Constitutional carry, is a right to bear arms without needing a permit. We created this constitutional carry states map, showing which states allows concealed carry with or without permits as of July 2023.
Which States Allow the Permitless Carry of Guns, either concealed carry or open carry?
Map showing which US states require permits to carry guns, both looking at concealed carry and open carry or neither, update July 2023.
Protect Constitutional Carry Rights
Constitutional carry is the right of law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm without a permit. Constitutional carry is an important right because it allows people to protect themselves from harm, it does not increase crime rates, and it can actually deter crime as proven in Switzerland.
Why we should protect our right to constitutional carry:
- It allows law-abiding citizens to protect themselves. In the event of a violent crime, a law-abiding citizen who is carrying a firearm may be able to defend themselves and their loved ones. This is especially important in rural areas where police response times may be slow.
- It does not increase crime rates. Studies have shown that there is no correlation between constitutional carry laws and crime rates. In fact, some studies have shown that crime rates may actually decrease in states with constitutional carry laws.
- It can deter crime. Criminals may be less likely to target people who they know may be armed. This is because they know that they are more likely to be injured or killed if they attack someone who is carrying a firearm.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- The Second Amendment Foundation: https://www.saf.org/
- Gun Owners of America: https://gunowners.org/
What is the difference between Constitutional carry and Concealed Carry?
The phrases “constitutional carry” and “concealed carry” are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings and should not be mixed up.
- Constitutional carry refers to the right of law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm without a permit according to the second amendment of the US constitution. Which states that “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
- Concealed carry refers to the carrying of a firearm in a manner that is not visible to the public. In most states, concealed carry is legal, but it requires a permit. The requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit vary from state to state, but they typically include a background check, a training course, and a fingerprinting. To see the requirements by state, check the concealed carry state map at the top of this page.
In states with constitutional carry laws, there is no need to obtain a permit to carry a firearm, either openly or concealed. This means that law-abiding citizens who are 21 years of age or older and who are not prohibited from possessing firearms are free to carry a firearm without any restrictions.
However, even in states with constitutional carry laws, there are still some restrictions on where and how firearms can be carried. For example, it is generally illegal to carry a firearm into a school, a government building, or a place where alcohol is served.
It is important to note that the laws governing constitutional carry and concealed carry are constantly changing. If you are considering carrying a firearm, it is important to check the laws in your state before you do so.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between constitutional carry and concealed carry:
| Restrictions | Constitutional Carry | Concealed Carry |
|---|---|---|
| Permit required | No | Varies by state as shown above |
| Restrictions on where firearms can be carried | Yes | Yes |
| Training requirements | None | Varies by state |
| Background check | Yes | Yes |
| Age requirement | 21 or older | Varies by state |