List of open carry states

[mg357]

dear smith and wesson forum can any of my fellow forum members help me to locate a list of states that allow open carry of firearms any and all help with this would be greatly appreciated sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the smith and wesson forum

 

[cp1969]

The state of Kansas allows open carry but unfortunately, it allows cities to have ordinances making open carry illegal. I don't know about counties.

 

[oldman45]

Try this. Plain english. Well stated.

Open Carry States List | Business Pundit

HOWEVER, it is not totally correct. Louisiana has been open carry for at least 50 yrs. No restrictions.

Here is a map by color.

http://www.opencarry.org/opencarry.html

 

[bk43]

The map oldman posted that goes to opencarry.org is what I would use. It shows the exceptions and restrictions for each state.

There are no circumstances under which I would open carry in many of the states on the list. You'd be looking at the wrong end of a cop's gun, get a ride in a car with the pretty flashing lights and wind up in jail.

Bob

 

[Alk8944]

Utah is another where the map is incorrect. Unless something has been done by the legislature recently there is no such thing as "Licensed open carry".

There are two conditions to carrying openly:

First, anyone, not a "restricted person" may carry openly with the exception of within "Cities of the First Class", Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and maybe a couple others, the gun may not be "Loaded". This means the chamber under the hammer and the next one in line may not be loaded for revolvers. For semi-automatic pistols the magazine may be loaded and in place in the gun but there may not be a cartridge in the chamber.

Second, there are only two types of "Licenses". First is a Private Detective license. This is for security guards, armored car messengers, among others and is valid within the jurisdiction issuing the license. In all fairness this may have been what was meant, but it isn't available for everyone! The other license is to carry "Carry Concealed Firearms". This is issued the State of Utah and is valid statewide. It is for just what it says, "Concealed" and "Firearms" only. No knives, brass knuckles, etc. just firearms, and concealed only.

The odd thing is anyone may carry openly unless they have a CCF. If they have a CCF they may only carry concealed, and may be criminally charged for violating the conditions of the CCF if they carry openly! Go figure.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

OK here in AZ, and soon concealed carry will be OK without a permit....and the gun can be loaded, unlike California where Open Carry is allowed, but only with an empty gun.

 

[M29since14]

There are no circumstances under which I would open carry in many of the states on the list. You'd be looking at the wrong end of a cop's gun, get a ride in a car with the pretty flashing lights and wind up in jail.
Bob

I took a look at that map and that is what came to my mind when I saw the comments about Ohio.

Here in Indiana, Mr. Policeman generally takes a dim view of open carry, even though you have a license, but you might not get the ride in the car with the pretty lights. Wouldn't count on it.

 

[Ogandydancer]

N.C. allows it but you rarely if ever see it unless you happen to be in a hunting supply store closr to a big hunting area like Uwharrie forrest. I guess the reason is because most people don't know it and the folks with CCP's elect not to because they can cc and it could be considered "going armed to the terror of the public" depending on how the LEO feels on that particular day.

 

[oldman45]

N.C. allows it but you rarely if ever see it unless you happen to be in a hunting supply store closr to a big hunting area like Uwharrie forrest. I guess the reason is because most people don't know it and the folks with CCP's elect not to because they can cc and it could be considered "going armed to the terror of the public" depending on how the LEO feels on that particular day.

I bet there are more carrying openly than you make note of. Often times people see open carry and assume it is a plain clothes officer. I carry more openly these days than concealed.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

There are no circumstances under which I would open carry in many of the states on the list. You'd be looking at the wrong end of a cop's gun, get a ride in a car with the pretty flashing lights and wind up in jail.

I am quite sure that MA is one of those states. I'll bet CT is, too. The law is one thing, and what gets enforced is another. Both states, however, are usually not a problem with concealed carry, although with MA it depends on where you live.

 

[jframefreak]

Glad to see Ohio is a carry friendly state. People look at you funny though. Some people just don't get it you know.

 

[Frank53]

South Dakota is open carry. And if only 1 inch or more of the gun is visible, it is considered open carry...

 

[Model29Lover]

In KY one can carry openly without being hassled by police officers and without a permit, you just can't be a felon, obviously!! They might ask you what kind of gun it is and shoot the breeze a while, that is about it as far as a hassle, and I enjoy talking about guns so it is no hassle for me. KY has the right to bear arms written in our state constitution. Conceal carry(permit required) and open carry (no permit required) are preemptive laws, so that no county can override the laws which is really great as well. I would say Vermont has the best laws as one can carry openly or concealed without having a permit at all, followed by us in KY and Alaska!!!!

 

[Krull]

The way I take the WV law you can open carry,but from what I'm told the cops will just bug you until you put it away.

But out in the back country? I doubt you'd get much heat or bother from anyone if you have a gun holstered at your side,I'm getting my CCW but the back woods I'd just as soon let it hang out or not be too hyper about covering it.

The CCW makes it nice as I can cover it up and go into town without hassle

 

[Gary7]

OK here in AZ, and soon concealed carry will be OK without a permit....and the gun can be loaded, unlike California where Open Carry is allowed, but only with an empty gun.

I almost died laughing when I read that. That is SO typical California.

 

[TheSquid]

Ohio isnt an OC friendly state. It is legal but youre asking for trouble. There were a lot of inconsistancies on the opencarry link. It also mentions OC in a vehicle as being ok which is currently a BIG no-no in Ohio.

 

[BigRich315]

I bet there are more carrying openly than you make note of. Often times people see open carry and assume it is a plain clothes officer. I carry more openly these days than concealed.

I don't think that will work for me... unless the department is veeeeerrrrrry lax in their fitness quals...

 

[scoutsdad]

In KY one can carry openly without being hassled by police officers and without a permit, you just can't be a felon, obviously!! They might ask you what kind of gun it is and shoot the breeze a while, that is about it as far as a hassle, and I enjoy talking about guns so it is no hassle for me. KY has the right to bear arms written in our state constitution. Conceal carry(permit required) and open carry (no permit required) are preemptive laws, so that no county can override the laws which is really great as well. I would say Vermont has the best laws as one can carry openly or concealed without having a permit at all, followed by us in KY and Alaska!!!!

Add Arizona as a free state soon law was passed waiting for it to go in affect. Open and concealed carry allowed to all citizens except felon etc, no permit needed.