This Group of Americans Own the Most Guns

With another presidential election looming, gun control topics are certain to be front and center in the coming months.

Today, around 4 in every 10 Americans live in a household with a firearm.

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.

Why Cover Who Owns the Most Guns?

National Shooting Sports Foundation Hosts Annual Trade Show In Las Vegas

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 understand the topic better.

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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