Open Carry States 2026

Type of Open Carry

Anomalous Open Carry

Illegal

No Permit Req.

Permit Required

State	Type of Open Carry↓	Minimum Age for Open Carry	Additional Open Carry Details
Alabama	No Permit Req.	18
Alaska	No Permit Req.	21
Arizona	No Permit Req.	18
Arkansas	No Permit Req.	18
Delaware	No Permit Req.	18
Florida	No Permit Req.	21	Florida's law banning open carry was struck down in court in Sept 2025. Administrators, law enforcement officials, and gun activists have raised concerns that the current open carry law lacks clearly defined parameters regarding what is and is not legal in regard to public carrying of firearms.
Idaho	No Permit Req.	18
Indiana	No Permit Req.	18
Iowa	No Permit Req.	21
Kansas	No Permit Req.	18
Kentucky	No Permit Req.	18
Louisiana	No Permit Req.	18
Maine	No Permit Req.	21
Mississippi	No Permit Req.	18
Montana	No Permit Req.	18
Nevada	No Permit Req.	18
New Hampshire	No Permit Req.	18
New Mexico	No Permit Req.	19
North Carolina	No Permit Req.	18	Some localities can restrict where users are legally allowed to open carry. Such rules may differ from those in other localities
Ohio	No Permit Req.	18
Oklahoma	No Permit Req.	21
Pennsylvania	No Permit Req.	21	Legal except in vehicles. Also, not permitted in Philadelphia
South Dakota	No Permit Req.	18
Tennessee	No Permit Req.	21	18 for military
Texas	No Permit Req.	21	Weapon must be holstered
Utah	No Permit Req.	21
Vermont	No Permit Req.	18
Virginia	No Permit Req.	18	Some localities can restrict where users are legally allowed to open carry. Such rules may differ from those in other localities
Washington	No Permit Req.	21	Legal, except in vehicles.
West Virginia	No Permit Req.	18
Wisconsin	No Permit Req.	18
Wyoming	No Permit Req.	18
Colorado	Anomalous Open Carry	18
Michigan	Anomalous Open Carry	18	The gun must be registered in carrier's name. Non-residents must have a valid permit from a state that Michigan recognizes.
Missouri	Anomalous Open Carry	19	18 for military
Nebraska	Anomalous Open Carry	18
Oregon	Anomalous Open Carry	18
Connecticut	Permit Required	21	Although technically legal, an appellate court has recognized that “depending on the specific circumstances, a person who openly carries a pistol conceivably may be subject to arrest for violating several statutes, . . . even if § 29–35 does not prohibit a permit holder from carrying a pistol openly.
Georgia	Permit Required	21	18 for military; Open carry is not addressed in the new constitutional carry bill
Hawaii	Permit Required	21	Only valid in the county for which the permit was issued
Maryland	Permit Required	21	18 for employment purposes
Massachusetts	Permit Required		Only if individual has a current, valid Class B permit/license. No new class B licenses are being issued.
Minnesota	Permit Required	21
New Jersey	Permit Required	21	Open carry is not explicitly prohibited in New Jersey law.
North Dakota	Permit Required	18
Rhode Island	Permit Required	21	Only with a permit issued by the Attorney General
South Carolina	Permit Required	21
California	Illegal		It is generally prohibited to carry a firearm openly in California. However, the sheriff of any county with a population under 200,000 people or the chief of police of a city within that county, may issue licenses to carry a loaded, exposed handgun. Such licenses are only valid in the county where they are issued.
District of Columbia	Illegal
Illinois	Illegal
New York	Illegal

While most states’ laws either prohibit or allow open carry (either with or without a permit requirement), Anomalous Open Carry States have variable rules.
In anomalous open carry states, open carry is permitted by state law, but may be restricted by individual counties or municipalities. In some cases, rules may differ for residents and non-residents.

Permitless Open Carry States States where individuals can openly carry a firearm without a license or permit, though restrictions may still apply in certain locations or circumstances.

Anomalous Open Carry States States where open carry is technically legal but subject to unclear, locally variable, or highly specific restrictions that create inconsistent enforcement.

Permit-Required Open Carry States States that require individuals to obtain a license or permit before legally carrying a firearm openly in public.

States With Permitless Open Carry

Most U.S. states allow open carry without a permit. In these states, individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm can typically carry it openly in public without prior approval, though rules may still vary by location or circumstance.

These states are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

States With Anomalous Open Carry Laws

Some states allow open carry but with added complexity or local variation. In these states, the legality of open carry may depend on local ordinances, specific conditions, or how the law is interpreted and enforced. Restrictions can include city- or county-level bans, firearm registration requirements, or limited allowances based on status, such as military affiliation.

These states are Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oregon.

States That Require an Open Carry Permit

Some states require individuals to obtain a license or permit before openly carrying a firearm in public. In these states, open carry is legal, but only for those who meet specific eligibility requirements and receive official authorization.

These states are Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

States Where Open Carry Is Prohibited

A small number of jurisdictions prohibit open carry under most circumstances. In these areas, individuals are generally not allowed to carry firearms openly in public, regardless of whether they hold a permit.

These jurisdictions are California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, and New York.

Key Restrictions on Open Carry

Even in states where open carry is legal, restrictions often apply. Common limitations include bans in certain locations such as schools, government buildings, and places that serve alcohol, as well as rules requiring firearms to be holstered or carried in a specific manner.

Additional restrictions may apply at the local level, with some cities or counties imposing stricter rules than the state. In certain states, open carry may also be limited in vehicles or subject to conditions such as the firearm being unloaded.