
Which states have the most and least gun laws?
Massachusetts has adopted 37 of the 50 policies and has the second-lowest rate of gun deaths, while Missouri has only eight of the gun safety policies and the fourth highest rate of gun deaths in the US. Louisiana and Wyoming are among the top five states with the highest gun deaths and the weakest gun safety laws.
Where does Utah rank among states with the weakest gun laws?
Utah ranks 14th among states with the weakest gun control laws, and its rate of 13.6 gun deaths per 100,000 residents is right at the national average. In 2021, the Legislature repealed the state’s concealed carry permit system, and in March, Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill to prevent cities or counties from enacting their own firearm regulations.
How strong are Texas’ gun laws compared to other states?
Texas — where Tuesday’s elementary school shooting occurred — has the 17th-weakest gun laws in the country, according to Everytown. The same report ranks New York as the state with the third-strongest gun control laws. New York has 5.3 gun deaths per 100,000 residents, while Texas has 14.2 per 100,000 residents.
Do weaker gun laws lead to more gun deaths?
(CNN) A new study published Thursday by a leading non-profit organization that focuses on gun violence prevention found that there is a direct correlation in states with weaker gun laws and higher rates of gun deaths, including homicides, suicides and accidental killings.

States with weaker gun laws have higher rates of firearm related homicides and suicides, study finds
A new study published Thursday by a leading non-profit organization that focuses on gun violence prevention found that there is a direct correlation in states with weaker gun laws and higher rates of gun deaths, including homicides, suicides and accidental killings.
How gun safety laws affect firearm mortality rates
Note: Everytown determines the overall strength of state gun laws by examining where the state stands on 50 different policies and assigning the state a composite score. The methodology for the ranking system can be found here.
What is the most lenient gun law?
Some of the most lenient gun laws are known as open carry laws , meaning that someone can openly carry a firearm in public. Other states are concealed carry only. Some of the strictest gun laws require the person to pass a background check and undergo training before purchasing a gun.
What happens after you get your gun license?
After obtaining a license, the purchaser must present the license at the gun store and pass additional background checks. Unsurprisingly, the states with the strictest gun laws generally have the lowest gun ownership rates.
Why are states trying to enact laws to promote gun safety?
Many states are trying to enact legislation to promote gun safety, as gun violence continues to be a leading cause of death throughout the country. Many states that have tight gun laws are surrounded by states that do not have strict gun laws.
How long does it take to get a gun permit in Massachusetts?
This process alone can take weeks and requires paperwork, an interview, and a background check. After all of that, the police chief still has the discretion to deny the license.
Which state has the strictest gun laws?
California is the state with the strictest gun laws, and it also has the seventh-lowest rate of deaths by gun violence. In addition to regulation on who can purchase a gun and what kinds of firearms may be legally obtained, California gun laws allow for funding to community programs that have reduced gun-related violence.
Is the Second Amendment a gun law?
However, many lawmakers still interpret the Second Amendment to mean that they should not regulate guns at all. There are some gun attachments – such as high-capacity magazines – that are banned at a federal level. However, for the most part, gun laws are governed by states.
Can you bring a gun in from another state?
As a result, guns are often brought in from neighboring states, usually illegally. If you want to obtain a weapon, check with your state's laws and make sure that you comply with them. Bringing in a firearm from another state that has looser rules can land you into much trouble.
