Constitutional Carry States

Introduction

Constitutional carry, also known as permitless carry or unrestricted carry, refers to the public legally carrying a handgun, either openly or concealed, without a permit. The phrase however does not typically apply to the unrestricted carry of a long gun, for instance. Carrying a concealed handgun in public, contrary to open carry where the gun is in view of the public, either in close proximity or on oneself, is allowed in every state of the country. Yet, each state has its own regulations and limitations regarding how and who may or may not carry a concealed weapon. While each law will differ in the language used, these laws fall into one of three categories: shall issue (meaning that if one meets all the requirements, the jurisdiction shall deliver a license), may issue (meaning that the jurisdiction has discretion in handing out concealed weapons permits), and constitutional carry (the jurisdiction does not require a permit or license to carry a concealed weapon).

States often differ on their position towards concealed carry. There are numerous reasons for this difference, one of them being their interpretation of the Constitution. This has seen states like New York, for example, who put forward a law that required people to show a permit signifying special need to carry a handgun in public, have this law struck down by the Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment is meant to protect gun rights outside the home.

Constitutional Carry States

Throughout the United States, each individual state legislature has their own select rule on constitutional carry and whether or not a permit is required to carry a handgun in public.

The states that allow permitless concealed carry for 21 year olds are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Some states make exceptions for those who are 18 years of age and in the military, allowing them to conceal carry without a permit, these states are: Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Other states allow permitless concealed carry for 18 year olds, these include: Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota (only for residents of the state however), South Dakota, and Vermont. Only one state allows concealed carry for 19 year olds, Missouri.

List of states that allow for permitless concealed carry (PC), followed by age:

1. Alabama – PC 21 years old
2. Alaska – PC 21 years old
3. Arizona – PC 21 years old
4. Arkansas – PC 18 years old
5. Georgia – PC 21 years old or 18 for military
6. Idaho – PC 18 years old
7. Indiana – PC 18 years old
8. Iowa – PC 21 years old
9. Kansas – PC 21 years old
10. Kentucky – PC 21 years old
11. Maine – PC 21 years old
12. Mississippi – PC 18 years old
13. Missouri – PC 19 years old or 18 for military
14. Montana – PC 18 years old
15. New Hampshire – PC 18 years old
16. North Dakota – PC 18 years old for residents only
17. Ohio – PC 21 years old
18. Oklahoma – PC 21 years old or 18 for military
19. South Dakota – PC 18 years old
20. Tennessee – PC 21 years old or 18 for military
21. Texas – PC 21 years old
22. Utah – PC 21 years old
23. Vermont – PC 18 years old
24. West Virginia – PC 21 years old
25. Wyoming – PC 21 years old