In the US, every state has its own laws regarding the legalities of carrying and concealing firearms. For example, some states allow their citizens to open carry. This means that individuals can carry weapons on their person or in their car so long as they meet specific requirements. Other states allow concealed carry, meaning people can carry firearms with them or in their vehicles so long as these weapons are concealed.
While many citizens are very familiar with the laws pertaining to firearms, many people are not fully aware of the extent of these laws. For example, Florida law allows its citizens to carry concealed weapons with a CCL permit and non-residents with a CCW permit. Additionally they are allowed to carry other weapons to include knives, billie clubs, tear gas, and electric shock weapons.
Every state in the US has laws allowing individuals to carry a concealed weapon. Nevertheless, many of these states make it virtually impossible to obtain a concealed weapons permit.
Carry and Conceal Terminology
To understand a little more about carry and conceal laws and permits, here is some of the proper legal terminology you will see.
Shall Issue to Residents Only
All state residents are eligible to apply for a carry and conceal permit as long as they have met the requirements of the state. Upon approval, the state will issue a permit.
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents
All state residents and non-residents may be eligible for a carry and conceal permit if they meet all state requirements.
May Issue to Residents Only
May Issue means that the state will determine whether they wish to issue a carry and conceal permit to residents who have met specific requirements.
May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents
States have the right to determine whether they will issue a carry and conceal permit to residents or non-residents who have met specific requirements.
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only
States that fall into this category have a form of a Constitutional carry law permitting residents to carry a concealed weapon without a license. Furthermore, they have laws that allow residents to carry concealed weapons so long as they meet the requirements set forth by the state.
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents
States in this category also have a Constitutional carry law that permits everyone to carry and conceal a weapon without a license. Furthermore, they have laws that allow residents and non-residents to carry a concealed weapon so long as they meet specific requirements.
Carry and Conceal Laws by State
Below is a breakout of states based on the type of firearm carry laws that they support.
States with a Constitutional Carry Law
Some states allow constitutional carry, which means that all individuals that are legally allowed to carry a firearm do not need a permit to do so. These constitutional carry states include:
- AK (Alaska): Residents only
- AZ (Arizona)
- KS (Kansas)
- ME (Maine)
- MS (Mississippi)
- MO (Missouri)
- NH (New Hampshire)
- VT (Vermont): Does not issue permits
- WV (West Virginia): Residents only
- WY (Wyoming)
States with a Shall-Issue Law
The term shall issue means a citizen must obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon. But the carrier is not required to provide “good cause” for carrying a firearm. There are 32 shall issue law states in the US.
Seven states in the US shall-issue to “residents only.”
- AL (Alabama)
- CO (Colorado)
- GA (Georgia)
- LA (Louisiana)
- MI (Michigan)
- MT (Montana)
- WY (Wyoming)
Twenty-seven states in the US shall-issue to “residents and non-residents.”
- AR (Arkansas)
- DC (District of Columbia)
- FL (Florida)
- ID (Idaho)
- IL (Illinois)
- IN (Indiana)
- IA (Iowa)
- KY (Kentucky)
- MN (Minnesota)
- NE (Nebraska)
- NV (Nevada)
- NM (New Mexico)
- NC (North Carolina)
- ND (North Dakota)
- OH (Ohio)
- OK (Oklahoma)
- OR (Oregon)
- PA (Pennsylvania)
- RI (Rhode Island)
- SC (South Carolina)
- SD (South Dakota)
- TN (Tennessee)
- TX (Texas)
- UT (Utah)
- VA (Virginia)
- WA (Washington)
- WI (Wisconsin)
States With May Issue Laws
There are other states that have May Issue laws. These states require citizens to have a permit for carrying weapons; local authorities are in charge of deciding which individuals receive these permits and which do not.
States with may Issue laws include the following::
- CA (California): Residents Only
- CT (Connecticut)
- DE (Delaware): Residents Only
- HI (Hawaii)
- MD (Maryland)
- MA (Massachusetts)
- NJ (New Jersey)
- NY (New York)
- RI (Rhode Island): According to Rhode Islands state law, they consider itself to be a “shall-issue” state. However, the state’s attorney general has the authority also to issue permits as they see fit. Furthermore, local law enforcement can issue permits to those applicants who meet eligibility requirements and have “good reason” to carry a firearm.
No-Issue States
In some states, there are no-issue laws. This means that most private citizens are not allowed to carry a concealed firearm. In California, this is the case in 12 counties. While these laws are not technically on the books, they are in practice in other areas. The states with these laws in practice are as follows:
HI (Hawaii)
MD (Maryland)
MA (Massachusetts)
NJ (New Jersey)
NY (New York)
Concealed Carry Reciprocity
This means that the license or permit an individual has allows them to carry their firearms across state borders. Reciprocity is different from one state to the next, and those who will be carrying must follow laws within the state in which they are carrying a firearm. This means that if a citizen has a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Alabama, they can legally carry their firearm in Arkansas as well.
Not all states honor out-of-state carry permits. Colorado is one notable example that does not accept out-of-state permits, and the individual must meet the requirements for the state of Colorado to carry in Colorado. This means that the carrier must be a minimum of 21-years old. So, a 21-year-old with a resident permit from Colorado would be able to carry in the state of Florida as well.
Other states that do not honor out of state permits and licenses include the following.
- CA (California)
- CT (Connecticut)
- HI (Hawaii)
- IL (Illinois)
- MD (Maryland)
- MA (Massachusetts)
- MT (Montana)
- NJ (New Jersey)
- NY (New York)
- OR (Oregon)
- RI (Rhode Island)
Wrapping up
Carrying and concealing a firearm can be an essential part of self-defense. It may be the only thing standing between you and an assailant in some cases. With the proper training and practice, carry and conceal can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can protect yourself and your loved ones if the need arises. While we can’t predict when or where danger will strike, carrying and concealment gives us the best chance of prevailing in a dangerous situation. At KM Tactical we are proud supporters of the 2nd Amendment. We carry quality gun parts and tactical gear to meet all your firearm and firearm accessory needs.
