It is impossible to talk about gun ownership without mentioning gun permits. Among the most common types of gun permits are open carry and concealed permits. To know which of these two fits you best, you need to know the differences between them.
There is a difference between an open carry permit and a concealed permit, and it is in how you carry a gun in public. With an open carry permit, you can openly carry a gun, but only for legitimate purposes. With a concealed permit, you must always hide the gun away from the public.
The rest of this article will detail the differences between an open carry permit and a concealed permit. We shall also see which permit will best fit your needs. Read on for more information.
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The Differences Between an Open Carry Permit and a Concealed Carry Permit
With the concealed permit, as its name suggests, you should conceal the weapon when in public in a way that nobody can spot the firearm, even through your shirt. On the other hand, an open carry permit is a permit that allows you to openly carry the weapon as long as you have a legitimate purpose and you are not breaking other laws.
The other major difference is that you need a permit to carry a concealed gun in all states. However, with open carry, some states do not need you to have a permit.
Is It Better To Open Carry or Concealed?
Telling the best permit between a concealed and open carry is among the most heated debates among gun owners. The permit you have will determine how well you will be prepared for defense if you need to use the gun. Here are some of the factors you should consider to help you know which permit is better for you:
Ease of Access
An ideal firearm is one that you can easily access in case of an emergency. Sure, you can come up with a way to help you rapidly access your concealed firearm in case of an emergency. However, an openly carried firearm is always way easier to access.
When you have a good and reliable open carry holster, like the one I recommend (Click to see Amazon listing) your gun will be the first thing that you hold when the need arises. Therefore, if you are in a high-risk area where there are high chances of using the weapon, getting an open carry permit is better.
Legal Restrictions
Gun laws differ in different states and countries. In some states, you can carry one without a permit, while in others, you must get a permit to carry the weapon. However, there are restrictions on how you will carry even if you have a permit. Following these restrictions will help you know which permit fits you best based on how you intend to use the weapon.
Attention You Attract
When thinking about getting a gun permit, think about how much attention you intend to draw. If you believe that making it visible will scare potential criminals, you can get an open carry permit. On the other hand, if you are worried that people who may see your firearm may think you are a criminal, you should get a concealed permit.
Comfort in Carrying the Gun
The convenience and comfort of carrying a gun should be a priority when considering which permit is the best. Think about it this way, when you have a concealed permit, the concealed carrying holster is often located next to your skin. As you move around and even sweat, the gun can become uncomfortable or even cause rashes on your skin.
When you decide to open carry, you have an added advantage since you carry the weapon away from your skin. However, this will also demand some extra dollars to conveniently open carry the gun. Therefore, consider the comfort you have carrying the weapon open or concealed, and go for the option that best fits you.
Can You Carry Two Guns With CCW?
CCW is the permit of carrying a concealed weapon. In some cases, you may opt to carry two guns for reasons such as added security or one of the guns’ failures. Luckily, if you have a concealed permit, you do not need an extra carrying permit for the concealed firearm.
You can conceal carry two guns with one CCW. However, like all other gun laws, this may differ for different countries. For instance, in Mexico, you need to have a CCW for every firearm that you carry. Therefore, check the specific laws in your state and country to avoid going against the law.
Is a Concealed Carry Permit the Same as a Pistol Permit?
It is safe to say that a pistol permit is the same as a conceal permit. When you have a pistol permit, you can carry concealed handguns to all places where concealed firearms are allowed.
You do not need to get another concealed carry permit when you have a pistol permit. We strongly recommend that you read the laws in your state to avoid facing criminal charges because of doing something that you thought was legal in that state.
Related Is Concealed Carry Insurance Worth It? (Pros and Cons).
What States Can You Carry a Gun Without a Permit?
As mentioned earlier, some states do not need a permit to carry. In these states, it is constitutional to carry around the weapon, which is why guns are known as constitutional carry or permit-less carry. The states where you can carry a gun without a permit are:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Kansas
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Oklahoma
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- South Dakota
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Missouri
- Kentucky
Among these states that are permit-less carry, North Dakota and Wyoming are the only states where only residents are allowed to carry a gun without a permit. Non-residents will need to access a carrying permit to legally have a firearm.
States where the open carrying of guns is prohibited are:
- New York
- Illinois
- Florida
- California
- South Carolina
- District of Columbia
States that require a permit to carry firearms are:
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Minnesota
- Maryland
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Utah
- Texas
- Tennessee
- Rhode Island
- New Jersey
- Massachusetts
Related Concealed Carry Insurance Comparison Chart.
What Is the Difference Between a Gun Permit and a Gun License?
A permit is official permission to legally carry a firearm when you otherwise would not be able to. On the other hand, a license is a document that you are given to show that you are qualified to carry and use it. However, it is possible to have a gun license without a gun permit.
So, even if you are qualified to use the firearm, you need a permit to legally own a firearm. When you get a gun permit, you are restricted from using the weapon in the ways that are mentioned in your license. This means that you will need to acquire a license first before a permit. In some cases, the permit you get is determined by the firearm usage training you have.
Safety Recommendations for Carrying a Gun
Even when you have a gun license and permit, you can make costly mistakes if you are not careful. Some of the regulations to remember when handling firearms to ensure safety is:
- Always handle the gun as if it is loaded.
- Ensure that the firearm is unloaded unless you intend to use it.
- Before shooting, locate your target and know what is beyond it.
- Never aim at anything that you do not intend to shoot.
- When storing any weapon, always ensure that it is pointed in a safe direction.
This YouTube video explains more about the differences between an open carry and a concealed permit:
Final Thoughts
I’d strongly recommend getting concealed carry insurance if you want to ensure your expenses will be covered should you need to use your gun in self-defense. Although the chances of that happening might be small, it’s worth paying a reasonable premium to provide you peace of mind.
For more, don’t miss How To Choose the Best Gun To Buy (Based on Your Needs).
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.