I have seen the maps, but don't understand. What is a Gold Star Open Carry State vs. An Open Carry Friendly State vs. Licensed Open Carry State vs. Non Permissive Open Carry State vs. Rural Open Carry State?
Gold Star - a person without a license can open carry a firearm in that state just exactly like a person with a license can carry concealed. In Vermont, Alaska, Arizona and Wyoming(if you are a Wyoming resident) you can even conceal the gun without a license.
Open Carry Friendly - a person without a license can open carry a firearm in that state, but there might be restrictions that apply to them that a permit/license holder would not have. Washington, for example...a person without a license cannot carry into a stadium or convention center where the city has prohibited firearms or have a handgun loaded anywhere in a vehicle - whereas a person with a recognized permit can do all those things.
Licensed Open Carry State - generally, no distinction is made beetween open carry and concealed carry in those states. They are treated exactly the same, including a permit to just carry the gun. None of those state has a separate license for open carry, though. The same license, even if the title of the license/permit has the word "concealed" on it, allows for both.
Non Permissive Open Carry State - only special people like politicians and police officers can open carry, otherwise they are afraid of the sight of Joe Citizen carrying a gun so you must conceal it, for which a license may be required. Texas and Florida are like that.
Rural Open Carry - only California, as far as I know. Open carry is still legal, but only in areas of the state not incorporated as a city or town.
