Concealed Carry Permits: A Guide to Firearm Information by State

Requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit vary by state. In general, you need to be a US citizen, be at least 21 years of age, and be a legal resident of the state where you are applying. You may need to complete a firearm safety and concealed carry course.

You should have a clean criminal record, free of felonies, misdemeanors, and mental illnesses, as a background check will be completed.

States considered Shall Issue are those that will issue a concealed carry permit to anyone who meets all of the requirements for obtaining a permit. Once requirements are met, there is no reason for states to deny a permit.

Some Shall Issue states and territories only extend permits to state residents. These include Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Guam, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and New Mexico.

Other Shall Issue states extend permits to both residents and non-residents, so long as all permit requirements are met.

These include the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

States that May Issue are those that can choose to extend a concealed carry permit to those who have met all of the requirements. These states retain the authority to make a judgment call on a case-by-case basis of awarding permits, even though you may meet all the requirements.

May Issue states that extend permits to residents only include California, Delaware, and Virgin Islands.

May Issue state that extends permits to both residents and nonresidents include Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.

Constitutional Carry, otherwise known as permitless carry or unlicensed carry, is the act of citizens carrying concealed firearms without the need to acquire a permit. In these states, there are no laws prohibiting the open carry of a firearm, so long as the carrier is legally allowed to purchase and own firearms.

Some Constitutional Carry states still issue permits for those who choose to acquire one, while others don’t issue permits at all.

Constitutional Carry states that issue permits to residents only include Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming.

Constitutional Carry states that issue permits to both residents and nonresidents include Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

In September 2021, Texas removed the requirement to have a permit when carrying a handgun, classifying itself as a Constitutional Carry state.

Vermont is the only Constitutional Carry state that does not issue any type of permit.

In Rights Denied territories, private citizens are not allowed to carry handguns in public, and they do not issue concealed carry permits. Currently, the only territories operating as a Rights Denied state are American Samoa and N. Mariana Islands.

Some Constitutional Carry states still issue permits for those who choose to acquire one, while others don’t issue permits at all.

Constitutional Carry states that issue permits to residents only include Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming.

Constitutional Carry states that issue permits to both residents and nonresidents include Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

In September 2021, Texas removed the requirement to have a permit when carrying a handgun, classifying itself as a Constitutional Carry state.

Vermont is the only Constitutional Carry state that does not issue any type of permit.

There are many instances where carrying a firearm, even if legally allowed to do so, is restricted. This can include carrying a handgun openly in a vehicle, carrying a handgun in bars and restaurants, carrying a handgun on school and college campuses, and notifying law enforcement of having a concealed carry permit.

When it comes to college campuses, some states allow concealed carry across the board, such as Alaska and Arizona. Other states, like Alabama, leave discretion to the individual campus.

When it comes to bars and restaurants, state rules vary. In some states, you can carry into both, unless a sign prohibiting firearms is posted. In some cases, firearms can be carried into restaurants, but not bars. And in some states, firearms can only be carried in restaurants if alcoholic beverages are not being consumed.

Regarding vehicle carry, some states require firearms to be stored unloaded in a secure and discreet location, such as a case in the trunk of the vehicle. Some states allow the carry of loaded firearms, either in plain view or in a factory-installed storage compartment.

Concealed carry permits are a complicated matter. Some states make it simple by offering Constitutional Carry, while others complicate the matter by requiring permits.

Because concealed carry rules can vary widely by state and by instance, it’s up to you to understand the laws of your home state and any state that you plan to visit. What might be okay in one state can get you in serious trouble in another.

Luckily, when traveling, many states will honor a concealed carry permit issued in another state. This is known as Concealed Carry Reciprocity. To view which states reciprocate towards your current permit, check out our map here.