Permitless Carry is Legal in Half the US. Is Your State Included?
Travis Olander 01.05.24
Just a decade ago, virtually every state in the country required that one obtain a concealed carry permit (CCL) to carry a concealed firearm in public. But since 2013, permitless carry (also called Constitutional carry) has become the norm across the U.S. with, as of January 2024, 28 states now allowing the practice, leaving just 22 states that still require concealed carry permits. In the coming years, thanks to landmark court cases, like New york v. Bruen, setting gun-friendly precedents, that latter number is likely to dwindle. But before you go strapping your favorite handgun to your belt with an IWB holster, it’s a good idea to make sure you live in one of the states that has passed Constitutional carry laws. Let’s review.
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What is Permitless Carry, exactly?
The concept of permitless carry represents exactly what the name implies: No particular concealed carry license is needed to carry a concealed firearm on your person in public. Importantly, though, that doesn’t mean you have a blanket right to always carry a gun everywhere, no matter what.
Even If It’s Legal, Check Your Local Laws
Permitless carry states still require that you be an adult who can lawfully own a firearm. And you’ll still need to carry and present ID to law enforcement in accordance with your state’s laws — this is particularly likely to occur if you’re ever stopped or pulled over while carrying. Every state has laws on the books that spell out when and where you can’t carry a firearm. These places usually include government buildings, airports and, often, schools and bars. Always check your state’s laws to make sure you’re carrying legally, in all places, at all times.
Lastly, we’re not lawyers and this isn’t legal advice. State laws change constantly, and it wouldn’t be unheard of for any state to rescind any recent or even longstanding, existent permitless carry laws in favor of restrictive legislation. With all that out of the way, let’s look at the states that, as of early 2024, allow permitless carry.
Permitless Carry States As of Early 2024
1. Alabama
On January 1, 2023, Alabama’s HB 272 went into effect, allowing lawful gun owner age 19 or older to carry a ceoncealed handgun without a permit.
2. Alaska
Alaska’s a pioneer for Constutional carry, have allowed it since 2003: Any lawful gun owner age 21 or older can carry concealed with no CCL, per Statute 11.61.220.
3. Arizona
Arizona legalized permitless carry on July 29, 2010. The law applies to any lawful gun owner age 21 or over. However, you can’t carry inside any establishment that serves alcohol, or where alcohol is consumed, without a concealed carry permit (Arizona Statute 13-3102).
4. Arkansas
On August 16, 2013, Arkansas’ legislator legalized permitless carry. But in between 2013 and 2018, local authorities were at odds with the law, and warned they would arrest residents who carried without a permit. In 2018, an Arkansas court overruled authorities and affirmed the Constitutional right to carry in the state without a permit.
Legislation was also later passed HR 1013, affirming the rights of Arkansas residents age 21 or older — and any currently serving or honorably discharged U.S. military service members age 18 or older — to carry concealed firearms without a permit.
5. Florida
Just last year, on July 1 2023, Florida passed HB 543, legalized permitless carry for lawful gun owners ages 21 or older.
6. Georgia
Georgia legalized permitless carry on April 22, 2022 for residents age 21 or older, and active military and honorably discharged veterans ages 18 to 20, with the passage of SB 319.
7. Indiana
Indiana jointed the permitless carry club on July 1, 2022 with the passing of legislation allowing any person age 18 or older to carry a concealed firearm with no permit (Indiana Code 35-47-2-3).
8. Idaho
Idaho first introduced permitless carry legislation on July 1, 2016. But it wouldn’t be until July 1, 2020 that laws were ratified allowing any resident age 18 or older to carry concealed without a permit (Idaho Statute 18-3302).
9. Iowa
Iowa passed HF 756, which legalized permitless carry for residents age 21 or older on July 1, 2021.
10. Kansas
Kansas legalized permitless carry on July 1, 2015, allowing any person age 21 or older, and any active duty military personnel age 18 or older, to carry (Kansas Statute 21-6302).
11. Kentucky
Effective June 27, 2019, all Kentucky residents age 21 or older can carry a firearm concealed without a permit (Kentucky Statute 237.109).
12. Louisiana
Louisiana remains a relatively restrictive state. Although it legalized permitless carry for certain residents on August 1, 2022, the law only applies to military veterans and active duty military members.
Louisiana later introduced a bill to allow full permitless carry; that bill failed to pass on June 6, 2023. The former carry law above concerning military members remains in effect.
13. Maine
Maine legalized permitless carry for residents age 21 and older, and active military and honorably discharged veterans age 18 or older, on October 12, 2015 (Main Statute 252, 2001-A).
14. Mississippi
Mississippi legalized permitless carry for all residents age 18 or older on July 1, 2015 (Mississippi Statutes 97-37-1 and 45-9-101).
15. Missouri
Missouri legalized permitless carry for residents age 19 or older, and military personnale age 18 or older, on January 1, 2017 (Missouri Statute Title XXVII 571.030).
16. Montana
Although Montana began legalizing permitless carry in 1991, it wasn’t until February 18, 2021, that the state legislature fully the practice for residents age 18 or older. (Montana Statute 45-8-316).
17. Nebraska
Nebraska legalized permitless carry for residents age 21 or older on September 2, 2023. Active military members age 18 or older can carry without a permit, too (Nebrasks Statutes 28-1202.01 and 69-2445).
18. New Hampshire
New Hampshire legalized permitless carry for all residents age 18 or older on February 22, 2017 (New Hampshire Statute Title XII 159:6).
19. North Dakota
On August 1, 2017, North Dakota legalized permitless carry for residents, and further expanded its law to include any person age 18 or older on August 1, 2023 (North Dakota Statutes 62.1-03-01, 62.1-04-02, and 62.1-04-04).
20. Ohio
Ohio legalized permitless carry on June 13, 2022 for all residents age 21 or older and active military personnel age 18 or older, if they have completed firearms training (Ohio Statute 2923.111).
21. Oklahoma
Permitless carry was legalized November 1, 2019 for residents age 21 or older and active military personnel and veterans age 18 or older. Oddly, though, Oklahoma limits the maximum caliber anyone can carry to .45 (Oklahoma Statutes Title 21, Ch. 53 O.S., 1272).
22. South Dakota
South Dakota legalized permitless carry for residents age 18 or older on July 1, 2018 (South Dakota Statute 23-7-7).
23. Tennessee
Tennessee legalized permitless carry for residents age 18 or older on July 1, 2021. But the state carves out plenty of exceptions wherein concealed carry is prohibited, including in all parks (Tennessee Statute 38-17-1307).
24. Texas
Texas legalized permitless carry on September 1, 2021, allowing anyone age 21 or older to carry. But there are exceptions wherein only those who still maintain a concealed carry permit can carry in certain areas; those without a permit may be prohibited from carrying those same areas (Texas Penal Code 46.02).
25. Utah
Utah legalized permitless carry on May 5, 2021. The law applies to all residents age 21 or older (Utah Statute 76-10-523).
26. Vermont
Vermont is an interesting case. Permitless carry was technically legal in the state when Vermont was added to the Union on March 4, 1791. The state merely adopted the literal text of the Second Amendment, with state legislators agreeing then and to this day the U.S Constitution allows for permitless carry (Vermont Statute 13 V.S.A 4003).
27. West Virginia
West Virginia legalized permitless carry on May 26, 2016 for all residents age 21 or older and military personnel age 18 or older — though military personnel must have a military Id on their person to carry (West Virginia Statutes 61-7-7 and 61-7-6).
28. Wyoming
Wyoming first legalized permitless carry for residents on July 1, 2011, and later expanded those rights to all people age 21 years or older (Wyoming Statute 6-8-104).
Are You Part of The Club?
If you live in a permitless carry state, maybe you’re now considering gearing up. Check out our top picks for the best gun belts of 2023, and the best holsters for first-timers.
