Can I carry concealed in Louisiana without a permit?

Yes. Louisiana is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — an eligible adult at least 18 years old who may lawfully possess a firearm can carry a concealed handgun in Louisiana without first obtaining the CHP.

Should I still get a Louisiana CHP if I can carry permitless?

Yes. The CHP remains available in Louisiana and is worth holding because permitless carry is only valid inside Louisiana's own borders — most other states extend reciprocity to a valid permit, not to Louisiana's permitless-carry law. A Louisiana CHP lets you carry concealed while traveling to states that honor it.

Does permitless carry in Louisiana work in other states?

No. Permitless carry is a Louisiana-specific legal status and does not travel with you. Reciprocity agreements are between states' permit systems — carrying in another state generally requires either that state's own permitless-carry law (if it has one) or a permit that state's reciprocity list recognizes.

This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.

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Louisiana Constitutional Carry (Permitless Carry)

Who can carry concealed in Louisiana without a permit, the minimum age, and why the CHP still matters for reciprocity when you travel.

Permitless carry in Louisiana

Minimum age (permitless): 18
Carry regime: constitutional
Residency: Residents and non-residents

Louisiana has permitless (constitutional) carry since July 4, 2024 (SB 1 / Act 2 of the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session, R.S. 14:95(M)). A person 18 or older who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. A person carrying under permitless carry is still subject to Louisiana's duty to inform and its prohibited-place restrictions.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

The Louisiana Louisiana Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) still matters

The CHP remains available in Louisiana even though a permit is not required to carry concealed within the state. It is worth obtaining anyway: most states that grant reciprocity honor a valid out-of-state permit, not another state's permitless-carry law. Holding the CHP is typically what lets a Louisiana resident carry concealed while traveling to a state that recognizes it.

Louisianapermit overview & reciprocity summary →Full Louisiana CHP requirements →Where a Louisiana CHP is honored →

Last verified 2026-07-10 against Louisiana State Police — Concealed Handgun Permit Reciprocity.

Verify Louisiana rules on the official page →

Louisiana constitutional carry FAQ

Can I carry concealed in Louisiana without a permit?: Yes. Louisiana is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — an eligible adult at least 18 years old who may lawfully possess a firearm can carry a concealed handgun in Louisiana without first obtaining the CHP.
Should I still get a Louisiana CHP if I can carry permitless?: Yes. The CHP remains available in Louisiana and is worth holding because permitless carry is only valid inside Louisiana's own borders — most other states extend reciprocity to a valid permit, not to Louisiana's permitless-carry law. A Louisiana CHP lets you carry concealed while traveling to states that honor it.
Does permitless carry in Louisiana work in other states?: No. Permitless carry is a Louisiana-specific legal status and does not travel with you. Reciprocity agreements are between states' permit systems — carrying in another state generally requires either that state's own permitless-carry law (if it has one) or a permit that state's reciprocity list recognizes.