People across the United States are growing increasingly concerned about their safety, both due to changing social conditions and an incoming Trump presidency. One way people are handling their fears is by purchasing guns. An estimated 40% of Americans now live in a home with a gun — and a new report suggests that women are becoming firearm owners at a steadily rising pace. A Gallup poll shows that female gun ownership sat around 15% between 2007-2012 and has risen by 5% to 20% in 2019-2024. This shift is particularly heightened in Republican women, whose gun ownership rose from 19% to 33% during that time. Women are beginning to feel more secure having a gun as a form of personal protection. (Almost half of this group of Americans owns a gun.)
Of course, guns have always been a crucial and ingrained part of American culture — so the newfound reliance on guns, while it has worrying undertones, mirrors our relationship to our Second Amendment rights. The U.S. actually has the highest ratio of guns to people worldwide. At the state level, however, 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. 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. We ranked each state from lowest to highest rates of gun ownership.
Why Cover Gun Ownership?
Gun ownership is a hot topic of conversation at home and in the news. If you’ve gone online recently, you’ve probably seen raging debates over which laws should be implemented or how to regulate the flow (and type) of weapons throughout the United States. Despite these debates, gun ownership is stronger than ever — with up to 40% of people reporting that they live in a home with a firearm. Guns are a booming industry in the U.S. and if you’re looking to purchase a gun, you have numerous options: gun stores, gun shows, websites. Learning about gun ownership on a state level is another way to understand the topic better — and see where you, as a gun owner, might fit in the most.
Check out the states in which 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
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
Top Gaining Stocks
Top Losing Stocks
