Another tragic shooting has occurred in America. A Florida State University student has been arrested and is accused of opening fire on the university campus, killing two people and injuring six others on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The shooting is the sixth mass shooting to occur in the state and the 81st mass shooting in America this year.
According to the Gifford Law Center, “fewer people die from gun violence in states that care enough to pass gun safety laws.” For the past 14 years, the gun violence prevention group has been tracking the gun death rate in America by state and comparing it to each state’s gun laws. The data shows that year after year, the states with stricter gun laws have fewer deaths by firearms. For example, the five worst offenders with the poorest rated gun laws are Wyoming, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Idaho. Each of these states falls in the top 20 in the nation for the number of gun deaths. The highest gun death rate in the country goes to Mississippi, with 29.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Mississippi’s gun laws rank 43rd in the country according to the report. (Also see which states have the worst gun trafficking problems.)
24/7 Wall St. identified the strength of every state’s gun control laws by reviewing the Annual Gun Law Scorecard from the Gifford Law Center. The Gun Law Scorecard assigns each state a letter grade rating the strength of its firearm laws. Grades are current as of December 2024 and range from “A,” for the states with the strongest laws, to “F,” for the states with the weakest. Gun laws noted in this story, also from Giffords Law Center, are a brief summary and do not represent every state law. We’ve listed the states alphabetically in our list.
(This article was updated on April 20, 2025, to reflect recent news regarding the mass shooting that occurred at Florida State University on April 17, 2025.)
Why It Matters Now
The 81st mass shooting of 2025 occurred in America last week. The number of fatalities attributable to gun violence has been rising for years in the United States. While most states have done little to regulate guns and reduce the likelihood of fatal violence, others have cumulatively passed hundreds of gun safety laws in recent years. In the parts of the country that have adopted a hands-off approach to gun control, firearm-related death rates tend to be far higher than in the places where guns are more tightly regulated.
Here is every state’s gun law grade:
Alabama
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Alaska
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Arizona
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Arkansas
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to in-state databases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
California
- Gun law strength grade: A
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: None
Colorado
- Gun law strength grade: A-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no firearm licensing requirements
Connecticut
- Gun law strength grade: A
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No waiting period for firearm purchases
Delaware
- Gun law strength grade: A-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements
Florida
- Gun law strength grade: C-
- Notable gun controls: Mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Georgia
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Some open carry restrictions, child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Hawaii
- Gun law strength grade: A-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No safe storage laws or restrictions on bulk ammunition purchases
Idaho
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Illinois
- Gun law strength grade: A-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: Limited safe storage laws and no restrictions on bulk firearm purchases
Indiana
- Gun law strength grade: D-
- Notable gun controls: Some open carry restrictions, child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Iowa
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Child access prevention laws, some domestic violence gun laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Kansas
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Kentucky
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Louisiana
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Some domestic violence gun laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Maine
- Gun law strength grade: C+
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Maryland
- Gun law strength grade: A-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No licensing requirements for long guns, limited domestic violence laws
Massachusetts
- Gun law strength grade: A
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No waiting period for firearm purchases
Michigan
- Gun law strength grade: B-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases
Minnesota
- Gun law strength grade: B
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases
Mississippi
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases, child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Missouri
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Some open carry restrictions, child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Montana
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Some domestic violence gun laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Nebraska
- Gun law strength grade: C-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, firearm licensing requirements
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, permitless concealed carry
Nevada
- Gun law strength grade: B-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements
New Hampshire
- Gun law strength grade: D-
- Notable gun controls: Domestic violence gun laws, child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
New Jersey
- Gun law strength grade: A
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: Gaps in laws pertaining to assault weapons and ghost guns
New Mexico
- Gun law strength grade: B-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no firearm licensing requirements
New York
- Gun law strength grade: A
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No waiting period for firearm purchases
North Carolina
- Gun law strength grade: C-
- Notable gun controls: Concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements
North Dakota
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Some domestic violence gun laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Ohio
- Gun law strength grade: D-
- Notable gun controls: Reporting for lost or stolen firearms
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Oklahoma
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Oregon
- Gun law strength grade: A-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, ban on high capacity magazines, firearm licensing requirements, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no waiting period for firearm purchases
Pennsylvania
- Gun law strength grade: B
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements
Rhode Island
- Gun law strength grade: A-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no firearm licensing requirements
South Carolina
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
South Dakota
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Tennessee
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Some open carry restrictions, domestic violence gun laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Texas
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Required reporting of mental health records to federal databases, child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Utah
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Domestic violence gun laws, child access prevention laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Vermont
- Gun law strength grade: B-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases
- Notable gun rights: No assault weapon bans, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Virginia
- Gun law strength grade: B+
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements
Washington
- Gun law strength grade: A-
- Notable gun controls: Universal background checks for some or all firearms, bans on some or all assault weapons, ban on high capacity magazines, mandatory waiting period for some or all firearm purchases, concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No firearm licensing requirements
West Virginia
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: Domestic violence gun laws
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
Wisconsin
- Gun law strength grade: C
- Notable gun controls: Concealed carry permit requirements
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements
Wyoming
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Notable gun controls: No concealed carry in bars
- Notable gun rights: No universal background check laws, no assault weapon bans, no high capacity magazine ban, no waiting period for firearm purchases, no firearm licensing requirements, permitless concealed carry
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