Which state owns the least guns?
Asked by: Kobe Blanda | Last update: May 16, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (11 votes)
The states with the lowest gun ownership are generally in the Northeast and on the West Coast, with Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Rhode Island consistently listed at the bottom, often around 9-15% of households owning firearms, while New York, California, and Connecticut also have very low rates. These states typically have stricter gun laws, which contributes to lower ownership figures.
What state has the least guns?
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.
What state has the most gun holders?
Montana consistently ranks as the state with the highest percentage of gun owners, with roughly two-thirds of its adult population owning firearms, followed closely by Wyoming and Alaska, driven by rural lifestyles, hunting culture, and less restrictive gun laws, while high-population states like Texas and Florida have more guns overall but lower per capita ownership rates.
Which US state has the least gun restrictions?
Mississippi, Wyoming, and Arizona are frequently cited as having the loosest gun laws, with Mississippi often ranked as the most lenient due to minimal regulations, lacking permit requirements for concealed carry, and few restrictions on public carry, while Wyoming and Arizona also stand out for permitless carry and strong self-defense laws. New Hampshire and West Virginia are also noted for their relaxed approaches, with some sources placing New Hampshire at the top due to low crime and lax rules.
What state has the lowest gun crime rate?
The places with the highest gun murder rates in 2023 included the District of Columbia (28.5 per 100,000 people), Mississippi (17.6), Louisiana (17.2), Alabama (13.2) and New Mexico (11.1). Those with the lowest gun murder rates included Hawaii (1.5), Utah (1.8), Nebraska (1.8), Idaho (1.8) and Massachusetts (1.8).
More Guns, Less Crime - Piers Morgan v John Lott CNN
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 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 is the hardest state to own a gun in?
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.
What country has the loosest gun laws?
Yemen does not require any permit or any license for the acquisition or selling of any types of firearms, including fully automatic firearms.
Which 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 is the most 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.
Why do Americans own so many guns?
Gun ownership is deeply rooted in the country's history and is legally protected by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Firearms in the U.S. are commonly used for self-defense, hunting, and recreational activities.
Which country owns the most guns?
The United States has the highest rate of civilian gun ownership by a significant margin, with over 120 guns per 100 residents, meaning more firearms than people, followed distantly by countries like Yemen, Kurdistan, and Falkland Islands in terms of per capita figures, while countries like India and China have large total numbers but lower per capita rates, according to data from the Small Arms Survey and other sources.
Can you own a gun in New York?
Possession of handguns, rifles, or shotguns in New York City requires a license or a permit issued by the NYPD License Division. The City issues licenses to own a handgun and permits for rifles and shotguns. You can apply online or in person. You must be 21 years of age.
Which 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 easiest state to own a gun in?
Easiest States to Buy a Gun: The Best States for Gun Buyers in...
- Montana, West Virginia, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Idaho, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky are the easiest states in which to buy a gun.
- Montana, New Hampshire, and West Virginia do not apply sales tax to firearms.
How many guns per person in America?
Population estimates for 2024 show that the U.S. has approximately 345.4 million people, of which 258.3 million are adults. Firearms in circulation are estimated to be over 500 million in the U.S., meaning there are roughly 1.5 firearms for every person in the country and about 1.93 firearms per adult.
What state has the strictest gun laws?
California generally has the strictest gun laws in the U.S., leading in implementing comprehensive policies like assault weapon bans, strong background checks, ghost gun restrictions, and extreme risk protection orders, followed closely by states like New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, and Hawaii, according to analyses by gun safety organizations. These states often adopt numerous policies tracked by groups like Giffords and Everytown, leading to lower gun death rates compared to states with laxer laws.
Can you own guns in Russia?
Gun control in Russia is carried out in accordance with the Federal Law on Weapons. The law establishes three major categories of weapons: civil, service, and military. Civilians in Russia are able to obtain firearms with proper licensure, with some limits on concealed carry.
What is the most gun-friendly state in the USA?
New Hampshire tops the list of gun-friendly states for 2025. It is a Constitutional Carry state. Anyone over 18 years old who can lawfully possess a firearm can open or carry a concealed weapon. New Hampshire recognizes gun permits from all other states.
Which states have the worst 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)
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 state is #1 in crime in the USA?
Alaska often ranks #1 for violent crime rates per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, while some analyses also point to Louisiana for high murder rates or overall danger, though rankings vary slightly depending on whether violent crime, property crime, or general safety metrics are used, with data from 2024 and 2025 consistently showing Alaska and New Mexico leading in violent offenses.
What US city has the worst gun violence?
The most dangerous county in the United States is Orleans Parish in Louisiana. This is where the city of New Orleans is located. In Orleans Parish, there were 200 firearm homicides in 2022. With a population of 369,769, this means that 54.09 out of every 100,000 people died via gun-related murders.
Which US state is the most heavily armed?
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.