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Arkansas Concealed Carry Laws (2026)

Permitted: No license is needed to carry a handgun in Arkansas, concealed or openly, if you are 18 or older and may lawfully possess one.

PermittedVerified Oct 12, 2026

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No license is needed to carry a handgun in Arkansas, concealed or openly, if you are 18 or older and may lawfully possess one. Carrying is a crime only if you intend to use the handgun unlawfully against a person. Concealed carry is still banned in places such as bars, courthouses and places posted against handguns, and firearms are banned on K-12 school grounds. An optional license, for age 21 or older (18 for military), is mainly for other states' reciprocity.

Official source: dps.arkansas.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Concealed Carry in states bordering Arkansas

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

LouisianaPermitted
Louisiana has been a permitless-carry state (also called constitutional carry) since July 4, 2024: anyone 18 and older who can lawfully possess may carry concealed without a permit. Optional permits are available at 21 and older.
Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Source: lsp.org · Full Louisiana rule →
MississippiPermitted
Mississippi is a permitless-carry state (also called constitutional carry): no permit is needed to carry concealed if you can lawfully possess (generally 21 and older). Optional Standard and Enhanced permits are available.
Verified Jul 12, 2026 · Source: driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov · Full Mississippi rule →
MissouriPermitted
No permit is needed to carry a concealed handgun in Missouri, and the law has no residency condition, so visitors are covered. The statute states no age for carrying without a permit; 19 (18 for military members or honorably discharged veterans) is the permit age and the vehicle-carry age in the statute, so treat that as the minimum. Some places stay off limits, including hospitals, courthouses, schools and posted private property.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
OklahomaPermitted
Oklahoma is a permitless-carry state (also called constitutional carry), so eligible persons 21 and older may carry concealed without a license (or 18 and older for military and veterans). An optional SDA license is available, and the minimum age is 21 (18 for military and veterans).
Verified Jul 6, 2026 · Source: oklahoma.gov · Full Oklahoma rule →
TennesseePermitted
Tennessee has permitless carry: no permit is required, and anyone 18 and older who lawfully possesses and is lawfully present may carry openly or concealed (a 2025 law formalized ages 18 to 20). Optional permits are available.
Verified Jul 6, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →
TexasPermitted
No license is needed at 21 or older. You may carry a handgun openly (in a holster) or concealed if you may lawfully possess it. …
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: dps.texas.gov · Full Texas rule →

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