Which state has the strictest gun laws?

Asked by: Marvin Wolf  |  Last update: February 28, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (43 votes)

California is ranked as the #1 state in the nation for the strength of its gun safety laws — along with some of the lowest rates of gun deaths and gun ownership — by Giffords Law Center and Everytown for Gun Safety.

Which US state has the toughest gun laws?

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.

Which state has the freest gun laws?

#1 New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a Constitutional Carry state with incredibly relaxed gun laws and low crime rates. Any citizen over 18 years old who is lawfully permitted to possess a firearm can open and conceal carry. New Hampshire residents can travel to 29 other states with a pistol and revolver license.

What is the hardest state to buy a gun in?

Worst States to be a Gun Owner (2024 Updated)
  • 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.

What state has the highest gun crime?

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.

States with Strictest Gun Laws Have Fewest Gun Deaths

30 related questions found

What city in America has the most gun violence?

Zoom in: St. Louis had America's highest gun homicide rate in 2022, followed by Birmingham, Ala., New Orleans, Jackson, Miss., and Baltimore. By the numbers: The average gun homicide rate in blue-state cities was 7.2 per 100,000 residents from 2015 to 2022, the analysis found.

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 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.

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.

Which states carry 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. Florida trails behind in second place, with 518,725 guns and a population of just over 21 million residents.

What states can a convicted felon own a gun?

All states except Vermont generally restrict firearm access after a person has been convicted of a felony, mirroring federal law in this area, which generally prohibits firearm access after an individual has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.

What country is most gun-friendly?

Here are ten of the world's best countries for gun owners.
  • Honduras. The Good: Hondurans may purchase most popular types of shotguns, handguns or rifles for the recognized purposes of self-defense and recreation. ...
  • United States. ...
  • Czech Republic. ...
  • Switzerland. ...
  • Panama. ...
  • Norway. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • Sweden.

Which state owns the least guns?

States With Lowest Gun Ownership

New Jersey has the lowest household firearm ownership rate, with a rate of 8.9%. The second lowest gun ownership rate is Hawaii, with a rate of 9.1%. Massachusetts has the third lowest gun ownership rate, at 9.9%.

What countries have the most gun violence?

The highest rates of violent deaths by firearm in the world occur in low-income South and Central American countries such as Honduras, Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Brazil and Jamaica.

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.

What are the gun laws in Mexico?

Every weapon must be registered with the federal government. While federal law does not set a limit, in legal practice, citizens are only allowed to keep a total of 10 registered firearms (nine long guns, one handgun) per household.

What state has the weakest gun laws?

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

Which state is more strict?

Data showed that California was the most heavily regulated state in the country in 2022, while Idaho was the least. The top three most restricted industries nationwide were waste management and remediation services, petroleum and coal products manufacturing, and chemical manufacturing.

What state has the loosest gun laws?

The state with the most lenient gun laws is Mississippi, with gun legislation that only covers three out of the 50 gun safety policies the states were compared on.

What state has the most gun violence?

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)

What city is it illegal not to own a gun?

No town in the United States has been as public about its support for guns as Kennesaw, population about 30,000, where city leaders for 30 years have required that every household have at least one gun.

What are the most gun-friendly states?

Best States for Gun Owners
  • Arizona. A little over 46% of Arizona households own at least one firearm. ...
  • Idaho. With household gun ownership of over 60% and laws that are very favorable to gun owners, Idaho is another state that is a good home for those who own firearms.
  • Texas. ...
  • Arkansas. ...
  • New Hampshire.

Can you own a gun in China?

With the exception of individuals with hunting permits and some ethnic minorities, civilian firearm ownership is restricted to non-individual entities. Law enforcement, military, paramilitary, and security personnel are allowed to use firearms. Police are to use issued pistols only to stop serious or dangerous crimes.

What country has the freest gun laws?

Apart from the picture-perfect overview, Switzerland is widely known for its vast gun culture and having some of the most relaxed gun laws in the world.