Constitutional Carry Continues to Expand: 2026 State-by-State Update

The Growth of Constitutional Carry

The constitutional carry movement has gained remarkable momentum over the past decade. Vermont was the only state with permitless carry for most of American history, but starting in 2010, a wave of states began adopting similar laws. The pace accelerated dramatically after 2015, with multiple states passing constitutional carry legislation each year.

By 2026, more than half of all US states have enacted some form of constitutional carry. The movement has been driven by a combination of factors: the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision, which established that the Second Amendment protects the right to carry firearms in public; a shift in state legislatures toward more gun-rights-friendly compositions; and organized advocacy by groups like the NRA and Gun Owners of America.

What Constitutional Carry Actually Means

It is important to understand that "constitutional carry" does not mean unrestricted carry. Even in states with permitless carry laws, there are typically significant restrictions. Most constitutional carry states still prohibit carrying firearms in certain locations such as schools, government buildings, courthouses, and bars. Many still require a minimum age of 21 (though some set the threshold at 18). And all states still prohibit possession by convicted felons and other prohibited persons under federal law.

Additionally, most constitutional carry states still offer optional concealed carry permits. These permits remain valuable for reciprocity purposes — carrying in other states that recognize the permit — and for bypassing the NICS background check when purchasing firearms from licensed dealers.

Implications for Travelers

The expansion of constitutional carry creates both opportunities and risks for travelers. On one hand, more states now allow visitors to carry concealed firearms without obtaining a state-specific permit. On the other hand, the patchwork of different rules — varying age requirements, location restrictions, and vehicle carry rules — means that travelers must research the specific laws of every state they plan to visit or pass through.

This is especially critical because some states that border constitutional carry states have very restrictive firearms laws. Crossing from a permitless carry state into a state like New York, New Jersey, or California without understanding the local laws could result in serious felony charges.

Looking Ahead

Several additional states have constitutional carry bills pending in their legislatures for the 2026 session. Whether these bills pass will depend on the political composition of each state's legislature and the priorities of its governor. The trend line, however, is clear: constitutional carry is expanding, and the number of states requiring permits for concealed carry continues to shrink.

At the same time, some states are moving in the opposite direction, strengthening permit requirements and adding new restrictions on where and how firearms can be carried. This divergence means that the gap between the most permissive and most restrictive states is wider than ever, making it more important than ever for gun owners to understand the specific laws of any state they visit.