Shall-Issue States 2026
Shall Issue
Constitutional Carry and Does Not Issue Permits
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents
Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only
May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents
May Issue to Residents Only
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents
Shall Issue to Residents Only
State | Shall Issue↓ | |
|---|---|---|
 | Vermont | Constitutional Carry and Does Not Issue Permits |
 | Arizona | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Idaho | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Indiana | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Iowa | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Kansas | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Kentucky | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Maine | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Mississippi | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Missouri | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Montana | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | New Hampshire | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | North Dakota | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Ohio | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Oklahoma | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | South Dakota | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Tennessee | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Texas | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Utah | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | West Virginia | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Alabama | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only |
 | Alaska | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only |
 | Arkansas | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only |
 | Florida | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only |
 | Georgia | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only |
 | Wyoming | Constitutional Carry and Shall Issue to Residents Only |
 | Illinois | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Michigan | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Minnesota | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Nebraska | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Nevada | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | New Mexico | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | North Carolina | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Oregon | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Pennsylvania | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Rhode Island | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | South Carolina | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Virginia | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Washington | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Wisconsin | Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Colorado | Shall Issue to Residents Only |
 | Louisiana | Shall Issue to Residents Only |
 | California | May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Connecticut | May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Hawaii | May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Maryland | May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Massachusetts | May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | New Jersey | May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | New York | May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents |
 | Delaware | May Issue to Residents Only |
- Shall issue states will grant a concealed carry permit to any individual who applies and meets the requirements
- May issue states may judge not to grant a concealed carry permit to an individual who meets all listed requirements
- In both instances, requirements may or may not include residency in the state.
- States that do not require a permit for concealed carry are classified as “constitutional carry” states.
Shall-Issue Concealed Carry Laws State laws requiring concealed carry permits to be issued to applicants who meet objective legal criteria, without broad discretionary denial.
States with Constitutional Carry and Shall-Issue Permits
Many states combine constitutional carry—allowing permitless concealed carry—with a shall-issue permitting system for those who choose to obtain a license. In these states, permits are still available and must be issued to qualified applicants, but they are not required for lawful concealed carry.
States in this category include Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. This dual framework gives residents the flexibility to carry without a permit while still offering a standardized permitting process for reciprocity or other legal purposes.
States with Constitutional Carry and Shall-Issue Permits (Residents Only)
Some states combine constitutional carry with a shall-issue permitting system but limit permit issuance to residents only. While concealed carry without a permit is generally allowed, formal permits are restricted to in-state applicants.
States in this category include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Wyoming. In these states, residents may obtain permits under a shall-issue framework, but non-residents are not eligible for state-issued licenses.
States with Shall-Issue Permits for Residents and Non-Residents
Some states require a permit for concealed carry but follow a shall-issue framework, meaning licenses must be issued to applicants who meet objective legal criteria. These states typically allow both residents and non-residents to apply.
States in this category include Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. While permits are required, the application process is standardized and does not rely on discretionary approval.
States with Shall-Issue Permits for Residents Only
A small number of states follow a shall-issue framework but limit permit issuance to residents. In these states, applicants must meet defined legal criteria, but non-residents are generally not eligible to receive a state-issued permit.
States in this category include Colorado and Louisiana. While permits are required for concealed carry, issuance is standardized for residents who satisfy the statutory requirements.
States That Are Not Shall-Issue
Some states do not follow a shall-issue framework. Instead, they operate under may-issue systems or other unique approaches where permit issuance may involve greater discretion or different legal structures.
States in this category include California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. Vermont is also unique, as it allows constitutional carry but does not issue permits at all.
