One of my favorite questions is “do I need a permit for a constitutional carry state?” The answer is maybe. While you don’t need a permit to carry within the state, you may if you travel. If you’re never going to leave your home constitutional carry state, then you probably wouldn’t get any value from having a permit. If, however, you plan on carrying outside the state, a permit would still be needed.
Until every state becomes constitutional carry, permits will still be needed. If you happen to live in Kansas, for example, which is constitutional (permitless) carry state but want to travel to Colorado which requires a permit, you’ll have to leave your firearm at home. Colorado will honor another state’s permit, but won’t honor permitless carry (check out the USCCA’s map on permit requirements)
If you’re from Kansas and want to head down to Oklahoma, another permitless carry state, you’ll be just fine. The same holds true for the rest of the permitless carry states including (as of 8/1/2024) the aforementioned KS and OK, along with ID, MT, WY, ND, SD, NE, IA, MO, UT, AZ, TX, AR, LA, IN, OH, WV, KY, TN. MS, AL, GA, SC, VT, NH and FL. WA, OR, NV, CA, CO, NM, MN, WI, IL, MI, NY, PA, VA, NC, CT, NJ, MD, NY, MA, RI, DE, and DC all require permits.
One other thing to consider is a bit more important than “do I need a permit for a constitutional carry state” and that is “do I need the training to help me avoid becoming an accidental felon.” Permitless carry simply means a permit isn’t required. It’s important to learn as much as you can about the laws in your state as well as any state you’re planning on visiting.
Whether the state requires a permit or is permitless, adhering to all of the laws governing concealed carry is required. It’s illegal to carry in a school with a permit, and it’s also illegal to carry in a school in a permitless state. The same holds true for courts, police stations, and various other locations.
Permitless carry also does not negate the legal requirement to retreat; states that aren’t ‘stand your ground’ may legally require a defender to attempt to retreat before firing, whether or not a permit is required.
And, if you’d be prohibited from obtaining a concealed carry permit due to a criminal history, mental health issue, or court order, you’re also prohibited from carrying in a permitless state.
Many concelaed carry classes also go beyond the basic laws and teach attendees about conflict avoidance, basic shooting techniques, stress management, and managing the legal aftermath.
The way we look at this is simple – if you’re going to have a tool, you need to learn when, how, and why to use it, especially when that tool could end a life.