Open Carry States

Alabama has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country and open carry is legal statewide. Generally speaking, anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm is allowed to openly carry it provided it is in plain view and unloaded. There are several exceptions to this law; for example, firearms are not allowed in public or private schools, university campuses, places of worship, government buildings, courthouses, and gated residential communities. Furthermore, some counties and cities may have their own local ordinances that ban or restrict open carry in certain areas. Alabama law also prohibits openly carrying firearms while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In Arkansas, the open carry of a handgun without a permit is allowed through state legislation. This means that an individual may carry a handgun in plain view in public spaces, except for certain areas where the possession of firearms is prohibited by law. There are no restrictions on the types of firearms being carried, but they must be unloaded and secured in a holster. Local municipalities can enact their own restrictions on open carry; however, any restrictions must comply with the state law's general framework.

In California, open carry is prohibited for both handguns and long guns. This policy states that any person who openly carries an unloaded firearm on their person or in a vehicle will be guilty of a misdemeanor. The law further specifies that any ammunition that is within the immediate reach of a person carrying a firearm will also be considered to be carried openly and will lead to criminal penalties. In order to lawfully possess and carry firearms in California, individuals must obtain a license from the Department of Justice and comply with all regulations as established by the state. Furthermore, certain areas are completely off-limits for open carry – including public schools, airports, and government buildings – regardless if an individual has obtained a valid license or not.

Open carry of firearms is legal in Colorado with no permit required. This applies to both handguns and long guns, meaning shotguns, rifles, and semi-automatic weapons. It is also legal to openly carry an unloaded firearm in the state; however, it must be either holstered or cased while in a public place. All citizens of Colorado who are at least 18 years old and not legally prohibited from possessing firearms can open carry without a license or permit. While there are exceptions to this law, such as specific areas where open carry is restricted, the basic principle is that citizens can legally exercise their right to bear arms openly within the state of Colorado.

Delaware law allows its citizens to openly carry handguns and long guns. Open carry of a firearm is defined as displaying a holstered or slung gun in plain view without any additional coverage. Concealed carry of firearms is allowed in Deleware as well, but requires a concealed carry permit from the state. Although open carry without a permit is legal, there are certain restrictions contingent on where and when you may open carry—for instance, it is illegal to open carry on any school property or in any public building with metal detectors at entry points. Additionally, some local governments have passed laws that attach further restrictions to the general open-carry law set by the state.

In Florida, it is illegal to openly carry both handguns and long guns. This means that individuals may not transport or possess a firearm in plain sight. Openly carrying firearms can result in arrest and criminal charges with potential penalties including fines and/or incarceration. Additionally, concealed weapons in public places are only allowed with a license and when carrying a concealed weapon, the individual must have their license on them at all times to avoid legal repercussions.

In Georgia, the right to open carry is granted under state law. In general, anyone 21 years of age or older who is legally allowed to possess a firearm may openly carry a handgun without any type of license. Long guns may also be openly carried without a license so long as they are not loaded with ammunition. Certain areas such as schools and government buildings are off-limits. Additionally, firearms are prohibited in certain public places such as courthouses and polling places. Georgia does not require any type of permit for carrying a concealed handgun, though it is illegal to carry in certain areas such as parks and bars.

In Illinois, carrying a loaded or unloaded handgun or long gun in public is prohibited by law. The state does not issue permits for open carry and does not recognize any permits issued by other states. This applies to both residents of the state as well as visitors. The only exception to this rule is when a person has obtained a valid Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card from the state and is carrying the firearm for self-defense, hunting, or target shooting in an area where it is allowed by law. In addition, open carry of unloaded firearms may be allowed in some circumstances if they are securely enclosed in a case, holster, scabbard, or other similar containers that completely cover the weapon. Any person found openly carrying a firearm without meeting these criteria can be charged with unlawful use of weapons.

In Indiana, open carry of a handgun requires a handgun license delivered by the state. This license can be obtained through the local sheriff's office in any county, but applicants must be at least 18 years of age and pass a background check. To obtain an IHL, individuals must also take an approved training course on the safe handling and use of handguns. Additionally, certain locations are off-limits for carrying firearms such as schools, police departments, and public buildings. Open carry is only allowed when the firearm is holstered and not displayed in a manner that causes alarm or reasonable apprehension. Violators of these rules may face misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the circumstances.

In Iowa, individuals are allowed to openly carry their handguns and long guns in public locations, as long as they are not loaded with ammunition. This law permits gun owners to openly display firearms on their person or in a vehicle in most areas of the state. However, this policy is not applicable to certain locations such as courts, schools, and government buildings. Additionally, certain cities including Des Moines have local ordinances that require additional restrictions on open carry permits. Anyone who carries a firearm must abide by all other applicable regulations such as age requirements and licensing processes.

In Mississippi, open carry of firearms is generally considered legal as long as a person possessing the weapon is not doing so with the intent to cause harm or commit a crime. Open carry is allowed for both handguns and long guns, however, there are restrictions for certain individuals such as those who have been convicted of felonies or have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution. In addition, it is illegal to openly carry a firearm in certain locations such as schools, courthouses, law enforcement offices, and airports. It is important to note that many cities and towns within Mississippi may also have their own local ordinances that further restrict or prohibit the carrying openly firearms in public.

In Missouri, open carry is allowed for both handguns and long guns with no permit or license required. The state does not have any provisions in the law that restricts persons from carrying a firearm openly in public places such as streets, parks, or forests. However, there are some restrictions when it comes to carrying around areas like schools, government buildings, and highways. Furthermore, even when carrying a weapon openly in public places in Missouri, individuals must take note of local ordinances that may exist which could restrict or prohibit open carry activities: all cities within the state have the authority to set their own laws on firearm possession and usage which could potentially impact an individual’s ability to open carry. It is also important for individuals to remember that certain types of firearms may be prohibited from open carry throughout the state of Missouri such as automatic weapons and short-barreled shotguns or rifles.

In Tennessee, open carry is allowed for both handguns and long guns. Citizens are not required to obtain a license or permit to openly carry firearms, however, they do have to meet certain legal requirements. Legislation regarding open carry is established on a local-level basis and certain cities may have different restrictions on public possession of firearms than those prescribed by state law. For example, some counties may prohibit the open carrying of certain types of firearms in public places such as parks, forests, and other recreational trails. Additionally, it is illegal to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and doing so could result in significant criminal penalties.

Open carry is legal in Texas for both handguns and long guns. This legislation allows individuals who are legally licensed to carry a handgun or long gun openly in public places, such as streets, sidewalks, parks, and businesses. However, certain restrictions and prohibitions are still in place. For example, certain establishments have the right to prohibit firearms on their premises; these include hospitals, schools, churches, and other locations where signs specifically state that firearms are not allowed. Furthermore, the open carrying of firearms is also prohibited when attending events held by government entities; these include political rallies and governmental meetings.

In Utah, open carry of firearms is allowed for citizens who are 21 or older and are not restricted from possessing a firearm by law. The legislation does not require any permit or license to openly carry a handgun or long gun. Additionally, some local governments may have additional restrictions in place regarding when and where you can lawfully open carry your firearm. Open carrying of firearms is allowed in public places such as national parks, state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas; however, it is important to note that certain restrictions may apply depending on the location. In some cases, individuals must obtain special permission before engaging in open-carry activities within these areas.

In Virginia, open carry is permitted for both handguns and long guns as long as one is legally authorized to possess a firearm and is not forbidden from doing so on certain properties. It is important to note that local governments have the right to restrict the open carrying of firearms in certain areas such as parks, public buildings, etc. In addition, certain establishments may prohibit firearms on their premises. Openly carrying a gun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited by state law, and there are also laws against brandishing firearms or exhibiting them in an angry manner.

In Wisconsin, individuals with a valid license to carry a firearm may open carry both handguns and long guns. The state legislature has enacted several laws to help ensure the safe and responsible use of firearms when individuals openly carry them. For instance, loaded firearms are prohibited in certain areas such as hospitals and schools, and weapons must be visible at all times while being carried. Additionally, handguns must only be carried in either a holster or scabbard that is wholly or partially visible during carrying. Finally, those who are licensed to open carry may also do so when hunting games within the state of Wisconsin.