State-by-state gun law updates

This guide tracks firearm regulations across all 50 states, focusing on the specific changes that matter to gun owners in 2026. We selected these entries based on recent legislative sessions and official state statutes, prioritizing clarity over exhaustive legal text. The list covers carry permits, concealed carry reciprocity, and key restrictions like red flag laws and magazine limits.

2026 State Gun Law Guide: All 50 States Ranked by Regulation

This section breaks down the current regulatory landscape for every U.S. state. We organize these by regulatory strictness, from most permissive to most restrictive, to help you quickly identify where you can carry and where you need permits.

1. New Hampshire

New Hampshire has no state-level permit requirement for concealed carry. It is one of the most gun-friendly states, with no registration requirements and no waiting periods for purchases. Open carry is generally permitted for those legally allowed to possess a firearm.

2. Vermont

Vermont allows permitless carry for both residents and non-residents. There are no state-level registration or licensing requirements for firearms. However, local ordinances may restrict where firearms can be carried, particularly in sensitive areas like schools and government buildings.

3. Alaska

Alaska permits concealed carry without a state-issued permit for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It also has a robust reciprocity agreement with many other states. There are no state-level firearm registration requirements.

4. Arizona

Arizona allows permitless carry for anyone legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is still available for enhanced reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine capacity limits.

5. Idaho

Idaho allows permitless carry for those 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It has strong constitutional carry protections and does not require registration of firearms. Open carry is widely accepted and legally protected.

6. Maine

Maine allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Reciprocity is available with many states.

7. Missouri

Missouri allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

8. Montana

Montana allows permitless carry for those 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Open carry is widely protected by law.

9. North Dakota

North Dakota allows permitless carry for those 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

10. South Dakota

South Dakota allows permitless carry for those 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Reciprocity is available with many states.

11. West Virginia

West Virginia allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

12. Wyoming

Wyoming allows permitless carry for those 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Open carry is widely protected by law.

13. Alabama

Alabama allows permitless carry for those 19 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

14. Arkansas

Arkansas allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Reciprocity is available with many states.

15. Georgia

Georgia allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

16. Indiana

Indiana allows permitless carry for those 18 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Open carry is widely protected by law.

17. Kentucky

Kentucky allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

18. Kansas

Kansas allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Reciprocity is available with many states.

19. Louisiana

Louisiana allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

20. Mississippi

Mississippi allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Open carry is widely protected by law.

21. Ohio

Ohio allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

22. Oklahoma

Oklahoma allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Reciprocity is available with many states.

23. Tennessee

Tennessee allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

24. Texas

Texas allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Open carry is widely protected by law.

25. Utah

Utah allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, though a permit is available for reciprocity. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

26. Wisconsin

Wisconsin allows permitless carry for those 21 and older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It does not require a permit for concealed carry, and there are no state-level registration requirements. Reciprocity is available with many states.

27. Florida

Florida allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

28. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

29. Michigan

Michigan allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

30. North Carolina

North Carolina allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

31. South Carolina

South Carolina allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

32. Virginia

Virginia allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

33. Washington

Washington allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

34. Colorado

Colorado allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

35. Nevada

Nevada allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

36. Oregon

Oregon allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

37. Minnesota

Minnesota allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

38. Iowa

Iowa allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

39. Nebraska

Nebraska allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

40. New Mexico

New Mexico allows concealed carry with a state-issued permit. It does not allow permitless carry, but it has strong reciprocity agreements with many states. There are no state-level assault weapon bans or magazine limits.

41. New York

New York requires a state-issued permit for concealed carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are state-level assault weapon bans and magazine capacity limits.

42. California

California requires a state-issued permit for concealed carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are state-level assault weapon bans and magazine capacity limits.

43. Illinois

Illinois requires a state-issued FOID card and a concealed carry license. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are no state-level assault weapon bans, but magazine capacity is limited.

44. Hawaii

Hawaii requires a state-issued permit for concealed carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are state-level assault weapon bans and magazine capacity limits.

45. Massachusetts

Massachusetts requires a state-issued FID card and a license to carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are state-level assault weapon bans and magazine capacity limits.

46. Connecticut

Connecticut requires a state-issued permit for concealed carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are state-level assault weapon bans and magazine capacity limits.

47. New Jersey

New Jersey requires a state-issued permit for concealed carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are state-level assault weapon bans and magazine capacity limits.

48. Maryland

Maryland requires a state-issued permit for concealed carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are state-level assault weapon bans and magazine capacity limits.

49. Delaware

Delaware requires a state-issued permit for concealed carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are no state-level assault weapon bans, but magazine capacity is limited.

50. Rhode Island

Rhode Island requires a state-issued permit for concealed carry. It has strict licensing requirements and no permitless carry. There are no state-level assault weapon bans, but magazine capacity is limited.

Frequently asked: what to check next

What is the most gun-friendly state? West Virginia and New Hampshire are consistently ranked as the most gun-friendly states due to their constitutional carry laws, lack of registration requirements, and strong reciprocity agreements. These states prioritize minimal restrictions for lawful gun owners.

Can I carry a gun in my car in all 50 states? While you can generally carry a gun in your car, local laws vary significantly. Some states prohibit firearms on certain properties even if you remain in your vehicle. When traveling under Federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA) protection, minimize stops and never leave your vehicle unattended in restrictive states.

Which states are not gun friendly? The ten states with the strictest gun laws include California, Illinois, New York, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maryland, and Massachusetts. These jurisdictions impose rigorous licensing requirements, assault weapon bans, and limited carry privileges. Always verify specific local ordinances before traveling to these areas.

How many states have legalized guns? Forty-five states have a provision in their state constitutions similar to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms. The exceptions are California, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York. This widespread constitutional protection underscores the national prevalence of gun ownership rights.