Constitutional Carry/Unrestricted/Permitless Carry

Permitless carry means that a permit is not required to carry a handgun. It is often referred to as “constitutional carry” or “unrestricted carry”, although the definition of these terms differ. There are states that are fully permitless, where no permit is required for open or concealed carry. Whereas others are partially unrestricted, where open carry may be legal without a permit, while concealed carry may require a permit. Each state sets the age limits as well as other restrictions. The states below allow permitless concealed carry (PC) and open carry (OC): 

• Alaska (PC-21, OC-18)
• Arizona (PC-21, OC-18)
• Arkansas (PC & OC-18)
• Idaho (PC & OC-18)
• Iowa (PC & OC-18 as of July 1, 2021)
• Kansas (PC-21, OC-18)
• Kentucky (PC-21, OC-18)
• Maine (permits recognized; see Maine Reciprocity section for details or PC & OC-21)
• Mississippi (PC & OC-18)
• Missouri (PC & OC-19 or 18 for military)
• Montana (PC & OC-18)
• New Hampshire (PC & OC-18)
• North Dakota (PC-18 for residents only and concealed carry only, OC-18)
• Oklahoma (PC & OC-21 or 18 for military)
• South Dakota (PC & OC-18)
• Tennessee (PC & OC-21 or 18 for members of the military as of July 1, 2021)
• Texas (PC & OC-21 as of September 1, 2021) 
• Utah (PC & OC-21) 
• Vermont (PC & OC-18)
• West Virginia (PC-21, OC-18)
• Wyoming (PC-21 as of July 1, 2021, OC-18)

States with just permitless open carry include the following, although there may be local restrictions:

• Alabama (OC-18)
• Colorado (OC-18)
• Delaware (OC-18)
• Louisiana (OC-18)
• Michigan (OC-18, for residents only, with registered guns)
• Nebraska (OC-18)
• Nevada (OC-18)
• New Mexico (OC-19)
• North Carolina (OC-18)
• Ohio (OC-18)
• Oregon (OC-18)
• Pennsylvania (OC-18)
• Virginia  (OC-18)
• Washington (OC-21)
• Wisconsin (OC-18)

In order to carry a handgun, an individual must be: 

• Able to lawfully possess a handgun per Federal law (e.g. not a felon or an individual with a conviction of domestic abuse) and any state requirements; and
• Be in a place where the person has a legal right to be.

[18 USC 922 (g)]

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Constitution of United States of America

“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.”

Amendment II

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