Special Report

Every State's Law for Carrying Firearms in Public

Samuel Stebbins

Published: January 17, 2024 9:31 am

Every citizen of the United States is subject to the same federal firearm regulations. Although there are many gun control laws enacted on the federal level, all states have implemented additional policies. Between federal, state, and local municipalities, there are over 20,000 gun laws on record, and in some parts of the country, gun owners are subject to far more restrictions. While there are nuances in these gun control policies that vary by state and locality, one of the most meaningful variations is how guns are regulated in public spaces – particularly concealed firearms.

24/7 Wall St. determined the laws for carrying firearms in public in every state by using historical data on state-level legislation. We reviewed laws for both the open carry and concealed carry of firearms. Most states allow open carry of firearms in public without a permit, a practice generally defined as carrying a gun that is either partially or fully visible. Rules around open carry can vary by firearm type and local laws, however. 

When it comes to concealed carry of a firearm – whether in a purse, backpack, or under a garment – there is a notable divide in state policy. In about half of all states, concealed carry of a firearm in public is permitted for legal gun owners. In the remaining states, concealed carry generally requires a special permit. The legalization of permitless concealed carry is a recent phenomenon in much of the country, as in over a dozen states, it was made legal in 2019 or later. In Florida and Nebraska, permitless concealed carry became legal in 2023. (Here is a look at the most powerful handguns.)

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of the 10 states with the highest gun death rates in 2021 allow legal gun owners to carry a concealed firearm in public without a permit. The rapid expansion of permitless concealed carry laws may strengthen gun rights, but such laws often eliminate any mandated safety and live-fire training and may increase the risk of gun violence and accidental shootings. (Here is a look at the most pro-gun U.S. Senators.)

Here is every state’s law for carrying firearms in public.

See below for our detailed methodology.

Alabama

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2023
• Gun deaths in 2021: 26.4 per 100,000 people – 4th highest of 50 states (1,315 total)

Alaska

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2003
• Gun deaths in 2021: 25.2 per 100,000 people – 6th highest of 50 states (182 total)

Arizona

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2010
• Gun deaths in 2021: 18.3 per 100,000 people – 17th highest of 50 states (1,365 total)

Arkansas

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2013 (strengthened in subsequent years)
• Gun deaths in 2021: 23.3 per 100,000 people – 8th highest of 50 states (698 total)

California

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• Open carry of handguns: Prohibited
• Open carry of long guns: Prohibited
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 9.0 per 100,000 people – 8th lowest of 50 states (3,576 total)

Colorado

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 17.8 per 100,000 people – 18th highest of 50 states (1,064 total)

Connecticut

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• Open carry of handguns: Permit Required
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 6.7 per 100,000 people – 6th lowest of 50 states (248 total)

Delaware

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 16.6 per 100,000 people – 23rd highest of 50 states (158 total)

Florida

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• Open carry of handguns: Prohibited
• Open carry of long guns: Prohibited
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal, effective July 1, 2023
• Gun deaths in 2021: 14.1 per 100,000 people – 17th lowest of 50 states (3,142 total)

Georgia

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2022
• Gun deaths in 2021: 20.3 per 100,000 people – 14th highest of 50 states (2,200 total)

Hawaii

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• Open carry of handguns: Permit Required
• Open carry of long guns: Permit Required
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 4.8 per 100,000 people – 2nd lowest of 50 states (71 total)

Idaho

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2016
• Gun deaths in 2021: 16.3 per 100,000 people – 25th highest of 50 states (309 total)

Illinois

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• Open carry of handguns: Prohibited
• Open carry of long guns: Prohibited
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 16.1 per 100,000 people – 25th lowest of 50 states (1,995 total)

Indiana

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2022
• Gun deaths in 2021: 18.4 per 100,000 people – 16th highest of 50 states (1,251 total)

Iowa

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2021
• Gun deaths in 2021: 11.2 per 100,000 people – 11th lowest of 50 states (364 total)

Kansas

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2015
• Gun deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 21st highest of 50 states (503 total)

Kentucky

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2019
• Gun deaths in 2021: 21.1 per 100,000 people – 13th highest of 50 states (947 total)

Louisiana

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Residents with military service only since 2022
• Gun deaths in 2021: 29.1 per 100,000 people – 2nd highest of 50 states (1,314 total)

Maine

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2015
• Gun deaths in 2021: 12.6 per 100,000 people – 14th lowest of 50 states (178 total)

Maryland

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• Open carry of handguns: Permit Required
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 15.2 per 100,000 people – 22nd lowest of 50 states (915 total)

Massachusetts

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• Open carry of handguns: Permit Required
• Open carry of long guns: Permit Required
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 3.4 per 100,000 people – the lowest of 50 states (247 total)

Michigan

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 15.4 per 100,000 people – 23rd lowest of 50 states (1,544 total)

Minnesota

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• Open carry of handguns: Permit Required
• Open carry of long guns: Permit Required
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 10.0 per 100,000 people – 9th lowest of 50 states (573 total)

Mississippi

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2016
• Gun deaths in 2021: 33.9 per 100,000 people – the highest of 50 states (962 total)

Missouri

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2017
• Gun deaths in 2021: 23.2 per 100,000 people – 9th highest of 50 states (1,414 total)

Montana

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2021
• Gun deaths in 2021: 25.1 per 100,000 people – 7th highest of 50 states (280 total)

Nebraska

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal, effective Sept. 10, 2023
• Gun deaths in 2021: 10.3 per 100,000 people – 10th lowest of 50 states (200 total)

Nevada

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 19.8 per 100,000 people – 15th highest of 50 states (633 total)

New Hampshire

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2017
• Gun deaths in 2021: 8.3 per 100,000 people – 7th lowest of 50 states (123 total)

New Jersey

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• Open carry of handguns: Prohibited
• Open carry of long guns: Permit Required
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 5.2 per 100,000 people – 3rd lowest of 50 states (475 total)

New Mexico

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 27.8 per 100,000 people – 3rd highest of 50 states (578 total)

New York

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• Open carry of handguns: Prohibited
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 5.4 per 100,000 people – 4th lowest of 50 states (1,078 total)

North Carolina

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 20th highest of 50 states (1,839 total)

North Dakota

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2017
• Gun deaths in 2021: 16.8 per 100,000 people – 22nd highest of 50 states (128 total)

Ohio

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2022
• Gun deaths in 2021: 16.5 per 100,000 people – 24th highest of 50 states (1,911 total)

Oklahoma

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2019
• Gun deaths in 2021: 21.2 per 100,000 people – 12th highest of 50 states (836 total)

Oregon

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 14.9 per 100,000 people – 21st lowest of 50 states (670 total)

Pennsylvania

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 14.8 per 100,000 people – 20th lowest of 50 states (1,905 total)

Rhode Island

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• Open carry of handguns: Permit Required
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 5.6 per 100,000 people – 5th lowest of 50 states (64 total)

South Carolina

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Open carry of handguns: Permit Required
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 22.4 per 100,000 people – 11th highest of 50 states (1,136 total)

South Dakota

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2019
• Gun deaths in 2021: 14.3 per 100,000 people – 18th lowest of 50 states (128 total)

Tennessee

Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images

• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2021
• Gun deaths in 2021: 22.8 per 100,000 people – 10th highest of 50 states (1,569 total)

Texas

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2021
• Gun deaths in 2021: 15.6 per 100,000 people – 24th lowest of 50 states (4,613 total)

Utah

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2021
• Gun deaths in 2021: 13.9 per 100,000 people – 16th lowest of 50 states (450 total)

Vermont

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 1791
• Gun deaths in 2021: 11.9 per 100,000 people – 13th lowest of 50 states (83 total)

Virginia

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 14.3 per 100,000 people – 19th lowest of 50 states (1,248 total)

Washington

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 11.2 per 100,000 people – 12th lowest of 50 states (896 total)

West Virginia

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2016
• Gun deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 19th highest of 50 states (319 total)

Wisconsin

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Illegal
• Gun deaths in 2021: 13.5 per 100,000 people – 15th lowest of 50 states (793 total)

Wyoming

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• Open carry of handguns: Allowed
• Open carry of long guns: Allowed
• Permitless concealed carry: Legal since 2011
• Gun deaths in 2021: 26.1 per 100,000 people – 5th highest of 50 states (155 total)

Methodology

24/7 Wall St. determined the laws for carrying firearms in public in every state by using historical data on state-level legislation. We reviewed laws for both the open carry and concealed carry of firearms. 

Open carry of firearms is generally defined as wielding a firearm that is either partially or fully visible, though precise definitions can vary by jurisdiction and different rules can apply for different firearm types, such as handguns, or long guns, like rifles and shotguns. 

Concealed carry of firearms is generally defined as having a gun on one’s person while in public that is not visible. Concealed carry firearms can be carried in backpacks, purses, or in a holster under a garment. 

In addition, we also reviewed state-level firearm mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 2021. It is important to note that gun laws are nuanced and can vary at the local level and depending on one’s primary state of residence. Review all state and local firearm regulations before carrying a gun in public.