Strictest Gun Laws By State

Gun Law Strength
Gun Law Strengthℹ️
1.CaliforniaCaliforniaA
2.New JerseyNew JerseyA
3.ConnecticutConnecticutA-
4.New YorkNew YorkA-
5.HawaiiHawaiiA-
6.MassachusettsMassachusettsA-
7.MarylandMarylandA-
8.IllinoisIllinoisA-
9.Rhode IslandRhode IslandB+
10.WashingtonWashingtonB+
11.OregonOregonB+
12.VirginiaVirginiaB
13.DelawareDelawareB
14.ColoradoColoradoB
15.PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaB-
16.MichiganMichiganC+
17.NevadaNevadaC+
18.New MexicoNew MexicoC+
18.MinnesotaMinnesotaC+
20.NebraskaNebraskaC
21.North CarolinaNorth CarolinaC
22.VermontVermontC-
23.FloridaFloridaC-
24.WisconsinWisconsinD+
25.OhioOhioF
26.New HampshireNew HampshireF
27.MaineMaineF
28.South CarolinaSouth CarolinaF
29.IndianaIndianaF
30.TexasTexasF
30.UtahUtahF
32.IowaIowaF
32.LouisianaLouisianaF
34.GeorgiaGeorgiaF
34.OklahomaOklahomaF
36.West VirginiaWest VirginiaF
37.North DakotaNorth DakotaF
38.TennesseeTennesseeF
38.AlabamaAlabamaF
40.MontanaMontanaF
41.AlaskaAlaskaF
42.ArizonaArizonaF
43.KentuckyKentuckyF
44.South DakotaSouth DakotaF
45.KansasKansasF
45.MississippiMississippiF
47.MissouriMissouriF
48.IdahoIdahoF
49.WyomingWyomingF
50.ArkansasArkansasF

The Powerful Grip of Gun Laws

The discussion surrounding gun laws in the United States continues to hold the nation's attention and provoke heated debates, driven by incidents of mass shootings and a growing call for an effective response to gun-related violence. The federal government has a limited role in the regulation of firearms sale, with a majority of gun laws governed by individual states. The perceived degree of the Second Amendment's interpretation guides these state-level regulations, resulting in significant disparities and inconsistencies in gun laws across the country. The gun laws' strength rank chart reflects how each state is performing in terms of implementing restrictive policies and procedures related to gun possession and usage. This ranking uses a scale denoted by the letter grades 'A' through 'F,' with 'A' representing the strictest gun laws and 'F,' the most lenient. Key findings from the data include:

  • The states with the most stringent gun control laws are California, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and Hawaii, all with a score of 'A' or 'A-'. These states have comprehensive laws regulating possession, use, and sale of firearms, likely including background checks, waiting periods, and training requirements.
  • The states ranked from 25 to 50 all received a failing grade of 'F', indicating a significant lack of gun control laws. These states most likely allow gun possession with minimal regulatory oversight, probably championing open-carry and concealed carry without a permit.
  • Region-wise, it appears that the majority of states in the Northeast have stricter gun laws, with four out of the nine states in this region scoring an 'A-' or above.
  • On the contrary, states located in the South and Midwest have some of the most lenient gun laws, as observed from the fact that 15 of the 26 states graded 'F' belong to these regions.

States with Most Strict Gun Laws

Prominent among the states with stringent gun laws are California, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois, Rhode Island, and Washington. They have been systematically graded based on their policies and regulations concerning legal gun ownership and use. Topping the list at number one is California with a commendable 'A' grade. The robust gun laws of California require comprehensive background checks, a mandatory waiting period, and even certain training prerequisites. Ranked second is New Jersey, another state that received a noteworthy 'A' rating. The Garden State also necessitates law enforcement approval for permit issuance while stipulating many other strong firearm regulations. Connecticut, New York, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Illinois follow suit. They are stringently marked with an 'A-', demonstrating their commitment in upholding strong gun control measures. Aside from standard rules such as background checks and waiting periods, some of these states feature additional requirements, including a demonstrated need for self-defense and regular renewal of gun permits. Finally, the states with the grades of 'B+' are Rhode Island and Washington. Both are recognized for their strong gun laws that promote public safety while balancing the rights and responsibilities of gun ownership. States with the Most Stringent Gun Laws:

  1. California - 'A'
  2. New Jersey - 'A'
  3. Connecticut - 'A-'
  4. New York - 'A-'
  5. Hawaii - 'A-'
  6. Massachusetts - 'A-'
  7. Maryland - 'A-'
  8. Illinois - 'A-'
  9. Rhode Island - 'B+'
  10. Washington - 'B+'

By Region

Alabama

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Alabama

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#38

Alaska

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Alaska

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#41

Arizona

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Arizona

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#42

Arkansas

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Arkansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#50

California

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California

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

A

#1

Colorado

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Colorado

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

B

#14

Connecticut

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Connecticut

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

A-

#3

Delaware

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Delaware

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

B

#13

Florida

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Florida

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

C-

#23

Georgia

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Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#34

Hawaii

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Hawaii

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

A-

#5

Idaho

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Idaho

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#48

Illinois

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Illinois

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

A-

#8

Indiana

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Indiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#29

Iowa

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Iowa

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#32

Kansas

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Kansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#45

Kentucky

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Kentucky

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#43

Louisiana

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Louisiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#32

Maine

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Maine

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#27

Maryland

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Maryland

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

A-

#7

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

A-

#6

Michigan

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Michigan

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

C+

#16

Minnesota

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Minnesota

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

C+

#18

Mississippi

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Mississippi

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#45

Missouri

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Missouri

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#47

Montana

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Montana

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#40

Nebraska

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Nebraska

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

C

#20

Nevada

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Nevada

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

C+

#17

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#26

New Jersey

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New Jersey

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

A

#2

New Mexico

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New Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

C+

#18

New York

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New York

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

A-

#4

North Carolina

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North Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

C

#21

North Dakota

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North Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#37

Ohio

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Ohio

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#25

Oklahoma

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Oklahoma

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#34

Oregon

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Oregon

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

B+

#11

Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

B-

#15

Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

B+

#9

South Carolina

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South Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#28

South Dakota

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South Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#44

Tennessee

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Tennessee

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#38

Texas

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Texas

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#30

Utah

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Utah

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#30

Vermont

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Vermont

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

C-

#22

Virginia

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Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

B

#12

Washington

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Washington

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

B+

#10

West Virginia

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West Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#36

Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

D+

#24

Wyoming

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Wyoming

Metric

Value

Rank

Gun Law Strength

F

#49

Table

Region ↕Gun Law Strength ↕
Alabama iconAlabamaF
Alaska iconAlaskaF
Arizona iconArizonaF
Arkansas iconArkansasF
California iconCaliforniaA
Colorado iconColoradoB
Connecticut iconConnecticutA-
Delaware iconDelawareB
Florida iconFloridaC-
Georgia iconGeorgiaF
Hawaii iconHawaiiA-
Idaho iconIdahoF
Illinois iconIllinoisA-
Indiana iconIndianaF
Iowa iconIowaF
Kansas iconKansasF
Kentucky iconKentuckyF
Louisiana iconLouisianaF
Maine iconMaineF
Maryland iconMarylandA-
Massachusetts iconMassachusettsA-
Michigan iconMichiganC+
Minnesota iconMinnesotaC+
Mississippi iconMississippiF
Missouri iconMissouriF
Montana iconMontanaF
Nebraska iconNebraskaC
Nevada iconNevadaC+
New Hampshire iconNew HampshireF
New Jersey iconNew JerseyA
New Mexico iconNew MexicoC+
New York iconNew YorkA-
North Carolina iconNorth CarolinaC
North Dakota iconNorth DakotaF
Ohio iconOhioF
Oklahoma iconOklahomaF
Oregon iconOregonB+
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvaniaB-
Rhode Island iconRhode IslandB+
South Carolina iconSouth CarolinaF
South Dakota iconSouth DakotaF
Tennessee iconTennesseeF
Texas iconTexasF
Utah iconUtahF
Vermont iconVermontC-
Virginia iconVirginiaB
Washington iconWashingtonB+
West Virginia iconWest VirginiaF
Wisconsin iconWisconsinD+
Wyoming iconWyomingF
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