Mapped: Open Carry Laws by State
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Key Takeaways
- “Open carry” refers to openly carrying a firearm in public
- 36 states allow open carrying without any special permit
Whether you support or oppose open carry rights, understanding these laws is crucial for navigating gun policy discussions.
To see how the rules differ across the country, we’ve categorized each U.S. state by whether it allows the open carry of firearms, requires a permit, or prohibits it outright.
Data & Discussion
The data for this visualization comes from Data Pandas. It outlines how each U.S. state handles the open carry of firearms in public spaces, showing whether the practice is allowed, requires a permit, or is prohibited.
| State | Open Carry Status |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Allowed |
| Alaska | Allowed |
| Arizona | Allowed |
| Arkansas | Allowed |
| Colorado | Allowed |
| Delaware | Allowed |
| Georgia | Allowed |
| Idaho | Allowed |
| Indiana | Allowed |
| Iowa | Allowed |
| Kansas | Allowed |
| Kentucky | Allowed |
| Louisiana | Allowed |
| Maine | Allowed |
| Michigan | Allowed |
| Mississippi | Allowed |
| Missouri | Allowed |
| Montana | Allowed |
| Nebraska | Allowed |
| Nevada | Allowed |
| New Hampshire | Allowed |
| New Mexico | Allowed |
| North Carolina | Allowed |
| North Dakota | Allowed |
| Ohio | Allowed |
| Oklahoma | Allowed |
| Oregon | Allowed |
| Pennsylvania | Allowed |
| South Dakota | Allowed |
| Tennessee | Allowed |
| Texas | Allowed |
| Utah | Allowed |
| Vermont | Allowed |
| Virginia | Allowed |
| Washington | Allowed |
| West Virginia | Allowed |
| Wisconsin | Allowed |
| Wyoming | Allowed |
| Connecticut | Permit Required |
| Hawaii | Permit Required |
| Maryland | Permit Required |
| Massachusetts | Permit Required |
| Minnesota | Permit Required |
| Rhode Island | Permit Required |
| South Carolina | Permit Required |
| California | Prohibited |
| Florida | Prohibited |
| Illinois | Prohibited |
| New Jersey | Prohibited |
| New York | Prohibited |
Most States Allow Open Carry Without a Permit
A majority of U.S. states—36 in total—allow individuals to openly carry firearms without a special permit. This includes states like Montana, Wyoming, and Arkansas, which have some of the highest gun ownership rates in the country.
This also aligns with broader trends in Second Amendment support and state-level efforts to expand gun rights.
Permit Requirements Create a Middle Ground
According to Data Pandas, seven states allow open carry but require a permit to do so. This approach provides a regulatory middle ground between unrestricted carry and full prohibition. These laws often include background checks, safety training, and may limit who is eligible to carry openly.
Note that open carry laws may change over time. Check your local laws and official government websites for the most up-to-date information.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Firearm Deaths by State on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.