CCW Guide Series
Constitutional Carry States 2026: Complete Permitless Carry Map
All 29 states where you can legally carry a concealed firearm without a permit, including age requirements, restrictions, and what you need to know.
As of January 2026, 29 states have constitutional carry (permitless carry) laws allowing law-abiding adults to carry concealed firearms without a government-issued permit. This represents 58% of U.S. states. Most recent additions: South Carolina (March 2024) and Louisiana (July 2024). Age requirements range from 18-21 depending on the state.
📑 Table of Contents
| Total States | % of USA | Since 2021 | First State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 states | 58% | 16 states | Vermont (1793) |
| States A-I | States K-N | States O-W |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ Alabama (2023) ✓ Alaska (2003) ✓ Arizona (2010) ✓ Arkansas (2021) ✓ Florida (2023) ✓ Georgia (2022) ✓ Idaho (2016) ✓ Indiana (2022) ✓ Iowa (2021) |
✓ Kansas (2015) ✓ Kentucky (2019) ✓ Louisiana (2024) ✓ Maine (2015) ✓ Mississippi (2016) ✓ Missouri (2017) ✓ Montana (2021) ✓ Nebraska (2023) ✓ New Hampshire (2017) ✓ North Dakota (2017) |
✓ Ohio (2022) ✓ Oklahoma (2019) ✓ South Carolina (2024) ✓ South Dakota (2019) ✓ Tennessee (2021) ✓ Texas (2021) ✓ Utah (2021) ✓ Vermont (1793) ✓ West Virginia (2016) ✓ Wyoming (2011) |
| ⚠️ REMEMBER: Permitless carry applies IN-STATE only • You still need a permit for reciprocity • Federal gun-free zones still apply • Age requirements vary 18-21 | ||
| Source: State Legislatures, NRA-ILA | Updated January 2026 | OwlBadges.com | ||
Infographic: All 29 constitutional carry states as of 2026
What Is Constitutional Carry?
Constitutional carry (also called “permitless carry” or “unrestricted carry”) refers to the legal carrying of a concealed firearm without a government-issued permit. The term comes from the belief that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution itself serves as the citizen’s “permit” to bear arms.
In constitutional carry states, law-abiding adults who are legally allowed to possess firearms can carry concealed without obtaining a CCW permit, completing state-mandated training, or paying permit fees. However, this doesn’t mean there are no rules—constitutional carry states still have:
- Age requirements (typically 18 or 21)
- Prohibited person restrictions (felons, domestic violence convictions, etc.)
- Prohibited locations (federal buildings, schools, etc.)
- Carry method restrictions (some states differentiate open vs. concealed)
Vermont has been a constitutional carry state since its founding—it never required permits. Alaska became the first state to adopt constitutional carry through legislation in 2003. The movement accelerated dramatically after 2015, with 16 states adopting permitless carry between 2021 and 2024 alone.
“Constitutional carry” means no permit is required—not that there are no regulations. You must still meet age requirements, be legally eligible to possess firearms, follow federal gun-free zone laws, and comply with state-specific restrictions. Carrying in violation of these rules is still a crime.
Complete List of All 29 Constitutional Carry States
| State | Effective Date | Min Age | Non-Residents? | Open Carry? | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Jan 1, 2023 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| Alaska | 2003 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | First state after Vermont |
| Arizona | Jul 29, 2010 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Popular non-resident permit state |
| Arkansas | 2021 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 18+ for concealed |
| Florida | Jul 1, 2023 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (2025) | Open carry legal after Sept 2025 ruling |
| Georgia | Apr 12, 2022 | 21 (18 military) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 18+ for active military |
| Idaho | Jul 1, 2016 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 21+ outside city limits without permit |
| Indiana | Jul 1, 2022 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Honors all out-of-state permits |
| Iowa | Jul 1, 2021 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Constitutional amendment passed 2022 |
| Kansas | Jul 1, 2015 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| Kentucky | Jun 26, 2019 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| Louisiana | Jul 4, 2024 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 28th state; effective July 4, 2024 |
| Maine | Oct 15, 2015 | 21 (18 military) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 18+ for active military |
| Mississippi | Apr 15, 2016 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| Missouri | Jan 1, 2017 | 19 (18 military) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Only state with 19+ requirement |
| Montana | Feb 18, 2021 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| Nebraska | Sep 10, 2023 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| New Hampshire | Feb 22, 2017 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| North Dakota | Aug 1, 2017 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Concealed only; open carry requires permit |
| Ohio | Jun 13, 2022 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Removed duty to inform requirement |
| Oklahoma | Nov 1, 2019 | 21 (18 military) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Recognizes other states’ permitless carry |
| South Carolina | Mar 7, 2024 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 29th state; most recent addition |
| South Dakota | Jul 1, 2019 | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| Tennessee | Jul 1, 2021 | 18 | ⚠️ Residents only | ✅ Yes | Additional eligibility requirements |
| Texas | Sep 1, 2021 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| Utah | May 5, 2021 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Very popular non-resident permit state |
| Vermont | 1793 (original) | 18 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Never required permits; no permit system |
| West Virginia | May 24, 2016 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
| Wyoming | Jul 1, 2011 | 21 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Open & concealed permitless |
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Age & Eligibility Requirements
Constitutional carry doesn’t mean “anyone can carry.” All states require carriers to meet basic eligibility requirements:
Age Requirements by State
18+ States (14)
Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont
19+ States (1)
Missouri (18 for military)
21+ States (14)
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia*, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine*, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma*, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming
*18+ for active military in some states
Universal Eligibility Requirements
To carry under constitutional carry in ANY state, you must:
- Be legally eligible to possess a firearm under federal law
- Not be a convicted felon
- Not have a domestic violence conviction or active restraining order
- Not be adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
- Not be an unlawful user of controlled substances
- Not have been dishonorably discharged from the military
- Be a legal resident of the U.S. (some states require state residency)
What Constitutional Carry DOESN’T Allow
Constitutional carry removes the permit requirement—it doesn’t eliminate gun laws. Even in permitless carry states:
🚫 You Still Cannot:
- Carry in federal gun-free zones (post offices, federal buildings, airports past TSA)
- Carry in state-prohibited locations (varies by state—schools, government buildings, bars)
- Carry while intoxicated (in most states)
- Carry in other states that don’t honor your constitutional carry status
- Carry if you’re a prohibited person under federal law
- Ignore private property signage (enforceability varies by state)
Your constitutional carry right in Texas, Florida, or any other state does NOT allow you to carry in other states. Constitutional carry only applies within your home state. For interstate travel, you need a recognized CCW permit. This is the #1 reason to obtain a permit even if your state doesn’t require one. See our CCW Reciprocity Guide for details.
Why Get a Permit in a Constitutional Carry State?
Even though your state doesn’t require a permit, obtaining one offers significant advantages:
🗺️ Interstate Reciprocity
Your constitutional carry status only works in your state. A permit gives you legal carry rights in 35+ other states through reciprocity agreements.
🏛️ Access to More Locations
Some restricted locations (like certain school zones under GFSZA) have exemptions for permit holders that don’t apply to permitless carriers.
🛒 Faster Gun Purchases
In many states, CCW permit holders can bypass waiting periods and expedite NICS background checks when purchasing firearms.
⚖️ Legal Protections
A permit demonstrates you’ve passed a background check and (often) completed training—helpful in any legal proceedings.
For strategic permit recommendations, see: Best Non-Resident CCW Permits for Maximum Coverage →
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Shop All Badges →Constitutional Carry Timeline
The constitutional carry movement has accelerated dramatically in recent years:
Vermont — Original constitutional carry state (never required permits)
Alaska — First state to adopt constitutional carry through legislation
Arizona, Wyoming — Movement begins to spread
Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, West Virginia, Idaho, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota — 8 states in 3 years
Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Dakota — Continued expansion
Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Utah — Landmark year with 6 states including Texas
Georgia, Indiana, Ohio — 3 more major states
Alabama, Florida, Nebraska — Florida becomes largest constitutional carry state
Louisiana, South Carolina — 28th and 29th states (most recent)
Frequently Asked Questions
- 29 states (58%) now have constitutional carry as of January 2026
- Age requirements vary from 18-21 depending on the state
- Constitutional carry doesn’t travel—you still need a permit for other states
- All gun laws still apply—permitless carry just removes the permit requirement
- Getting a permit is still valuable for reciprocity, faster purchases, and legal protection
- Training is always recommended even when not legally required
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Owl Badges Team
Custom Badge Specialists Since 2010
Our team tracks constitutional carry legislation across all 50 states to provide accurate, up-to-date information for responsible gun owners.