States Rapidly Approve Constitutional Carry

What’s happening: Gun rights advocates scored two major victories recently, as both Louisiana and South Carolina adopted constitutional carry — also known as permitless carry — eliminating the need to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Why it matters: The consecutive victories underscore the current success of the gun rights movement within individual states and bring the country to its most pro-gun point in modern history.

History: For much of American history, constitutional carry was present only in Vermont, which is why it has also been called “Vermont carry.”

• Recent victories: Vermont was finally joined in 2002 by the state of Alaska in adopting the practice. Just ten years ago, only five states allowed for constitutional carry. Today, the number is 29.

Rapid success: Half the states in the Union adopting constitutional carry over the last two decades is a blistering pace of success.

• SCOTUS boost: Some credit the recent pro-gun legislative success to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, recognizing that the Second Amendment mandates “shall-issue” concealed carry across the U.S.

• Grassroots support: However, the spread of constitutional carry has been due almost entirely to grassroots pro-gun supporters and interest groups.

What’s next: Advocates may have maxed out their potential for success as there are currently no other states with GOP trifectas and Democrat-controlled legislatures and governors are unlikely to legalize constitutional carry.

• N.C. next? Yet, a victory in this year’s North Carolina gubernatorial election would likely make the Tar Heel state the thirtieth to adopt constitutional carry, as the GOP has large majorities in the legislature.