open carry
noun
US
: the act or practice of carrying a firearm openly in public or the legal right to do so
In Pennsylvania, open carry is generally allowed without a license, but Philadelphia does require a license.—
Joshua Gillin
Joshua GillinThe next frontier for gun-rights advocates is "open carry," epitomized last year by protests in which permitted gun owners carried firearms in plain view at Starbucks coffee shops.—Patrik Jonsson
Patrik JonssonThree more states ban concealed carry but not open carry.—Hank Johnson and Mitch Seabaugh
—often used before another nounHank Johnson and Mitch Seabaughopen carry laws/legislation
compare concealed carry
Examples of open carry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ohio law allows anyone legally permitted to own a gun to open carry without a permit.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Ohio state law allows anyone legally allowed to own a gun to open carry without a permit.
—Morgan Radford, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2025
Albritton has rejected the idea of passing an open carry bill this year.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
In March 2024, South Carolina legalized the open carry of firearms without a permit to anyone 18 years of age or older that is not prohibited by law.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for open carry
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David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Ohio state law allows anyone legally allowed to own a gun to open carry without a permit.
—Morgan Radford, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2025
Albritton has rejected the idea of passing an open carry bill this year.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
In March 2024, South Carolina legalized the open carry of firearms without a permit to anyone 18 years of age or older that is not prohibited by law.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for open carry
Cite this Entry
“Open carry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20carry. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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