In 2013, just four states, Alaska, Arizona, Vermont, and Wyoming, didn’t require a permit, while all other states in the USA required adults to legally obtain a license to carry guns in public. However, as of 2024, more than half of the country or the majority of states (29 out of 50) now allow Permitless Carry (also known as constitutional carry or unrestricted carry), meaning they don’t require gun licensing.
However, there are some restrictions on this as well. Federal or state law prohibits carrying a firearm in several places, such as police stations, prisons or courthouses, and athletic events. In several states, the current law also allows private property owners to ban concealed weapons in their buildings. In such cases, if the gun owner doesn’t comply, the police can be called, and the person can be arrested for trespassing.
The firearm industry and gun rights groups, like the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America and National Shooting Sports Foundation, have permitless carry laws as a top priority. Also, they believe that under the Second Amendment, Americans should not need the Government’s approval to carry guns in public.
On the other hand, groups that support stricter gun laws or oppose permitless carry laws argue that getting rid of permit requirements could increase homicides. Also, they believe that without a permit, people carrying guns without proper training or background checks might increase the risk of gun violence.
The states mentioned below allow gun carrying to be permitted.
Alabama
When: January 1, 2023
Who can carry? Anyone 19 years of age and older who is legally entitled to own a gun can carry a gun either openly or concealed if the person is of age 18 and has a valid permit from another state.
Alaska
When: September 9, 2003
Who can carry?: 21 years and plus (concealed handgun)
Arizona
When: July 29, 2010
Who can carry?: 21 years and plus (concealed handgun)
Arkansas
When: August 16, 2013
Who can carry?: 21 years and plus, who is legally allowed to own and carry a gun (or) 18 years and plus, who are serving in the military, national guard, reserve or honorably discharged veterans.
Although Permitless Carry was passed in 2013, there was confusion among authorities, as some states stated it allowed and others said it didn’t. In 2018, Court Ruling confirmed Permitless Carry with the above-mentioned age group people and conditions.
Florida
When: July 1, 2023
Who can carry?: 21 years, and No Open Carry and only Concealed Carry is allowed.
Georgia
When: April 12, 2022
Who can carry?: 21 years and plus, who is legally entitled to own a gun (or) 18-20 years and plus, who are serving in the military/honorably discharged veterans can carry a firearm openly or concealed.
Indiana
When: July 1, 2022
Who can carry?: 18 years and plus (can carry a handgun openly or concealed)
Idaho
When: July 1, 2016. Changes added in July 1, 2019 and July 1, 2020
Who can carry?: A US citizen who is 18 years and plus can carry a concealed handgun, or a member of U.S. Armed Forces who is legally allowed to own a gun.
Iowa
When: July 1, 2021
Who can carry?: 21 years and plus (can carry a handgun openly or concealed)
Kansas
When: July 1, 2015
Who can carry?: 21 years of age, who is legally allowed to own a gun, can carry a concealed handgun. Active military members and their dependents at age 18.
Kentucky
When: June 27, 2019
Who can carry?: 21 years and plus (concealed handgun)
Louisiana
When: July 4, 2024
Who can carry?: 18 years and plus (concealed handgun)
Maine
When: October 12, 2015
Who can carry?: 21 years or older who is legally entitled to own a gun. Active Military or Honorably Discharged Veterans of 18 years or older can carry a concealed handgun.
Maine doesn’t honor all other states but only recognises permits from states that honor them.
Mississippi
When: July 1, 2015
Who can carry?: 18 years or older (concealed handgun)
Missouri
When: January 1, 2017
Who can carry?: 19 years old. Military personnel who are 18 years old can carry a concealed handgun.
Montana
When: Montana passed limited Permitless Carry in September 1991. In February 18, 2021, Statewide Permitless Carry was allowed.
Who can carry?: 18 years or older (concealed handgun)
Nebraska
When: September 2, 2023
Who can carry?: 21 years or plus who is legally allowed to own a gun can carry a concealed handgun. Active Military or Reserves at 18.
New Hampshire
When: February 22, 2017
Who can carry?: 18 years or older (concealed handgun)
North Dakota
When: August 1, 2023
Who can carry?: 18 years or older. No Permitless Open Carry.
In August, 1, 2017, North Dakota first passed Permitless Carry only to Residents, but in August 1, 2023, the state allowed Permitless Carry to the above-mentioned age group people and conditions.
Ohio
When: June 13, 2022
Who can carry?: 21 years or older or Active U.S. Military Personnel that have firearms training and who is legally entitled to own a gun and meet the requirements of Ohio Statute (carry a handgun openly or concealed). If the person is of age 18 and has valid permit from another state.
Oklahoma
When: November 1, 2019
Who can carry?: Individuals who are 21 years and above and are legally allowed to own a gun, and active members of the US military, national guard or reserves or an honorably discharged veteran who are 18 years or plus, can carry a concealed handgun.
The state also limits the maximum calibre that a person can carry to 0.45.
South Carolina
When: March 7, 2024
Who can carry?: 18 years or older (concealed handgun)
South Dakota
When: July 1, 2019
Who can carry?: 18 years or older (concealed handgun)
Tennessee
When: July 1, 2021
Who can carry?: 18 years or older (openly or concealed handgun)
However, there are a few places in some areas of the state where the permit is still needed.
Texas
When: September 1, 2021
Who can carry?: 21 years or older
However, there are a few places where you need permit from Texas or from a state that Texas recognizes, you can legally carry in those places.
Utah
When: May 5, 2021
Who can carry?: 21 years or older (concealed handgun)
Vermont
When: March 4, 1791
Who can carry?: 18 years or older (concealed handgun)
West Virginia
When: May 26, 2016
Who can carry? Anyone 21 years of age or older who is legally entitled to own a gun or active members of the Military, Reserves, or National Guard of 18 years of age and older can carry a concealed handgun. Those working in the Military under 21 years of age must have a Military ID.
The state also doesn’t honor all other states’ permits. Without the state’s issues or honors, one can’t have a loaded or stored firearm inside their vehicle in K-12 parking areas.
Wyoming
When: It was restricted to residents on July 1, 2011, and revised on July 1, 2021.
Who can carry it?: The state allowed any person 21 years or older, who is legally entitled to own a gun and a resident of the USA can carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
