Six cards summarizing public carry in 2026: right to carry under Bruen, 29 permitless carry states, objective permits, open carry, Wolford v. Lopez and national reciprocity.

Carrying Guns

Educational information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by state, county and city. Check current law where you are and talk to a firearms attorney before acting. Full disclaimer

Last reviewed October 31, 2026

Carrying Guns: Where It Stands in 2026

The right to bear arms means more than keeping a firearm at home. In NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), the Supreme Court confirmed that the Second Amendment protects carrying a handgun in public for self-defense, and in Wolford v. Lopez (June 25, 2026) it struck down Hawaii’s attempt to make ordinary businesses no-carry zones by default. As of October 2026, 29 states allow permitless carry, every state issues carry permits on objective standards, and open carry of handguns is banned in only a handful of states plus D.C. The fight now centers on reciprocity between states and on the lists of “sensitive places” where carry is still banned.

Six cards summarizing public carry in 2026: right to carry under Bruen, 29 permitless carry states, objective permits, open carry, Wolford v. Lopez and national reciprocity.

This section of Minuteman University.com is organized as a short guide:

  • Concealed Carry: how carry went from banned to may-issue to shall-issue, and what changed after Bruen.
  • CCW Permits by State: permit counts and trends, including about 20.88 million permit holders in the Crime Prevention Research Center’s 2025 report.
  • Concealed Carry Reciprocity: where your permit is honored, and the status of national reciprocity (H.R. 38) in Congress.
  • CCW Insurance: how self-defense legal-expense products work and where they are restricted.
  • Constitutional Carry: the 29 permitless carry states and pending bills.
  • Open Carry: Florida’s 2025 change and the remaining bans.
  • Campus Carry: which states let permit holders carry at public colleges.
  • Gun Free Zones: federal and state prohibited places and the post-Bruen “sensitive places” litigation.

Key Facts

  • June 23, 2022: NYSRPA v. Bruen recognized a right to carry in public and ended may-issue permitting.
  • July 4, 2024: Louisiana became the most recent state to make permitless carry effective, joining South Carolina (March 7, 2024) to bring the total to 29.
  • September 10, 2025: A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s open carry ban; the state did not appeal.
  • June 25, 2026: Wolford v. Lopez (6-3) struck down Hawaii’s default ban on carrying onto private property open to the public.
  • As of October 31, 2026: National reciprocity (H.R. 38) has been reported by the House Judiciary Committee but has not received a floor vote.

What Gun Owners Should Know

  • Know the law in every state and city you carry in, including prohibited places and whether you must inform officers that you are armed.
  • Even in a permitless state, a permit helps with travel, the federal school-zone exemption and, in many states, firearm purchases.
  • Get training and keep practicing; see After Action.net.
  • Understand self-defense law before you need it: Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine.
  • Have a question about carry law? Ask at Ask Gun Questions.com, and consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.

Across the Gun Websites Network

Sources

Background and Resources