Guns and Hunting

States Where the Government Traces the Most Guns

24/7 Wall St. Staff

Published: May 25, 2024 12:10 pm

Gun ownership, by right, is a part of our American way of life. Many households possess guns for protection, to provide for themselves, and as collections. Law enforcement departments have guns for their protection and also maintain a large cache of weapons held as evidence and removed from circulation in criminal enterprises. Access to and availability of guns varies from state to state based on their established gun laws.

Everytown Research & Policy’s website provides details on the type of gun laws and the rate of gun violence within each state. This information plays a role in understanding why a given state has or does not have a large number of guns circulating. Using the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF for short) firearm tracking data, 24/7 Wall Street ranked states by the number of firearms traced by the ATF in 2022 for every 100,000 people. We also used population data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey calculations.

Across the 50 states, the rate of federal gun tracings ranges from about 20 for every 100,000 people to over 350 per 100,000. The top 15 states on this list alone account for nearly half of all federal firearm tracings in 2022, despite being home to only about 36% of the U.S. population — excluding territories and Washington, D.C.

While the concentration of federal firearm investigations varies considerably by geography, certain patterns hold up across the 50 states. For example, handguns—such as pistols, revolvers, and derringers—are far more likely to be used in a crime than rifles or shotguns.

More easily concealed than long guns, handguns accounted for over 50% of all federally traced firearms in 49 of the 50 states. In the majority of states, over 80% of the firearms traced by the ATF in 2022 were handguns. Not surprisingly, the bulk of all firearms traced by the ATF are chambered for 9mm, .40 caliber, or .22 caliber ammunition — all popular handgun rounds.

Why Are We Writing a Story about State Gun Ownership?

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Firearm possession is pivotal in many of our headlining new stories, for better or worse. It is a hot topic in private homes and our nation’s capital. The right to possess and use a gun traces back to the founding of our country and, therefore, remains at the forefront of our collective consciousness. The topic is heavily nuanced and contains many layers to peel back. Understanding the laws of each state, the types of guns Americans choose to possess, and the rate at which those weapons are used for violence helps us educate ourselves on the topic and form our opinions on the matter. Because each state can regulate gun ownership in one way or another, seeing the data state-by-state is useful in this endeavor.

Scroll below to see the state with the most gun crime.

50. Hawaii

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The ATF traced 287 total guns in 2022 to Hawaii, or 19.9 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (49.5%), rifles (29.6%), and shotguns (13.2%). 9mm (54 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .22 Cal and 12 GA (ties – 25 each) and .45 Cal (16 total).

49. Vermont

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Vermont had 46.2 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (299 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (64.5%), rifles (22.7%), and shotguns (11.7%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (86 total), followed by .22 Cal (35 total) and 12GA (27 total).

48. New Hampshire

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50.9 guns per 100,000 people (710 total) were traced to New Hampshire residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 71.0%, rifles 18.3%, and shotguns 8.7% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (267 total), followed by .22 Cal (100 total) and 12GA (50 total).

47. Massachusetts

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The ATF traced 3,665 total guns to Massachusetts in 2022, or 52.5 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (82.9%), rifles (10.3%), and shotguns (4.0%). 9mm (1,630 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (329 total) and .22 Cal (298 total).

46. Connecticut

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Connecticut had 52.9 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (1,917 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (83.6%), rifles (10.0%), and shotguns (4.8%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (824 total), followed by .40 Cal (202 total) and .22 Cal (161 total).

45. New Jersey

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56.7 guns per 100,000 people (5,248 total) were traced to New Jersey residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 85.2%, rifles 8.2%, and shotguns 5.2% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (2,388 total), followed by .40 Cal (507 total) and .22 Cal (416 total).

44. Wyoming

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The ATF traced 340 total guns to Wyoming in 2022, or 58.5 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (68.5%), rifles (20.6%), and shotguns (9.4%). 9mm (94 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .22 Cal (44 total) and 12GA (25 total).

43. New York

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New York had 60.9 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (11,987 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (82.1%), rifles (10.3%), and shotguns (5.9%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (4,969 total), followed by .380 Cal (1,134 total) and .22 Cal (1,126 total).

42. Idaho

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77.1 guns per 100,000 people (1,495 total) were traced to Idaho residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 72.6%, rifles 17.5%, and shotguns 8.1% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (508 total), followed by .22 Cal (236 total) and .40 Cal (105 total).

41. Washington

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The ATF traced 6,191 total guns to Washington in 2022, or 79.5 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (75.9%), rifles (14.6%), and shotguns (8.2%). 9mm (2,329 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .22 Cal (680 total) and .40 Cal (483 total).

40. Rhode Island

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Rhode Island had 93.0 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (1,017 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (79.4%), rifles (12.7%), and shotguns (5.7%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (426 total), followed by .22 Cal (106 total) and .40 Cal (86 total).

39. Minnesota

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93.2 guns per 100,000 people (5,327 total) were traced to Minnesota residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 79.5%, rifles 12.1%, and shotguns 7.5% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (2,433 total), followed by .22 Cal (413 total) and .40 Cal (399 total).

38. Iowa

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The ATF traced 3,196 total guns to Iowa in 2022, or 99.9 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (80.7%), rifles (10.4%), and shotguns (7.0%). 9mm (1,536 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by.22 Cal (269 total) and .380 Cal (220 total).

37. Maine

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Maine had 100.9 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (1,398 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (67.8%), rifles (20.0%), and shotguns (10.4%). .22 Cal is the most popular chambering (297 total), followed by 9mm Cal (205 total) and .38 Cal (136 total).

36. Michigan

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101.1 guns per 100,000 people (10,145 total) were traced to Michigan residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 84.7%, rifles 9.6%, and shotguns 4.7% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (4,748 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,166 total) and .45 Cal (604 total).

35. South Dakota

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The ATF traced 929 total guns to South Dakota in 2022, or 102.1 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (67.3%), rifles (21.5%), and shotguns (10.1%). 9mm (318 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .22 Cal (147 total) and 12GA (64 total).

34. Utah

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Utah had 102.1 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (3,453 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (78.6%), rifles (13.9%), and shotguns (6.5%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (1,473 total), followed by .22 Cal (365 total) and .45 Cal (251 total).

33. North Dakota

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106.8 guns per 100,000 people (832 total) were traced to North Dakota residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 72.7%, rifles 16.8%, and shotguns 10.0% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (308 total), followed by .22 Cal (121 total) and 12GA (65 total).

32. Nebraska

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The ATF traced 2,141 total guns to Nebraska in 2022, or 108.8 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (75.2%), rifles (14.5%), and shotguns (8.9%). 9mm (896 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .22 Cal (217 total) and .40 Cal (181 total).

31. Arkansas

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Arkansas had 114.7 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (3,494 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (80.3%), rifles (12.2%), and shotguns (4.7%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (1,486 total), followed by .40 Cal (361 total) and .22 Cal (289 total).

30. Montana

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116.2 guns per 100,000 people (1,305 total) were traced to Montana residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 64.1%, rifles 24.2%, and shotguns 9.0% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (348 total), followed by .22 Cal (180 total) and .45 Cal (116 total).

29. West Virginia

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The ATF traced 2,104 total guns to West Virginia in 2022, or 118.5 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (70.4%), rifles (19.1%), and shotguns (9.4%). 9mm (705 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .22 Cal (274 total) and .380 Cal (165 total).

28. Oregon

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Oregon had 131.7 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (5,586 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (71.1%), rifles (19.8%), and shotguns (7.9%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (1,932 total), followed by .22 Cal (736 total) and .40 Cal (388 total).

27. Pennsylvania

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135.2 guns per 100,000 people (17,543 total) were traced to Pennsylvania residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 78.7%, rifles 12.9%, and shotguns 7.0% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (7,898 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,557 total) and .22 Cal (1,522 total).

26. Colorado

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The ATF traced 7,917 total guns to Colorado in 2022, or 135.6 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (80.6%), rifles (12.1%), and shotguns (6.3%). 9mm (3,377 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (694 total) and .22 Cal (650 total).

25. Wisconsin

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Wisconsin had 135.9 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (8,007 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (86.1%), rifles (9.0%), and shotguns (4.3%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (4,121 total), followed by .40 Cal (718 total) and .22 Cal (545 total).

24. Oklahoma

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140.7 guns per 100,000 people (5,657 total) were traced to Oklahoma residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 81.8%, rifles 12.2%, and shotguns 5.0% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (2,350 total), followed by .40 Cal (562 total) and .22 Cal (516 total).

23. California

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The ATF traced 56,262 total guns to California in 2022, or 144.2 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (76.6%), rifles (15.2%), and shotguns (6.9%). 9mm (22,580 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (5,493 total) and .22 Cal (4,914 total).

22. Kansas

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Kansas had 153.9 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (4,521 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (82.9%), rifles (10.1%), and shotguns (6.1%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (2,016 total), followed by .40 Cal (470 total) and .22 Cal (333 total).

21. Illinois

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156.6 guns per 100,000 people (19,706 total) were traced to Illinois residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 88.6%, rifles 6.0%, and shotguns 3.9% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (10,031 total), followed by .40 Cal (2,376 total) and .45 Cal (1,263 total).

20. Florida

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The ATF traced 36,335 total guns to Florida in 2022, or 163.3 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (83.4%), rifles (8.9%), and shotguns (4.0%). 9mm (16,508 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (3,474 total) and .380 Cal (2,815 total).

19. Alaska

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Alaska had 163.6 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (1,200 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (79.2%), rifles (14.3%), and shotguns (5.9%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (384 total), followed by .45 Cal (1,19 total) and .40 Cal (118 total).

18. Missouri

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164.4 guns per 100,000 people (10,159 total) were traced to Missouri residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 89.4%, rifles 6.5%, and shotguns 3.1% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (4,635 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,298 total) and .45 Cal (714 total).

17. Delaware

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The ATF traced 1,676 total guns to Delaware in 2022, or 164.6 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (83.5%), rifles (10.1%), and shotguns (5.8%). 9mm (843 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .22 Cal (153 total) and .40 Cal (121 total).

16. Indiana

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Indiana had 165.7 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (11,320 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (84.2%), rifles (9.2%), and shotguns (5.0%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (5,315 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,202 total) and .22 Cal (815 total).

15. Virginia

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166.6 guns per 100,000 people (14,465 total) were traced to Virginia residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 82.5%, rifles 10.8%, and shotguns 5.3% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (6,473 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,635 total) and .22 Cal (966 total).

14. Kentucky

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The ATF traced 7,524 total guns to Kentucky in 2022, or 166.7 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (80.8%), rifles (11.0%), and shotguns (5.1%). 9mm (3,247 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (697 total) and .22 Cal (633 total).

13. Ohio

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Ohio had 174.5 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (20,520 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (86.0%), rifles (7.3%), and shotguns (4.1%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (10,242 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,867 total) and .380 Cal (1,527 total).

12. Maryland

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180.7 guns per 100,000 people (11,137 total) were traced to Maryland residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 75.1%, rifles 13.3%, and shotguns 9.2% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (4,708 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,046 total) and .22 Cal (885 total).

11. Mississippi

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The ATF traced 5,358 total guns to Mississippi in 2022, or 182.2 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (83.8%), rifles (10.6%), and shotguns (4.5%). 9mm (2,421 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (609 total) and .22 Cal (384 total).

10. New Mexico

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New Mexico had 187.1 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (3,955 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (79.9%), rifles (12.6%), and shotguns (6.9%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (1,679 total), followed by .22 Cal (343 total) and .40 Cal (336 total).

9. Nevada

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187.5 guns per 100,000 people (5,959 total) were traced to Nevada residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 85.8%, rifles 8.9%, and shotguns 4.2% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (3,026 total), followed by .40 Cal (473 total) and .22 Cal (420 total).

8. Texas

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The ATF traced 56,466 total guns to Texas in 2022, or 188.0 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (85.3%), rifles (8.3%), and shotguns (3.9%). 9mm (27,952 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (5,878 total) and .380 Cal (3,838 total).

7. Arizona

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Arizona had 190.5 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (14,019 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (80.0%), rifles (13.3%), and shotguns (4.9%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (6,257 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,215 total) and .22 Cal (1,095 total).

6. Alabama

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207.3 guns per 100,000 people (10,519 total) were traced to Alabama residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 85.7%, rifles 9.2%, and shotguns 4.3% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (4,597 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,219 total) and .380 Cal (804 total).

5. Georgia

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The ATF traced 22,656 total guns to Georgia in 2022, or 207.6 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (89.1%), rifles (6.9%), and shotguns (3.4%). 9mm (11,578 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (2,572 total) and .380 Cal (1,533 total).

4. South Carolina

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South Carolina had 229.2 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (12,106 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (83.6%), rifles (8.4%), and shotguns (4.7%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (5,573 total), followed by .40 Cal (1,162 total) and .380 Cal (905 total).

3. North Carolina

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234.5 guns per 100,000 people (25,085 total) were traced to North Carolina residents, according to a 2022 ATF report. Handguns comprised 81.0%, rifles 11.4%, and shotguns 6.3% of types of firearms. 9mm is the preferred chambering (11,331 total), followed by .40 Cal (2,333 total) and .22 Cal (1,886 total).

2. Tennessee

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The ATF traced 17,182 total guns to Tennessee in 2022, or 243.7 per 100,000 people. The firearms traced by type are broken down into handguns (83.7%), rifles (9.4%), and shotguns (4.8%). 9mm (7,505 total) was the most popular chambering, followed by .40 Cal (1,886 total) and .22 Cal (1,133 total).

1. Louisiana

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Louisiana had 353.7 firearms traced to every 100,000 people (16,235 total), according to the ATF’s 2022 report. By type, these numbers are broken down by handguns (83.7%), rifles (10.5%), and shotguns (4.4%). 9mm is the most popular chambering (7,498 total), followed by .40 Cal (2,049 total) and .22 Cal (1,000 total).