/1/2019. Cannot carry a loaded firearm on any Motorcycle or ATV unless on your own property. |
| Tennessee | Yes | NO | ✔ | Effective July, 1 2021, a permit is no longer needed to concealed carry or open carry in Tennessee for those 21 or older (18 if military). See Article on getting a Permit in Tennessee and Tennessee Concealed Carry Reciprocity |
| Texas | Yes | NO | ✔ | As of September 1, 2021, Texas has Constitutional Carry. Please see Texas Constitutional, Open & Concealed Carry Laws. Also See Texas Concealed Carry Reciprocity. |
| Utah | Yes | NO | ✔ | Constitutional Carry Effective 5/5/2021. See Utah Concealed Carry Reciprocity and Utah Constitutional Carry |
| Vermont | Yes | NO | ✔ | Vermont has banned magazines larger than 10 rounds for a long gun and 15 rounds for a handgun. |
| Virginia | Yes | YES | ✔ | Localities in Virginia can make their own carry restrictions so be careful here! Know the ever changing laws in the areas you are planning to go. |
| Washington | Yes | YES | ✔ | Magazine over 10 rounds are Banned Effective July 1, 2022. |
| West Virginia | Yes | NO | ✔ | There are additional restrictions in some municipalities such as Charleston or South Charleston and maybe others. |
| Wisconsin | Yes | YES | ✔ | |
| Wyoming | Yes | NO | ✔ | Constitutional Carry became legal July 1, 2021 |
| Washington D.C. | Yes | YES | ✔ | Magazines over 10 rounds are banned. Washington D.C. Has many restrictions on concealed Carry. Be careful here. See Additional Info on Washington DC gun laws here. |
*Not a complete listing of Restricted Areas-mostly interesting notes that are not common across all states.
**Shall Issue: States that require a license or permit to carry concealed, issued without bias. If this is not checked, the State is a “May Issue” State. May Issue states require a license or permit to carry concealed, but permits are issued at the discretion of local authorities, which usually means that not many are issues at all.
***Standard Restrictions include places like police stations, prisons, other corrections facilities, courthouses, psychiatric or mental disorders facilities, etc.
States Concealed Carry Laws FAQ
What States Have Constitutional Carry?
There are 25 states that have some form of Constitutional Carry, also called “Permitless Carry”. They are listed below. Please note that each state has different restrictions on Constitutional Carry such as where you cannot carry, age restrictions and other rules. Here is the current list:
**Updated 4/26/23 2 Additional States have passed Constitutional Carry into law, but will not go into effect until later this year. These states are Florida and Nebraska.
- Alabama: Law Passed, will be effective January 1, 2023. Minimum Age 21. Alabama Gun Laws.
- Alaska: Law Passed in 2003. Minimum Age 21.
- Arizona: Law Passed in 2010. Minimum Age 21.
- Arkansas: Law Passed in 2018. Minimum Age 18.
- Florida: On April 3, 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 543 into law. This makes Florida the 26th Constitutional Carry state in the U.S. This new law will go into effect on July 1, 2023.
- Georgia: Law Passed April 12, 2022. Minimum Age 21, Active Military 18. Georgia Gun Laws Info.
- Idaho: Law Passed in 2016. Minimum Age 18
- Indiana: Law Passed July 1, 2022. Minimum Age 18. See Indiana Constitutional Carry Overview
- Iowa: Law Passed in 2021. Minimum Age 21.
- Kansas: Law Passed in 2015. Minimum Age 21
- Kentucky: Law Passed in 2019. Minimum Age 21
- Maine: Law Passed in 2015. Minimum Age 21, Active Members of the Military 18. See Maine Constitutional Carry Laws.
- Mississippi: Law Passed in 2015. Minimum Age 18
- Missouri: Law Passed in 2016. Minimum Age 19, Active Members of the Military 18.
- Montana: Law Passed in 2021. Minimum Age 18.
- Nebraska: On April 25, 2023, Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed LB 77 into law. This makes Nebraska the 27th constitutional carry state in the U.S. The new law will go into effect 90 days after the legislative session ends.
- New Hampshire: Law Passed in 2017. Minimum Age 18.
- North Dakota: Permitless Carry is for Concealed Carry Only. Open carry requires a permit. Law Passed in 2017. Minimum Age 18.
- Ohio: Law Passed June 12, 2022. Minimum Age 21. See Ohio Constitutional Carry Overview.
- Oklahoma: Law Passed in 2019. Minimum Age 21,Active Members of the Military 18.
- South Dakota: Law Passed in 2019. Minimum Age 18.
- Tennessee: Law Passed in 2021. Minimum Age 21, Active Members of the Military 18.
- Texas: Law Passed July, 1 2021. Minimum Age 21. See Texas Permitless Carry Overview
- Utah: Law Passed 5/5/2021. Minimum Age 21. See Utah constitutional Carry.
- Vermont: Law Passed in 1793 (not a typo), Minimum Age 18.
- West Virginia: Law Passed in 2016. Minimum Age 21.
- Wyoming: Law Passed in 2010. Minimum Age 21.
There you have the quick and basic Concealed Carry Laws of all 50 States. Please note that EVERY state has places that you cannot carry any gun, open or concealed. These places are usually courthouses, schools, prisons, mental institutions and other places. You must know these laws to stay out of trouble. Please refer to official websites for your particular states for more detailed information.
Information sources:
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/
