Gun Laws by State

Alabama adopted constitutional carry in January 2023 under HB 272. Adults 21 and older who are legally permitted to possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The state's concealed carry permit remains available for reciprocity with other states.

Alaska became the first state to adopt constitutional carry in 2003. Any person 21 or older who may legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit is available for reciprocity purposes.

Arizona was one of the first states to adopt constitutional carry in 2010. Any person 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The state issues a Concealed Weapons Permit for reciprocity.

Arkansas enacted enhanced carry provisions in 2023 that allow adults 18 and older to carry concealed without a permit. The Concealed Handgun Carry License (CHCL) and Enhanced CHCL remain available for reciprocity and access to additional carry locations.

Florida enacted permitless concealed carry in July 2023 under SB 150. Open carry remains prohibited in most circumstances. The concealed weapon license (CWL) is still available for reciprocity purposes.

Georgia enacted constitutional carry in April 2022 under SB 319. Georgia residents 21 and older (or 18 and older for military) may carry handguns without a license. The Georgia Weapons Carry License remains available.

Idaho adopted constitutional carry in 2016 for residents 18 and older. In 2020, the law was expanded to include all U.S. citizens. The Idaho Concealed Weapons License remains available for reciprocity with other states.

Indiana adopted constitutional carry in July 2022 under HB 1296. Adults 18 and older who are not otherwise prohibited may carry a handgun without a license. The state's License to Carry a Handgun is still available for reciprocity.

Iowa adopted constitutional carry in July 2021 under HF 756. Adults 21 and older may carry a handgun without a permit. Iowa also added a right-to-keep-and-bear-arms amendment to the state constitution in 2022.

Kansas adopted constitutional carry in 2015 under SB 45. Adults 21 and older may carry concealed without a license. The Concealed Carry Handgun License (CCHL) remains available and is recommended for reciprocity with other states.

Kentucky adopted constitutional carry in June 2019 under SB 150. Adults 21 and older who are legally permitted to possess a firearm may carry concealed without a license. The Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons License (CCDW) is still available.

Louisiana adopted constitutional carry in July 2024 under HB 131. Adults 18 and older who are legally permitted to possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The Concealed Handgun Permit remains available for reciprocity.

Maine adopted constitutional carry in October 2015. Adults 21 and older (or 18 and older for military) who may legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The Maine Concealed Handgun Permit is available for reciprocity.

Mississippi adopted constitutional carry in 2016 under HB 786. Adults 18 and older who are not prohibited from possessing firearms may carry concealed without a permit. The Enhanced Carry Permit provides access to additional locations.

Missouri adopted constitutional carry in January 2017 under SB 656. Adults 19 and older (or 18 for military) may carry concealed without a permit. The Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) remains available and is recommended for reciprocity.

Montana adopted constitutional carry in February 2021 under HB 102. Adults 18 and older may carry concealed without a permit in most locations. The Montana Concealed Weapons Permit is available for reciprocity with other states.

Nebraska adopted constitutional carry in September 2023 under LB 77. Adults 21 and older who are legally permitted to possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The Concealed Handgun Permit remains available for reciprocity.

New Hampshire adopted constitutional carry in February 2017 under SB 12. Adults 18 and older who may legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a license. The Pistol/Revolver License is available for reciprocity.

North Carolina adopted constitutional carry in March 2024 after overriding the governor's veto of SB 41. Adults 18 and older who may legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The Concealed Handgun Permit remains available.

North Dakota adopted constitutional carry for residents in August 2017 under HB 1169. North Dakota residents 18 and older who are legally permitted to possess a firearm may carry concealed without a license. The Concealed Weapons License is available for reciprocity.

Ohio adopted constitutional carry in June 2022 under SB 215. Adults 21 and older who are legally eligible to possess firearms may carry concealed without a permit. The Concealed Handgun License (CHL) is still available.

Oklahoma adopted constitutional carry in November 2019 under HB 2597. Adults 21 and older (or 18 for military) who are legally permitted to possess firearms may carry without a license. The Self-Defense Act License remains available for reciprocity.

South Carolina adopted constitutional carry in March 2024 under H 3594. Adults 18 and older who are legally permitted to possess a firearm may carry openly or concealed without a permit. The Concealed Weapons Permit remains available for reciprocity.

South Dakota adopted constitutional carry in July 2019 under SB 47. Adults 18 and older who may legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The Enhanced Permit to Carry is available and provides additional reciprocity.

Tennessee adopted constitutional carry in July 2021 under HB 786. Adults 21 and older (or 18 for military) who may legally possess a firearm may carry openly or concealed without a permit. The Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit remains available.

Texas adopted constitutional carry in September 2021 under HB 1927, allowing residents 21 and older to carry handguns without a permit. The License to Carry (LTC) remains available and is recommended for reciprocity with other states.

Utah adopted constitutional carry in May 2021 under HB 60. Adults 21 and older who may legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. The Concealed Firearm Permit is widely recognized and remains available for reciprocity.

Vermont has never required a permit to carry a concealed firearm, making it the original constitutional carry state. There is no state-issued carry permit. Vermont has enacted some restrictions in recent years including universal background checks and a magazine capacity limit.

West Virginia adopted constitutional carry in May 2016 under HB 4145. Adults 21 and older (or 18 for military) who may legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a license. The Concealed Handgun License is available for reciprocity.

Wyoming adopted constitutional carry for residents in July 2011 under HB 116. Wyoming residents 21 and older may carry concealed without a permit. The Concealed Firearm Permit is available and provides reciprocity with additional states.

California requires a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit issued by the county sheriff or local police chief. The state has some of the most restrictive firearms laws in the nation, including an assault weapons ban and mandatory waiting periods.

Colorado requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) for concealed carry, issued by the county sheriff. The state has enacted several gun safety measures in recent years including a red flag law and expanded background check requirements.

Connecticut requires a Permit to Carry Pistols and Revolvers issued by local police or the state. The state has comprehensive firearms regulations including an assault weapons ban, large-capacity magazine restrictions, and mandatory background checks for all sales.

Delaware requires a Concealed Deadly Weapons License (CDWL) for concealed carry, issued by the Court of Common Pleas. Open carry is legal without a permit. The state enacted an assault weapons ban and magazine capacity limit in 2022.

Hawaii requires a License to Carry issued by the county police chief. Following the Bruen decision, the state updated its permitting process. Hawaii has strict firearms regulations including registration of all firearms, a permit to purchase, and a mandatory waiting period.

Illinois requires a Concealed Carry License (CCL) and a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card. The state enacted an assault weapons ban in 2023 under the Protect Illinois Communities Act. All firearm sales require a background check through a licensed dealer.

Maryland requires a Wear and Carry Permit for concealed or open carry. Following the Bruen decision, the state updated its licensing requirements but maintained training and background check standards. Maryland has an assault weapons ban and handgun qualification license requirement.

Massachusetts requires a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification Card (FID) to possess firearms. The state has comprehensive regulations including an assault weapons ban, mandatory registration, and storage requirements. All sales must go through a licensed dealer.

Michigan requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) for concealed carry. The state enacted new gun safety laws in 2023 including universal background checks, secure storage requirements, and a red flag law.

Minnesota requires a Permit to Carry a Pistol for concealed or open carry, issued by the county sheriff. The state enacted universal background checks and a red flag law in 2023. A Permit to Purchase or a carry permit is required to buy handguns and certain long guns.

Nevada requires a Concealed Firearms Permit (CFP) for concealed carry, issued by the county sheriff. Open carry is legal without a permit. The state requires background checks for all firearm sales including private transfers.

New Jersey requires a Permit to Carry a Handgun for concealed carry. Following the Bruen decision, the state updated its licensing law but added extensive sensitive-place restrictions. New Jersey requires a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card and individual purchase permits for handguns.

New Mexico requires a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) for concealed carry, issued by the Department of Public Safety. Open carry is legal without a permit. The state enacted a red flag law and expanded background check requirements in recent years.

New York requires a license to possess and carry handguns, administered at the county level. Following the Bruen decision, the state enacted the Concealed Carry Improvement Act with new requirements for permit applicants.

Oregon requires a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) for concealed carry, issued by the county sheriff. The state passed Measure 114 in 2022 requiring a permit to purchase firearms and banning large-capacity magazines, though implementation has been delayed by legal challenges.

Pennsylvania requires a License to Carry Firearms (LTCF) for concealed carry, issued by the county sheriff. Open carry is legal without a permit in most of the state, except in Philadelphia where a LTCF is required.

Rhode Island requires a License or Permit to Carry a Concealed Weapon, issued by local police chiefs or the attorney general. The state enacted a ban on large-capacity magazines and a red flag law. All private sales must go through a licensed dealer for a background check.

Virginia requires a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) for concealed carry, issued by the circuit court. Open carry is legal without a permit in most locations. The state requires background checks for all sales and has a red flag law.

Washington requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) for concealed carry, issued by local law enforcement. The state has enacted several measures in recent years including an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, mandatory waiting periods, and a large-capacity magazine ban.

Wisconsin requires a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license for concealed carry, issued by the Department of Justice. Open carry is legal without a license. The state requires background checks for sales through licensed dealers but does not require them for private sales.

The District of Columbia requires a Concealed Carry Pistol License (CCPL) for concealed carry, issued by the Metropolitan Police Department. Following Bruen, DC transitioned from may-issue to shall-issue. DC has extensive prohibited locations, an assault weapons ban, a 10-round magazine limit, and requires registration of all firearms.