People in These States Are Probably Packing Heat

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• There seems to be a potential correlation between higher gun ownership rates and weaker gun control laws, since many states who received an “F” for gun control lists also have the highest percentage of ownership.
• The gun industry significantly shapes the economy in some states. For example, New Hampshire has a annual per capita economic output of $2,190 related to guns.
• Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA”

Over the past few decades, gun ownership has shot up in the United States. Gun ownership rose by approximately 28% between 1994 and 2023, and the increase in gun sales does not seem to be slowing down. People own guns for many reasons, ranging from personal protection and hunting to work. Police officers and military members are often required to carry or have access to weaponry to complete their responsibilities. Yet, as gun deaths also continue to rise, it’s more important than ever to encourage safe, positive gun ownership. (Here are the countries with the highest gun deaths per capita.)

Today, around 4 in every 10 Americans live in a household with a firearm. In fact, the U.S. has the highest ratio of guns to people worldwide. At the state level, gun ownership varies widely. Depending on where one lives, it can be as low as 1 in 10 households owning at least one firearm or as high as over half of households. Knowing more about gun values and ownership in your community can make you feel safer or more ingrained in local culture.

To identify the gun ownership rate in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from a 2020 study published by the RAND Corporation, a research and public policy advocacy group. States are ranked by the estimated share of households that owned at least one firearm in 2016, which remains as the most recent year of available data. (Check out the top-selling guns of all time, ranked.)

24/7 Wall St. also looked at some additional factors related to gun ownership in America. Gun control advocacy group Giffords Law Center grades states based on the strength of their gun control laws on an A to F scale, with A representing the strongest gun control policies and F representing the weakest. We used these rankings to help paint a broader picture of gun ownership from state to state. Additional data on the economic impact of the firearm industry, including all supporting industries, is from the Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, an industry advocacy group. Economic output is current as of 2022.

We used population data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s most up-to-date American Community Survey to calculate economic output per capita at the state level. We also reviewed 2022 firearm mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are the most up-to-date statistics as of August 2024.

We did not include Washington, D.C. on this list since it does not have statehood and was not given a grade on gun control laws. However, had it been on the list, an estimated 11.0% of homes in the District own guns, with 2022 gun deaths sitting at 21.4 per every 100,000 people, or 154 deaths. This is the area with the 9th highest gun deaths in the country.

Why Cover Who Owns the Most Guns?

Gun ownership is a hot topic of conversation at home and in the news. Debates over laws to put in place and how to regulate the flow and type of weapons are just a few ways this hits the news. Guns are also a booming industry in the United States. Gun stores, gun shows, websites…there are many avenues to get a firearm if you would like to have one. Learning about gun ownership on a state level is another way to better understand the topic.

Here are states where Americans own the most guns, ranked:

50. New Jersey

• Gun Control Law Grade: A
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 8.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 5 per 100,000, or 468 people (4th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $103
• Annual Economic Output: $958.9 million

49. Massachusetts

• Gun Control Law Grade: A-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 9.0% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 3.7 per 100,000, or 263 people (2nd lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $185
• Annual Economic Output: $1.3 billion

48. Hawaii

• Gun Control Law Grade: A-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 9.1% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 4.5 per 100,000, or 66 people (3rd lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $54
• Annual Economic Output: $78.5 million

47. Rhode Island

• Gun Control Law Grade: B+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 13.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 3.1 per 100,000, or 37 people (the lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $292
• Annual Economic Output: $320.2 million

46. New York

• Gun Control Law Grade: A-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 14.5% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 5.3 per 100,000, or 1,044 people (5th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $161
• Annual Economic Output: $13.2 billion

45. California

• Gun Control Law Grade: A
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 16.3% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 8.6 per 100,000, or 3,484 people (7th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $153
• Annual Economic Output: $6.0 million

44. Maryland

• Gun Control Law Grade: A-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 16.7% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 13.6 per 100,000, or 813 people (16th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $161
• Annual Economic Output: $997.5 million

43. Connecticut

• Gun Control Law Grade: A-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 18.8% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 6.9 per 100,000, or 252 people (6th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $412
• Annual Economic Output: $1.5 billion

42. Illinois

• Gun Control Law Grade: A-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 22.6% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 14.4 per 100,000, or 1,798 people (20th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $291
• Annual Economic Output: $3.7 billion

41. Florida

• Gun Control Law Grade: C-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 14.5% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 14 per 100,000, or 3,232 people (18th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $174
• Annual Economic Output: $3.8 billion

40. Washington

• Gun Control Law Grade: B+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 32.1% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 12.4 per 100,000, or 1,022 people (15th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $253
• Annual Economic Output: $2.0 billion

39. Nevada

• Gun Control Law Grade: C+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 32.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 18.9 per 100,000, or 618 people (16th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $255
• Annual Economic Output: $802.3 million

Nevada has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 32.9% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 19.8 per 100,000 people (633 total), 15th highest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is a C+, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $802.3 million or $255 per capita (the 19th highest in 50 states).

38. Virginia

• Gun Control Law Grade: B
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 35.3% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 14.9 per 100,000, or 1,316 people (23rd lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $175
• Annual Economic Output: $1.5 billion

37. Texas

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 35.5% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 15.3 per 100,000, or 4,630 people (25th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $199
• Annual Economic Output: $5.9 billion

36. New Mexico

• Gun Control Law Grade: C+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 35.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 27.3 per 100,000, or 571 people (3rd highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $91
• Annual Economic Output: $191.8 million

35. Arizona

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 36.0% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 20.1 per 100,000, or 1,535 people (13th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $333
• Annual Economic Output: $2.4 billion

34. North Carolina

• Gun Control Law Grade: C
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 37.1% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 16.8 per 100,000, or 1,831 people (21st highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $252
• Annual Economic Output: $2.7 billion

33. Georgia

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 37.7% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 19.7 per 100,000, or 2,163 people (15th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $224
• Annual Economic Output: $2.4 billion

32. Colorado

• Gun Control Law Grade: B
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 37.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 17.1 per 100,000, or 1,036 people (19th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $196
• Annual Economic Output: $1.1 billion

31. Iowa

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 38.5% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 11.2 per 100,000, or 367 people (10th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $181
• Annual Economic Output: $577.6 million

30. Delaware

• Gun Control Law Grade: B
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 38.7% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 11.9 per 100,000, or 124 people (12th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $78
• Annual Economic Output: $78.7 million

29. Michigan

• Gun Control Law Grade: C+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 38.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 15 per 100,000, or 571 people (24th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $212
• Annual Economic Output: $2.1 billion

28. Minnesota

• Gun Control Law Grade: C+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 39.1% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 9.6 per 100,000, 0r 561 people (8th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $640
• Annual Economic Output: $3.7 billion

27. Nebraska

• Gun Control Law Grade: C+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 39.2% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 12.2 per 100,000, or 244 people (14th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $432
• Annual Economic Output: $849.1 million

26. Utah

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 39.7% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 13.7 per 100,000, or 446 people (17th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $431
• Annual Economic Output: $1.4 billion

25. Pennsylvania

• Gun Control Law Grade: B-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 40.2% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 14.7 per 100,000, or 1,941 people (22nd lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $239
• Annual Economic Output: $3.1 billion

24. Oregon

• Gun Control Law Grade: B+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 41.4% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 14.4 per 100,000, or 655 people (21st lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $391
• Annual Economic Output: $1.7 billion

23. Ohio

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 41.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 15.6 per 100,000, or 1,831 people (26th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $215
• Annual Economic Output: $2.5 billion

22. Kansas

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 42.3% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 16.8 per 100,000, or 492 people (22nd highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $171
• Annual Economic Output: $503.1 million

21. Indiana

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 42.4% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 17.4 per 100,000, or 1,211 people (18th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $187
• Annual Economic Output: $1.3 billion

20. South Carolina

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 45.0% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 20.8 per 100,000, or 1,105 people (10th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $228
• Annual Economic Output: $1.2 billion

19. New Hampshire

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 46.3% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 10.1 per 100,000, or 156 people (9th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $2,190
• Annual Economic Output: $3.0 billion

18. Tennessee

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 46.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 20.5 per 100,000, or 1,480 people (11th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $469
• Annual Economic Output: $3.3 billion

17. Wisconsin

• Gun Control Law Grade: D+
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 47.1% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 14 per 100,000, or 830 people (24th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $301
• Annual Economic Output: $1.8 billion

16. Maine

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 47.7% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 11.7 per 100,000, or 179 people (11th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $445
• Annual Economic Output: $611.3 million

15. Vermont

• Gun Control Law Grade: C-
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 50.3% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 12 per 100,000, or 84 people (13th lowest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $220
• Annual Economic Output: $142.1 million

14. Arkansas

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 51.8% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 21.9 per 100,000, or 666 people (8th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $702
• Annual Economic Output: $2.1 billion

13. Louisiana

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 52.3% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 28.2 per 100,000, or 1,266 people (2nd highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $150
• Annual Economic Output: $693.2 million

12. Kentucky

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 52.5% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 18.8 per 100,000, or 840 people (17th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $216
• Annual Economic Output: $972.1 million

11. Missouri

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 52.8% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 24.2 per 100,000, or 1,489 people (5th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $249
• Annual Economic Output: $1.5 billion

10. Alabama

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 52.8% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 25.5 per 100,000, or 1,278 people (4th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $174
• Annual Economic Output: $875.7 million

9. North Dakota

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 53.3% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 16.4 per 100,000, or 125 people (23rd highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $126
• Annual Economic Output: $98.0 million

8. Mississippi

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 54.1% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 29.6 per 100,000, or 848 people (1st highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $405
• Annual Economic Output: $1.2 billion

7. Oklahoma

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 54.9% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 19.8 per 100,000, or 797 people (14th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $116
• Annual Economic Output: $461.5 million

6. South Dakota

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 55.0% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 15.7 per 100,000, or 141 people (25th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $447
• Annual Economic Output: $400.4 million

5. Alaska

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 57.2% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 22.4 per 100,000, or 164 people (7th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $161
• Annual Economic Output: $117.6 million

4. Idaho

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 57.8% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 17 per 100,000, or 338 people (20th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $1,233
• Annual Economic Output: $2.3 billion

3. West Virginia

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 60.0% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 16.2 per 100,000, or 311 people (24th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $143
• Annual Economic Output: $254.8 million (lowest of all 50 states)

2. Wyoming

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 60.7% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 20.4 per 100,000, or 124 people (12th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $1,066
• Annual Economic Output: $617.0 million

1. Montana

• Gun Control Law Grade: F
• Estimated Firearm Ownership Rate: 65.0% of households
• Gun Deaths for 2022: 23.9 per 100,000, or 274 people (6th highest)
• Annual Economic Output Per Capita: $352
• Annual Economic Output: $389.3 million

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