Permitless Carry States
For permitless carry laws to apply the person carrying the handgun must be in a place they are legally allowed to be in.
- Permitless carry
- Shall Issue
- May Issue
- Shall Issue
- May Issue
Permitless
0
States
May issue
0
states
Permitless Carry
21
States
No permit required in these states
Alaska3
Arizona3
Arkansas3
Iowa3
Idaho1
Kansas3
Kentucky3
Maine3
Mississippi1
Missouri2
Montana1
New Hampshire1
North Dakota1
Oklahoma3
South Dakota1
Tennesse3
Texas3
Utah3
Vermont1
West Virginia3
Wyoming3
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be at least 19 years old.
- Must be at least 21 years old.
Required Age
20 years or olderEffective Date
September 9, 2003Statute
AS 11.61.220Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Alaska and federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Alaska.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
July 29, 2010Statute
AS 13-3102Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Arizona and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Arizona.
Restrictions
If you enter a premises that serves alcohol for consumption on the premises then Arizona law requires you to have a permit from any state.
Required Age
20 years or olderEffective Date
August 16, 2013Statute
5.73.120Overview
Initially there was some confusion over the permitless carry law in Arkansas. A court ruling in 2018 confirmed permitless carry in Arkansas. If a person is 18 years or older and in the Military, National Guard, Reserve or is a discharged veteran then they can carry a concealed handgun without a permit. For any person that is not in the military then they must be 21 or older.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
September 9, 2003Statute
724.5 - Availability of permit not to be construed as prohibition on unlicensed carrying of weapons.Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Iowa.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
July 1, 2016 - Amended July 2019 & July 2020Statute
18-3302 - Concealed WeaponsOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Idaho and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without any type of permit in the State of Idaho.
Required Age
21 years or older, 18 if in the militaryEffective Date
July 1, 2015Statute
21-6302 - Criminal carrying of a weaponOverview
Persons aged 21 and older or if in the military 18 or older and who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Kansas and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Kansas.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
June 27, 2019Statute
237.109 - Authorization to carry concealed deadly weapons without a license.Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Kentucky and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Kentucky.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
October 12, 2015Statute
252 2001-A Threatening display of or carrying concealed weaponOverview
Persons aged 21 and older or 18 if in the military who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Maine and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Maine.
Restrictions
Holders of a permit issued by Maine or other states that Maine honors can carry in some places that persons carrying under permit-less carry are not legally allowed to carry in.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
July 1, 2015Statute
§ 97.37.1 - Deadly weaponsOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Mississippi.
Required Age
19 years or older, 18 if in militaryEffective Date
January 1, 2017Statute
571.030 - Unlawful use of weaponsOverview
Persons aged 19 and older or who is 18 or older and in the military and are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Missouri.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
February 18, 2021Statute
45.8.316 - Carrying concealed firearms - exemptionOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Montana.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
February 22, 2017Statute
§ 159:6 - License to CarryOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of New Hampshire.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
August 1, 2017Statute
§ 62.1.03.01 - Carrying handgunOverview
Persons aged 18 and older, who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of North Dakota, if they have been a resident of North Dakota for at least one month. You will need a drivers license or State ID to prove you have been a resident for the required period.
Restrictions
Permitless carry only applies to North Dakota residents. There is no permitless open carry.
Required Age
21 years or older, 18 if in the militaryEffective Date
November 1, 2019Statute
§ 21 53 O.S. 1272Overview
Persons aged 21 and older or 18 and older if in the US Military, National Guard, Reserves or honorably discharged veteran and who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Oklahoma.
Restrictions
The handgun can be no bigger than .45 caliber.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
July 1, 2019Statute
23.7.7 - Permit to carry concealed pistolOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of South Dakota.
Required Age
21 years or older, 18 if in militaryEffective Date
July 1, 2021Statute
§ 39.17.1307 - Unlawful carrying or possession of a weaponOverview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry openly or concealed a handgun without a permit in the State of Tennessee.
Restrictions
There are still places in Tennessee that require a permit to carry.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
September 1, 2021Statute
Texas Penal Code 46.02Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Texas.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
May 5, 2021Statute
§ 76.10.523Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry openly or concealed a handgun without a permit in the State of Utah.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
March 4, 1791Statute
085.1.4003 - Carrying dangerous weaponsOverview
Persons aged 18 or older who is legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Vermont. This state has never had a law saying that carrying a concealed handgun is illegal.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
May 26, 2016Statute
§ 61.7.7 - Persons prohibited from possessing firearmsOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of West Virginia.
Restrictions
You cannot carry a handgun onto school property unless you have a permit issued by West Virginia or a permit from another state that is honoured by West Virginia.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
July 1, 2021Statute
6.8.104 - Wearing or carrying concealed weaponsOverview
Persons aged 21 and older and who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Wyoming.
Restrictions
Must be a resident of the USA.
Required Age
20 years or olderEffective Date
September 9, 2003Statute
AS 11.61.220Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Alaska and federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Alaska.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
July 29, 2010Statute
AS 13-3102Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Arizona and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Arizona.
Restrictions
If you enter a premises that serves alcohol for consumption on the premises then Arizona law requires you to have a permit from any state.
Required Age
20 years or olderEffective Date
August 16, 2013Statute
5.73.120Overview
Initially there was some confusion over the permitless carry law in Arkansas. A court ruling in 2018 confirmed permitless carry in Arkansas. If a person is 18 years or older and in the Military, National Guard, Reserve or is a discharged veteran then they can carry a concealed handgun without a permit. For any person that is not in the military then they must be 21 or older.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
September 9, 2003Statute
724.5 - Availability of permit not to be construed as prohibition on unlicensed carrying of weapons.Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Iowa.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
July 1, 2016 - Amended July 2019 & July 2020Statute
18-3302 - Concealed WeaponsOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Idaho and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without any type of permit in the State of Idaho.
Required Age
21 years or older, 18 if in the militaryEffective Date
July 1, 2015Statute
21-6302 - Criminal carrying of a weaponOverview
Persons aged 21 and older or if in the military 18 or older and who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Kansas and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Kansas.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
June 27, 2019Statute
237.109 - Authorization to carry concealed deadly weapons without a license.Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Kentucky and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Kentucky.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
October 12, 2015Statute
252 2001-A Threatening display of or carrying concealed weaponOverview
Persons aged 21 and older or 18 if in the military who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under Maine and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Maine.
Restrictions
Holders of a permit issued by Maine or other states that Maine honors can carry in some places that persons carrying under permit-less carry are not legally allowed to carry in.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
July 1, 2015Statute
§ 97.37.1 - Deadly weaponsOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Mississippi.
Required Age
19 years or older, 18 if in militaryEffective Date
January 1, 2017Statute
571.030 - Unlawful use of weaponsOverview
Persons aged 19 and older or who is 18 or older and in the military and are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Missouri.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
February 18, 2021Statute
45.8.316 - Carrying concealed firearms - exemptionOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Montana.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
February 22, 2017Statute
§ 159:6 - License to CarryOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of New Hampshire.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
August 1, 2017Statute
§ 62.1.03.01 - Carrying handgunOverview
Persons aged 18 and older, who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of North Dakota, if they have been a resident of North Dakota for at least one month. You will need a drivers license or State ID to prove you have been a resident for the required period.
Restrictions
Permitless carry only applies to North Dakota residents. There is no permitless open carry.
Required Age
21 years or older, 18 if in the militaryEffective Date
November 1, 2019Statute
§ 21 53 O.S. 1272Overview
Persons aged 21 and older or 18 and older if in the US Military, National Guard, Reserves or honorably discharged veteran and who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Oklahoma.
Restrictions
The handgun can be no bigger than .45 caliber.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
July 1, 2019Statute
23.7.7 - Permit to carry concealed pistolOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of South Dakota.
Required Age
21 years or older, 18 if in militaryEffective Date
July 1, 2021Statute
§ 39.17.1307 - Unlawful carrying or possession of a weaponOverview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry openly or concealed a handgun without a permit in the State of Tennessee.
Restrictions
There are still places in Tennessee that require a permit to carry.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
September 1, 2021Statute
Texas Penal Code 46.02Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Texas.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
May 5, 2021Statute
§ 76.10.523Overview
Persons aged 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry openly or concealed a handgun without a permit in the State of Utah.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
March 4, 1791Statute
085.1.4003 - Carrying dangerous weaponsOverview
Persons aged 18 or older who is legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Vermont. This state has never had a law saying that carrying a concealed handgun is illegal.
Required Age
18 years or olderEffective Date
May 26, 2016Statute
§ 61.7.7 - Persons prohibited from possessing firearmsOverview
Persons aged 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of West Virginia.
Restrictions
You cannot carry a handgun onto school property unless you have a permit issued by West Virginia or a permit from another state that is honoured by West Virginia.
Required Age
21 years or olderEffective Date
July 1, 2021Statute
6.8.104 - Wearing or carrying concealed weaponsOverview
Persons aged 21 and older and who are legally allowed to possess a handgun under State and Federal law can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in the State of Wyoming.
Restrictions
Must be a resident of the USA.
Permitless Carry States was last modified: February 2nd, 2022 by Wayne
Comments
Enjoy your site. Has lots of good info. Longtime long gun owner here but never got a permit because I didn’t own a handgun until this past year.
Any info on crimes in TX after permit-less carry was implemented? Might be too soon to show any impact. But your data clearly shows crime is almost nonexistent by permit holders in past years.
Has revenue from permits went down? Seems like that money could do some good with training, etc.
Thanks