What states are banning guns?

Asked by: Griffin McGlynn  |  Last update: August 10, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (19 votes)

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.

Which US state has the most gun restrictions?

The 10 states with the strongest gun laws, in ranking order, were California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland and Colorado. The states with the least stringent gun laws were Wyoming, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Idaho, Montana, Mississippi, South Dakota, Kansas and Arizona.

Which states ban guns in the US?

U.S. gun laws 2024, by state

As of 2024, 22 U.S. states required background checks and/or permits for the purchase of a handgun. A further 13 states had regulations on openly carrying firearms in public, however, only California, Connecticut, Florida, and Illinois had completely prohibited open carry for all firearms.

How many states have banned AR-15?

As of 2023, 10 states (CA, CT, DE, HI, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, and WA) and the District of Columbia have laws banning the manufacture, sale, and transfer of assault weapons. Some additionally prohibit their possession. Fourteen states and DC ban large-capacity magazines.

Are AR-15s going to be banned?

Category Two: California law bans firearm models that are variations of the AK or AR-15, with only minor differences from those two models.

Washington becomes 10th state to ban assault weapons | LiveNOW from FOX

36 related questions found

What states allow fully automatic guns?

In which states is it legal to own a fully automatic weapon? - Quora. All states EXCEPT 13: California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

Are glocks banned in California?

You cannot purchase one in California because it is not on the DOJ Handgun Roster, but if you move from out of state you can bring it with you. You are only supposed to utilize the reduced capacity 10 round magazine. Criminal Lawyer: Ashley R., Esq.

What does AR stand for?

modern sporting rifle. • The AR in "AR-15" rifle stands for ArmaLite rifle, after the company that developed it in. the 1950s.

What is the assault weapon ban in 2024?

Effective January 1, 2024:

Prohibits the loaned assault weapon from leaving the training facility and requires the person being loaned an assault weapon to be currently employed with a law enforcement agency, as specified.

In what states can felons own guns?

- Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota automatically restore firearms rights to convicted felons - including those who committed violent crimes - but make them wait five to 15 years after they complete state supervision, the center and ATF found.

What state has the lowest 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.

Can nurses own guns?

There are some (not many) hospitals where guns are not specifically prohibited. It's up to you to be familiar with the rules and regulations for self-defense tools at the hospital or doctor's office where you work. You must also know your state and county laws regarding use, carry methods and concealment.

What is the least gun-friendly state?

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

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 rifle does a sniper use?

M24 sniper weapon system. The M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) or M24 is the military and police version of the Remington Model 700 rifle, M24 being the model name assigned by the United States Army after adoption as their standard sniper rifle in 1988.

What does AK stand for in guns?

AK-47, Soviet assault rifle, possibly the most widely used shoulder weapon in the world. The initials AK represent Avtomat Kalashnikova, Russian for “automatic Kalashnikov,” for its designer, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, who designed the accepted version of the weapon in 1947.

What does M16 stand for?

The M in M16 does not stand for “military” or “machine gun”, it stands for “model” as in model 16 where the 16 is the variation. M14 is the 14th model. Fun fact: There is no M15 because this model was only a slight variation of the M14, and not modified enough to become the M16 we know today.

Why is the Glock 19 illegal?

Under Section 36 (D), a semiautomatic pistol is considered a “semiautomatic assault weapon' if the magazine is not fixed and has one of the following attributes: The Glock 19, one of the most popular handguns in America today, is a “semiautomatic version” of the Glock 18.

Is Glock 19 or 17 better?

In many ways, the Glock 19 is seen as the more versatile and useful handgun. While the G17 has spawned a number of variants and separate models (like the Glock 34) and mods that make it a fantastic competition pistol, the Glock 19 has proved better suited for tactical and defensive roles.

What pistols are NATO certified?

NATO sidearms are from large commercial pistol manufacturers, which are Beretta with the Beretta 92, SIG Sauer with the SIG Sauer M17, Glock with its Glock pistol, Heckler & Koch with the Heckler & Koch USP, and CZUB with their CZ 75.

Is 3 round burst legal?

There's not a distinct legal category for 3 round burst. If it fires more than one shot per pull of the trigger, it's a machine gun from a legal point of view. They are both regulated as machine guns according the the National Firearms Act - Wikipedia [ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Firear...

Can you buy a 50 cal sniper in the US?

In most states, any 18-year-old who can pass a background check can buy a 50 caliber rifle (even though one must be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun at a gun store). In September 2004, California became the first state to ban 50 caliber sniper rifles. The District of Columbia has also banned these weapons.

What does AR-15 stand for?

The AR in “AR-15” rifle stands for ArmaLite, after the company that developed it in the 1950s. “AR” does NOT stand for “assault rifle” or “automatic rifle.” AR-15 and other semi-automatic rifles are NOT “assault weapons” or “assault rifles.” An assault rifle is fully automatic — a machine gun.