How Do Concealed Weapon Laws Vary By State?
Four Categories As of Jan. 2009, the 50 U.S. states fall into four categories concerning the issuance of permits to carry a concealed weapon: “shall-issue” (37 states), “may-issue” (nine states), “no-issue” (two states) and “unrestricted” (two states). The wording of the Alabama law is ambiguous concerning these categories, but in practice it is generally recognized as a “shall-issue” state. Shall-issue “Shall-issue” means the state must issue a concealed-carry permit (or CCW) to an individual who meets the state’s minimum requirements. For instance, if there is nothing written in the law barring an applicant who spent time in a mental institution from carrying a concealed weapon, the state must issue the permit. In Jan. of 2009 there were 37 shall-issue states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Ca
