Constitutional Carry States: Where Permitless Carry Is Legal (2026)

Quick Answer

Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) is legal in 23 states as of 2026. It's banned in 13 states and restricted with conditions in 14. Laws vary significantly — what's perfectly fine in one state can carry criminal penalties next door.

23 Legal

14 Restricted

13 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	LEGAL	Alabama allows permitless concealed carry for residents 19 years or older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. ...	Details →
Alaska	LEGAL	Alaska has allowed permitless concealed carry since 2003 for residents and non-residents 21 or older who can legally pos...	Details →
Arizona	LEGAL	Arizona allows permitless concealed carry for anyone 21 or older who is legally allowed to possess a firearm. This is es...	Details →
Arkansas	LEGAL	Arkansas permits permitless concealed carry for residents and non-residents 18 or older who are legally allowed to posse...	Details →
California	ILLEGAL	California does not allow permitless concealed carry. A valid concealed carry permit issued by a local sheriff or police...	Details →
Colorado	ILLEGAL	Colorado does not allow permitless concealed carry statewide. Concealed carry requires a permit issued under Colorado Re...	Details →
Connecticut	ILLEGAL	Connecticut requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun under Connecticut General Statutes § 29-28. Permitless concea...	Details →
Delaware	ILLEGAL	Delaware requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun under Delaware Code Title 11, § 1441. Permitless concealed carry...	Details →
Florida	LEGAL	Florida allows permitless concealed carry for residents and non-residents 21 or older who are legally allowed to possess...	Details →
Georgia	LEGAL	Georgia allows permitless concealed carry for residents and non-residents 21 or older who are legally allowed to possess...	Details →
Hawaii	ILLEGAL	Hawaii requires a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes §134-9, carrying a concealed firearm...	Details →
Idaho	LEGAL	Idaho allows permitless concealed carry for residents 18 and older who can legally possess a firearm. Idaho Code §18-330...	Details →
Illinois	ILLEGAL	Illinois requires a Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card and a Concealed Carry License (CCL) to carry concealed fi...	Details →
Indiana	LEGAL	Indiana allows permitless concealed carry for residents 18 and older who can legally possess a handgun. Indiana Code §35...	Details →
Iowa	LEGAL	Iowa allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older who can legally possess firearms. Iowa Code §724.4A au...	Details →
Kansas	LEGAL	Kansas allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older. Kansas Statutes Annotated §75-7c10 permits carrying...	Details →
Kentucky	LEGAL	Kentucky allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older under KRS §237.110. No permit is required to carry...	Details →
Louisiana	LEGAL	Louisiana allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older under La. R.S. 40:1379.3, effective August 1, 202...	Details →
Maine	LEGAL	Maine allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older under 25 M.R.S. §2003-A. No permit is required to car...	Details →
Maryland	ILLEGAL	Maryland requires a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) and a Wear and Carry Permit to carry concealed firearms. Permitl...	Details →
Massachusetts	ILLEGAL	Massachusetts requires a License to Carry (LTC) or a Firearm Identification (FID) card to carry a concealed firearm. The...	Details →
Michigan	RESTRICTED	Michigan does not allow constitutional carry. A Concealed Pistol License (CPL) is required to carry a concealed pistol u...	Details →
Minnesota	RESTRICTED	Minnesota requires a permit to carry a pistol, either openly or concealed, under Minn. Stat. § 624.714. There is no cons...	Details →
Mississippi	RESTRICTED	Mississippi allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older under Mississippi Code § 45-9-101. No permit is...	Details →
Missouri	RESTRICTED	Constitutional carry is legal in Missouri under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 571.030. No permit is required to carry concealed if th...	Details →
Montana	RESTRICTED	Montana allows permitless concealed carry for residents 18 and older under Montana Code Annotated § 45-8-321. No permit ...	Details →
Nebraska	RESTRICTED	Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) is legal with restrictions in Nebraska. No permit is required to carry...	Details →
Nevada	ILLEGAL	Nevada requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm under Nevada Revised Statutes § 202.3657. Open carry is generally ...	Details →
New Hampshire	RESTRICTED	New Hampshire allows permitless concealed carry for residents 18 and older under RSA 159:6. No permit is required to car...	Details →
New Jersey	ILLEGAL	New Jersey requires a permit to carry a handgun, concealed or open, under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5. There is no constitutional c...	Details →
New Mexico	LEGAL	New Mexico allows permitless concealed carry for individuals 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. ...	Details →
New York	ILLEGAL	New York does not allow permitless concealed carry. A valid New York State pistol license is required to carry a conceal...	Details →
North Carolina	LEGAL	North Carolina allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older under G.S. § 14-415.11, effective December 1...	Details →
North Dakota	LEGAL	North Dakota allows permitless concealed carry for residents 18 and older who are not prohibited persons, under NDCC § 6...	Details →
Ohio	LEGAL	Ohio permits permitless concealed carry for individuals 21 and older who are not prohibited persons, effective October 2...	Details →
Oklahoma	LEGAL	Oklahoma allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older under 21 O.S. § 1290.10, effective November 1, 201...	Details →
Oregon	ILLEGAL	Oregon does not allow permitless concealed carry. A valid concealed handgun license is required under ORS 166.291. No co...	Details →
Pennsylvania	LEGAL	Pennsylvania allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older effective May 2023 under Act 192 of 2022. Non-...	Details →
Rhode Island	ILLEGAL	Rhode Island requires a permit to carry a concealed handgun under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-11. No constitutional carry law...	Details →
South Carolina	LEGAL	South Carolina allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older under Act 244 of 2021, effective August 17, ...	Details →
South Dakota	RESTRICTED	South Dakota allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 years or older under SDCL § 23-7-7.5. No permit is requi...	Details →
Tennessee	LEGAL	Tennessee permits permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older as of July 1, 2021, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-1...	Details →
Texas	RESTRICTED	Constitutional carry is legal in Texas under the permitless carry law (HB 1927, effective September 2021). Both open and...	Details →
Utah	RESTRICTED	Utah permits permitless concealed carry for residents and nonresidents 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess f...	Details →
Vermont	LEGAL	Vermont has allowed permitless concealed carry since 1903 under 13 V.S.A. § 4001. No permit or license is required to ca...	Details →
Virginia	RESTRICTED	Virginia does not allow permitless concealed carry. A concealed handgun permit is required under Va. Code § 18.2-308. Pe...	Details →
Washington	RESTRICTED	Washington requires a license to carry a concealed pistol under RCW 9.41.070. Permitless concealed carry is not legal, b...	Details →
West Virginia	LEGAL	West Virginia allows permitless concealed carry for residents 21 and older under W. Va. Code § 61-7-4a. Nonresidents mus...	Details →
Wisconsin	RESTRICTED	Wisconsin requires a concealed carry license under Wis. Stat. § 175.60. Permitless concealed carry is not legal, but ope...	Details →
Wyoming	RESTRICTED	Constitutional Carry (Permitless Concealed Carry) is legal with restrictions in Wyoming. Stat. § 6-8-104. A permit is st...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is carrying a concealed weapon without a permit legal in the United States?

How many states allow constitutional carry (permitless concealed carry)?

As of 2026, constitutional carry (permitless concealed carry) is legal in 23 states, restricted with conditions in 14 states, and illegal in 13 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

What happens if you get caught with constitutional carry (permitless concealed carry) in a state where it's illegal?

Penalties range from civil fines to felony charges depending on the state. Some states treat first offenses as misdemeanors with small fines, while others classify possession as a felony carrying prison time. Check the specific state page for exact penalties, charge levels, and enforcement likelihood.

Can you travel across state lines with constitutional carry (permitless concealed carry)?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If constitutional carry (permitless concealed carry) is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. Always check the laws of every state on your route.