While many states regulate the carrying of concealed guns including by requiring a permit to do so, most states do not regulate the open carry of guns. This is often the result of the absence of relevant state laws commonly known as the “open carry loophole.” Because responsible gun owners have not traditionally carried firearms openly, many state legislatures have not passed laws regulating the practice.
Which states regulate open carry?
11 states have adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Alabama has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Alaska has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Arizona has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Arkansas has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
California has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Prohibited for all firearms
Open Carry Regulated
Colorado has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Connecticut has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Prohibited for all firearms
Open Carry Regulated
Delaware has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Florida has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Georgia has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Hawaii has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Permit required for handguns; prohibited for rifles and shotguns.
Open Carry Regulated
Idaho has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Illinois has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Prohibited for all firearms
Open Carry Regulated
Indiana has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Iowa has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Kansas has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Kentucky has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Louisiana has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Maine has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Maryland has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Prohibited for handguns; open carry not regulated for rifles and shotguns.
Open Carry Regulated
Massachusetts has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Permit required for all firearms.
Open Carry Regulated
Michigan has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Minnesota has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Permit required for all firearms.
Open Carry Regulated
Mississippi has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Missouri has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Montana has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Nebraska has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Nevada has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
New Hampshire has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
New Jersey has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Prohibited for handguns; permit required for long guns.
Open Carry Regulated
New Mexico has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
New York has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Prohibited for handguns; open carry not regulated for rifles and shotguns.
Open Carry Regulated
North Carolina has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
North Dakota has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Ohio has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Oklahoma has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Oregon has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Pennsylvania has not adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Regulated only in Philadelphia
Open Carry Regulated
Rhode Island has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Permit required for handguns; prohibited for rifles and shotguns (unless unloaded)
Open Carry Regulated
South Carolina has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
South Dakota has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Tennessee has adopted this policy
- How is open carry regulated?
- Open carry not regulated for handguns; prohibited for rifles and shotguns (unless unloaded).
Open Carry Regulated
Texas has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Utah has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Vermont has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Virginia has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Washington has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
West Virginia has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Wisconsin has not adopted this policy
Open Carry Regulated
Wyoming has not adopted this policy
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