Built For American Patriots · Independent · Constitutional Absolutist
Guide

Constitutional Carry States 2026: The Official Statute for Each

By , EditorUpdated How we verifyEditorial standards

Constitutional carry, also called permitless carry, means a lawful gun owner can carry a handgun without a state permit. For each state we link the state's own legislature, code or government site and quote the section or the act that enacted it. That is 29 states, every permitless-carry state we found as of Nov. 3, 2026.

Not legal advice. This table quotes each state's statute or enacting act as published by its legislature, code or government site when we read it on Nov. 3, 2026. Age limits, prohibited-person rules, places where carry is banned, vehicle rules and recent amendments can change the answer. Read the linked section and ask a lawyer licensed in that state before you carry, and check the rules of any state you travel through.

How we built this list

For each state we opened the official statute page, or the enacted bill where the state's current code is only published on a LexisNexis public-access site (Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee), and copied the sentence that shows how it treats carrying without a permit. Some states say so outright (Kentucky, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota). Others get there by limiting a concealed-carry offense to a narrower group, such as people under 21 or prohibited persons. We quote that wording and add no legal conclusion of our own. We show an effective date only where the official page shows one. For those four states the code citation comes from the act, and later amendments may not be shown.

List of constitutional carry states (2026)

Permitless carry, in the table below (29 states)   Not on this list. Tap a highlighted state to jump to its statute.
StateStatute (official source)What the official text says
AlabamaCode of Ala. 13A-11-74.1The section is titled "Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit" and says "The issuance of a permit to carry a pistol pursuant to Section 13A-11-75, or the recognition of a nonresident license pursuant to Section 13A-11-85, does not impose a general prohibition on the carrying of a pistol without a permit." The Code of Alabama page shows it as "(Effective January 1, 2023)" and cites Act 2022-133.
AlaskaAS 11.61.220(a)(1)(A), (a)(6)Misconduct involving weapons in the fifth degree applies to a person who "is 21 years of age or older and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon, (A) that is concealed on the person, and, when contacted by a peace officer, the person fails to (i) immediately inform the peace officer of that possession" (paragraph (a)(1)(A)), and to a person who "is less than 21 years of age and knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary pocket knife or a defensive weapon, that is concealed on the person" (paragraph (a)(6)).
ArizonaA.R.S. 13-3102(A)(2)Misconduct involving weapons includes "Carrying a deadly weapon except a pocket knife concealed on his person or concealed within his immediate control in or on a means of transportation if the person is under twenty-one years of age." Paragraph (A)(1) covers concealed carry in furtherance of a serious offense or felony, or failing to answer an officer accurately.
ArkansasA.C.A. 5-73-120(a), as enacted by Act 746 of 2013 (HB 1700)Section 2 of Act 746 (approved April 4, 2013) rewrote the carrying-a-weapon section to read: "A person commits the offense of carrying a weapon if he or she possesses a handgun, knife, or club on or about his or her person, in a vehicle occupied by him or her, or otherwise readily available for use with a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ the handgun, knife, or club as a weapon against a person." The code citation comes from the act. We found no official current-code page we could link.
FloridaFla. Stat. 790.01(1)A person is authorized to carry a concealed weapon or firearm if he or she "(a) Is licensed under s. 790.06; or (b) Is not licensed under s. 790.06, but otherwise satisfies the criteria for receiving and maintaining such a license."
GeorgiaO.C.G.A. 16-11-126(g)(1) and 16-11-125.1(2.1), as enacted by SB 319 of 2022 (Act 596)As amended by SB 319: "Except as otherwise provided in subsections (a) through (f) of this Code section, no person shall carry a weapon unless he or she is a lawful weapons carrier." The act defines "Lawful weapons carrier" as "any person who is licensed or eligible for a license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of any other state who would otherwise be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state." The General Assembly's bill page lists it as Act 596, effective 04/12/2022. We quote the enrolled text from the Governor's signed-legislation copy. The code citations come from the act. We found no official current-code page we could link.
IdahoIdaho Code 18-3302(4)(f)The license requirement "shall not apply to restrict or prohibit the carrying or possession of" a deadly weapon concealed by a person who "Is over eighteen (18) years of age; Is a citizen of the United States or a current member of the armed forces of the United States; and Is not disqualified from being issued a license." The page shows versions effective until and from January 1, 2027.
IndianaIC 35-47-2-3(a)"A person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun under state or federal law is not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana."
IowaIowa Code 724.5The section is titled "Availability of permit not to be construed as prohibition on unlicensed carrying of weapons" and says "The availability of a professional or nonprofessional permit to carry weapons under this chapter shall not be construed to impose a general prohibition on the otherwise lawful unlicensed carrying or transport, whether openly or concealed, of a dangerous weapon, including a loaded firearm."
KansasK.S.A. 21-6302(a)(4)Criminal carrying of a weapon includes carrying "any pistol, revolver or other firearm concealed on one's person if such person is under 21 years of age, except when on such person's land or in such person's abode or fixed place of business."
KentuckyKRS 237.109(1)"Persons age twenty-one (21) or older, and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm, may carry concealed firearms or other concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same locations as persons with valid licenses issued under KRS 237.110." The page shows "Effective: June 27, 2019."
LouisianaLa. R.S. 14:95(A)(1)(a), (M)Illegal carrying of weapons includes "The intentional concealment of any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, on one's person." Subsection M says "The provisions of Subparagraph (A)(1)(a) of this Section shall not apply to any person who is eighteen years of age or older and is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under R.S. 14:95.1, 18 U.S.C. 922(g), or any other state or federal law."
Maine25 M.R.S. 2001-A(2)(A-1)The concealed-weapon prohibition does not apply to "A handgun carried by a person who is 21 years of age or older and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm" (with a separate clause for 18-to-20-year-olds on active duty or honorably discharged).
MississippiMiss. Code 45-9-101(24), as amended by HB 786 of 2016As amended by HB 786: "A license under this section is not required for a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver to be carried upon the person in a sheath, belt holster or shoulder holster or in a purse, handbag, satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case if the person is not engaged in criminal activity other than a misdemeanor traffic offense, is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a pistol or revolver under state or federal law, and is not in a location prohibited under subsection (13) of this section." The Legislature's bill status record shows it approved by the Governor 04/15/2016, effective on passage, chapter 421. The code citation comes from the act. We found no official current-code page we could link.
MissouriRSMo 571.030.1(1)"A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons, except as otherwise provided by sections 571.101 to 571.121 and sections 571.205 to 571.230, if he or she knowingly: (1) Carries concealed upon or about his or her person a knife, a firearm, a blackjack or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any area where firearms are restricted under section 571.107" (subdivision (1)). The Revisor's page shows the version "Effective - 28 Aug 2026".
MontanaMCA 45-8-316(3)"This section does not apply to a person eligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law." (Subsection (1) is the concealed-firearm penalty.)
NebraskaNeb. Rev. Stat. 28-1202(1)"A minor or a prohibited person shall not carry a weapon or weapons concealed on or about his or her person, such as a handgun, a knife, brass or iron knuckles, or any other deadly weapon."
New HampshireRSA 159:6, III"The availability of a license to carry a loaded pistol or revolver under this section or under any other provision of law shall not be construed to impose a prohibition on the unlicensed transport or carry of a firearm in a vehicle, or on or about one's person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, by a resident, nonresident, or alien if that individual is not otherwise prohibited by statute from possessing a firearm in the state of New Hampshire."
North DakotaN.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03(2)"An individual who is not otherwise precluded from possessing a class 2 firearm and dangerous weapon license under this chapter and who possesses a valid driver's license or nondriver identification card issued by the department of transportation or by the individual's state or territory of residence may carry a firearm concealed under this chapter."
OhioR.C. 2923.111(A)(2), (B)(1)"A person who is a qualifying adult shall not be required to obtain a concealed handgun license in order to carry in this state, under authority of division (B)(2) of this section, a concealed handgun that is not a restricted firearm." A "qualifying adult" is defined to start with "Twenty-one years of age or older" The page shows "Effective: June 13, 2022".
Oklahoma21 O.S. 1272(A)(6)The unlawful-carry section "shall not prohibit" (paragraph 6): "The transporting by vehicle on a public roadway or the carrying of a firearm, concealed or unconcealed, loaded or unloaded, by a person who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older or by a person who is eighteen (18) years of age but not yet twenty-one (21) years of age and the person is a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard or was discharged under honorable conditions from the United States Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard, and the person is otherwise not disqualified from the possession or purchase of a firearm under state or federal law and is not carrying the firearm in furtherance of a crime."
South CarolinaS.C. Code 23-31-215(O)(2)"The availability of a permit to carry a concealable weapon under this section must not be construed to prohibit the permitless transport or carrying of a firearm in a vehicle or on or about one's person, whether openly or concealed, loaded or unloaded, in a manner not prohibited by law."
South DakotaSDCL 23-7-7The section is titled "Permit to carry concealed pistol--Background investigation--Carrying pistol without permit not prohibited," and says "The issuance of a permit to carry a concealed pistol under this chapter does not impose a general prohibition on the carrying of a pistol without a permit."
TennesseeT.C.A. 39-17-1307(g), as added by Public Chapter 108 of 2021 (SB 765 / HB 786)Section 1 of the act adds: "It is an exception to the application of subsection (a) that a person is carrying, whether openly or concealed, a handgun and: (1)(A) The person is at least twenty-one (21) years of age; or (B) The person is at least eighteen (18) years of age and:" is an honorably discharged or retired veteran, an honorably discharged reserve or National Guard member, or a current service member, as the act lists; "(2) The person lawfully possesses the handgun; and (3) The person is in a place where the person is lawfully present." The act "takes effect July 1, 2021." The General Assembly's bill page lists Public Chapter 108. The code citation comes from the act. We found no official current-code page we could link.
TexasTex. Penal Code 46.02(a)"A person commits an offense if the person: (1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun; (2) at the time of the offense: (A) is younger than 21 years of age; or (B) has been convicted of an offense under Section 22.01(a)(1), 22.05, 22.07, or 42.01(a)(7) or (8) committed in the five-year period preceding the date the instant offense was committed; and (3) is not: (A) on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control; or (B) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned by the person or under the person's control."
UtahUtah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(b)Subject to Subsection (2)(b), "an individual 21 years old or older who may otherwise lawfully possess firearms, may open or conceal carry, without a conceal carry permit: (i) an unloaded or loaded firearm: (A) on a public street; or (B) in any other place not prohibited by, or pursuant to, state statute or federal law" (Subsection (1)(b)). The page shows the version "Effective 5/6/2026".
Vermont13 V.S.A. 4003"A person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon with the intent to injure another shall be imprisoned for not more than two years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both." The section does not set a license requirement for carrying.
West VirginiaW. Va. Code 61-7-7(c)"Any person may carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license therefor who is: (1) At least 18 years of age; (2) A United States citizen or legal resident thereof; (3) Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under the provisions of this section; and (4) Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under the provisions of 18 U. S. C. §922(g) or (n)."
WyomingW.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv)Concealed carry is a misdemeanor "unless" the person "does not possess a permit issued under this section, but is a resident of the United States and otherwise meets the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix) of this section and possession of the firearm by the person is not otherwise unlawful."

Not on the list: North Carolina

North Carolina's Senate Bill 50 of 2025 would have allowed permitless carry. The General Assembly's bill page shows the governor vetoed it and the Senate voted to override on July 29, 2025, but it shows no House override vote, so it is not in the table. See also our 2026 State Gun Law Scorecard and magazine capacity laws by state.

Frequently asked questions

How many states have constitutional carry in 2026?
We list 29 states as of Nov. 3, 2026, each with its statute or enacting act linked on a state government site. North Carolina's SB 50 of 2025 is not included because the General Assembly's bill page shows no House veto-override vote.
What is constitutional carry?
It is a common name for permitless carry: the state does not require a permit for a lawful gun owner to carry a handgun. Each state sets its own age limit and exceptions, so read the statute linked for your state.
Do I need a permit to carry in Kentucky?
Kentucky's KRS 237.109 says persons 21 or older who are otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed firearms without a license, in the same locations as licensed persons.
Is constitutional carry legal advice?
No. This page quotes statutes for information only. Ask a lawyer licensed in your state about your situation.

Sources

  1. Arkansas: Act 746 of 2013 (HB 1700), amending A.C.A. 5-73-120 (official)
  2. Georgia: SB 319 of 2022, Act 596, bill page (official)
  3. Georgia: SB 319 signed text, O.C.G.A. 16-11-125.1 and 16-11-126 (official)
  4. Mississippi: HB 786 of 2016, amending Miss. Code 45-9-101 (official)
  5. Mississippi: HB 786 of 2016 bill status (official)
  6. Tennessee: Public Chapter 108 of 2021, adding T.C.A. 39-17-1307(g) (official)
  7. Tennessee: SB 765 bill page (official)
  8. North Carolina: SB 50 of 2025 bill page (official)
  9. Arizona: A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(2) (official)
  10. Florida: Fla. Stat. 790.01(1) (official)
  11. Idaho: Idaho Code 18-3302(4)(f) (official)
  12. Kansas: K.S.A. 21-6302(a)(4) (official)
  13. Kentucky: KRS 237.109(1) (official)
  14. Maine: 25 M.R.S. 2001-A(2)(A-1) (official)
  15. Montana: MCA 45-8-316(3) (official)
  16. Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1202(1) (official)
  17. New Hampshire: RSA 159:6, III (official)
  18. North Dakota: N.D.C.C. 62.1-04-03(2) (official)
  19. South Carolina: S.C. Code 23-31-215(O)(2) (official)
  20. South Dakota: SDCL 23-7-7 (official)
  21. Vermont: 13 V.S.A. 4003 (official)
  22. Wyoming: W.S. 6-8-104(a)(iv) (official)
  23. Alabama: Code of Ala. 13A-11-74.1 (official)
  24. Alaska: AS 11.61.220(a)(1)(A), (a)(6) (official)
  25. Indiana: IC 35-47-2-3(a) (official)
  26. Iowa: Iowa Code 724.5 (official)
  27. Louisiana: La. R.S. 14:95(A)(1)(a), (M) (official)
  28. Missouri: RSMo 571.030.1(1) (official)
  29. Ohio: R.C. 2923.111(A)(2), (B)(1) (official)
  30. Oklahoma: 21 O.S. 1272(A)(6) (Oklahoma State Courts Network)
  31. Texas: Tex. Penal Code 46.02(a) (official)
  32. Utah: Utah Code 53-5a-102.2(1)(b) (official)
  33. West Virginia: W. Va. Code 61-7-7(c) (official)

Keep exploring

Free weekly email

The Gun Release Report

Get new gun releases and NFA law updates. Free, weekly. Unsubscribe at any time.

About the newsletter · Privacy

Subscribe free on beehiiv