What state has the lowest gun crime rate?

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Massachusetts consistently reports the lowest gun-related death and violence rate in the United States, with a rate of approximately 3.4 to 3.8 deaths per 100,000 residents. Hawaii follows closely with a similar rate of around 3.7 to 4.8 per 100,000 residents.

What state has the least gun violence?

The state with the lowest gun death rate in the nation was Hawaii, followed by Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. The total number of Americans killed by gunfire in 2024 was 44,447, a five percent decrease from 46,728 in 2023.

What is the safest state in the US for guns?

Hawaii and Massachusetts are widely recognized as the safest states in the US for guns, frequently ranking first and second for having the lowest rates of gun deaths and the strongest firearm safety laws.

What are the top 10 states for gun violence?

The 10 states with the highest rates of gun violence per capita, based on age-adjusted firearm mortality data (encompassing homicides, suicides, and unintentional deaths), are as follows:

What is the most gun-friendly state?

There is no single "most gun-friendly" state, as rankings vary by how different organizations and individuals define it. However, a few states consistently top the lists published by Second Amendment organizations, firearms publications, and legal policy groups:

The state of gun violence in the US, explained in 18 charts

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What is the least friendly state for guns?

Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York, and Illinois are consistently ranked as the least gun-friendly states in the U.S. due to strict, comprehensive regulations, including permit-to-purchase requirements, assault weapon bans, and limited concealed carry. These states generally feature low gun ownership rates and low firearm mortality rates, according to 2026 data.

What is the most armed state?

The most armed state depends on how you measure it: Montana has the highest percentage of gun-owning adults (66.3%), Wyoming has the highest number of guns per capita (about 66 per 100 residents), and Texas has the highest absolute total of registered firearms (over 1.1 million).

Which state has the worst gun crime?

These are the 20 states with the highest firearm homicide rates in the country along with their gun-friendliness scores:

  • Louisiana: 11.0 (3)
  • Mississippi: 10.2 (5)
  • Alabama: 9.5 (4)
  • Missouri: 8.5 (5)
  • Maryland: 7.4 (1)
  • South Carolina: 7.4 (3)
  • Tennessee: 6.7 (4)
  • Illinois: 6.5 (2)

Which states have the strictest gun laws?

As of early 2026, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut are consistently ranked as having the strictest gun laws in the United States. These states generally feature policies such as assault weapon bans, universal background checks, red flag laws, and limitations on high-capacity magazines, according to Giffords Law Center and Everytown Research & Policy.

What does "Mexican carry" mean?

"Mexican carry" refers to the practice of stuffing a handgun directly into your waistband or pocket without using a designated holster.

What are the most gun friendly states in 2026?

The most gun-friendly states are primarily located in the South, West, and Midwest. Leading the pack are New Hampshire, Montana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Mississippi. These states generally feature constitutional (permitless) carry, stand-your-ground laws, no magazine capacity limits, and minimal restrictions on purchasing or owning firearms.

What race had guns first?

The Chinese were the first to invent and use guns. Following the invention of gunpowder during the Song Dynasty (around 850 C.E.), they created the "fire lance" in the 10th century—a tube made of bamboo or paper filled with black powder attached to a spear.

What cities have the most gun violence in the US?

In the U.S., cities with the highest rates of gun violence and firearm homicides per capita include St. Louis (MO), Baltimore (MD), New Orleans (LA), and Memphis (TN). While major urban centers see the highest sheer volume of incidents, smaller mid-size cities and rural counties often experience the highest rates of gun violence relative to their population size.

What state has the lowest killing rate?

Based on recent 2026 data, Maine and New Hampshire generally compete for the lowest homicide (kill) rate in the United States, often reporting fewer than two homicides per 100,000 people.

Which US state has the least gun control?

States with the least strict gun laws typically include Mississippi, Wyoming, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Alaska.

Which state is hardest to get a gun?

California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New Jersey are widely considered the hardest states in the U.S. to legally acquire a firearm. These states require lengthy permitting processes, extensive background checks, mandatory safety courses, and feature strict bans on certain weapon types.

What country ranks in gun violence?

Gun violence rankings vary depending on whether the data measures the total number of fatalities or the rate per capita.

What states allow open carry?

Currently, 46 states allow open carry in some form. The remaining four states — California, Florida, Illinois and New York (plus Washington D.C.) — generally prohibit it.

What is the most heavily armed state in America?

The answer depends on how you measure it: by total volume or per capita.

What US state has the lowest gun violence?

Lowest Rates Concentrated in the Northeast and Hawaii

Hawaii reports the lowest firearm death rate in the country at 3.8 per 100,000 people.

What are the top five states for gun violence?

The top five states for overall gun violence and firearm mortality, based on the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Everytown for Gun Safety, are:

What is the #1 safest town in America?

Depending on the metrics used, there is no single "#1 safest town." National safety rankings are typically divided between SafeWise (focusing strictly on violent and property crime rates) and WalletHub (which measures financial safety, natural disaster risks, and community health).

What are the top 5 most violent states in America?

Alaska had the highest violent crime rate of any state in 2024, at 724.1 incidents per 100,000 residents, followed by New Mexico (717.1), Tennessee (592.3), Arkansas (579.4) and Louisiana (519.8).

What is the safest state in the US?

Vermont is widely recognized as the safest state in the U.S. It routinely takes the number one spot in major safety indexes, followed closely by other Northeastern and New England states like New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.