This blog post is accurate and up to date as of the date of publication – Feb. 6, 2025.
Ever since the landmark Supreme Court ruling on New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen in 2022 that broadly expanded Americans’ Second Amendment rights, it seems like the laws surrounding firearms and concealed carry are changing almost daily across the country. If it seems like a lot, don’t worry – we’re here with the latest 2025 concealed carry map updates for you!
Remind Me: What is Permitless Concealed Carry (aka “Constitutional Carry”)?
Permitless concealed carry, often referred to as “constitutional carry,” allows individuals to carry concealed firearms without obtaining a state-issued permit. Despite the permitless carry laws though, these states still offer a path to getting a permit, which can offer benefits to the permit holder, such as streamlined firearm purchases and reciprocity with other states that do not have quite as lax laws on carrying.
Which States Practice Permitless Carry/Constitutional Carry?
As of February 2025, there are 29 states that allow for carrying without a permit.
Vermont is the one state that has never required a concealed carry permit, as stated in its state constitution. In addition to Vermont, here are the 28 other states that no longer require a permit to carry a concealed firearm, in order of when the laws were enacted:
- Alaska (2003)
- Arizona (2010)
- Wyoming (2011)
- Kansas (2015)
- Maine (2015)
- Idaho (2016)
- Mississippi (2016)
- West Virginia (2016)
- Missouri (2017)
- New Hampshire (2017)
- North Dakota (2017)
- Kentucky (2019)
- Oklahoma (2019)
- South Dakota (2019)
- Arkansas (2021)
- Iowa (2021)
- Montana (2021)
- Tennessee (2021)
- Texas (2021)
- Utah (2021)
- Georgia (2022)
- Indiana (2022)
- Ohio (2022)
- Alabama (2023)
- Florida (2023)
- Nebraska (2023)
- Louisiana (2024)
- South Carolina (2024)
Important to note: Depending on the state, the age that an individual is able to carry without a permit may vary (typically it’s between 18 and 21). Check out our 2025 Concealed Carry Map pages to find out what your state’s age to carry is.
What About Open Carry? Are State Policies the Same?
It is important to double check your state laws for policies about open carry versus concealed carry. Florida for example, allows permitless concealed carry despite the fact that open carry is illegal in the state (However, Governor Ron DeSantis has hinted that open carry may be a topic of debate in the state’s legislative sessions this year).
The 2025 Concealed Carry Map section of our site actually has information on open carry policies for each state, as well as additional information about topics like stand your ground and use of force laws if you are curious about the legal nuances in your area or a state you may be traveling to. We encourage you to use this and your state or local government websites as resources to seek answers about all things related to firearms.
Okay, Now What’s the Deal with Reciprocity?
Concealed carry reciprocity refers to the recognition of one state’s concealed carry permits by another. The absence of a federal standard has led to a complex web of state agreements, often causing confusion among permit holders traveling across state lines.
In January 2025, U.S. Senators John Boozman of Arkansas and John Cornyn of Texas actually introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This proposed legislation aims to allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that permits concealed carry, provided they follow the specific laws of each state.
The bill seeks to treat state-issued concealed carry permits similarly to driver’s licenses where an individual’s home-state license is recognized elsewhere, but the individual must follow the laws of the state they are in.
The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act was also introduced in January 2025 in the House of Representatives. Like its Senate counterpart, this bill proposes that anyone with a state-issued concealed carry license can legally carry a handgun in any other state, therefore expanding the rights of residents in constitutional carry states to possess firearms across state lines.
So, What Does This Mean for Me?
Overall, the expansion of permitless concealed carry laws and the push for nationwide reciprocity have sparked a huge amount of debate. Supporters of these new laws argue that they will uphold Second Amendment rights and simplify life for law-abiding gun-owners. They say that responsible citizens should not face legal obstacles when carrying firearms for self-defense, regardless of state boundaries.
Opponents, however, raise concerns about public safety and the potential for increased gun violence. They argue that permitless carry eliminates essential safeguards, such as background checks and training requirements, which can help prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands. Critics also say that national reciprocity could undermine states’ rights to set their own firearm regulations.
As these national conversations continue, it’s extremely important to stay informed not only about state, local, and federal laws, but also around best practices for firearm operation and safety. That’s why we encourage you to seek out some form of firearm training whether your state requires it or not. You can check out our website to find the online or in-person training for you today.
