US States Where People Own the Most Guns, Ranked

The United States Constitution’s Second Amendment states: “… the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed upon.” The citizens of this country take those words seriously and defend them. Many Americans have weapons for personal protection, hunting, and in collections. Police officers use firearms to defend themselves and others in the capacity of their jobs. Each state can control the flow of weapons to the people who live there and regulate how they are received and who can have them. These laws impact the gun economy, gun-related deaths, and the total number of guns per household.

While it may seem every American owns a gun since the U.S. has the highest ratio of guns to people worldwide, only 4 in 10 American adults live in a household with a firearm. 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. 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, the most recent year of available data.

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 latest 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 2021 American Community Survey to calculate economic output per capita at the state level. We also reviewed 2021 firearm mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why Are We Writing About States Where People Own 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

The estimated firearm ownership rate in New Jersey is 8.9% of households. This state received a grade A for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $103 per capita or $958.9 million, the fourth lowest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in New Jersey were 5.2 per 100,000 people or 475 total, the third lowest in the nation.

49. Massachusetts

With an A- in gun control laws, Massachusetts has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 9.0% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 3.4 per 100,000 people or 247 total. This makes them the lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $189 per capita or $1.3 billion, the 19th lowest in the 50 states.

48. Hawaii

Hawaii has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 9.1% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 4.8 per 100,000 people (71 total), 2nd lowest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an A-, with an annual economic output of firearm industry at $78.4 million or $54 per capita (the lowest in 50 states).

47. Rhode Island

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Rhode Island is 13.9% of households. This state received a grade of B+ for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $292 per capita or $320.2 million, the 17th highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Rhode Island were 5.6 per 100,000 people or 64 total, the fifth lowest in the nation.

46. New York

With an A- in gun control laws, New York has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 14.5% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 5.4 per 100,000 people or 1,078 total. This makes them the 4th lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $161 per capita or $13.2 billion, the 11th lowest in the 50 states.

45. California

California has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 16.3% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 9.0 per 100,000 people (3,756 total), 8th lowest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an A, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $6.0 million or $153 per capita (the 9th lowest in 50 states).

44. Maryland

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Maryland is 16.7% of households. This state received a grade A- for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $162 per capita or $997.5 million, the 12th lowest in 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Maryland were 15.2 per 100,000 people or 915 total, the 22nd lowest in the nation.

43. Connecticut

With an A- in gun control laws, Connecticut has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 18.8% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 6.7 per 100,000 people or 248 total. This makes them the 6th lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $412 per capita or $1.5 billion, the 11th highest in the 50 states.

42. Illinois

Illinois has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 22.6% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 16.1 per 100,000 people (1,995 total), 18th highest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an A-, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $3.7 billion or $291 per capita (18th highest in 50 states).

41. Florida

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Florida is 28.8% of households. This state received a grade C- for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $174 per capita or $3.8 billion, the 15th  lowest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Florida were 14.1 per 100,000 people or 3,142 total, the 17th lowest in the nation.

40. Washington

With a B+ in gun control laws, Washington has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 32.1% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 11.2 per 100,000 people or 896 total. This makes them the 11th lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $253 per capita or $2.0 billion, the 20th highest in the 50 states.

39. Nevada

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

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Virginia is 35.3% of households. This state received a grade B for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $175 per capita or $1.5 billion, the 16th lowest in 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Virginia were 14.3 per 100,000 people or 1,248 total, the 18th lowest in the nation.

37. Texas

With an F in gun control laws, Texas has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 35.5% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 15.6 per 100,000 people or 4,613 total. This makes them the 24th lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $199 per capita or $5.9 billion, the 21st lowest in the 50 states.

36. New Mexico

New Mexico has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 35.9% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 27.8 per 100,000 people (578 total), 3rd lowest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is a C+, with an annual economic output of firearm industry at $191.8 million or $91 per capita (the 3rd lowest in 50 states).

35. Arizona

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Arizona is 36.0% of households. This state received a grade F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $333 per capita or $2.4 billion, the 15th highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Arizona were 18.3 per 100,000 people or 1,365 total, the 17th highest in the nation.

34. North Carolina

With a C in gun control laws, North Carolina has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 37.1% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 17.3 per 100,000 people or 1,839 total. This makes them the 21st highest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $252 per capita or $2.7 billion, the 21st highest in the 50 states.

33. Georgia

Georgia has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 37.7% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 20.3 per 100,000 people (2,200 total), 14th highest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an F, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $2.4 billion or $224 per capita (the 25th highest in 50 states).

32. Colorado

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Colorado is 37.9% of households. This state received a grade B for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $196 per capita or $1.1 billion, the 20th lowest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Colorado were 17.8 per 100,000 people or 1,064 total, the 18th highest in the nation.

31. Iowa

With an F in gun control laws, Iowa has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 38.5% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 11.2 per 100,000 people or 364 total. This makes them the 12th lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $181 per capita or $577.6 million, the 17th lowest in the 50 states.

30. Delaware

Delaware has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 38.7% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 16.6 per 100,000 people (158 total), the 23rd highest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is a B, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $78.7 million or $78 per capita (the 2nd lowest in 50 states).

29. Michigan

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Michigan is 38.9% of households. This state received a grade C+ for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $212 per capita or $2.1 billion, the 22nd lowest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Michigan were 15.4 per 100,000 people or 1,544 total, the 23rd lowest in the nation.

28. Minnesota

With an C+ in gun control laws, Minnesota has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 39.1% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 10.0 per 100,000 people or 573 total. This makes them the lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $640 per capita or $3.7 billion, the 5th highest in the 50 states.

27. Nebraska

Nebraska has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 39.2% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 10.3 per 100,000 people (200 total), the 10th lowest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is a C, with an annual economic output of firearm industry at $849.1 million or $432 per capita (the 9th highest in 50 states).

26. Utah

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Utah is 39.7% of households. This state received an F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $431 per capita or $1.4 billion, the 10th highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Utah were 13.9 per 100,000 people or 450 total, the 16th lowest in the nation.

25. Pennsylvania

With a B- in gun control laws, Pennsylvania has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 40.2% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 14.8 per 100,000 people or 1,905 total. This makes them the 20th lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $239 per capita or $3.1 billion, the 23rd highest in the 50 states.

24. Oregon

Oregon has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 41.4% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 14.9 per 100,000 people (670 total), 21st lowest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is a B+, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $1.7 billion or $391 per capita (the 13th highest in 50 states).

23. Ohio

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Ohio is 41.9% of households. This state received an F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $215 per capita or $2.5 billion, the 23rd lowest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Ohio were 16.5 per 100,000 people or 1,911 total, the 24th highest in the nation.

22. Kansas

With a F in gun control laws, Kansas has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 42.3% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 17.3 per 100,000 people or 503 total. This makes them the 20th highest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $171 per capita or $503.1 million, the 13th lowest in the 50 states.

21. Indiana

Indiana has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 42.4% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 18.4 per 100,000 people (1,251 total), 16th highest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an F, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $1.3 billion or $187 per capita (the 18th lowest in 50 states).

20. South Carolina

The estimated firearm ownership rate in South Carolina is 45.0% of households. This state received a grade F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $228 per capita or $1.2 billion, the 24th highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in South Carolina were 22.4 per 100,000 people or 1,136 total, the 11th highest in the nation.

19. New Hampshire

With an F in gun control laws, New Hampshire has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 46.3% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 8.3 per 100,000 people or 123 total. This makes them the 7th lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $2,190 per capita or $3.0 billion, the highest in the 50 states.

18. Tennessee

Tennessee has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 46.9% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 22.8 per 100,000 people (1,569 total), 10th highest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an F, with an annual economic output of firearm industry at $3.3 billion or $469 per capita (the 6th highest in 50 states).

17. Wisconsin

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Wisconsin is 47.1% of households. This state received a grade of D+ for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $301 per capita or $1.8 billion, the 16th highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Wisconsin were 13.5 per 100,000 people or 793 total, the 15th lowest in the nation.

16. Maine

With an F in gun control laws, Maine has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 47.7% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 12.6 per 100,000 people or 178 total. This makes them the 14th lowest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $445 per capita or $611.3 million, the 8th highest in the 50 states.

15. Vermont

Vermont has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 50.3% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 11.9 per 100,000 people (83 total), 13th lowest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is a C-, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $142.1 million or $220 per capita (the 25th lowest in 50 states).

14. Arkansas

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Arkansas is 51.8% of households. This state received a grade of F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $702 per capita or $2.1 billion, the fourth highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Arkansas were 23.3 per 100,000 people or 698 total, the 8th highest in the nation.

13. Louisiana

With an F in gun control laws, Louisiana has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 52.3% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 29.1 per 100,000 people or 1,314 total. This makes them the 2nd highest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $150 per capita or $693.2 million, the 8th lowest in the 50 states.

12. Kentucky

Kentucky has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 52.5% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 21.1 per 100,000 people (947 total), 13th highest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an F, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $972.1 million or $216 per capita (13th highest in 50 states).

11. Missouri

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Missouri is 52.8% of households. This state received a grade of F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $249 per capita or $1.5 billion, the 22nd highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Missouri were 23.2 per 100,000 people or 1,414 total, the 9th highest in the nation.

10. Alabama

With an F in gun control laws, Alabama has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 52.8% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 26.4 per 100,000 people or 1.315 total. This makes them the 4th highest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $174 per capita or $875.7 million, the 14th lowest in the 50 states.

9. North Dakota

North Dakota has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 53.3% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 16.8 per 100,000 people (128 total), the 22nd highest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an F, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $98.0 million or $126 per capita (the 6th lowest in 50 states).

8. Mississippi

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Mississippi is 54.1% of households. This state received an F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $405 per capita or $1.2 billion, the 12th highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Mississippi were 33.9 per 100,000 people or 962 total, the highest in the nation.

7. Oklahoma

With an F in gun control laws, Oklahoma has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 54.9% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 21.2 per 100,000 people or 836 total. This makes them the 12th highest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $116 per capita or $461.5 million, the 5th lowest in the 50 states.

6. South Dakota

South Dakota has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 55.0% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 14.3 per 100,000 people (128 total), 19th lowest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an F, with an annual economic output of the firearm industry at $400.4 million or $447 per capita (the 7th highest in 50 states).

5. Alaska

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Alaska is 57.2% of households. This state received an F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $161 per capita or $117.6 million, the 10th lowest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Alaska were 25.2 per 100,000 people or 182 total, the 6th lowest in the nation.

4. Idaho

With an F in gun control laws, Idaho has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 57.8% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 16.3 per 100,000 people or 309 total. This makes them the 25th highest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $1,223 per capita or $2.3 billion, the 2nd highest in the 50 states.

3. West Virginia

West Virginia has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 60.0% of households. 2021 gun deaths are 17.3 per 100,000 people (319 total), 7th lowest of the 50 states. Their gun control law grade is an F, with an annual economic output of firearm industry at $254.8 million or $143 per capita (the lowest in 50 states).

2. Wyoming

The estimated firearm ownership rate in Wyoming is 60.7% of households. This state received a grade of F for gun control laws. The firearm industry’s annual economic output is $1,066 per capita or $617.0 million, the 3rd highest of the 50 states. In 2021, gun deaths in Wyoming were 26.1 per 100,000 people or 155 total, the 5th highest in the nation.

1. Montana

With an F in gun control laws, Montana has an estimated firearm ownership rate of 65.0% of households. Gun deaths for 2021 were approximately 25.1 per 100,000 people or 280 total. This makes them the 7th highest of the 50 states. The annual economic output of the firearm industry is $352 per capita or $389.3 million, the 14th highest in the 50 states.

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