Concealed Carry by State 2026: Permitless, Permit and Reciprocity Hub
Quick answer: As of 2026, 29 states have constitutional (permitless) carry — you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit if you can legally own one. The remaining 21 states and Washington, D.C. require a permit, and a handful (California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and D.C.) impose extensive requirements even after the 2022 Bruen decision ended “may-issue” discretion. Carry laws change often — use this hub to see each state's status, then always confirm current law with the state before you carry.
Concealed carry by state (2026)
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| State | Concealed carry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Permitless | No permit needed to carry concealed; permits still offered for reciprocity. |
| Alaska | Permitless | One of the original constitutional-carry states. |
| Arizona | Permitless | Permits available for reciprocity when traveling. |
| Arkansas | Permitless | Enhanced permit available for broader reciprocity. |
| California | Permit — restrictive | Shall-issue after Bruen but with heavy requirements and many off-limits areas. |
| Colorado | Permit required | Shall-issue through county sheriffs. |
| Connecticut | Permit required | Permit required; some local process steps. |
| Delaware | Permit required | Permit required, with an application process. |
| Florida | Permitless | Permitless carry took effect in 2023; permits still issued. |
| Georgia | Permitless | Constitutional carry since 2022. |
| Hawaii | Permit — restrictive | Permit required with extensive limits and sensitive-place rules. |
| Idaho | Permitless | Enhanced permit available for reciprocity. |
| Illinois | Permit required | Permit required with a state-mandated training course. |
| Indiana | Permitless | Constitutional carry since 2022. |
| Iowa | Permitless | Permits available for reciprocity. |
| Kansas | Permitless | Permitless carry at 21; permits offered. |
| Kentucky | Permitless | Permits still available for reciprocity. |
| Louisiana | Permitless | Constitutional carry effective 2024. |
| Maine | Permitless | Permitless carry with permits for reciprocity. |
| Maryland | Permit — restrictive | Shall-issue after Bruen but with heavy requirements and many restricted areas. |
| Massachusetts | Permit — restrictive | Permit required with extensive requirements and local discretion in practice. |
| Michigan | Permit required | Shall-issue permit. |
| Minnesota | Permit required | Permit to carry required. |
| Mississippi | Permitless | Permits available for reciprocity. |
| Missouri | Permitless | Permits still issued for travel. |
| Montana | Permitless | Permitless in most of the state; permits for reciprocity. |
| Nebraska | Permitless | Constitutional carry effective 2023. |
| Nevada | Permit required | Shall-issue permit. |
| New Hampshire | Permitless | Permits available for reciprocity. |
| New Jersey | Permit — restrictive | Shall-issue after Bruen but with heavy requirements and many off-limits areas. |
| New Mexico | Permit required | Shall-issue permit. |
| New York | Permit — restrictive | Extensive requirements and sensitive-location rules after Bruen. |
| North Carolina | Permit required | Shall-issue permit. |
| North Dakota | Permitless | Permitless for residents; permits for reciprocity. |
| Ohio | Permitless | Constitutional carry since 2022. |
| Oklahoma | Permitless | Permits available for reciprocity. |
| Oregon | Permit required | Shall-issue permit through county sheriffs. |
| Pennsylvania | Permit required | Shall-issue license to carry firearms. |
| Rhode Island | Permit required | Permit required with a dual state/local process. |
| South Carolina | Permitless | Constitutional carry effective 2024. |
| South Dakota | Permitless | Permits available for reciprocity. |
| Tennessee | Permitless | Permitless carry at 18 for those who qualify; permits offered. |
| Texas | Permitless | Constitutional carry since 2021; License to Carry still available. |
| Utah | Permitless | Permitless carry; permit available for reciprocity. |
| Vermont | Permitless | Permitless carry with no state permit system. |
| Virginia | Permit required | Shall-issue concealed handgun permit. |
| Washington | Permit required | Shall-issue concealed pistol license. |
| West Virginia | Permitless | Permitless at 21; provisional permit at 18. |
| Wisconsin | Permit required | Shall-issue permit. |
| Wyoming | Permitless | Permitless for residents; permits for reciprocity. |
| Washington, D.C. | Permit — restrictive | Permit required with extensive requirements and many off-limits areas. |
Status reflects 2026 concealed-carry law. “Permit — restrictive” marks states that are technically shall-issue after the 2022 NYSRPA v. Bruen decision but impose extensive requirements and broad off-limits areas. Verify current rules with your state before carrying.
How carry and reciprocity work
In a permitless (constitutional carry) state, anyone legally allowed to own a handgun may carry it concealed without a permit. In a permit-required state you must apply, meet the requirements (often including training and a background check), and carry the license. Reciprocity is when one state honors another state's carry permit — it is a patchwork that changes often, so a permit valid at home may not be valid across a state line. Before you travel, check the destination state's reciprocity list, and remember that permitless states still let you carry even without a recognized permit. For the terms behind the law, see our Firearms & 2A Legal Glossary.
Carry-law FAQ
How many states have constitutional (permitless) carry in 2026?
29 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. In these states anyone legally allowed to own a handgun may carry it concealed without a permit.
Which states require a permit to carry?
The other 21 states and Washington, D.C. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin all require a permit, with California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and D.C. imposing the heaviest requirements.
What is concealed-carry reciprocity?
Reciprocity is when one state recognizes a concealed-carry permit issued by another state, so you can legally carry there. It is a state-by-state patchwork that changes frequently, and permitless states generally let you carry regardless. Always check the destination state's current reciprocity before traveling.
Is my carry permit valid in every state?
No. Permits are honored only in states that have reciprocity with your issuing state, and even then you must follow the destination state's laws. Permitless-carry states let you carry without a recognized permit, but restrictive states may not honor any outside permit.
Did the Bruen decision make carry legal everywhere?
No. The 2022 NYSRPA v. Bruen decision ended “may-issue” discretion, so remaining permit states must issue to qualified applicants. But several — California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and D.C. — responded with extensive requirements and expanded “sensitive place” bans that still make carry difficult.
This hub is a general educational reference for 2026 and is not legal advice. Concealed-carry, open-carry, reciprocity and “sensitive place” laws vary by state and locality and change frequently. Always confirm the current law with the official state source and consult an attorney before carrying a firearm.