West Virginia, as of May 24, 2016

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/permitless-carry-now-law...

Wow, I didn't realize there were that many.

Alaska makes total sense, given that bears and moose roam populated areas. I'm surprised by the others.

It doesn't make any sense. Rifles like you'd want for large predators or other animals aren't concealable.

Granted. Many states allow open carry, which seems more fitting for such circumstances.

However, hunting large(-ish) game like boar with large caliber handguns is a thing. I don't know how they'd fare against bear and moose. It might be easier to tote something like a .44 magnum handgun to and from work in Alaska than a rifle or shotgun.

Ultimately I was just speculating as to why Alaska might allow permit-free conceal carry. It may have more to do with the self-reliance and history of the population than anything else.

I've never lived in Alaska, never hunted anything larger than jack rabbit, and never fired anything larger than a .44-mag revolver and rifle (they are pretty powerful, though).

All are characterized by free-roaming predators and very low population density. Seems unsurprising.

Because a bear would be able to see a gun if it were not concealed? (I live in Montana and have never heard anyone talk about concealed carry in the context of animals).

Because its not always convenient to carry a firearm openly - under a coat, in a holster for instance.

The same could be said for Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico.

Given that Wyoming has the lowest population density (of the 48 contiguous states, anyway), I sorta understand that one.

But given that a big chunk of the Arizona population is retirees, I'm surprised they haven't changed the carry laws yet.

There's no rhyme or reason or consistency to many US states' laws. I find it a bit bothersome.