Open Carry

Arizona permits open carry of firearms by adults 18 and older without a license in most public spaces, subject to limited location restrictions.

Arkansas permits open carry of handguns by qualifying adults under state interpretation of Act 746. Local governments cannot restrict open carry beyond state law due to firearms…

California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition…

Colorado generally permits open carry of firearms by adults without a license, though local jurisdictions may impose restrictions in specific areas after the 2021 preemption repeal.

Since October 1, 2023, Connecticut prohibits the open carry or intentional public display of firearms. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-35(a)(2), even a valid pistol permit holder must…

Delaware generally permits open carry of firearms by individuals 18 or older without a permit, subject to location restrictions in schools, courthouses, and certain state buildings.

Washington, D.C. prohibits openly carrying a pistol anywhere in the District. Even residents holding a concealed-carry license may never carry openly: every licensed pistol must stay…

Florida's open carry ban (FS 790.053) was struck down by the First District Court of Appeal in McDaniels v. State on September 10, 2025. The Florida Attorney General issued guidance on…

Georgia permits lawful weapons carriers to openly carry handguns in most public places, with statewide preemption limiting local restrictions on open carry.

Hawaii prohibits open carry of firearms in public without a license issued under HRS 134-9. Unlicensed open carry is a felony, making Hawaii one of the most restrictive states for…

Idaho is an open-carry state allowing any person legally able to possess a firearm to carry it openly without a permit, with local restrictions preempted under Idaho Code 18-3302J…

Illinois bans open carry of firearms in public under the Criminal Code, allowing concealed carry only by Firearm Concealed Carry Act licensees with limited exceptions.

Indiana permits open carry of handguns by lawful adults without a permit, subject to location-based restrictions and the state's preemption of local firearm regulation.

Iowa permits open carry of handguns by qualifying adults statewide, though local preemption under Iowa Code 724.28 prevents stricter city rules.

Kansas permits the open carry of firearms by lawful adults statewide and prevents cities and counties from banning open carry.

Open carry of firearms is generally lawful for adults in Kentucky who can legally possess a firearm. State preemption prevents local governments from banning open carry, though…

Louisiana generally permits open carry of firearms by law-abiding adults without a license, subject to location-based restrictions and local discharge ordinances.

Maine generally permits open carry of firearms by lawful possessors, governed primarily by state law with municipalities preempted from imposing additional carry restrictions.

Minnesota law treats open carry of a pistol the same as concealed carry, requiring a permit under Minn. Stat. 624.714, while long-gun open carry is generally lawful absent local…

Mississippi permits open carry of firearms by lawful adults under its constitutional and statutory framework, and Miss. Code 45-9-51 prevents local governments from restricting open…

Missouri permits open carry statewide, but RSMo 21.750 lets cities restrict open carry within their limits while exempting valid concealed carry permit holders from those local…

Nebraska does not require a permit to openly carry a firearm by adults who can lawfully possess one. State preemption under Neb. Rev. Stat. 18-1703 limits local restrictions, but…

Nevada generally permits open carry of firearms by adults without a permit, subject to location restrictions and the state preemption framework.

New Jersey effectively prohibits open carry of handguns without a Permit to Carry under NJSA 2C:39-5, and long-gun open carry is restricted in most public contexts.

Open carry of firearms is generally legal in New Mexico without a permit for adults, though state law and the constitution restrict carry in specific locations and on certain public…

North Carolina generally permits open carry of handguns and long guns without a permit, but local discharge ordinances and posted-property restrictions may apply under state law.

North Dakota permits open carry of firearms by eligible adults under NDCC 62.1, with location-based limits and the state preempting most local open carry restrictions.

Oklahoma permits open carry of handguns by eligible adults under constitutional carry and the Self-Defense Act, subject to location restrictions and private property rights.

Open carry of firearms is generally lawful in Oregon, but limited local ordinances may restrict loaded carry in incorporated public places.

Open carry of firearms is generally legal in Pennsylvania for adults 18 or older without a permit outside Philadelphia, but a License to Carry Firearms is required statewide for…

Rhode Island technically permits open carry of handguns only with a license under RIGL 11-47-8, making the practice rare and effectively unavailable to most residents without permits.

South Carolina permits open carry of handguns by eligible adults under the 2021 Open Carry With Training Act and the 2024 permitless carry law.

Open carry of handguns is lawful in Tennessee under permitless carry, but rifles and shotguns are subject to general unlawful-carry rules in T.C.A. 39-17-1307.

Texas authorizes open carry of holstered handguns statewide for adults 21 and older under Penal Code 46.02 and HB 910 (2015). Long guns may be openly carried subject to disorderly…

Utah generally allows open carry of firearms by adults who may lawfully possess them, with local regulation preempted by Utah Code 53-5a-102.

Vermont permits open carry of firearms without a license for individuals legally allowed to possess firearms, subject to state and federal restrictions.

Virginia generally permits open carry of firearms by adults without a permit, though Code 18.2-287.4 restricts certain loaded high-capacity weapons in named public areas of larger…

Washington allows open carry of firearms by qualified adults without a permit, with limited statutory restrictions and broad preemption barring most local open carry rules.

Wisconsin permits adults at least 18 who are not prohibited persons to openly carry firearms in public without a permit, with statewide preemption blocking local restrictions on lawful…