Each state in the United States has its own laws governing whether it is legal to carry weapons. Open carry is permitted in some states, which means that a firearm can be carried openly if the individual meets all of the state’s requirements. Concealed carry is legal in other states. This means that a person may carry a legal weapon in their vehicle or on their person, but it must be concealed. While most people associate concealed carry with guns, these laws also cover other weapons. Pepper spray canisters weighing more than 2 ounces in Florida can only be carried by someone who has a concealed weapons permit.
All 50 states have laws allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons. However, some states refuse to issue permits or make it extremely difficult to obtain one. Over 17 million permits were issued across the country in 2018. We will break down the permitting policies found across the country because all 50 states have laws in place. The following definitions will be useful in this article:
Shall Issue to Residents Only:
If they meet all requirements, states will issue concealed carry permits to any residents of that state.
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
If all requirements are met, states will issue a concealed carry permit to any state resident or non-resident.
May Issue to Residents Only:
Even if all requirements are met, states have the authority to decide whether or not to issue a concealed carry permit to a state resident.
May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
Even if all requirements are met, states have the authority to decide whether or not to issue a concealed carry permit to state residents and non-residents.
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only:
Some states have Constitutional Carry laws that allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit. They will, however, issue a concealed carry permit to any resident who meets all requirements.
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents:
Some states have Constitutional Carry laws that allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit. However, if all requirements are met, they will issue a conceal carry permit to both state residents and non-residents.
| Shall Issue Permits | May Issue Permits | Permits Issued to Residents Only | Permits Issued to Residents & Some or All Non-Residents | No Permit Required OR “Constitutional Carry” | Non-Resident Permit Requirements | |
| Alabama | x | x | x | Alabama’s constitutional carry law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2023. | ||
| Alaska | x | x | x | |||
| Arizona | x | x | x | |||
| Arkansas | x | x | x | |||
| California | x | x | Non-residents who work in the state and active-duty military stationed in the state. | |||
| Colorado | x | x | ||||
| Connecticut | x | x | Non-residents with a license/permit issued by a state that Georgia honors. | |||
| DC | x | x | ||||
| Delaware | x | x | ||||
| Florida | x | x | ||||
| Georgia | x | x | x | |||
| Hawaii | x | x | ||||
| Idaho | x | x | x | |||
| Illinois | x | x | Residents of Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas and Virginia. | |||
| Indiana | x | x | Non-residents with valid state license. | |||
| Iowa | x | x | x | |||
| Kansas | x | x | x | Members of the military stationed in Kansas. | ||
| Kentucky | x | x | x | Military personnel stationed in Kentucky. | ||
| Louisiana | x | x | ||||
| Maine | x | x | x | |||
| Maryland | x | x | ||||
| Massachusetts | x | x | ||||
| Michigan | x | x | Non-residents that are at least 21 years old and who have licenses/permits from their state of residency. | |||
| Minnesota | x | x | ||||
| Mississippi | x | x | x | Non-residents with a valid permit from another state, active duty military stationed in Mississippi, or retired law enforcement officers establishing residency in the state are all eligible. | ||
| Missouri | x | x | x | Active military personnel or veterans over the age of 18 stationed in Missouri. | ||
| Montana | x | x | x | |||
| Nebraska | x | x | Military personnel and their spouses stationed in Nebraska. | |||
| Nevada | x | x | ||||
| New Hampshire | x | x | x | |||
| New Jersey | x | x | ||||
| New Mexico | x | x | Members of the military permanently stationed in New Mexico and their dependents. | |||
| New York | x | x | Part-time residents or anyone who works or has their primary place of business in the state. | |||
| North Carolina | x | x | Members of the military permanently posted in North Carolina. | |||
| North Dakota | x | x | x | Full-time active military duty stationed in North Dakota, as well as non-residents with a concealed carry permit from their home state that has reciprocity with North Dakota. Adults who have been residents for at least 30 days and are not prohibited from possessing a firearm by state or federal law, as well as non-residents with a valid resident concealed carry license from a state that North Dakota recognizes.. |
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| Ohio | x | x | x | Non-residents who work in Ohio can obtain a permit.
Ohio’s constitutional carry law, signed on March 15, 2021, takes effect 91 days after the Secretary of State files it.. |
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| Oklahoma | x | x | x | Military personnel and their spouses stationed in Oklahoma only. | ||
| Oregon | x | x | Non-residents who live in contiguous states may apply for a permit. | |||
| Pennsylvania | x | x | Non-residents must already have a permit to carry in their home state in order to obtain a Pennsylvania license. | |||
| Rhode Island | x | x | Non-residents that have a permit from their home state may apply for a permit through local law enforcement. | |||
| South Carolina | x | x | Non-residents who own property in the state and military personnel stationed in South Carolina. | |||
| South Dakota | x | x | x | Members of the military and their spouses stationed in South Dakota. | ||
| Tennessee | x | x | x | Non-residents may apply for a permit if they regularly work in the state and have a valid concealed carry permit in their home state. They can only apply after working for six months and then only within six months of the initial six-month work period. | ||
| Texas | x | x | x | |||
| Utah | x | x | x | Non-residents over the age of 21 with a permit from their home state may also apply for permits. | ||
| Vermont | x | Vermont does not require permits. | ||||
| Virginia | x | x | ||||
| Washington | x | x | ||||
| West Virginia | x | x | x | |||
| Wisconsin | x | x | Military personnel stationed in Wisconsin. | |||
| Wyoming | x | x | x |