In Ann Arbor, Michigan, over 60 privately owned guns were relinquished during a gun buyback program at St. Aiden’s Church. The last of six gun buyback events spearheaded by the church system, the event was ultimately successful. Over 300 guns were relinquished during the entirety of the program (all six events). The guns turned in through the program are taken apart. However, new initiatives turn disabled guns into art pieces — a small wonder of beauty that comes out of such a program. Gun buyback programs are growing in popularity across the United States. But are they actually effective? This is still up in the air. Critics of these programs suggest that gun buybacks often don’t address gun violence as much as we’d like — partially because guns being turned in are often older and from low-risk families, and partially because there’s a stronger need to address underlying reasons for gun violence like mental illness or poverty. Still, having any violent weapons off the streets should be a net positive for our country. Buyback programs also offer a helpful way to get rid of a weapon for families who aren’t interested in owning a gun but don’t know what to do with their weapon. (Gun criminals committed 300% more crimes in this city.)
Using 2022 ATF data, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the most people are giving up their guns. Figures were calculated by taking the difference between the total number of firearms traced and the number of traced guns less those that were voluntarily relinquished, as reported by the ATF. States are ranked by the estimated number of guns that were turned in for every 10,000 people with data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. It is important to note that in some cases, estimates may include duplicate traces. Supplemental data on the estimated share of households that own a gun are from a 2020 study published by the RAND Corporation. Guns voluntarily relinquished and the rate of firearm-ownership are estimates based off of calculations from data mentioned above.
What You Should Know About Relinquishing Guns
Americans bought a record-breaking 22.8 million firearms in 2020. Though sales fell to 19.9 million the following year, 2021 ranks as the industry’s second-best sales year on record. We’re covering the gun industry because of its’ far-reaching effect on the economy. Large gun corporations, like Glock and Springfield Armory, add a significant amount of economic gain through the creation of jobs as well as taxes from products. Conversely, areas known for deadly gun crime can negatively affect local businesses and lower house values.
Here are the states where the most people are giving up their guns:
50. New Hampshire
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 0.94 per 10,000 people (total: 131)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 46.3% of households (19th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 10.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (9th lowest of 50 states)
49. Hawaii
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 0.97 per 10,000 people (total: 140)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 9.1% of households (3rd lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 4.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (3rd lowest of 50 states)
48. Vermont
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.10 per 10,000 people (total: 71)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 50.3% of households (15th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.2 fatalities per 100,000 people (13th lowest of 50 states)
47. Wyoming
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.36 per 10,000 people (total: 79)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 60.7% of households (2nd highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (11th highest of 50 states)
46. Michigan
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.39 per 10,000 people (total: 1,399)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 38.9% of households (22nd lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 15.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (24th lowest of 50 states)
45. Idaho
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.41 per 10,000 people (total: 273)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 57.8% of households (4th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (18th highest of 50 states)
44. Iowa
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.43 per 10,000 people (total: 458)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 38.5% of households (20th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 11.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (10th lowest of 50 states)
43. Connecticut
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.56 per 10,000 people (total: 566)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 18.8% of households (8th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 7.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (6th lowest of 50 states)
42. North Dakota
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.62 per 10,000 people (total: 126)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 53.3% of households (9th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 16.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (22nd highest of 50 states)
41. Nebraska
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.63 per 10,000 people (total: 321)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 39.2% of households (24th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (14th lowest of 50 states)
40. Utah
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.67 per 10,000 people (total: 565)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 39.7% of households (25th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (17th lowest of 50 states)
39. Washington
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.82 per 10,000 people (total: 1,414)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 32.1% of households (11th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (15th lowest of 50 states)
38. Massachusetts
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.84 per 10,000 people (total: 1,284)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 9.0% of households (2nd lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (2nd lowest of 50 states)
37. New Jersey
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.85 per 10,000 people (total: 1,712)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 8.9% of households (the lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 5.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (4th lowest of 50 states)
36. Wisconsin
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.93 per 10,000 people (total: 1,135)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 47.1% of households (17th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (18th lowest of 50 states)
35. New York
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.95 per 10,000 people (total: 3,829)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 14.5% of households (5th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 5.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (5th lowest of 50 states)
34. Rhode Island
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 1.96 per 10,000 people (total: 214)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 13.9% of households (4th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 3.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (the lowest of 50 states)
33. Arkansas
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.03 per 10,000 people (total: 618)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 51.8% of households (14th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 22.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (8th highest of 50 states)
32. Missouri
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.13 per 10,000 people (total: 1,314)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 52.8% of households (10th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 24.4 fatalities per 100,000 people (6th highest of 50 states)
31. Minnesota
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.18 per 10,000 people (total: 1,246)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 39.1% of households (23rd lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 9.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (8th lowest of 50 states)
30. Alaska
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.18 per 10,000 people (total: 160)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 57.2% of households (5th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 22.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (7th highest of 50 states)
29. Oklahoma
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.26 per 10,000 people (total: 908)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 54.9% of households (7th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (13th highest of 50 states)
28. Kansas
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.38 per 10,000 people (total: 698)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 42.3% of households (22nd highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (21st highest of 50 states)
27. Colorado
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.38 per 10,000 people (total: 1,389)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 37.9% of households (19th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (19th highest of 50 states)
26. West Virginia
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.41 per 10,000 people (total: 427)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 60.0% of households (3rd highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 16.4 fatalities per 100,000 people (23rd highest of 50 states)
25. South Dakota
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.42 per 10,000 people (total: 220)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 55.0% of households (6th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 16.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (24th highest of 50 states)
24. Georgia
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.42 per 10,000 people (total: 2,645)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 37.7% of households (18th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (14th highest of 50 states)
23. Mississippi
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.49 per 10,000 people (total: 733)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 54.1% of households (8th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 29.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (the highest of 50 states)
22. Ohio
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.59 per 10,000 people (total: 3,043)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 41.9% of households (23rd highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 15.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (25th highest of 50 states)
21. Texas
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.61 per 10,000 people (total: 7,834)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 35.5% of households (14th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 15.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (25th highest of 50 states)
20. Montana
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.66 per 10,000 people (total: 299)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 65.0% of households (the highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 24.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (5th highest of 50 states)
19. Florida
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.70 per 10,000 people (total: 6,008)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 28.8% of households (10th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.4 fatalities per 100,000 people (20th lowest of 50 states)
18. Indiana
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.76 per 10,000 people (total: 1,886)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 42.4% of households (21st highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (17th highest of 50 states)
17. Alabama
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.82 per 10,000 people (total: 1,432)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 52.8% of households (10th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 25.9 fatalities per 100,000 people (4th highest of 50 states)
16. Arizona
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.90 per 10,000 people (total: 2,134)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 36.0% of households (16th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (12th highest of 50 states)
15. Virginia
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 2.94 per 10,000 people (total: 2,556)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 35.3% of households (13th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 15.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (24th lowest of 50 states)
14. Delaware
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.01 per 10,000 people (total: 307)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 38.7% of households (21st lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (12th lowest of 50 states)
13. Oregon
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.12 per 10,000 people (total: 1,323)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 41.4% of households (24th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (21st lowest of 50 states)
12. Kentucky
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.23 per 10,000 people (total: 1,457)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 52.5% of households (12th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 18.9 fatalities per 100,000 people (16th highest of 50 states)
11. Nevada
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.35 per 10,000 people (total: 1,065)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 32.9% of households (12th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 19.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (15th highest of 50 states)
10. South Carolina
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.36 per 10,000 people (total: 1,775)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 45.0% of households (20th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 21.3 fatalities per 100,000 people (9th highest of 50 states)
9. Illinois
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.46 per 10,000 people (total: 4,353)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 22.6% of households (9th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.4 fatalities per 100,000 people (20th lowest of 50 states)
8. New Mexico
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.66 per 10,000 people (total: 774)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 35.9% of households (15th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 27.5 fatalities per 100,000 people (3rd highest of 50 states)
7. Pennsylvania
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 3.68 per 10,000 people (total: 4,771)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 40.2% of households (25th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 14.8 fatalities per 100,000 people (22nd lowest of 50 states)
6. North Carolina
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 4.06 per 10,000 people (total: 4,348)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 37.1% of households (17th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 17.1 fatalities per 100,000 people (20th highest of 50 states)
5. Tennessee
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 4.48 per 10,000 people (total: 3,159)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 46.9% of households (18th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 20.9 fatalities per 100,000 people (10th highest of 50 states)
4. California
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 5.88 per 10,000 people (total: 22,958)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 16.3% of households (6th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 8.7 fatalities per 100,000 people (7th lowest of 50 states)
3. Louisiana
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 6.03 per 10,000 people (total: 2,767)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 52.3% of households (13th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 28.2 fatalities per 100,000 people (2nd highest of 50 states)
2. Maine
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 6.31 per 10,000 people (total: 874)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 47.7% of households (16th highest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 12.0 fatalities per 100,000 people (11th lowest of 50 states)
1. Maryland
- Guns voluntarily relinquished (2022): 6.54 per 10,000 people (total: 4,034)
- Rate of firearm-ownership: 16.7% of households (7th lowest of 50 states)
- Latest annual firearm mortality rate: 13.6 fatalities per 100,000 people (16th lowest of 50 states)
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