Which States Allow Open Carry of Handguns?

Guns and Hunting

Published: February 7, 2025 10:10 am

Most states allow open carry of guns either with or without a permit. To open carry a firearm means to carry a gun in public where it is either completely or partially visible to others. Of course, even if open carry laws are permitted in your state, there will be places where openly carrying a firearm is prohibited. (Also see 22 questions about gun laws that most Americans can’t answer.)

Using data compiled by gun control advocacy group Giffords Law Center, 24/7 Wall St. identified the laws for carrying firearms in public in every state. States are listed in alphabetical order. The strength of each state’s control laws is expressed in letter grades ranging from “A” for the strictest gun control policies, to “F” for the most permissive. All data is from the Giffords Law Center.

Why This Matters

gun+Georgia | No guns allowed on planes sign, TSA checkpoint, Atlanta International Airport, Georgia, USA

While gun laws have changed little at the national level in recent decades, most of the 50 states have meaningfully expanded gun rights in the last 15 years. Because of these changes, legal gun owners in most states can carry firearms in public — openly or concealed — without a special permit or license. It is important to note that in many of these same states, firearms are restricted from certain public areas, like schools or courthouses.

According to the Giffords Law Center, firearms in public places can increase the risk of avoidable, deadly confrontations — a claim substantiated by firearm mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 10 states with the highest gun death rates, nine have permitless concealed carry laws on the books, and all impose little or no restrictions on the open carry of firearms.

Alabama

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Some restrictions
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 25.9 per 100,000 people (4th highest of 50 states)

Alaska

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 22.7 per 100,000 people (7th highest of 50 states)

Arizona

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 20.5 per 100,000 people (12th highest of 50 states)

Arkansas

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 22.1 per 100,000 people (8th highest of 50 states)

California

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Prohibited
Open carry of a long gun: Generally prohibited
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A
Gun death rate: 8.7 per 100,000 people (7th lowest of 50 states)

Colorado

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A-
Gun death rate: 17.3 per 100,000 people (19th highest of 50 states)

Connecticut

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Prohibited
Open carry of a long gun: Generally prohibited
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A
Gun death rate: 7.0 per 100,000 people (6th lowest of 50 states)

Delaware

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: B+
Gun death rate: 12.1 per 100,000 people (12th lowest of 50 states)

Florida

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Prohibited
Open carry of a long gun: Generally prohibited
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: D+
Gun death rate: 14.4 per 100,000 people (20th lowest of 50 states)

Georgia

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 20.0 per 100,000 people (14th highest of 50 states)

Hawaii

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Permit or license required
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A-
Gun death rate: 4.5 per 100,000 people (3rd lowest of 50 states)

Idaho

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 17.5 per 100,000 people (18th highest of 50 states)

Illinois

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Prohibited
Open carry of a long gun: Generally prohibited
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A-
Gun death rate: 14.4 per 100,000 people (19th lowest of 50 states)

Indiana

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: D-
Gun death rate: 17.6 per 100,000 people (17th highest of 50 states)

Iowa

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 11.3 per 100,000 people (10th lowest of 50 states)

Kansas

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 17.0 per 100,000 people (21st highest of 50 states)

Kentucky

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 18.9 per 100,000 people (16th highest of 50 states)

Louisiana

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 28.2 per 100,000 people (2nd highest of 50 states)

Maine

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: D-
Gun death rate: 12.0 per 100,000 people (11th lowest of 50 states)

Maryland

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Permit or license required
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A-
Gun death rate: 13.6 per 100,000 people (16th lowest of 50 states)

Massachusetts

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Permit or license required
Open carry of a long gun: Some restrictions
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A-
Gun death rate: 3.7 per 100,000 people (2nd lowest of 50 states)

Michigan

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: B-
Gun death rate: 15.1 per 100,000 people (24th lowest of 50 states)

Minnesota

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Permit or license required
Open carry of a long gun: Some restrictions
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: B
Gun death rate: 9.7 per 100,000 people (8th lowest of 50 states)

Mississippi

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 29.7 per 100,000 people (the highest of 50 states)

Missouri

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Some restrictions
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 24.4 per 100,000 people (6th highest of 50 states)

Montana

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 24.5 per 100,000 people (5th highest of 50 states)

Nebraska

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: C-
Gun death rate: 12.3 per 100,000 people (14th lowest of 50 states)

Nevada

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: B-
Gun death rate: 19.3 per 100,000 people (15th highest of 50 states)

New Hampshire

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: D-
Gun death rate: 10.3 per 100,000 people (9th lowest of 50 states)

New Jersey

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Prohibited
Open carry of a long gun: Some restrictions
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A
Gun death rate: 5.0 per 100,000 people (4th lowest of 50 states)

New Mexico

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: C+
Gun death rate: 27.5 per 100,000 people (3rd highest of 50 states)

New York

Walkway Over The Hudson by Paul VanDerWerf

Walkway Over The Hudson (CC BY 2.0) by Paul VanDerWerf

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A-
Gun death rate: 5.3 per 100,000 people (5th lowest of 50 states)

North Carolina

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: C-
Gun death rate: 17.1 per 100,000 people (20th highest of 50 states)

North Dakota

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Some restrictions
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 16.5 per 100,000 people (22nd highest of 50 states)

Ohio

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: D-
Gun death rate: 15.7 per 100,000 people (25th lowest of 50 states)

Oklahoma

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 20.1 per 100,000 people (13th highest of 50 states)

Oregon

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A-
Gun death rate: 14.6 per 100,000 people (21st lowest of 50 states)

Pennsylvania

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Some restrictions
Open carry of a long gun: Some restrictions
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: B
Gun death rate: 14.8 per 100,000 people (22nd lowest of 50 states)

Rhode Island

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Permit or license required
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: B+
Gun death rate: 3.1 per 100,000 people (the lowest of 50 states)

South Carolina

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Some restrictions
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: D-
Gun death rate: 21.3 per 100,000 people (9th highest of 50 states)

South Dakota

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 16.1 per 100,000 people (24th highest of 50 states)

Tennessee

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Some restrictions
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 20.9 per 100,000 people (10th highest of 50 states)

Texas

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Some restrictions
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 15.7 per 100,000 people (25th highest of 50 states)

Utah

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 14.0 per 100,000 people (17th lowest of 50 states)

Vermont

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: B-
Gun death rate: 12.2 per 100,000 people (13th lowest of 50 states)

Virginia

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Some restrictions
Open carry of a long gun: Some restrictions
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: B+
Gun death rate: 15.1 per 100,000 people (23rd lowest of 50 states)

Washington

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Some restrictions
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: A-
Gun death rate: 12.6 per 100,000 people (15th lowest of 50 states)

West Virginia

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 16.4 per 100,000 people (23rd highest of 50 states)

Wisconsin

Concealed carry of a firearm: Permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: C
Gun death rate: 14.1 per 100,000 people (18th lowest of 50 states)

Wyoming

Concealed carry of a firearm: Allowed, no permit required
Open carry of a handgun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Open carry of a long gun: Generally permitted for legal gun owners
Overall strength of gun control laws grade: F
Gun death rate: 20.6 per 100,000 people (11th highest of 50 states)

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