Posted on February 2, 2022 innews
The Second Amendment grants all United States citizens the basic right to bear firearms. Unfortunately, however, this fundamental right to own a gun has been accompanied by a controversial debate about what it means to own a firearm in the United States. As gun violence and gun fatalities have skyrocketed in some states, it has prompted local governments to enact more gun control regulations, but it has also resulted in unnecessary and excessive restrictions on the vast majority of responsible and respectful gun owners. Since 2022 is an election year, many states are likely to introduce laws to tighten or loosen gun restrictions.
Which states are currently best for responsible gun owners? Using data visualization agency 1Point21 Interactive, our Arizona law firm analyzed each state's broad gun laws, culture and mood to determine where responsible gun owners can find their gun freedom.
*This map is interactive. Hover over each state to see each state's Gun Compatibility Index (GFI) score and its rank among all 50 states and D.C. to display.
US Gun Laws and Regulations: A State-by-State Look
*This table will be scrolled horizontally to show more information.
| area | To express | Wait Over time? | Universität blood sugar control? | Open Carry | CCW | Castillo Teach? | Pistol bans? | capability Border? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 2 | Arizona | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 3 | Wyoming | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 4 | Montana | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 5 | Idaho | none | none | And | will exhibit | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 6 | Oklahoma | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 7 | Kentucky | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 8 | Kansas | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 9 | measurements | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 10 | Texas | none | none | yeah stop long guns, and guns (permission required, cover only) | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 11 | Dakota del Sur | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 12 | Utah | none | none | And; loaded firearms require a CCW | constitutional wear | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 13 | West Virginia | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 14 | North Dakota | none | none | yeah stop long guns, and guns (Downloaded only During the day, all the time yes CCW permit holder) | Constitutionally carry (Residents only) | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| fifteen | Alabama | none | none | And | Constitutionally to take away (from January 1, 2023) | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| sixteen | Tennessee | none | none | yeah stop long guns (fire), Yes for pistols (permission required) | constitutional wear | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 17 | New Hampshire | none | none | Yes (Loaded rifles, shotguns or muzzleloaders are prohibited on certain moving vehicles) | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 18 | Mississippi | none | none | yeah stop long guns, Yes for pistols (in holster, belt holster, shoulder holster, scabbard or case that is fully or partially visible) | Constitutionally carry | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 19 | Nevada | none | And - all sales | Yes, although loaded rifles and shotguns are not allowed in vehicles on streets or public roads | will exhibit | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 20 | Michigan | none | And approval required for pistols | And | will exhibit (residents only, license required) | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 21 | New Mexico | none | Yes, except for sales between immediate family members | And | will exhibit | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 22 | Indiana | none | none | yeah stop long guns, yeah stop Pistols (if in a vehicle, they must be unloaded, not easily accessible, and in a secure case) | constitutional wear | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 23 | Georgia | none | none | yeah stop long guns, and guns (permission required) | constitutional wear | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 24 | Vermont | none | And - all sales | And | Constitutionally carry | unsupported Your country, but not obligation to retire | LCAM | 10 rounds for long guns; 15 for pistols |
| 25 | Arkansas | none | none | guns don't allowed except under specific circumstances | constitutional wear | Castle Doctrine there is no obligation to retreat | none | none |
| 26 | Iowa | must acquire permission what last 3 days come into effect | yes permission needed for only pistols | Yes for long guns (under certain circumstances Circumstances), and weapon (permission required) | constitutional wear | Man up | none | none |
| 27 | Nebraska | none | Yes Permission required only for pistols | And | will exhibit | lock gauge only | none | none |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | none | And - Sale of firearms to private individuals | yes, except for Philadelphia (permission required) | Will be issued* | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 29 | Illinois | 72 hours | And - approval required | no | Will be issued* | stand up Tierra | Assault Weapons Prohibition (Cook County, Chicago only) | none |
| 30 | Florida | 3 Take or the time required complete Verification; does not apply in definitely circumstances | none | no | will exhibit | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 31 | Ohio | none | none | And | constitutional wear | stand up earth inside There is no obligation to withdraw from the vehicle | none | none |
| 32 | North Carolina | None but it may take 14 days to get a license shop Private and firearms sellers must verify that the buyer has a permit or license | yes permission needed for only pistols | And | will exhibit | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 33 | Minnesota | 5 business days, bis 7 corresponding circumstances | none | not for guns and shotguns, Yes for pistols (permission required) | Will be issued* | lock gauge only | "Semi-automatic military style Offensive Weapon” can be purchased unless other prohibitions apply | none |
| 34 | Louisiana | none | none | And | will exhibit (Residents only) | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 35 | Wisconsin | none | none | And | Is Issued (For Citizens and Military Residents Only) | stand up earth inside his vehicle | none | none |
| 36 | South Carolina | none | none | yeah stop long guns | Will be issued (residents and qualified non-residents) | stand up Tierra | none | none |
| 37 | Oregon | none | And - all sales | And | Will be issued* | stand up Tierra | Cities and counties may restrict, regulate, or ban the possession of loaded firearms in public spaces | none |
| 38 | Virginia | none | And - all sales | And | Will be issued* | stand up Tierra | attack weapon secure circumstances | none |
| 39 | Colorado | none | And - all sales | no | will exhibit (Residents only)* | stand up Tierra | LCAM | 15 rounds |
| 40 | Delaware | none | And - all sales | And | can throw (Residents only) | lock gauge only | Assault weapons purchased before June 30, 2022 | none |
| 41 | Maine | none | none | And | Constitutionally carry | lock gauge only | none | none |
| 42 | Washington | 10 Take into "semi-automatic assault rifles"; 10 days to complete Verification | And - all sales | No, except low special circumstances | will exhibit | stand up Tierra | Restrictions on large capacity chargers | none |
| 43 | Maryland | 7 days, in "regulated Firearms" (pistols and offensive weapons) | And - only pistols | yeah stop long guns, and guns (permission required) | will exhibit | lock gauge only | LCAM, attack weapon | 10 rounds |
| 44 | Rhode Island | 7 Take | And - all sales | yeah stop long guns, and guns (permission required) | Will be issued* | lock gauge only | Selling guns or ammunition to anyone under the age of 21 is illegal, magazines with more than ten cartridges are prohibited. | none |
| 45 | Hawaii | 14 calendar days; does not apply in certain circumstances | Yes, a permit is required | If with a permit/license | can throw | lock gauge only | LCAM, Sturmpistolen | 10 rounds (pistols only) |
| 46 | Connecticut | none | And - all sales | yeah stop long guns, and guns (permission required) | can throw | lock gauge only | LCAM, offensive weapons | 10 rounds |
| 47 | New Jersey | 7 days for all handguns, up to 30 days in accordance to allow processing | yes all sales | Yes for long guns (corresponding ID required), and guns (permission required) | can throw | lock gauge only | LCAM, offensive weapons | 10 rounds |
| 48 | California | 10 Take, up to 30 days corresponding DOJ approval | yes all sales | all firearms not allowed, chargeable or downloaded | can throw (Residents only) | stand up Tierra | LCAM, Assault weapons, weapons without a serial number, sale of firearms to persons under the age of 21 (limited exceptions) | 10 rounds |
| 49 | Massachusetts | none | And - approval required | yes, what a Permission/Licence | can throw | lock gauge only | LCAM, attack weapon | 10 rounds |
| 50 | NY | none, but all gun owner must purchase a license | yes all sales | yeah stop long guns only; New York does not grant licenses to open possession of pistols | May verdict unconstitutional, further state legislation pending | lock gauge only | LCAM, offensive weapons | 10 rounds |
| 51 | direct current. | 10 Take | And - all sales | no | will exhibit | Should retreat | LCAM, offensive weapons | 10 rounds |
*CCW - Concealed Carry Weapons
LCAM - High capacity ammunition magazines
Our selection process
Our Arizona attorneys ranked each state on a Gun Owner Friendly Index, which was calculated by assessing multiple parameters and weighting them according to their importance to gun owners. In the end, this was weighted based on the general culture and sentiment towards firearms in the state. The following parameters include:
waiting period
Any extended period of time that buyers must wait from the time of purchase until they finally receive their firearm. These laws can range from no waiting period to complex processes that span required registration, permit applications, interviews, and final regulatory approval.
Universal background checks
Although federal law requires licensed dealers to conduct extensive background checks on those purchasing a firearm, the same law does not apply to unlicensed or private transactions. Universal background checks aim to fill this gap by making background checks mandatory for all firearm buyers, regardless of an authorized dealer. However, opponents of this statement say that universal background checks can often be overkill, particularly in gun-friendly states where private sales occur between close members of the community.
right to wear
The laws for or against open carry and concealed carry (CCW) weigh heavily in our score. Although sensible laws preventing open carry and CCW can be effective in curbing gun violence, many of the strictest states enact reactionary laws that are over the top and impose restrictions and definitions that are often impractical or incredibly uncomfortable.
The states that allow open transportation with few restrictions performed well in our analysis. In addition, every state that has enacted a constitutional law regarding CCW also received the highest score.
Leyes de stand-your-ground
These laws, also known as "the duty to retreat," allow people to use appropriate force to defend themselves or others against unlawful violence. This is in direct contrast to the "Duty to Retreat" law, in which a person must first exercise their right to withdraw from a hostile situation to the best of their ability. Only if this revocation has failed can the person exercise their rights of self-defense. A variation of this law is also known as the Castle Doctrine, a law that requires the principles of self-defense to apply only within your own personal premises.
In our study, states that uphold gun owners' rights to self-defense received the highest scores, and those that enforce retreat laws received the lowest scores.
All relevant prohibitions/restrictions
Many states attempt to impose excessive bans on certain types of firearms and firearm accessories to limit availability to irresponsible gun owners, but by doing so may block access for all gun owners. This may include limitations on the maximum magazine capacity of firearms and a ban on high capacity magazines.
In addition, all relevant assault rifle bans were also considered under these parameters. The states with minimal prohibitions and restrictions scored the highest, while those with severe restrictions and excessive and unreasonable definitions of offensive weapons scored the lowest.
General gun culture
A state's final scores were weighted based on the strength of the gun culture within the state. This was determined by a few key factors:
- The political tendencies of the state.
- The general acceptance of guns in the daily lives of citizens of a state
- The number of notable shooting ranges and hunting grounds within the state
In general, the states that have had a high regard for responsible gun ownership also have historically had an established appreciation and reverence for firearms.
The Best States for Responsible Gun Owners
The next five states scored the highest overall on our Ownership Gun Friendliness Index.
#1: AlaskaGFI: 122,90
Based on our findings, Alaska was the state with the highest responsibility for responsible firearm owners and operators. Aside from basic federal laws regulating firearms, there is little to no state regulation of gun ownership, leaving much discretion for those who practice gun ownership.
Alaska has no waiting period to own a gun, no universal background checks, and no bans or restrictions on assault weapons or magazine capacity. In addition, Alaska allows open carry of all firearms, as well as constitutional carry privileges for those who wish to conceal carry.
Additionally, Alaska gets perfect marks for gun culture, largely due to the wide acceptance of firearms in the Alaskan way of life. In the state, guns are not a privilege, but a tool that allows citizens to live their normal lives. Additionally, because much of Alaska is rural, firearms allow citizens to protect themselves and their families.
No. 2: ArizonaGFI: 119,26
Not far behind Alaska is Arizona, which ranks second in our analysis. Like Alaska, Arizona has accepted firearms as part of the state's culture, and its gun laws reflect this.Arizona gun lawsreflects the confidence of its citizens to do the right thing when it comes to firearms and empowers gun owners, when in doubt, to act responsibly from start to finish.
As in Alaska, firearms are a way of life in Arizona and score top marks in the culture. The only reason Alaska ranks higher than Arizona is because of gun ownership; Alaska has the third-highest percentage of gun-owning households in the country, with approximately 65% of Alaskan households owning at least one gun. In contrast, only 46% of Arizona households report owning at least one gun.
Rural states dominate the best states for responsible gun ownership
Based on our results, states that offered a more rural lifestyle certainly ranked as the best places for responsible gun ownership. States that had a broader field and encouraged a more open and free way of life not only tended to have looser gun ownership restrictions, but also less critical attitudes toward gun ownership.
THESE STATES INCLUDE WYOMING, MONTANA AND IDAHO, all of which ranked in the top 5.
These states include Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, which rounded out the top 5 and all have incredibly progressive gun freedom and gun ownership policies. In all three, all gun owners are free to open or conceal carry at their discretion with no license restrictions. Wyoming and Montana, in particular, had the highest percentage of gun owners in the country at 66.2% and 66.3%, respectively.
While both Montana and Idaho had stricter veil-related laws on paper, they are at best more of a formality and are not subject to the same complex scrutiny and lengthy procedures as some of the coastal states.
Beyond hiding carry laws, there isn't much that can be done about gun ownership for responsible operators in these rural states, and their classification is arguably hair-splitting in states that treat gun owners exceptionally well.
The worst conditions for responsible gun owners
The worst conditions for responsible gun owners come as no great surprise; these are states that, regardless of context or circumstance, arguably implement too much state hype. Although there are concerns about unfit citizens obtaining firearms, many of these states are enacting strict practices and restrictions with no regard for those who may actually be responsible as gun owners. They are often subject to wait times that can be longer than expected, with bureaucratic oversight and red tape that can make even securing a home defense weapon an inconvenient hassle.
By far the worst state for responsible gun ownership is New York.
The worst state for responsible gun owners is New Yorkwith a big gap. This is not only because of the restrictions that the state places in its laws, but also because of the restrictions that even responsible gun owners are subject to after qualifying to purchase a gun. This is especially true for pistols; Rifles and shotguns, on the other hand, have very few ownership, registration, purchase authorization and carrying license restrictions.
Owning a firearm in New York requires a permit to purchase, a license to carry, and registration of the firearm before it is in your possession. In addition, New York issues different types of transportation licenses based on certain factors. While this is intended to limit the unauthorized use of firearms, it arguably introduces unreasonable restrictions for reasonable gun owners. For example, a license may be issued to those who wish to own a firearm in their own home, but only in their home. Other licenses may allow you to possess and bring it to your workplace, but only where there is good reason and not necessarily covertly without restriction.
New York is under increasing scrutiny for its draconian restrictions within New York City itself. NYC has laws that are significantly stricter than state laws, with tighter restrictions and an application process unreasonably longer than most other states. In fact, an application for a permit or license in New York City can take upwards of six months to process, essentially half a year to obtain a firearm that you may have already paid for.
This unreasonable stigma of gun ownership is reflected in the culture of the state; Although there are areas of the state where firearm ownership is celebrated, the culture generally views firearms as a dangerous nuisance rather than a useful tool in responsible hands.
Other states not recommended for responsible gun owners include:
compliment 49GFI: 20,61
Ranked as the second worst state, Massachusetts has arguably some of the toughest gun laws in the country. Gun licensing and registration is taken very seriously compared to other states. In most states, permits are issued as part of the purchase process at a gun store. In contrast, Massachusetts requires potential gun owners to apply for a permit with the local police department. Even if you pass the checks, the department's chief of police has the option to refuse you at his or her discretion.
While this may contribute to the state's relatively low gun mortality rates, it has also resulted in the lowest gun ownership rates in the country. The result is a state where gun culture is almost non-existent and gun owners feel marginalized and subject to unfounded scrutiny.
COMPLIMENT #48GFI: 24.06
As in Massachusetts and New York, purchasing a firearm in California requires a permit and the application process is just as lengthy. The state has introduced a standard waiting period of 10 days for an application to be approved. However, the Department of Justice can intervene at any time and extend the process up to 30 days. Open carrying of all firearms is not legal in California, loaded or unloaded, and while it is a “may” state in relation to CCW, its selective processes make this authorization incredibly difficult to obtain.
Though California has a rich past of celebrating gun culture, the marked shift toward liberal politics statewide (as well as a dramatic rise in inner-city gang violence) has lent a stigma to firearms in the state that you may not recover from . .
#47 New JerseyGFI 24.18
The Garden State implements many of the same laws as its East Coast neighbors, Massachusetts and New York. A firearm license requires an extensive application process with a local police chief or state police superintendent, and obtaining a firearm license is becoming rarer, if not impossible, as recent laws tighten the requirements for a license to carry.
Washington, D.C. It's not weapon friendly, but that could change.
Although the District of Columbia ranks incredibly low in our results for its laws, it's important to note that the general culture in the nation's capital may be changing. Prior to 2008, most Washington, D.C. residents were completely banned from owning firearms, both in their homes and in public. However, in 2008 a Supreme Court ruling declared that all citizens have the individual right to own guns. Additionally, a 2017 court decision repealed a city statute that required would-be gun owners to present a compelling "good reason" to carry a firearm outside of their home.
As a result, both firearm purchases and the issuance of concealed carry permits in the state have increased significantly. In March 2020 alone, more than 4,000 people received gun permits from the police department.
In March 2020 alone, more than 4,000 people received gun permits from the police department.
Although the permitting process is still relatively exhaustive, as in most states nestled in the lower echelons of D.C. follow, this easing of restrictions could be a hopeful start to further empower responsible gun owners: a turnaround in general gun sentiment in the country's capital. Hopefully, over time, this shift in sentiment will spread to other states that have expressed dissatisfaction with gun ownership in general.
At AZ Defenders, we conducted this analysis after years of serving protecting the rights of gun owners by representing Arizonans in both civil and civil litigation matters.criminal defenseAffairs.
FAQs
What state has the loosest gun laws? ›
Summary. The most gun friendly state in the United States is Arizona. The least gun friendly state in the United States is Delaware.
How many states are gun friendly? ›A whopping 25 states now have constitutional carry and are the most favorable to gun owners. 18 of those states with the least restrictions include: Alabama (permitless carry if at least 21 years old) (Goes into effect January 1st, 2023)
What is the most gun friendly country? ›Many countries are awash with guns. Among the nations with the most firearms are Serbia, Yemen, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. But there are only three countries that have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms: Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States.
Where is the easiest place to own a gun? ›The United States of America is the best/easiest place in the world to own guns. Period. It's the only place you can get a gun at a convenience store. In fact, in most states, a background check isn't required unless you're buying from a federally licensed firearm dealer.
What country has the most relaxed gun laws? ›Besides the United States, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland are generally regarded as having 'permissive' gun laws. Canada's system seems restrictive compared to the United States, but by global standards their laws are lenient. Overall, Pakistan is probably the most lenient.
Do cops in Japan carry guns? ›Major universities have rifle clubs, and Japanese police are armed, but gun ownership rights have been a distant issue for decades. Even police rarely resort to firing their pistols.
Is Florida a gun friendly state? ›Florida is still one of the best states in our nation to own firearms, but you need to have a concealed permit to carry. The U.S. Supreme Court has emphasized that Americans do have the right to own firearms. However, the constitution does permit states to restrict gun usage for the general safety of the public.
Do states have control over gun laws? ›Gun safety advocates, however, emphasize that the court's ruling was limited in scope and still allows states to regulate types of firearms, where people can carry firearms and the permitting process, including requirements for background checks and training.