On March 22, 2022, Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey signed HB 272, also known as the constitutional carry bill, into law. Ivey is quoted as saying, “Alabama is reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights.” Few issues in American politics are as controversial as gun control, and while the federal government imposes some restrictions on firearms, state governments have the ability to pass their own legislation.
Gun control laws are designed to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and reduce the risk of deadly gun violence. Some states with stricter gun legislation have passed laws that expanded background checks, raised ownership eligibility requirements, and banned assault weapons. However, most states have done little to elaborate on federal gun laws. (Check out the states where assault-style firearms are banned.)
Using the Annual Gun Law Scorecard from the gun violence prevention group Gifford Law Center, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the least restrictive gun control laws. The Gun Law Scorecard assigns each state a letter grade rating the strength of their firearm laws. Grades are current as of early January 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 are also from Giffords Law Center. They are not exhaustive, however, and are only broad guidelines. Legal nuances can vary at the state and local levels.
Each of the 21 states on this list received a grade of “F.” None of these states, listed in alphabetical order, are in the Northeast and the largest share — 10 in total — are Southern states. (Here is a look at the states where gun deaths are increasing the fastest.)
Why This Matters
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Nine of the 10 states with the highest rates of deadly gun violence rank on this list, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a report on 2021 firearm mortality. 24/7 is covering the states with the loosest gun laws to help you understand which areas in the United States have minimal legislation on keeping firearms out of the wrong hands. The rate of deadly gun violence in an area can have negative effects on local economy. When an area is seen as too violent, that city’s housing market, local businesses, and labor force may decline.
Alabama
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Mental health record reporting
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Alabama reported a total of 1,315 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 26.4 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Alabama as the state with the 4th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Alaska
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Mental health record reporting
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Alaska reported a total of 182 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 25.2 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Alaska as the state with the 6th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Arizona
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Firearms prohibited at polling places, mental health record reporting
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Arizona reported a total of 1,365 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 18.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Arizona as the state with the 17th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Arkansas
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Partial mental health record reporting
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, domestic violence gun laws, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Arkansas reported a total of 698 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 23.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Arkansas as the state with the 8th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Georgia
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: strong open carry restrictions, child access prevention laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, domestic violence gun laws, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, or concealed carry permitting requirements
Georgia reported a total of 2,200 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 20.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Georgia as the state with the 14th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Idaho
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Mental health record reporting
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing requirements, extreme risk protection orders, domestic violence gun laws, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Idaho reported a total of 309 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 16.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Idaho as the state with the 25th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Iowa
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Certain domestic violence gun laws, child access prevention law
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, concealed carry permitting requirement, bulk firearm purchase restrictions, or firearms licensing
Iowa reported a total of 364 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 11.2 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Iowa as the state with the 12 lowest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Kansas
- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Mental health record reporting
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Kansas reported a total of 503 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 17.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Kansas as the state with the 19th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Kentucky
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Child access prevention laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, domestic violence gun laws, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, or strong open carry restrictions
Kentucky reported a total of 947 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 21.1 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Kentucky as the state with the 13th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Louisiana
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Louisiana reported a total of 1,314 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 29.1 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Louisiana as the state with the 2nd highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Mississippi
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Partial mental health record reporting, child access prevention laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, domestic violence gun laws, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirement, or strong open carry restrictions
Mississippi reported a total of 962 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 33.9 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Mississippi as the state with the highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Missouri
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Partial strong open carry restrictions, child access prevention laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, domestic violence gun laws, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, or concealed carry permit requirements
Missouri reported a total of 1,414 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 23.2 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Missouri as the state with the 9th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Montana
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Montana reported a total of 280 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 25.1 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Montana as the state with the 7th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
North Dakota
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
North Dakota reported a total of 128 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 16.8 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing North Dakota as the state with the 22nd highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Oklahoma
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Child access prevention laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, or waiting periods
Oklahoma reported a total of 836 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 21.2 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Oklahoma as the state with the 12th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
South Dakota
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Mental health record reporting
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
South Dakota reported a total of 128 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 14.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing South Dakota as the state with the 19th lowest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Tennessee
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Certain domestic violence gun laws, strong open carry restrictions
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, or concealed carry permit requirements
Tennessee reported a total of 1,569 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 22.8 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Tennessee as the state with the 10th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Texas
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Mental health record reporting, child access prevention law
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, or strong open carry restrictions
Texas reported a total of 4,613 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 15.6 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Texas as the state with the 24th lowest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Utah
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Domestic violence gun laws, child access prevention laws, extended background check period, state background check database
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, or strong open carry restrictions
Utah reported a total of 450 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 13.9 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Utah as the state with the 16th lowest gun deaths out of 50 states.
West Virginia
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Domestic violence gun laws
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
West Virginia reported a total of 319 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 17.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing West Virginia as the state with the 19th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
Wyoming
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- Gun law strength grade: F
- Significant gun controls in state: Ban on concealed carry in bars
- Significant gun rights in state: No universal background checks, gun owner licensing, extreme risk protection orders, domestic violence gun laws, assault weapon restrictions, large capacity magazine ban, waiting periods, concealed carry permit requirements, strong open carry restrictions, or child access prevention laws
Wyoming reported a total of 155 gun deaths in 2021. This translates to 26.1 gun deaths per 100,000 people — placing Wyoming as the state with the 5th highest gun deaths out of 50 states.
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