The States With the Loosest Gun Laws

Nevada has no required permits, licensing, or open-carry restrictions. The state requires a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public places, however, limiting the right to those 21 years of age or older. Nevada has no law regulating assault weapons.

Oregon’s gun laws are similar to those of its neighbor Nevada: No purchasing permits, firearms registration, or licenses required, and there is no law regulating assault weapons. A notable exception is that, unlike Nevada, Oregon allows handgun owners with concealed-carry permits to enter certain public buildings, including schools, hospitals, and most state government buildings.

New Mexico has no assault weapons regulations and generally doesn’t prohibit the open carrying of firearms. Residents with concealed-carry handgun permits are prohibited from possessing their firearms at certain public places or on private properties that have signs posted prohibiting weapons on the premises.

Nebraska allows the unconcealed carrying of firearms in public and has no law regulating assault weapons. There are some location restrictions for carrying concealed weapons, which requires a permit, but concealed handguns may be carried in parks, restaurants where alcoholic beverages are served, and gambling facilities.

Michigan requires permits to purchase a handgun from a private seller, but not from a Federal Firearms Dealer, a classification of seller approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Handguns must be registered, but the state doesn’t prohibit open carry of any firearms in public, with exceptions made for such venues as theatres, sports arenas, and bars.