Concealed carry laws have been a topic of discussion in the United States for many years.

Each state has its own set of laws regarding the carrying of firearms, and it is important for gun owners to understand these laws before carrying a firearm in public.

In this blog post, we will discuss concealed carry laws for each state and provide some background on how these laws came to be.

The History of Concealed Carry Laws

The first concealed carry laws in the United States were passed in the mid-1800s. At that time, many states did not have any laws regulating the carrying of firearms.

However, as the country became more urbanized and crime rates rose, there was a growing concern about the potential for violence in public spaces. In response, many states began to pass laws regulating the carrying of firearms in public.

The first state to pass a concealed carry law was Kentucky in 1813.

This law required individuals to obtain a license from their local sheriff before carrying a concealed weapon. Over time, other states began to pass similar laws, although the requirements varied from state to state.

Today, all states have laws regulating the carrying of firearms in public.

Some states have very permissive laws that allow individuals to carry firearms in most public spaces, while others have much stricter laws that limit where firearms can be carried.

Alaska

Alaska is a "shall-issue" state, but residents of Alaska may also carry concealed without a permit.

Arizona

Arizona is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit. The state has a "constitutional carry" law.

Arkansas

Arkansas is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are 21 years of age or older.

California

California is a "may-issue" state, meaning that local law enforcement has the discretion to issue concealed carry permits.

California also has strict gun laws, including a ban on certain types of firearms.

Colorado

Colorado is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are 21 years of age or older.

Connecticut

Connecticut is a "may-issue" state, and local law enforcement has discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

Delaware

Delaware is a "may-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are 18 years of age or older and not prohibited from owning a firearm.

Florida

Florida is a "shall-issue" state, and the state also recognizes concealed carry permits from other states.

Georgia

Georgia is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms with a permit.

Hawaii

Hawaii is a "may-issue" state, and local law enforcement has discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

Idaho

Idaho is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are 18 years of age or older.

Illinois

Illinois is a "may-issue" state, and local law enforcement has discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

The state also has strict gun laws, including a ban on certain types of firearms.

Indiana

Indiana is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are on their own property or in their own vehicle.

Iowa

Iowa is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are on their own property or in their own vehicle.

Kansas

Kansas is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Kentucky

Kentucky is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Louisiana

Louisiana is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Maine

Maine is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are 21 years of age or older.

Maryland

Maryland is a "may-issue" state, and local law enforcement has discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a "may-issue" state, and local law enforcement has discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

The state also has strict gun laws, including a ban on certain types of firearms.

Michigan

Michigan is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Minnesota

Minnesota is a “shall-issue” state, and the state also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are on their own property or in their own vehicle.

Mississippi

Mississippi is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Missouri

Missouri is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Montana

Montana is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Nebraska

Nebraska is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Nevada

Nevada is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are 18 years of age or older.

New Jersey

New Jersey is a "may-issue" state, and local law enforcement has discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

The state also has strict gun laws, including a ban on certain types of firearms.

New Mexico

New Mexico is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

New York

New York is a "may-issue" state, and local law enforcement has discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

The state also has strict gun laws, including a ban on certain types of firearms.

North Carolina

North Carolina is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are on their own property or in their own vehicle.

North Dakota

North Dakota is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Ohio

Ohio is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Oregon

Oregon is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is a "may-issue" state, and local law enforcement has discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.

South Carolina

South Carolina is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are on their own property or in their own vehicle.

South Dakota

South Dakota is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Tennessee

Tennessee is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Texas

Texas is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Utah

Utah is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Vermont

Vermont is a "constitutional carry" state, meaning residents may carry concealed without a permit.

Virginia

Virginia is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Washington

Washington is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are on their own property or in their own vehicle.

West Virginia

West Virginia is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a "shall-issue" state, but it also allows individuals to carry concealed without a permit if they are on their own property or in their own vehicle.

Wyoming

Wyoming is a "shall-issue" state, and it also allows open carry of firearms without a permit.

What does "shall-issue" and "may-issue" mean?

We know that reading laws sometimes can be confusing. Here is more information in regards to the terminology that is used commonly in the above laws.

"Shall-issue" and "may-issue" are two different types of laws that states can use to determine who is eligible to carry a concealed firearm.

A "shall-issue" law means that if an applicant meets certain requirements (such as passing a background check, completing a firearms training course, etc.), then the state is required to issue a permit for them to carry a concealed firearm. In other words, if the applicant meets the requirements, they shall be issued a permit.

A "may-issue" law, on the other hand, gives law enforcement officials discretion in issuing permits to carry a concealed firearm. In this case, an applicant may meet all the requirements, but if the law enforcement official believes that the applicant is not suitable to carry a concealed firearm, they may deny the permit.

In a "may-issue" state, the criteria for issuing permits can vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, leading to inconsistent outcomes for applicants. Whereas in a "shall-issue" state, there is typically a standardized set of requirements that all applicants must meet.

Again, please note that these laws may be subject to change and it is always advisable to seek professional legal advice.

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