shall issue

Shall issue refers to state gun laws that require concealed carry permits for firearms to be issued to a person upon satisfying the state’s predefined, objective legal requirements. In these states, the issuing authority does not have discretion and is compelled to issue the permit if an applicant fulfills the state’s requirements, such as background checks, training, and age. Shall issue gun laws are in direct contrast with may issue laws which do allow the issuing authority discretion in deciding to provide such permits. Shall issue laws became the constitutional standard for concealed carry permits after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association (NYSRPA) v. Bruen 597 U.S. 1 (2022). In Bruen, the Supreme Court held that laws that do not guarantee permits for applicants that clearly satisfy all of the state’s clearly-defined requirements hindered individual's Second Amendment rights. Therefore, all states that require a permit to carry a concealed weapon are “shall issue” states. 

[Last reviewed in May of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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