In the United States, the phrase "constitutional carry," also called permitless carry, means that someone can carry a concealed handgun without a license or permit. The term was derived from the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gives citizens the right to bear arms. As of 2024, there are 29 states with Constitutional Carry, the 29th being Louisiana, where CC goes into effect on July 4, 2024.
Aside from constitutional carry, states have concealed carry and open carry. In concealed carry states, a person can carry a legal weapon in their vehicle or on their person as long as it is hidden from sight. A permit is required in several states, and every state has laws about whether or not a permit will be issued to residents or non-residents. In open carry states, a person can legally carry their firearm in a holster or attached to a sling so that it is in the open and easily accessible.
As of mid-2024, twenty-nine states allow Constitutional Carry. (PC-xx numbers indicate the required age of the carrier)
In many of these states, a person must be 18 or 21 years old to possess a firearm. Some states have an age requirement of 21 but allow military members to permitless carry at 18. It is important to check local laws to know the status of permitless carry.
Illinois, New Mexico, and Montana have a limited form of concealed carry that does not require a permit. In Illinois, a permit is not required to carry a handgun that is unloaded and fully enclosed. In New Mexico, it is legal to carry a loaded, concealed weapon while traveling in a vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and horseback. Montana does not quite make the cut for constitutional carry because it authorizes people to carry without a permit in restricted non-populated areas in Montana.