If there is one amendment outside of the freedom of speech that Americans protect with all their might, it’s the Second Amendment. The right to bear arms is one of the most beloved principles in America today, as is the right to self-defense. The challenge for most Americans is that the right to self-defense varies, in some cases, considerably state by state.
Alabama

Alabama allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit.
Alaska

Alaska allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Arizona

Arizona allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Arkansas

Arkansas allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Florida

Florida prohibits the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Georgia

Georgia allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Idaho

Idaho allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Indiana

Indiana requires a permit for the open carry of handguns but allows the open carry of long guns. A permitless concealed carry law makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Iowa

Iowa allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Kansas

Kansas allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Kentucky

Kentucky allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Louisiana

Louisiana allows the open carry of handguns and long guns. It has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal for residents with military service only to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Michigan

Michigan allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a concealed carry law that makes it illegal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Mississippi

Mississippi allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Missouri

Missouri allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Montana

Montana allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Nevada

Nevada allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a concealed carry law that makes it illegal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
New Hampshire

New Hampshire allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
North Carolina

North Carolina allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a concealed carry law that makes it illegal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
North Dakota

North Dakota allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Ohio

Ohio allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Oklahoma

Oklahoma allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a concealed carry law that makes it illegal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
South Carolina

South Carolina requires a permit for the open carry of handguns but allows the open carry of long guns. It has a concealed carry law that makes it illegal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
South Dakota

South Dakota allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Tennessee

Tennessee allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state does not require people to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Texas

Texas allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Utah

Utah allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
West Virginia

West Virginia allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
Wyoming

Wyoming allows the open carry of handguns and long guns and has a permitless concealed carry law that makes it legal to carry a weapon in public places without a permit. The state gives people no obligation to retreat from dangerous confrontations in public.
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