Concealed carry (carrying a concealed weapon (CCW)) refers to the practice of carrying a handgun or other weapon in public in a concealed or hidden manner, either on one's person or in close proximity. While most law enforcement officers carry their handguns in a visible holster, some officers, such as plainclothes detectives or undercover agents, carry weapons in concealed holsters. In some countries and jurisdictions, civilians are legally required to obtain a concealed carry permit in order to possess a firearm. In others, a permit is only required if the firearm is not visible to the eye, such as carrying said weapon in one's purse, bag, trunk, etc. The opposite of concealed carry is called open carry.

Concealed carry in Brazil is generally illegal, with special carry permits granted to police officers allowing them to carry firearms off duty, and in other rare cases.^[1] On 7 may 2019, President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree allowing several people to have license to carry a weapon based on the intrinsic risk of the profession, including lawyers, reporters and politicians.^[2]

The practice of CCW is generally prohibited in Canada. Section 90 of the Criminal Code prohibits carrying a concealed weapon unless authorized for a lawful occupational purpose^[3] under the Firearms Act.^[4] Section 20 of the Firearms Act allows issuance of an Authorization to Carry (ATC) in limited circumstances. Concealment of the firearm is permitted only if it is specifically stipulated in the conditions of the ATC, as section 58(1) of the Firearms Act allows a CFO to attach conditions to an ATC.

Provincial chief firearm officers (CFOs) may only issue an authorization in accordance with the regulations. Specifically, SOR 98-207 section 2 requires, for an ATC for protection of life, for an individual to be in imminent danger and for police protection to be insufficient. As such, if the relevant police agency determines its protection is sufficient, the CFO would have difficulty in issuing the ATC over police objections.

For issuance of an ATC under 98-207(3) for lawful occupations, provision is made for armored car personnel under subsection a), for wildlife protection (while working) and trapping under subsections b) and c). Unless hunting or other activity is occupational, it would not be possible to issue an ATC under the section.^[3] As noted, a CFO can exercise some discretion but must follow the law in considering applications for an ATC.^[5]

A gun in the Czech Republic is available to anybody subject to acquiring a shall issue firearms license. Gun licenses may be obtained in a way similar to a driving license – by passing a gun proficiency exam, medical examination and having a clean criminal record. Unlike in most other European countries, the Czech gun legislation also permits a citizen to carry a concealed weapon for self-defense – 246,715 out of some 303,936 legal gun owners have a E category license which permits them to carry a concealed firearm. The vast majority of Czech gun owners possess their firearms for protection, with hunting and sport shooting being less common.

Hunters who hold C category license may carry their hunting firearm openly on a way to and from hunting grounds.

Unlike state policemen, members of Municipal Police are regarded as civilians and need to obtain D category license in order to be armed. Municipal policemen while on duty carry their municipality-issued firearms openly. D category license holders that work private security can carry their firearms only in concealed manner.

All firearms licenses are shall issue.

Concealed-carry licences are hard to obtain in Mexico, and most citizens cannot get them. They authorize possession of pistols of up to .380 Automatic Colt Pistol caliber. In the face of rising crime, private citizens arm themselves illegally due to the difficulty of obtaining a proper permit.^[6]

Pakistan allows any citizen with a firearm licence to carry a concealed handgun, except in educational institutions, hostels or boarding and lodging houses, fairs, gatherings or processions of a political, religious, ceremonial or sectarian character, and on the premises of courts of law or public offices.^[7]

Concealed carry in the Philippines requires a Permit To Carry (PTC), which may be issued to licensed firearms owners based on threats to their lives or because of the inherent risk of their profession. The Permit to Carry must be renewed annually.

During the 2010 election season, the Philippines banned carrying firearms completely, leading to off-duty officers being arrested for carrying their service weapons.^[8]

Polish firearm licences for handguns allow concealed carry, regardless of whether they are given for self defence or sporting reasons. Self defence licences are only for those the police consider at heightened risk of attack, and are rare. Sports shooting licences require active participation in competitions every year.

In South Africa, it is legal to carry all licensed firearms and there is no additional permit required to carry firearms open or concealed, as long as it is a licensed firearm that is carried:

A firearm contemplated in subsection must be completely covered and the person carrying the firearm must be able to exercise effective control over the firearm (carrying firearms in public is allowed if it is done in that manner).^[9]

In South Africa, private guns are prohibited in educational institutions, churches, community centres, health facilities, NGOs, taverns, banks, corporate buildings, government buildings and some public spaces, such as sport stadiums.^[9]

Concealed carry in Slovakia is not common, and only 2% of the population hold a licence allowing concealed carry.^[10]

Concealed or open carry of any weapon is generally prohibited in Great Britain (i.e. England, Wales, and Scotland), the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 prohibiting this in a public place.^[11][12][13] Permission exists only with lawful authority or reasonable excuse. It should also be noted that as per Section 1(4) Prevention of Crime Act 1953, the definition of an offensive weapon is: “offensive weapon” means any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person, or intended by the person having it with him for such use by him or by some other person^[14]. Self defence is no longer considered a legitimate reason for the granting of a Firearms Certificate (FAC) in Great Britain.

Unlike Great Britain, Northern Ireland still allows the carry of concealed handguns for the purpose of self defence. A FAC for a personal protection weapon will only be authorised where the Police Service of Northern Ireland deems there is a "verifiable specific risk" to the life of an individual, and that the possession of a firearm is a reasonable, proportionate and necessary measure to protect their life.^[15] Permits for personal protection also allow the holder to carry their firearms concealed.^[16]. In reality – aside from off-duty constables – the only individuals who will be granted a permit to carry will be those who are government officials or retirees, such as prison officers, military personnel, or politicians still considered to be at risk from paramilitary attack.

Concealed carry is legal in most jurisdictions of the United States. A handful of states and jurisdictions severely restrict or ban it, but all jurisdictions make provision for legal concealed carry via a permit or license, or via constitutional carry. Illinois was the last state to pass a law allowing for concealed carry, with license applications available on January 5, 2014.^[17] Most states that require a permit have "shall-issue" statutes, and if a person meets the requirements to obtain a permit, the issuing authority (typically, a state law enforcement office such as the state police) must issue one, with no discretionary power given. California, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts have "may-issue" statutes and may (or may not) issue permits to carry if a person meets the requirements to obtain one. Furthermore, in most states obtaining the permit is required to bring a weapon into public, (i.e. shopping center). If the gun remains in one's vehicle but is not on said person's property, a permit is required in places like New Jersey. However, in Massachusetts, New York, and California, the issuance of the permit is dependent on county. It is generally seen that in those states, the issuing is permissive in rural and certain urban and suburban counties but generally restrictive in places like Boston, New York City, and San Francisco. States with may-issue statutes typically allow authorities (usually, the county sheriff or police chief in the jurisdiction) to issue permits based upon a demonstrated need, such as a job requiring the transport of large sums of money. Retired police officers, judges, and federal agents also may cite a need based on personal security. In practice, the subjective element means that rural jurisdictions typically award many more carry permits than urban ones, including states such as Illinois and California.

Further complicating the status of concealed carry is recognition of state permits under the laws of other states. The Full Faith and Credit Clause of the US Constitution pertains to judgments and other legal pronouncements such as marriage and divorce rather than licenses and permits that authorize individuals to prospectively engage in activities. There are several popular combinations of resident and nonresident permits that allow carry in more states than the original issuing state; for example, a Utah nonresident permit allows carry in 25 states. Some states, however, do not recognize permits issued by other states to nonresidents of the issuing state: Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Some other states do not recognize any permit from another state: California, Connecticut, Oregon, Hawaii, Illinois (under its new law), Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, or Washington D.C..