Do states have to issue the concealed carry permit?
Shall Issue
The term Shall Issue is used in the industry to refer to states that have policies in place that require that law enforcement or the designated governing body, issue permits to applicants who meet the requirements set by the law regardless of any arbitrary bias or discretion the issuing authority may have. While some states give the issuing authority some discretion based on their intimate knowledge of the applicants danger to society; most of these states are still considered Shall Issue states as they are not able to employ any arbitrary discretion.
May Issue
May Issue states then are those that leave the discretion to the local authority to decide if they will issue the permit to the applicant or not regardless if the applicant has met the legal requirements to apply. The likelihood of obtaining a permit in May Issue states, counties, or local municipalities varies from one to the next and is often influenced by social status or demonstrated “need.” A recent federal court decision in reference to the laws in Washington D.C. may have some bearing on reducing the power of May Issue policies everywhere in the U.S.A.
Constitutional Carry
Constitutional Carry is the term most often used to refer to the right to carry concealed without a issued permit or license. Read more about it here: Constitutional Carry Deep Overview
The Map
- Green = No permit required to carry concealed. (Constitutional Carry)
- Blue = Shall Issue. States that issue a permit to the applicant if they meet the constitutional requirements and pass the required background check
- Red = May Issue. States that exercise discretion by requiring the applicant show need or cause, or by out right not issuing permits to anyone
Missouri is now a constitutional carry state. It took effect late in 2016.
David, our map has just been updated. Your comment made me realize we had a technical error with the software that is supposed to auto-update these maps. Cheers.
It actually took effect 1 Jan 2017.
I live in Florida. My wife and I both have a conceal carry from Florida. How could we drive to Maine as it look land locked by red states.
Hey Steve, here are a couple resources for you.
This one is an article that can be found on our website that discusses 926a and interstate travel:
https://www.concealedcarry.com/law/interstate-travel-understanding-article-926a-of-fopa/
Here is a book we sell that covers a bit more in depth on traveling with a gun. It is well worth the cost:
https://www.concealedcarry.com/product/travelers-guide-to-the-firearm-laws-of-the-fifty-states/
Finally, this one is slightly unrelated in that it doesn’t answer your question but teaches you how to defend yourself in and around your car:
https://www.concealedcarry.com/product/vehicle-firearm-tactics-course/
Thanks again,
Josh
You know I am really getting tired of organizations like this saying Arkansas is constitutional carry it is not if you are acting as a knowledgeable party please do your homework.
P.S. I do wish it was but it is not.
Ray the latest opinion written on August 18, 2015, by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge suggests that it is but we decided to go ahead and remove it from this map until additional clarity comes.
If you served in malitary why are you not allowed to carry a concealed weapon (Vietnam and desert storm vet) Clean background check, in the state of Ca.
Peruta v. San Diego, filed with the Supreme Court, has the potential to declare CA’s requirement for “need” unconstitutional – if the Court agrees to hear it. If they find for Peruta, the other red states should fall as well. As a NJ resident, I’m sitting on the edge of my seat . . .
I have a CT Pistol & Revolver Carry Permit. I had to apply for it, submit fingerprints and pay for a background check to both STATE & Federal authorities and include 3 letters of recommendations. I did NOT have to show cause or show need. SO CT is not a RED category – more like a BLUE category. Just so you know.
Wish here in Kentucky it would go Green, the Red states should at least go Blue b/c if a person qualifies and is cleared as a law abiding U.S. citizen and is denied its not fair they have 2nd Amendment rights as the rest of us do in the Blue & Green states……..
Oklahoma requires a permit. it isn’t a no permit state! I am a CCW Instructor and stay current on the laws of the state.
In Mississippi you can open carry without a permit. You need a permit to conceal carry. No training required. Instructor certified for concealed carry is 8 hour course. Other states honor the Instructor Certified Permit.