There’s no denying that constitutional carry is on the rise, with 10 different states currently considering legislation that would do away with the need for a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The states are Alabama, Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Indiana, Kentucky, South Dakota, Texas and Utah.
- RELATED STORY: State-By-State Concealed Carry Gun Laws For 2016
Depending on who you ask, there are either 10 or 12 states that currently allow constitutional carry. It’s fully legal everywhere in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. In Montana, it’s allowed anywhere outside city limits. In Arkansas, a permit is required in some parts of the state, but in most areas it isn’t. Before 2010, only Vermont, Montana and Alaska allowed citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
According to the Crime Prevention and Research Center, Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Dakota and South Dakota will likely pass constitutional carry laws this year. Bearing Arms says Alabama probably will, too.
Where does that leave the rest?
CPRC says in Colorado, Minnesota, Texas and Utah, a permitless carry bill probably wouldn’t pass the legislatures of those states and, even if it did, it would be vetoed by the governor.
There will likely be 16 or 17 states with constitutional carry laws on the books before the year is out, CPRC predicts.
