29 States. 157.6 Million People. No Permit Required.
Twenty-nine states have eliminated permit requirements for carrying a loaded gun in public, covering 157.6 million Americans, 46.8% of the population. Florida became an open carry state after a court ruling in September 2025 struck down the open carry ban.
29 permitless carry states. 157.6 million people covered. Federal reciprocity bill advancing in Congress. Meanwhile, 33 states passed 89 gun safety bills in 2025.
A federal concealed carry reciprocity bill is advancing in Congress that would require all states to honor other states’ carry permits, or lack of permits. This means a person from a permitless carry state could carry a loaded gun in New York City with no background check, no training, and no license.
The Other Direction
In 2025, 33 states passed 89 gun safety bills, bringing the post-Sandy Hook total to over 820 laws. Virginia passed 25 gun reform bills under Governor Spanberger, including an assault weapon sales ban effective July 2026. Colorado banned manufacture and sale of certain semiautomatic firearms and raised the ammunition purchase age to 21. Maine voters approved Extreme Risk Protection Orders by ballot measure in November 2025.
The country is splitting. One half is eliminating requirements. The other half is building the safety framework the federal government refuses to create. The reciprocity bill would override the states that chose safety.
What You Can Do
- Push your state to pass gun safety laws →
- Call your representatives and oppose federal concealed carry reciprocity legislation.
- Read the Guns and Public Safety hub.