{"id":7381,"date":"2021-04-27T21:51:17","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T21:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?p=7381"},"modified":"2021-04-30T01:35:06","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T01:35:06","slug":"open-carry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/open-carry\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Carry \u2013 What It Means And Where It\u2019s Legal"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a lot of political discussion going on these days about open carrying laws and firearm permits in general. But all the terminology can be really confusing. What exactly constitutes open carry, and why are so many political advocates arguing about it?<\/span><\/p>\n

This article isn\u2019t meant to sway your opinion in any way or get into the weeds of legal terminology. Instead, it\u2019ll break down exactly what open carry means in the context of the ongoing gun law discussion, as well as describe where openly carrying a firearm is currently legal or restricted.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Exactly Is<\/i> Open Carry?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cOpen carry\u201d refers to openly carrying a firearm in public, where it isn\u2019t noticeably hidden from average or \u201ccommon\u201d observation. In other words, if it\u2019s obvious that you\u2019re armed, you\u2019re practicing open carry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Naturally, states have a wide range of laws in place to determine whether it\u2019s legal to openly carry a firearm in public, as well as whether you need a license to do so. Some people prefer to practice open carry in an attempt to deter engagement with criminals. Others prefer open carrying as it often makes their firearm easier to retrieve in a dangerous situation compared to many concealed carry holsters (which are, by their very nature, worn underneath clothing or in pockets).<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot of debate surrounding open carry these days, but its true definition is most important to understand. Open carry is <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> merely having a firearm within reach, nor does it count if your firearm is visible in your own home.<\/span><\/p>\n

All states allow you to own a gun with a permit or license on your own property. Furthermore, many states allow you to openly carry your firearm on your property within certain limits. Open carry <\/span>only<\/span><\/i> applies if you take the weapon into a public space and have it visible to everyone around you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Open Carry Laws<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The four broad types of open carry laws are permissive, licensed, anomalous, and non-permissive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

As mentioned, states have a variety of different open carry laws<\/a> depending on the opinions of their people and the attitudes of their state legislatures. There are four broad types of open carry laws that can apply depending on where you live.<\/span><\/p>\n

Permissive Open Carry<\/strong><\/h3>\n

States with permissive open carry laws allow any adult to openly carry a firearm without a permit or license. In most cases, these laws apply to handguns only, although some states allow you to openly carry rifles or larger weapons without permits or licenses as well. The states that allow you to openly carry your firearms without a permit include:<\/span><\/p>\n