Firearm laws vary widely from state to state — and sometimes by city or county. Use the directory below to jump straight to each state's official government resource for concealed-carry, licensing, and reciprocity information. We keep the links pointed at the authoritative .gov source for each state so you're always reading the rules from the people who write and enforce them.
As of 2026, 29 states have adopted permitless (constitutional) carry, meaning eligible adults can carry a concealed handgun without a state permit. The remaining states require a permit or license; following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 NYSRPA v. Bruen decision, nearly all permit-required states now operate on a “shall-issue” basis.
Firearm Regulations by State
Alabama
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Alabama State Firearm Policies
Alaska
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Alaska Permits & Licensing
Arizona
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Arizona Concealed Weapons
Arkansas
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Arkansas State Police
California
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: California Firearms Division
Colorado
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Colorado Gun Laws
Connecticut
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Connecticut Board of Firearms Permit Examiners
Delaware
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Delaware Concealed Carry of a Deadly Weapon
Florida
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Florida Concealed Weapon License
Georgia
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Georgia Firearms Licensing
Hawaii
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Hawaii Firearms (Honolulu PD)
Idaho
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Idaho Attorney General — Concealed Weapons
Illinois
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau
Indiana
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Indiana Firearms Licensing
Iowa
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Iowa Weapon Permits
Kansas
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Kansas Concealed Carry Licensing
Kentucky
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Kentucky CCDW Licensing
Louisiana
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Louisiana (Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries)
Maine
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Maine Concealed Carry
Maryland
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Maryland State Police Firearms, Permits & Professional Licenses
Massachusetts
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Massachusetts Firearms License
Michigan
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Michigan State Police CCW
Minnesota
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Minnesota Firearms (Legislative Reference)
Mississippi
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Mississippi Firearms Permits
Missouri
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Missouri Concealed Carry Reciprocity
Montana
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Montana DOJ — Concealed Weapons
Nebraska
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permits
Nevada
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Nevada Revised Statutes (Chapter 202)
New Hampshire
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: New Hampshire Pistol & Revolver Licensing
New Jersey
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: New Jersey State Police — Firearms Investigation Unit
New Mexico
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: New Mexico Concealed Carry Licenses
New York
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: New York State Police Firearms
North Carolina
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun. (permitless-carry legislation (SB 50) pending House veto override as of June 2026)
Official resource: North Carolina Concealed Carry (NC DOJ)
North Dakota
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: North Dakota Constitutional Concealed Carry
Ohio
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Ohio Concealed Carry
Oklahoma
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Oregon
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Oregon Firearms Instant Check System (FICS)
Pennsylvania
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Pennsylvania Concealed Carry Reciprocity
Rhode Island
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Rhode Island Pistol Permits
South Carolina
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit (SLED)
South Dakota
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: South Dakota Concealed Pistol Permits
Tennessee
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Tennessee Handgun Carry Permits
Texas
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Texas License to Carry
Utah
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Utah Concealed Firearm Permit
Vermont
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Vermont Attorney General — Gun Laws
Virginia
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Virginia Resident Concealed Handgun Permits
Washington
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Washington Firearms (Attorney General)
West Virginia
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: West Virginia Attorney General — Gun Reciprocity Information
Wisconsin
Permit required. A state-issued license/permit is required to carry a concealed handgun.
Official resource: Wisconsin Firearms Laws (Law Library) · Wisconsin Concealed Carry (DOJ)
Wyoming
Permitless (constitutional) carry. Eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a state-issued permit. Most of these states still issue permits for reciprocity when traveling.
Official resource: Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permits
Last verified June 2026. Because state firearm law changes often, treat the official links above as the source of truth. If you spot a link that has moved, let us know and we’ll update it.