Concealed Weapon
Definition of a Concealed Weapon
A concealed weapon is a firearm or other deadly weapon that a person carries in public in a way that is hidden from ordinary view. Although the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment ensures “the right of the people to keep and bear arms,” state laws vary on the right to carry concealed deadly weapons without a permit.
Distinction: concealed vs. open carry
Concealed weapons are hidden from view, while open carry means that the weapon remains visible. It may seem like a simple distinction, but these are often treated very differently under the law.
Laws and permitting standards vary by state and local governments, so check local resources to determine which option is legal and appropriate.
Concealed Weapons Permit
A concealed weapons permit is the legal documentation required to carry a gun concealed. Every state in the U.S. allows some form of concealed carry, but the rules vary. Most states require a permit to carry a loaded, concealed weapon in public.
As of October 2025, twenty-nine states allow constitutional carry, meaning you do not need a government-issued license to carry a concealed handgun.
However, it is important to note that states with constitutional carry still have age limits and other restrictions.
Gun sales and gun control laws are a hot-button topic across the U.S. Each state sets its own requirements and limitations for the carry of firearms. Some states allow the open carry of a weapon without a weapons permit, but require a license for concealed carry.
Permit requirements
To obtain a concealed weapons permit, states require applicants to meet certain requirements. While these concealed weapon laws vary by state, they typically include:
- Minimum age requirement (typically 18-21)
- Passing a criminal background check
- Completion of approved firearms training
- State residency proof
Permitless carry (Constitutional/“Shall-Issue”/“May-Issue”)
Some states offer concealed carry without a permit. In “shall-issue” states, the permit must be issued if the applicant meets the legal requirements, such as age, background check, and training.
In “may-issue” states, the permit can be denied even if the legal requirements are met. In some “may-issue” states, officials may require that you have good cause, or a demonstrated need to carry a firearm.
The difference between shall-issue and may-issue is the discretion that authorities have in granting concealed carry permits, which can impact your access to concealed carry rights.
Legal Restrictions and Denials
Although requirements vary, state gun laws may require concealed weapon carry applicants to pass a criminal background check, complete gun safety training, participate in live-fire exercises, and be a legal resident of the state.
Grounds for denial
Not every application for a concealed weapons permit is granted. States may deny permits if you have:
- Felony convictions
- Mental health adjudications
- Domestic violence misdemeanors
- Dishonorable discharge from the military
- Recent criminal activity or arrest
- People under 21: In 34 states and Washington, D.C., the minimum age to obtain a concealed carry permit is 21. Some states allow concealed carry for those over 18 with military service.
Prohibited locations for concealed carry
State gun laws may also restrict someone with a concealed carry permit from carrying a concealed weapon while in specific locations, such as:
- Federal facilities, including federal court buildings, post offices, national parks, IRS offices, military or veterans’ facilities, correctional facilities, Amtrak facilities, Corps of Engineers-controlled property, and others.
- State and local government facilities, including DMV offices, police stations, correctional facilities, courthouses, polling places, and others.
- Schools, though some on-campus carry laws vary by state.
- Professional sporting events
- Amusement parks, fairs, parades, and carnivals
- Alcohol selling businesses
- Hospitals
- Houses of worship
- Municipal mass transit vehicles and facilities
- Areas of airports beyond security checkpoints
- Non-government facilities with heightened security measures, such as power plants and production facilities, banks, and factories
- Aircraft or ships, unless authorized by the pilot or ship captain
Some states allow private businesses to post “Gun Free Zone” signs prohibiting the concealed carry of weapons on their premises.
The language and format of these signs can also vary widely by state. Private property owners can enforce restrictions on the possession of guns on their property.
Constitutional and State Law Context
The Second Amendment of the Constitution protects citizens’ rights to keep and bear arms. However, the Supreme Court has determined that this right is not unlimited and is subject to particular state and federal regulations.
While the Constitution protects the right to bear arms, states have the authority to regulate how and where firearms can be carried, including concealed carry, through licensing and permit requirements, and restrictions on carrying a weapon in certain areas.
Helpful Resources:
Cornell Law - Concealed Weapon
Definition of a Concealed Weapon
A concealed weapon is a firearm or other deadly weapon that a person carries in public in a way that is hidden from ordinary view. Although the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment ensures “the right of the people to keep and bear arms,” state laws vary on the right to carry concealed deadly weapons without a permit.
Distinction: concealed vs. open carry
Concealed weapons are hidden from view, while open carry means that the weapon remains visible. It may seem like a simple distinction, but these are often treated very differently under the law.
Laws and permitting standards vary by state and local governments, so check local resources to determine which option is legal and appropriate.
Concealed Weapons Permit
A concealed weapons permit is the legal documentation required to carry a gun concealed. Every state in the U.S. allows some form of concealed carry, but the rules vary. Most states require a permit to carry a loaded, concealed weapon in public.
As of October 2025, twenty-nine states allow constitutional carry, meaning you do not need a government-issued license to carry a concealed handgun.
However, it is important to note that states with constitutional carry still have age limits and other restrictions.
Gun sales and gun control laws are a hot-button topic across the U.S. Each state sets its own requirements and limitations for the carry of firearms. Some states allow the open carry of a weapon without a weapons permit, but require a license for concealed carry.
Permit requirements
To obtain a concealed weapons permit, states require applicants to meet certain requirements. While these concealed weapon laws vary by state, they typically include:
- Minimum age requirement (typically 18-21)
- Passing a criminal background check
- Completion of approved firearms training
- State residency proof
Permitless carry (Constitutional/“Shall-Issue”/“May-Issue”)
Some states offer concealed carry without a permit. In “shall-issue” states, the permit must be issued if the applicant meets the legal requirements, such as age, background check, and training.
In “may-issue” states, the permit can be denied even if the legal requirements are met. In some “may-issue” states, officials may require that you have good cause, or a demonstrated need to carry a firearm.
The difference between shall-issue and may-issue is the discretion that authorities have in granting concealed carry permits, which can impact your access to concealed carry rights.
Legal Restrictions and Denials
Although requirements vary, state gun laws may require concealed weapon carry applicants to pass a criminal background check, complete gun safety training, participate in live-fire exercises, and be a legal resident of the state.
Grounds for denial
Not every application for a concealed weapons permit is granted. States may deny permits if you have:
- Felony convictions
- Mental health adjudications
- Domestic violence misdemeanors
- Dishonorable discharge from the military
- Recent criminal activity or arrest
- People under 21: In 34 states and Washington, D.C., the minimum age to obtain a concealed carry permit is 21. Some states allow concealed carry for those over 18 with military service.
Prohibited locations for concealed carry
State gun laws may also restrict someone with a concealed carry permit from carrying a concealed weapon while in specific locations, such as:
- Federal facilities, including federal court buildings, post offices, national parks, IRS offices, military or veterans’ facilities, correctional facilities, Amtrak facilities, Corps of Engineers-controlled property, and others.
- State and local government facilities, including DMV offices, police stations, correctional facilities, courthouses, polling places, and others.
- Schools, though some on-campus carry laws vary by state.
- Professional sporting events
- Amusement parks, fairs, parades, and carnivals
- Alcohol selling businesses
- Hospitals
- Houses of worship
- Municipal mass transit vehicles and facilities
- Areas of airports beyond security checkpoints
- Non-government facilities with heightened security measures, such as power plants and production facilities, banks, and factories
- Aircraft or ships, unless authorized by the pilot or ship captain
Some states allow private businesses to post “Gun Free Zone” signs prohibiting the concealed carry of weapons on their premises.
The language and format of these signs can also vary widely by state. Private property owners can enforce restrictions on the possession of guns on their property.
Constitutional and State Law Context
The Second Amendment of the Constitution protects citizens’ rights to keep and bear arms. However, the Supreme Court has determined that this right is not unlimited and is subject to particular state and federal regulations.
While the Constitution protects the right to bear arms, states have the authority to regulate how and where firearms can be carried, including concealed carry, through licensing and permit requirements, and restrictions on carrying a weapon in certain areas.
Helpful Resources:
Cornell Law - Concealed Weapon