Unusual places you can bring a gun

Every state in America allows some sort of concealed carry of firearms in public, with a variety of limitations. Some states don't even require an extra license for that privilege. 

Only five states and Washington, D.C. prohibit open carry of firearms. Here's a look at where you can -- and can't -- bring a gun in America.

Places of worship

Most states allow clergy or other religious leaders to decide whether to allow firearms in a house of worship. Except ...

Except places of worship in these states

... Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming all ban concealed carry in churches, temples, mosques and other houses of worship.

Some casinos

Some states, including Nevada, allow guns where gambling occurs. Casinos in that state, however, can prohibit guns and arrest people for trespassing if they do not comply with the rule. 

Don't bring your pistol to a casino in PA

Six states, including Pennsylvania and Oklahoma, do not allow guns where gambling occurs.

Bars and restaurants in most states

In most states, including California and Pennsylvania, guns are allowed in bars and restaurants, as long as they're in compliance with the law.

No drinking while armed in Florida

Sixteen states, including Florida and Louisiana, prohibit guns in places that serve alcohol.

Airports in most states

Most states, including New Mexico and Colorado, allow guns in baggage claim and arrival and departure areas of airports as long as the person is adhering to state carry laws. 

But not on planes!

But guns are not allowed on planes. "You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only," according to the TSA.

Polling and voter registration places in many states

In most states, you can bring a gun to vote and even carry it openly, depending on state law.

Schools not included

Ten states, including Arizona and Arkansas, ban guns at polling places.

It's also worth noting that federal law bans guns in K-12 schools, where many polling places are located. 

Hospitals

The large majority of U.S. states allow guns in hospitals and medical facilities. 

... with some exceptions

Five states, including Nebraska and Texas, ban firearms in hospitals; four additional states prohibit guns specifically in mental health facilities, which includes many hospitals that also provide such care.

National parks

Congress approved a law in 2010 that allows loaded, concealed guns in national parks across the country. 

Bring your gun to Zion?

In states that allow open carry, people can openly carry legal handguns, rifles, shotguns and other firearms into state parks. They may carry concealed guns if allowed by state law.

For example, you can bring a firearm into Zion National Park, as long as you can legally possess one under Utah, federal and local law. 

Retail areas

Guns are allowed by law in stores and malls, though any privately owned facility can prohibit them. 

Target would rather you didn't

In 2014, Target asked people not to carry guns in their stores, but specified that it wasn't a policy change, just a request. 

Check with the store before you bring your gun

A number of other large retailers, supermarkets, and fast food chains have similar policies.

Some sporting events

Most states, including Texas, allow guns at public sporting events. 

But it's not so simple

Many stadiums, like Memorial Stadium in Indiana, prohibit guns. Only six states, including Kansas and Oklahoma, prohibit guns at games and meets.

Workplaces, under some circumstances

Some states, such as Ohio, allow companies to ban workers from bringing guns. That said, in many states, concealed carry laws do not explicitly ban people from bringing guns to a workplace (unless they work at a place where guns are banned). 

Keep it in the parking lot

In Alabama and Florida, employers can't stop people from keeping guns locked in their cars on the company's property. 

Libraries in most states

At least 30 states, including Texas and Michigan, do not allow public libraries to impose gun policies.

Library gun policies

But some states allow public libraries to prohibit guns. 

Movie theaters

Guns are allowed in theaters in every state as long as relevant carry laws are observed. 

But not AMC and Regal

However, at least two large chains - AMC and Regal - prohibit firearms on their premises and may legally ask gun carriers to leave the premises.

College campuses in certain states

Ten states, including Texas and Colorado, allow guns on college campuses. 

But many states ban them on campus

Twenty states and Washington, D.C., do not allow guns on college campuses. In the rest of the states, it's up to the schools to decide. 

Hotels

Concealed guns are legally allowed in hotels, but many hotels have policies prohibiting them. Hilton is one such chain.

Gun shows in hotels

And of course, gun shows are often held in hotels.