Gun laws in the United States are evolving rapidly, and one of the biggest shifts in recent decades is the spread of permitless carry, also known as constitutional carry. This trend has redrawn the legal landscape across much of the country.
The map above is based on data from Handgunlaw.us, which tracks firearm legislation nationwide.
What Does Permitless Carry Mean?
Permitless (or constitutional) carry laws allow individuals who can legally own a firearm to carry it concealed — and in some states, openly — without a state-issued permit. That doesn’t mean permits have disappeared. Most of these states still issue optional permits, which can be useful for reciprocity (recognition across state lines), faster firearm purchases, or carrying in restricted areas.
How Many States Allow It in 2025?
As of September 2025, 29 states have adopted permitless carry. Vermont stands out as the only state that has never required a permit since its founding constitution of 1791.
Below is a table showing when each state enacted permitless carry and the minimum age allowed:
State
Year Enacted
Minimum Age
Vermont
1791
18
Alaska
2003
21
Arizona
2010
21
Wyoming
2011 (expanded 2021)
21
Kansas
2015
21
Maine
2015
21
Idaho
2016 (expanded 2019–20)
18
Mississippi
2016
18
West Virginia
2016
21
Missouri
2017
19 (18 military)
New Hampshire
2017
18
North Dakota
2017 (expanded 2023)
18
Kentucky
2019
21
Oklahoma
2019
21 (18 military)
South Dakota
2019
18
Arkansas
2021 (court confirmed)
21 (18 military/veterans)
Iowa
2021
18
Montana
2021
18
Tennessee
2021 (court expanded 2023)
18
Texas
2021 (lowered 2023)
18
Utah
2021
21
Georgia
2022
21 (18 military)
Indiana
2022
18
Ohio
2022
21
Alabama
2023
19 (18 with out-of-state permit)
Florida
2023
21
Nebraska
2023
21 (18 military)
Louisiana
2024
18
South Carolina
2024
18
Open Carry vs. Concealed Carry
When people talk about permitless carry, they usually mean concealed carry – keeping a handgun hidden on your person. This is where most legislation has shifted in recent years, and for good reason.
Open carry’s been around forever in most states without much hassle. Walk around with a gun on your hip? Fine in many places. But hiding it? Totally different story. Politicians always worried more about concealed weapons — you can’t see trouble coming, cops can’t spot problems as easily. For years, if you wanted to carry hidden, you had to take classes, pass background checks, get a permit from the state.
The ’80s and ’90s changed things when states started using “shall issue” rules, basically making permits way easier to score. But the real shift came in the 2010s. Gun folks started saying, “Look, if I can legally own this thing, why do I need extra permission to carry it?” The other side fired back that permits aren’t just red tape — they mean people actually learn how to handle their weapons safely.
That’s why concealed carry keeps making headlines. The debate isn’t really about who gets to own guns anymore. It’s about where and how they get carried around.
Take Florida – perfect example of how weird this gets. Since 2023, you can hide a gun without any permit. But wear it openly? Nope, still illegal. Shows you how much the details matter, even in so-called “permitless” states.
The Debate Over National Reciprocity
Beyond state laws, a new federal push is unfolding in 2025. The proposed Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act has been introduced in both chambers of Congress. If passed, it would require states to recognize concealed carry permits issued elsewhere, much like driver’s licenses are honored nationwide.
Supporters say this protects Second Amendment rights and simplifies travel for lawful gun owners. Opponents argue it could override stricter state regulations, especially those requiring training or background checks.
