Where is gun ownership illegal?

Asked by: Dr. Tressie Langworth PhD  |  Last update: June 17, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (26 votes)

Gun ownership is generally illegal or extremely restricted for private citizens in North Korea, Somalia, Cambodia, and Mali. Other countries with very strict, near-total bans (often allowing only for hunting/sport) include Japan, Singapore, and, effectively for handguns, Canada. Within the US, gun possession is restricted in federal facilities, schools, and certain prohibited persons.

Where are guns not allowed in the US?

Federally designated areas where weapons are banned, even with a permit:

  • Federal Courthouses*
  • Federal Buildings*
  • Any Building Owned, Leased or Rented by the Federal Government — This includes buildings in national forests which are property of the federal government.

In what countries is it illegal to own a gun?

In some countries, including Cambodia, Eritrea, and the Solomon Islands, private ownership of firearms by civilians is completely prohibited.

Do any states ban firearms?

For example, New York prohibits firearm access after a person has been convicted of misdemeanor crimes defined as “serious offenses” under state law, including child endangerment, certain disorderly conduct crimes, and certain stalking offenses. California, Colorado, and Connecticut prohibit firearm access for a ...

Do all 50 states 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.

Buying Guns in USA vs Germany

42 related questions found

What is the freest gun state?

There isn't one single "freest" gun state, as rankings vary, but New Hampshire, Wyoming, Arizona, Montana, South Dakota, and Arkansas consistently rank among the most gun-friendly due to permitless carry, minimal taxes on firearms, strong self-defense laws, and general pro-2A policies, with states like Wyoming having high gun ownership and New Hampshire being a top choice for its low regulation and tax-free status.
 

What is the least armed state in the US?

Rates of Gun Ownership by State

Wyoming has the highest rate of gun ownership, with an estimated 66 firearms per 100 residents. Massachusetts and New Jersey share the lowest rate at 14.7 firearms for every 100 residents. The state-level ownership may be lower due to data restraints.

What is the hardest state to own a gun in?

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.
  • Massachusetts is the #2 worst state for gun owners due to its permit-to-purchase and reciprocity laws.

In what states is AR-15 illegal?

AR-15 style rifles, generally classified as "assault weapons," are banned or heavily restricted in states like California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, with some variations on bans for sale, manufacture, or possession, while other states have significant regulations or allow them outright. The legality often hinges on specific features, and many states have ongoing legal challenges to these bans.
 

Can I bring my gun to any state?

Under the Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA), federal law permits you to transport a firearm for lawful purposes from any place where you may legally possess it to any other place you may legally possess it, as long as the firearm is unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container.

What is the most gun-friendly country?

The United States is widely considered the most gun-friendly country due to its Second Amendment, high civilian ownership (more guns than people), and relatively permissive laws, with other contenders including countries like Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Yemen, which offer easier access or constitutional rights to arms for self-defense or sport, despite varying regulations on types and carrying.
 

Are guns banned in Canada?

You asked for a description of Canada's gun control laws. Firearms are federally regulated in Canada. The federal 1977 Criminal Law Amendment Act, as amended, prohibits automatic weapons and sawed-off shotguns and rifles. It is illegal for anyone, except (for the most part) the police and the military, to possess them.

Are guns illegal in Japan?

Other than the police and the military, no one in Japan may purchase a handgun or a rifle. Hunters and target shooters may possess shotguns and airguns under strictly circumscribed conditions. The police check gun licensees' ammunition inventory to make sure there are no shells or pellets unaccounted for.

What city banned guns?

The City of Chicago and the Village of Oak Park, a Chicago suburb, had municipal code provisions which effectively banned handgun possession by almost all private citizens who resided in those jurisdictions.

What is the most gun friendly state in the US?

There isn't one single "most" gun-friendly state, as rankings vary, but New Hampshire, West Virginia, Montana, Arkansas, and South Dakota consistently appear at the top for having permissive gun laws, permitless carry, no sales tax on firearms, and strong "stand your ground" protections, with New Hampshire often leading due to its "Live Free or Die" stance and Constitutional Carry. States like Mississippi and Missouri also have very lenient laws, while California and New Jersey have the strictest.
 

Can I buy an M4 as a civilian?

Yes, you can legally own an M4 rifle in the US, but there are certain conditions and restrictions. A civilian cannot own a genuine military specification M4 carbine in a select-fire or fully automatic configuration.

Which states do not allow handguns?

States Where Open Carry Is Not Allowed

  • California: Generally prohibited; limited licenses may be issued in counties under 200,000 population and are valid only in the issuing county.
  • Florida: Open carry allowed only when engaged in fishing, camping, lawful hunting or target practice at an indoor range. ...
  • Illinois.
  • New York.

What is the most heavily armed state in America?

Texas has the most guns by total number, often exceeding one million registered firearms, followed by Florida and Virginia, though this reflects large populations; when considering ownership rate (percentage of households or residents), states like Montana, Wyoming, and West Virginia consistently rank highest, with Montana often leading.
 

Which US state has the most strict laws?

Top Five Most Regulated States by Number of Restrictions (2022)

  • California – 403,774.
  • New York – 298,804.
  • New Jersey – 286,933.
  • Illinois – 279,147.
  • Texas – 273,106.

What US state has the most gun violence?

At the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi has the highest firearm death rate at 28.1 per 100,000 people. Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Alaska, and Wyoming also rank near the top.

What state sells the most guns?

Texas sells the most guns by total volume, followed closely by Florida and California, largely due to their large populations, with Texas leading in 2023 sales with over 1.3 million firearms sold. When adjusted for population (per capita), states like Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska often rank highest, reflecting strong gun culture and easier ownership laws, according to SafeHome.org analysis of 2023/2024 data.
 

What is the safest gun state?

Leading states for gun law strength in the U.S. 2025

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.