{"id":397216,"date":"2026-06-22T16:09:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T21:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=397216"},"modified":"2026-06-22T16:51:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T21:51:31","slug":"open-carry-laws-by-state","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/open-carry-laws-by-state.html","title":{"rendered":"Open Carry Laws by State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Open Carry Laws by State<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Vaidehi Mehta, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Open carry<\/span> is the legal practice of visibly carrying a firearm in public, such as in a holster or slung over your shoulder. Most U.S. states<\/span> allow some form of open carry<\/span>, though rules vary. Some states prohibit it entirely, others require a permit, and many allow permitless open carry<\/span> with restrictions. Even in permissive states, open carry<\/span> is typically prohibited in sensitive locations like schools, courthouses, and federal buildings.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You can own a gun in all 50 U.S. states<\/span>, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can carry it around with you in all public places<\/span>. The practice is called \u201copen carry<\/span>,\u201d and our guide explains which states ban\u00a0it, which require permits, and which allow most adults to carry openly without a permit.<\/p>\n

What Open Carry<\/span> Means<\/h2>\n

In general, open carry<\/span> means carrying a firearm on your person in a way that is visible to ordinary observers rather than hidden under clothing or in a bag. Examples of places where it would be considered visible to ordinary observers include:<\/p>\n