What state has the toughest gun laws?

Asked by: Sheila Dietrich  |  Last update: August 10, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (36 votes)

California led the way in gun safety in the United States as of January 2025, with a composite score of 90.5 based on the presence of 50 key gun safety policies. Massachusetts followed, with a score of 86.5, while Illinois rounded out the top three with a score of 85.5.

What is the hardest state to get a gun permit?

Report Highlights:
  • Hawaii is the #1 worst state for gun owners due to strict purchasing and carry laws, as well as defying the Supreme Court on the individual's right to carry.
  • California is the #2 worst state for gun owners due to its permit-to-purchase and reciprocity laws.

Which state has the toughest laws?

With 395,608 regulatory restrictions, California is the most heavily regulated state in the nation, according to the report. On average, states have 135,000 regulatory restrictions in administrative rules, with California's regulations more than doubling the national average.

What is the strictest gun law in the world?

Singapore is probably the strictest country in the world when it comes to gun laws. It's still possible to own a gun but it takes a lot of work. To own a gun you need to belong to a gun club. You will also be required to leave your gun at the club for storage.

What state is the most gun-friendly?

Report Highlights:
  • New Hampshire is #1 thanks to its incredibly relaxed gun laws, low crime rates, and lack of state sales tax.
  • West Virginia is #2 due to recent legislative actions to remove firearm restrictions and reduce sales tax on firearms and ammunition.

RANKING 50 States for GUN LAWS! Texas Florida California Wisconsin Pennsylvania Michigan Arizona +

32 related questions found

Which states have the worst gun violence?

As of 2025, Mississippi was the state with the highest gun violence rate per 100,000 residents in the United States, at 29.4 percent, followed by Louisiana, at 28.1 percent. In comparison, Massachusetts had a gun violence rate of 3.7 percent, the lowest out of all the states.

What is the #1 most commonly broken law in the US?

1. Underage drinking. Underage drinking is relatively common in the U.S. Despite the law, alcohol continues to be the substance of choice for young people, ranking even higher than tobacco, marijuana, and other substances.

What state has the most guns?

What State Has the Most Guns. It is estimated that Texas has more guns than any other state, with 1,005,555 guns and just over 29 million residents.

What states don't allow guns?

Forty-four states have a provision in their state constitutions similar to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms. The exceptions are California, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York.

What state has the highest concealed carry?

The top 10 states with the highest percentage of concealed carry permit holders are as follows:
  • Colorado, 16.55%
  • Pennsylvania, 15.44%
  • Georgia, 14.48%
  • Iowa, 13.82%
  • Tennessee, 13.15%
  • Florida, 13.07% (residential permits only)
  • Connecticut, 12.67%
  • Washington, 11.63%

What state do you not need a gun permit?

Currently, the other states with permitless carry laws are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.

What gun is legal in all 50 states?

If an AR is out of the question, don't worry. There are actually plenty of rifle styles available that are very usable and modern without falling into the assault rifle category in any state. The most obvious ones are lever action and bolt action rifles.

Which country has the most gun homicides?

The U.S. has among the highest overall firearm mortality rates, as well as among the highest firearm mortality rates for children, adolescents, and women, both globally and among high-income countries. Nearly all U.S. states have a higher firearm mortality rate than most other countries.

Why is California so strict on guns?

California's more stringent gun safety measures stemmed from an explosion of shootings decades ago, including the 1989 slaughter of children in a Stockton schoolyard and a 1993 mass killing in a law office in downtown San Francisco.

What is the least desirable state to live in?

They all have their own charm and challenges, but some are more of a challenge than others when it comes to living standards, weather, job opportunities, and overall happiness. However, states such as New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma are frequently among the lowest ranking on those metrics.

What state will be the best in the future?

  • Utah. Utah will be the nation's No. 1 state to live in 2032. ...
  • Minnesota. Full-time employment: 8. Economic confidence: 1. ...
  • Colorado. Full-time employment: 10. Economic confidence: 12. ...
  • Nebraska. Full-time employment: 2. Economic confidence: 6. ...
  • North Dakota. Full-time employment: 1. ...
  • Virginia. Full-time employment: 9. ...
  • Iowa.

What is the poor law in the United States?

The Poor Laws categorized public dependents as worthy or impotent poor (aged or mentally or physically impaired) and perhaps deserving of aid; unworthy poor (sturdy beggars—able-bodied adults in poverty); and dependent children—poor, unwanted, abandoned, or orphaned.

What is the most used law in the world?

Civil Law - the most widespread type of legal system in the world, applied in various forms in approximately 150 countries.

Why is it illegal to sing the Macarena in public?

Singing 'Macarena' in public

Depending on factors like the volume and the number of people involved, doing so may break copyright laws, according to Business Insider.

What is the most violent state?

Overall, Louisiana was ranked the most dangerous state due to its violent crime and social disruption score.

What state has the weakest gun laws?

Mississippi. Mississippi has the weakest gun laws in the country and the highest gun death rate.

What city has the most murders in the US?

Cook County, Illinois, home to Chicago and its metropolitan area, had 929 homicides in 2022 — the most in the nation.