Open Carry States

The right to bear arms, as established in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, has been at the heart of numerous national debates. One area of particular focus is open carry - the practice of openly carrying a firearm in public. While gun enthusiasts argue that open carry deters crime and upholds a constitutional right, proponents of gun control often caution that this practice can propagate fear and increase the risk of violent confrontations. Amid these ongoing discourses, varying state laws further complicate the landscape of firearms in America.

• 36  States allow open carry of firearms without any special permit. This clear majority reflects the widespread acceptance of open carry policies across the country.
• Only a handful of states, namely Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Hawaii, South Carolina, and Minnesota require a permit to openly carry firearms. This permission generally comes in the form of a concealed carry or handgun permit.
• Conversely, prohibitions against open carry exist in states including New York, Florida, New Jersey, and Illinois, demonstrating the polarizing nature of this issue.