Everything You Need to Know About Concealed Carry in the United States

Concealed carry is a divisive subject depending on who you talk to. However, one thing is certain, the right to bear arms is a Constitutionally held right for all American citizens. Today, we're covering concealed carry laws in every state.

No, despite what you might think. Some states make it quite difficult to even get a permit in the first place. Further, it can be at the discretion of law enforcement in your area as to whether a permit is awarded.

If you can conceal a rifle, more power to you. However, when we think about concealed carry, we often think about handguns. They're smaller and easier to stash away on your body in a holster.

That depends on the state. Open carry does present other potential issues when compared to just carrying a handgun on your person. However, some localities are fine with open carry or concealed carry of a pistol.

Typically, no, some areas are a definite skip if you're planning on carrying a firearm on you. Consider somewhere like the Post Office, which has strict regulations against the possession of a firearm on the premises.

It isn't, but that is quite alright. The United States is a diverse country, and each state has its own interpretation of how firearm ownership should be. Thankfully, it doesn't restrict the ownership of firearms to every citizen, regardless of your state of residence.

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Alabama. Since 2023, it has also been legal to carry a concealed firearm in the state without a permit. Alabama has the fourth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 26.4 deaths per 100,000 people (1,315 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Alaska. Since 2003, it has also been legal to carry a concealed firearm in the state without a permit. Alaska has the sixth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 25.2 deaths per 100,000 people (182 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Arizona. Since 2010, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Arizona has the seventeenth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 18.3 deaths per 100,000 people (1,365 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Arkansas. Since 2013, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Permitless concealed carry has been further strengthened in subsequent years as well. Arkansas has the eighth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 23.3 deaths per 100,000 people (698 deaths total).

Open carry for both handguns and long guns is prohibited in California. It is also illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. California has the eighth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 9.0 deaths per 100,000 people (3,576 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Colorado. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Colorado has the eighteenth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 17.8 deaths per 100,000 people (1,064 deaths total).

Open carry of long guns is legal in Connecticut, but a permit is required for open carry of handguns. In addition, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a license. Connecticut has the sixth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 6.7 deaths per 100,000 people (248 deaths total).

Open carry of both handguns and long guns is legal in Delaware. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Delaware has the twenty-third highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 17.8 deaths per 100,000 people (158 deaths total).

Open carry is prohibited for both handguns and long guns in Florida. However, since July 1, 2023, carrying a concealed handgun in the state has been legal without a permit. Florida has the seventeenth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people (3,142 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Georgia. Since 2022, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Georgia has the fourteenth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 20.3 deaths per 100,000 people (2,200 deaths total).

Permits are required for open carry of both handguns and long guns in Hawaii. In addition, carrying a concealed handgun in the state is illegal without a permit. Hawaii has the second lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 4.8 deaths per 100,000 people (71 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Idaho. Since 2016, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Idaho has the twenty-fifth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 16.3 deaths per 100,000 people (309 deaths total).

Open carry for both handguns and long guns is prohibited in Illinois. It is also illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Illinois has the twenty-fifth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 16.1 deaths per 100,000 people (1,995 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Indiana. Since 2022, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Indiana has the sixteenth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 18.4 deaths per 100,000 people (1,251 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Iowa. Since 2021, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Iowa has the eleventh lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people (364 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Kansas. Since 2015, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Kansas has the twenty-first highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 17.3 deaths per 100,000 people (503 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Kentucky. Since 2019, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Kentucky has the thirteenth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 21.1 deaths per 100,000 people (947 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Louisiana. However, since 2022, only residents with military service can carry a concealed handgun. Louisiana has the second highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 29.1 deaths per 100,000 people (1,314 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Maine. Since 2015, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Maine has the fourteenth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 12.6 deaths per 100,000 people (178 deaths total).

Open carry of long guns is legal in Maryland, but a permit is required for open carry of handguns. In addition, carrying a concealed handgun in the state is illegal without a permit. Maryland has the twenty-second lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 15.2 deaths per 100,000 people (915 deaths total).

A permit is required for open carry of both handguns and long guns in Massachusetts. In addition, carrying a concealed handgun in the state is illegal without a permit. Massachusetts has the lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 3.4 deaths per 100,000 people (247 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Michigan. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Michigan has the twenty-third lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 15.4 deaths per 100,000 people (1,544 deaths total).

A permit is required for open carry of both handguns and long guns in Minnesota. In addition, carrying a concealed handgun in the state is illegal without a permit. Minnesota has the ninth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 10.0 deaths per 100,000 people (573 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Mississippi. Since 2016, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Mississippi has the highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 33.9 deaths per 100,000 people (962 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Missouri. Since 2017, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Missouri has the ninth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 23.2 deaths per 100,000 people (1,414 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Montana. Since 2021, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Montana has the seventh-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 25.1 deaths per 100,000 people (280 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Nebraska. Since September 10, 2023, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Nebraska has the tenth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 10.3 deaths per 100,000 people (200 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Nevada. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Nevada has the fourth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 19.8 deaths per 100,000 people (633 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in New Hampshire. Since 2017, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. New Hampshire has the seventh lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 8.3 deaths per 100,000 people (123 deaths total).

A permit for open carry of long guns is required in New Jersey, and open carry of handguns is prohibited. In addition, it is also illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. New Jersey has the third lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 5.2 deaths per 100,000 people (475 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in New Mexico. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. New Mexico has the third highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 27.8 deaths per 100,000 people (578 deaths total).

A permit for open carry of long guns is required in New York, and open carry of handguns is prohibited. In addition, it is also illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. New York has the fourth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 5.4 deaths per 100,000 people (1,078 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in North Carolina. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. North Carolina has the twentieth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 17.3 deaths per 100,000 people (1,839 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in North Dakota. Since 2017, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. North Dakota has the twenty-second highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 16.8 deaths per 100,000 people (128 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Ohio. Since 2022, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Ohio has the twenty-fourth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 16.5 deaths per 100,000 people (1,911 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Oklahoma. Since 2019, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Oklahoma has the twelfth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 21.2 deaths per 100,000 people (836 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Oregon. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Oregon has the twenty-first lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 14.9 deaths per 100,000 people (670 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Pennsylvania. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Pennsylvania has the twentieth-lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 14.8 deaths per 100,000 people (1,905 deaths total).

Open carry of long guns is legal in Rhode Island, but a permit is required to carry handguns. In addition, carrying a concealed handgun in the state is illegal without a permit. Rhode Island has the fifth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 5.6 deaths per 100,000 people (64 deaths total).

Open carry of long guns is legal in South Carolina, but a permit is required for open carry of handguns. In addition, carrying a concealed handgun in the state is illegal without a permit. South Carolina has the eleventh highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 22.4 deaths per 100,000 people (1,136 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in South Dakota. Since 2019, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. South Dakota has the eighteenth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people (128 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Tennessee. Since 2021, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Tennessee has the tenth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 22.8 deaths per 100,000 people (1,569 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Texas. Since 2021, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Texas has the twenty-fourth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 15.6 deaths per 100,000 people (4,613 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Utah. Since 2021, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Utah has the sixteenth-lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 13.9 deaths per 100,000 people (450 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Vermont. Since 1791, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Vermont has the thirteenth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 11.9 deaths per 100,000 people (83 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Virginia. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Virginia has the nineteenth-lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people (1,248 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Washington. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Washington has the twelfth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people (896 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in West Virginia. Since 2016, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. West Virginia has the nineteenth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 17.3 deaths per 100,000 people (319 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Wisconsin. However, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Wisconsin has the fifteenth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 13.5 deaths per 100,000 people (793 deaths total).

Open carry is legal for both handguns and long guns in Wyoming. Since 2011, it has also been legal to carry a concealed handgun in the state without a permit. Wyoming has the fifth highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, with 26.1 deaths per 100,000 people (155 deaths total).