Concealed carry gun pistol
Shutterstock

As we enter 2024, it’s interesting to note that more than half of the states in the union now have a “permitless” or  constitutional carry law on the books. Yes, you read that right: Lawful Americans in 27 states can now carry a concealed firearm for defense of themselves and their families without jumping through government hoops, navigating endless red tape and paying a fee to practice their Second Amendment rights.

That’s obviously a good thing, as the founders never intended for lawful citizens to have to ask the government for permission to keep and bear arms. That fact was bolstered by the 2022 Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which, among other things, affirmed the right to bear arms for self-defense outside the home.

In 2023, two states were brought into the constitutional carry fold. Florida became number 26 last April when that state’s “permitless” carry measure was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The law took effect in July. Nebraska followed by passing a similar measure that was signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen and took effect in September.

So, what might 2024 hold? Is it possible to reach 30 states—a full 60% of America—by the end of the year? The answer remains to be seen, of course, but there are some states actively pursuing such a law.

In South Carolina, two “permitless” carry measures that weren’t passed last year are pending when lawmakers return later this month. One, H 3594, received bipartisan support in the state House and reportedly has the support of Republican Gov. Henry McMaster.

In Louisiana, a constitutional carry bill never made it out of a Senate committee because of problematic  amendments that would have compromised the bill’s purpose. It’s likely, however, that constitutional carry will again be considered in 2024, and supporters vow to fight until the battle is won.

Also, in North Carolina a constitutional carry measure, HB 189, was on the move in 2023 but was also derailed in committee by amendments that added a mandatory training and education requirement. Still, supporters of the measure, including the National Rifle Association, intend to keep the pressure on in the Tar Heel State.

In case you’re wondering, states that now have a constitutional carry law on the books include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

80 COMMENTS

  1. I would like to think it not only possible, but probable, to surpass that number this year.
    Unfortunately, my home state of Mn. and it’s libturd cabal will be trying everything in their power to drag us backwards in the coming year, and I hope to be making a strategic exit from this fantasyland during the same timeframe.

  2. We might lose ME and NH sooner rather than later. Their local fascists are gaining power and chomping at the bit to use it.

    • So much for the Free State Project and all the libertarians who moved there to make a difference. They were more than matched in numbers by massholes fleeing the mess they made on the other side of the border and have turned the granite state into a new hot steaming mess of their own making. New Hampshire went the same way as Colorado.

  4. Yes it’s possible in Louisiana and North Carolina. But not in South Carolina, they’re just too racist. They’re too afraid of too many black people getting guns. And that includes the black Democrat
    party leadership. Yeah that’s right I said it.

    And on the West Coast and in Colorado. They are too busy engaging in legal butt sex and drugs. It’s a great distraction from the issues of Second Amendment civil rights.

    • That’s not true. Anybody who isn’t a felon can get a CCW in South Carolina in a month. You fill out the paperwork, take the 1 day course, get fingerprinted (which the state pays for). The agency that does the finger printing even takes care of mailing your paper work and finger prints to SLED. The holdup in South Carolina is the fact that a lot of people come here as tourists, party a lot and rip up the town. That’s why you have to prove permanent residency or own land in South Carolina to get a CCW.

      • South Carolina also recognizes many other state’s CCW. I used to hunt there frequently with a fellow L.E.O. In addition to his F.D.L.E. credentials he had a FL CCW. I didn’t. He could legally carry. I couldn’t. Yeah, right. I paid attention to that.

      • Any resident or nonresident that owns property in the state yes. If your resident CCW does not have reciprocity with SC too bad but hopefully you won’t need to carry outside your car.

      • “The holdup in South Carolina is the fact that a lot of people come here as tourists, party a lot and rip up the town. ” But that doesn’t apply in Florida, Texas, Tennessee….? It’s an excuse because freedom is scary.

    • “And on the West Coast and in Colorado. They are too busy engaging in legal butt sex and drugs. It’s a great distraction from the issues of Second Amendment civil rights.”

      I wish they were distracted and neglecting 2A. I’d love for the state legislative chambers to be one continuous drug-fueld orgy. Instead, they are taking deliberate action to suppress 2A rights, not enhance them. Colorado government is completely in Democrat hands.
      After adding a waiting period and ban on making your own guns last year, Colorado banners are hoping to restrict carry from churches and any other place they can, institute purchase permits and limit to 1 gun purchase per month, require liability insurance, expand red flag laws, stricter background checks, and anything else they think they can pass post-Bruen.

        • “jeffery wasn’t offed by repubs ya dope“

          Jeffrey Epstein died in 2019, Donald Trump had been president for 2 1/2 years, Epstein was in the custody of Donald Trump’s hand-picked AG’s Department of Justice.

          Really, if you’re holding evidence regarding Epstein‘s death, you should stop your cover-up and provide the information to the authorities.
          You are at the very least, an accomplice after the fact, and may actually be a co-conspirator so you really should take some personal accountability and stop obstructing justice. If you are actually an American patriot you should reveal the evidence you have about Epstein‘s death.

          Law enforcement should investigate exactly why you have kept your personal knowledge of Epstein‘s death hidden for four years…

        • MINOR49er. I have a RED HOT NEWS FLASH for you, Lefty. Epstein committed suicide. This thing has been investigated to death.

    • S Carolina doesn’t even allow carry by licensed individuals on public transportation. They do everything they possibly can to keep that certain population disarmed at all times. They really scared of armed darkies.

  5. Now that the group think democRat gov. is becoming fast history in Louisiana the chances are very good citizens will soon be able to legally carry a firearm under a coat or in a purse. For most people legal open carry in Louisiana is not comfortable and that forces shoppers and the like to leave a firearm in an unattended vehicle so it can be stolen and used in crime. Bottom line…Permits are a scheme where the government takes a right from you and sells it back to you.

    • I hope you are not counting on Cali to N.Y. To allow CC anytime soon. I am retired Cali LE, been so for 30 years. To followHR 218, I have to review my police ID. Used to be free, now the state is involved and wants $100! Only reason to renew is I have a son in Cali and a niece in Oregon. Yeah, I know…but no-one listens to an old man who says get out. So more states the better all around.

      • The free people of California have friends (especially in Idaho):

        Labrador Letter
        January 4, 2024

        Dear Friends,

        For 34 years, California’s Assault Weapons Control Act – has restricted the sale, transfer, possession, ownership, and importation of hundreds of types of common firearms. These restrictions are largely based on cosmetic appearance and have little to do with function. Also, since the year 2000, California has banned the sale or importation (and outright possession since 2016) of firearm magazines exceeding ten rounds. These restrictions are blatantly unconstitutional.

        Supreme Court cases over the last decade have affirmed an individual’s right to own and carry firearms (and necessary magazines) for self-defense. Any restrictions placed by the state are to be very tightly defined and cannot be random, capricious, or without historical precedent. Despite these landmark rulings, the State of California has refused to amend its existing assault weapons ban or its magazine restrictions.

        In two separate cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, these laws have now been challenged. In Miller v. Bonta (Rob Bonta being California’s Attorney General), the Assault Weapons Control Act has been overturned by a lower court, and in Duncan v. Bonta, the magazine ban was also overturned. Both these cases now wait for a ruling from the Ninth Circuit.

        This week I was very pleased to lead 27 states with an Amicus Curiae brief in support of the challenge to the Assault Weapons Control Act. I was also privileged to co-author the Amicus brief in the case against California’s 10-round magazine ban with my fellow Attorney General Austin Knudson from Montana, and 23 other Attorneys General from across the nation. These are wonderful opportunities to correct decades-long injustices against constitutional rights trampled by a state government.

        The Second Amendment is a key component of our Bill of Rights, noted by the numerical position it occupies. The Framers of the Constitution realized our Republic can only exist if there are people willing to defend it, and that defense takes more than just strong language protected by the First Amendment.

        Our Bill of Rights is not a grocery list of privileges granted by the kindly benevolence of our government. The Bill of Rights are shackles placed upon government itself, describing their limitations in plain language. It is shameful that some state governments see the Bill of Rights as a roadblock. Instead, states and their elected officials should protect those rights at all costs. It is their obligation – their sacred responsibility – to their citizens.

        Some will question why Idaho should care about California. A violation of the Constitution in California is no less an affront to our Republic and to citizens everywhere. With these principles in mind, I am honored to assist these fights in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and with the widespread support of many other Attorneys General.

        I will always fight for our rights. We cannot do otherwise and expect our freedoms to simply exist in perpetuity. We must always challenge those looking to control us. As our wise founders understood, “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”

        Best regards,
        Raul Labrador
        Idaho Attorney General

    • SCOTUS had the opportunity to get rid of licensing in Bruen but date rape Kavanaugh was having nothing of that and made his “concurrence” quite clear that licensing was perfectly fine. He is the one who killed it for us

  8. I understand in some so-called constitutional carry states, only residents of the state are allowed to do so….how is that Constitutional then? Are they saying it’s their state Constution, and not the USA constitution they are referring to? If it’s the USA Constitution, and I am a citizen of the USA, the i should be allowed in their state.

    The Supremes need to FIX this mess, once and for all….no more state and lower infringements allowed.

    • The Supremes haven’t been around since 1977.
      Once Dianna Ross left they never were the same..
      And here we go again.
      A Judge says.
      Could be one day the Supreme Court is made up of theBiden and then what?
      To much faith in nine robes.
      Those who’ve taken an oathe to protect the Constitution of The United States of America to the best of their ability and then falter at that job should be held accountable.
      We the People answer to our giverment now, not the way its supposed to work, but that’s the way it is.
      Dependance on Nine Supreme Robes is a mistake.
      All rise, Judge Ment Day presiding.

      • “Those who’ve taken an oathe to protect the Constitution of The United States of America to the best of their ability and then falter at that job should be held accountable“

        I agree! So how about this guy:

        “Former President Trump called for the termination of the Constitution’s rules regarding elections to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election following the release of more detailed information about Twitter’s role in suppressing a story about Hunter Biden.
        “A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,” Trump said in a Truth Social post”

        https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/3760916-trump-calls-for-termination-of-election-rules-in-constitution-to-overturn-2020-election/

        • MINOR49er, Considering that there was massive voter fraud in 2020, I see the Left’s attempts to shut Trump down as an insurrection.

      • I am afeared that the 2024 election day will be massive conservative tears and be like 2022 all over again. No red tide, just more gains by blue in Congress and the white house held for 4 more years. It will only take a a couple of court appointments to swing the court back hard left again. Maybe just one.

        The only two really pro-2A judges are Thomas and Alito. The rest are hard left or wishy-washy on the 2A. Roberts, Kavanaugh, and Barrett are weak tea and if either Thomas or Alito get replaced we can throw in the towel as far as the high court ever coming to the rescue again.

        They don’t need to rule against us or overturn Bruen or Heller. They just need enough votes to keep them from ever picking up another 2A case and the lower courts can continue to flaunt the previous 2A decisions like they are doing right now.

        If we lose in December we are done with any hope of restoring our 2A rights peacefully. It’ll take watering of that tree liberally…

        • “If we lose in December we are done with any hope“

          That’s why it is very important that every conservative supporter make sure to VOTE in December.

          Don’t use mail-in ballot/absentee voting, make sure you show up in person at the polls in December.

        • MINOR49er, Well, as you are not a Conservative, I am sure you will show up at the polls anyway to cast your vote as many times as you can.

  9. “In Louisiana, a constitutional carry bill never made it out of a Senate committee because of problematic amendments”
    Not exactly a true statement relative to CC bills in Louisiana.
    In 2021 Honorable Senator Jay Morris introduced SB118 which passed through both houses and was sent to the governor who vetoed the bill. A veto session convened July 20, 2021. Since SB118 originated in the Senate the first veto override vote occurred in the Senate at which time 4 Senators(Bernard, Connick, Foil and Smith) reneged on their yeah votes thus killing the veto override. The 4 Senators stopped SB118 from any further advancement.
    No other CC bill has ever advanced this far.
    Republican Representative Danny McCormick has prefiled/introduced a CC bill since 2020 and if he prefiles one in 2024 it will be the 5th consecutive year that he has tried to pass CC carry in Louisiana. The Democrat governor and other legislative and or legislator factors have hindered Rep McCormick’s efforts the last 4 years. (2020 HB686, 2021 HB16, 2022 HB37 and 2023 HB131.

    Other bills relative to preemption, carry in houses of worship and during hurricane emergencies etc have been passed into law. Several other bills giving carve outs for certain persons in law etc have also been signed into law. One of the best bill to become law was Senator Jay Morris’ SB143 in 2022 that gave honorably discharged military veterans and active duty military assigned to a base in Louisiana concealed carry privileges without having to have any permit.

    A new Republican Governor who has stated that he will sign a CC bill if it reaches his desk is going to make the 2024 legislative session very interesting when it convenes on March 11. Also, there is plenty of Republicans in both houses, if they do their jobs, to easily put forth a bill for Governor Landry to sign. One never knows when or where a RINO will come forth and with some new members in both houses only time will tell where the RINOs roam.

  10. It’ll never happen in Washington state unless a meteor strikes Seattle and the wet-side of the state falls into the Pacific.

    • In LA and the Bay Area, you can be assured that it will, They only prosecute law-abiding folks in those places “since they oughta have known better.” Every one else gets a nice photo taken and is released to not who up at the arraignment. (No good deed goes unpunished. How else is the state supposed to ban all guns when the law abiding ignore them?)

  15. We live in hope that more states will realize that guns are not the problem. Criminals and the mentally ill are. And our Leftist hoplophobes refuse to deal with either.

    • Well this ILL annoy resident can legally carry in nearby Indiana. No permit required. Just bought a really nifty Galco leather belt holster which can easily become a pocket carry holster. Whereas ILL annoy requires a pint of blood,fingerprints,idiotic “training” & hundreds of bucks for fat boy’s blessing. So I’m all in for constitutional carry!

      • Which one and let me know how it works out. Thinking about upgrading the pocket holster for something a bit slimmer than the current uncle mikes.

        • It’s beautifully stitched black leather. 60 bucks but I talked the kid down to 40. Stinger Belt Holster Black 3″. I can wear it on my belt when I get a new one. Easily fits in a pocket. I could cut it down if I just wanted pocket carry. They even had holsters that accommodate optics but I don’t do a lot of night driving.

        • Very cool, doesn’t look like it is in the sp101 sku yet but could be good for other options. I will probably prefer tritium to optics for low light for years to come but not a terrible idea at all even if it’s a not yet for your current needs.

  19. This, “In Louisiana, a constitutional carry bill never made it out of a Senate committee ” is not factual.
    In 2021 Senator Jay Morris a good republican filed SB118 which did get through both houses-yes the Senate too- and was subsequently vetoed by the Dem Governor Edwards. Following the veto a veto override session was held in July of 2021. Since SB118 was a Senate bill, the Senate was the first body to attempt a veto override. Four(4) senators(Bernard, Connick, Foil and Smith) reneged and changed their previous yeah vote to a nay and thus killed the bill instantly.

    Republican Rep Danny McCormick has prefiled CC bills since 2020 and 2024 will be his 5th year in a row to file a CC bill. To date only one of his bills made it to the Senate where it died never coming to a floor vote by the full Senate membership.

    Due to a new Republican Governor who has stated that he would sign a CC bill if it reaches his desk, the 2024 session starting on March 11 should be very interesting indeed.

    Who/whom ever is moderating comments can take a hike. My first comment was longer but contained no cursing or anything else other than facts as they relate to CC in Louisiana.

  20. This, “In Louisiana, a constitutional carry bill never made it out of a Senate committee ” is not factual.
    In 2021 Senator Jay Morris a good republican filed SB118 which did get through both houses-yes the Senate too- and was subsequently vetoed by the Dem Governor Edwards. Following the veto a veto override session was held in July of 2021. Since SB118 was a Senate bill, the Senate was the first body to attempt a veto override. Four(4) senators reneged and changed their previous yeah vote to a nay and thus killed the bill instantly.

    Republican Rep Danny McCormick has prefiled CC bills since 2020 and 2024 will be his 5th year in a row to file a CC bill. To date only one of his bills made it to the Senate where it died never coming to a floor vote by the full Senate membership.

    Due to a new Republican Governor who has stated that he would sign a CC bill if it reaches his desk, the 2024 session starting on March 11 should be very interesting indeed.

    Who/whom ever is moderating comments can take a hike. My first comment was longer but contained no cursing or anything else other than facts as they relate to CC in Louisiana.

    This is my 3rd attempt, let’s see if it is moderated.

  21. # 4 Attempt to avoid the moderators.

    This, “In Louisiana, a constitutional carry bill never made it out of a Senate committee ” is not factual.
    In 2021 Senator Jay Morris a good republican filed SB118 which did get through both houses-yes the Senate too- and was subsequently vetoed by the Dem Governor Edwards. Following the veto a veto override session was held in July of 2021. Since SB118 was a Senate bill, the Senate was the first body to attempt a veto override. Four(4) senators reneged and changed their previous yeah vote to a nay and thus killed the bill instantly.

  22. 5th Attempt to avoid moderation:
    This, “In Louisiana, a constitutional carry bill never made it out of a Senate committee ” is not factual.
    In 2021 a good republican Senator filed SB118 which did get through both houses-yes the Senate too- and was subsequently vetoed by the Dem Governor. Following the veto a veto override session was held in July of 2021. Since SB118 was a Senate bill, the Senate was the first body to attempt a veto override. Four(4) senators reneged and changed their previous yeah vote to a nay and thus killed the bill instantly.

    • In my first 4 attempts I named names and guess the sensitive moderators could not handle that those facts.
      I have not cussed on this site before but the moderators are pushing my buttons and can take a hike.

  23. This carry stuff is a very expensive endeavor with the training and licensing to purchase, training and licensing for “wear & carry”, plus a reputable defense with attorney support in Maryland. Constitutional Carry is not going to happen here. Also with so many location restrictions it’s a metaphor (a minefield). The States Attorney just charged a man with a 2nd degree rap in a self defense case.

  24. No and it will never be 50…Ever. Simply because their isn’t the stomach for it, among POTG.

  25. Thatpik article pic is so lame. The “model” doesn’t even have the holstein shoved all the way in on his pants. Clip snap belt holder downer unsecure, yankm outem(I know Latinex) holstein goes flying off into the onions and ain’t even wearing a bell, so scratch that.
    Appendix carry?? I used too, it is fast and has a tactical advantage opposed to reaching behind the back or hip.
    $ Male model$. Gunm photo’$$
    A picture of a scantily furred female possum with a pouch full of Extra Capacity mugazines(no fck you spell check I got blue gunmed on the mugazines last time)- A scantily furred female possum with a pouch full of XtraHigh Capacity mugazines holding an AK rag head style, brrrb brrb.
    No it’s a ChipnDales, with plastic gunm, in a holstein, and it ain’t shoved deep enough to do any good.
    AI BOT
    President Biden is The Greatest President America has or ever will Have.
    Vote for Freedom Vote for Hope, Vote Louder.
    President Biden is The Greatest President America has or ever will Have.
    “God Save The Queen,,,man”
    [exit: stage left, no your other left.] –stumble*Clank*, Oooof ahh uhhh.
    Watch your step Sir.,,
    Security, We have Eagle 1 down,,,AGAIN,,,. 911 and ask for Emergency.
    Yes,,I am administering CPR once I get the pedo cleared from his throat.
    ..America is Great, I couldn’t carry on like^ that in a Dictatorship.
    Presidents come and presidents go, the Heart of America beats on.
    We are fortunate.
    God Bless America.

  26. “Also, in North Carolina a constitutional carry measure, HB 189, was on the move in 2023 but was also derailed in committee by amendments that added a mandatory training and education requirement.”

    NC resident here and I don’t see us getting Constitutional carry anytime soon. Yes, the supposed good guys, Republicans, have veto-proof majorities in both legislative houses but I don’t think enough of them support CC. I guess and hope I could be wrong. We did finally get rid of the Sheriff pistol permit scheme this past year over the governor’s veto. And shockingly the streets have not run red with blood. Well at least no more blood than usual in Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

  27. Florida’s name on the list should carry an asterisk. What we have here is permit-free concealed carry, which is a great improvement, and one for which I am grateful to those who pushed it through the legislature to DeSantis’ desk for signature. But that’s not quite “constitutional” carry.

    Maybe this session…

  28. Gee,

    I have to wonder, officially, wouldn’t Constitutional Carry apply to the hords of illegal aliens that have invaded. . at least in states with Constitutional carry. .

    The problem is that most of the countries they come from do not share criminal records, so we have no way of knowing if they are criminals until they are convicted here.

    Great going Joe Biden. . no background check for the “huddled masses”, nor any health check. And what do you know, Bubonic plague is making a comeback as is TB.

Comments are closed.