In recent years, the debate over gun control in the United States has centered largely on assault-style rifles, like the AR-15. Surging in popularity in recent years, AR-15 style firearms are now the best selling rifle in the U.S. — and they have also been used in 10 of the country’s 17 deadliest mass shootings since 2012. But while AR-15s have dominated the political debate, both in Washington and statehouses across the country, every year in the United States, handguns take a far greater toll on public health.
According to the FBI, 13,620 homicides were carried out with a firearm in 2020, and at least 59% of them were determined to have been carried out with a handgun. Meanwhile, only 3% of homicides were committed with a rifle. Additionally, a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine found that risk of suicide-by-firearm is eight times higher for male handgun owners than non-owners, and 35 times higher for female handgun owners. (Here is a look at the states where gun-related crimes are surging.)
In light of the specific risks posed by handguns, several states have implemented policies to better ensure safe and responsible ownership. These include background check expansions, mandatory safety courses, waiting periods for prospective buyers, and licensing and permitting procedures. Most states, however, have done none of the above — and in these places, virtually anyone without a record of criminal violence can legally obtain a handgun in a matter of minutes.
To determine how hard it is to buy a handgun in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state-level handgun laws, compiled by the Giffords Law Center, a gun control advocacy group. In each of the 50 states, we reviewed laws on licensing, permitting, and safety training requirements for handgun purchases and ownership. We also reviewed laws around universal background checks, mandatory waiting periods, and minimum age for handgun purchases, as well as age requirements for handgun possession. For states that have not designated minimum age requirements, federal age restrictions are listed.
In keeping with the correlation between handguns and gun violence in general, states that have not implemented meaningful handgun regulations tend to have higher rates of firearm fatalities. Based on 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 of the 25 states with the highest gun mortality rates do not have mandatory waiting periods, licensing, or training requirements for handgun purchases or ownership. Meanwhile, nine of the 10 states with the lowest gun-death rates have enacted some or all of these policies. (These are the states with the strictest gun control laws.)
Click here to see how hard it is to buy a handgun in every state.
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Alabama
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 26.4 per 100,000 people – 4th highest of 50 states (1,315 total)
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Alaska
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 16
> Gun deaths in 2021: 25.2 per 100,000 people – 6th highest of 50 states (182 total)
Source: Marc Lecureuil / Getty Images
Arizona
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 18.3 per 100,000 people – 17th highest of 50 states (1,365 total)
Source: artas / iStock via Getty Images
Arkansas
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 23.3 per 100,000 people – 8th highest of 50 states (698 total)
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California
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Safety training to obtain certificate
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 10 days
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 9.0 per 100,000 people – 8th lowest of 50 states (3,576 total)
Source: mtcurado / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Colorado
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 3 days (effective Oct. 1, 2023)
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 (effective August 2023)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 17.8 per 100,000 people – 18th highest of 50 states (1,064 total)
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Connecticut
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit and safety training required for purchase
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21
> Gun deaths in 2021: 6.7 per 100,000 people – 6th lowest of 50 states (248 total)
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Delaware
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21 (subject to exceptions for people with concealed carry permits, recreation, and hunting)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 16.6 per 100,000 people – 23rd highest of 50 states (158 total)
Source: Courtesy of AHW American Handheld Weaponry via Yelp
Florida
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 3 days minimum
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 14.1 per 100,000 people – 17th lowest of 50 states (3,142 total)
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Source: Courtesy of Georgia Gun Store via Yelp
Georgia
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 20.3 per 100,000 people – 14th highest of 50 states (2,200 total)
Hawaii
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit and safety training required for purchase
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 14 days
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21
> Gun deaths in 2021: 4.8 per 100,000 people – 2nd lowest of 50 states (71 total)
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Idaho
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers (federal law)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 16.3 per 100,000 people – 25th highest of 50 states (309 total)
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Source: The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images
Illinois
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Ownership license required
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 72 hours
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21
> Gun deaths in 2021: 16.1 per 100,000 people – 25th lowest of 50 states (1,995 total)
Source: Courtesy of Ashley D. via Yelp
Indiana
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 18.4 per 100,000 people – 16th highest of 50 states (1,251 total)
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Source: Courtesy of Marion Guns & Gold via Yelp
Iowa
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21
> Gun deaths in 2021: 11.2 per 100,000 people – 11th lowest of 50 states (364 total)
Source: Courtesy of Casey C. via Yelp
Kansas
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers (federal law)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 21st highest of 50 states (503 total)
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Kentucky
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 21.1 per 100,000 people – 13th highest of 50 states (947 total)
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Louisiana
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 17
> Gun deaths in 2021: 29.1 per 100,000 people – 2nd highest of 50 states (1,314 total)
Source: Portland Press Herald / Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
Maine
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18 (federal law)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 12.6 per 100,000 people – 14th lowest of 50 states (178 total)
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Maryland
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit and safety training required for purchase
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 7 days
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21
> Gun deaths in 2021: 15.2 per 100,000 people – 22nd lowest of 50 states (915 total)
Source: Boston Globe / Boston Globe via Getty Images
Massachusetts
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Safety training, permit required for purchase, license required for ownership
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21
> Gun deaths in 2021: 3.4 per 100,000 people – the lowest of 50 states (247 total)
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Michigan
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit required for purchase
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 15.4 per 100,000 people – 23rd lowest of 50 states (1,544 total)
Minnesota
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit required for purchase from private sellers
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 30 days if bought from a dealer (effective August 1, 2023)
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers (federal law)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 10.0 per 100,000 people – 9th lowest of 50 states (573 total)
Source: Courtesy of 144 Tactical Defense via Yelp
Mississippi
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 33.9 per 100,000 people – the highest of 50 states (962 total)
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Missouri
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18 (federal law)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 23.2 per 100,000 people – 9th highest of 50 states (1,414 total)
Source: Cheri Alguire / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Montana
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers (federal law)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18 (federal law)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 25.1 per 100,000 people – 7th highest of 50 states (280 total)
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Nebraska
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit required for purchase
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 10.3 per 100,000 people – 10th lowest of 50 states (200 total)
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Nevada
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers (federal law)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 19.8 per 100,000 people – 15th highest of 50 states (633 total)
Source: Christopher Capozziello / Getty Images News via Getty Images
New Hampshire
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18 (federal law)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 8.3 per 100,000 people – 7th lowest of 50 states (123 total)
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New Jersey
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit and safety training required for purchase
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 7 days
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21
> Gun deaths in 2021: 5.2 per 100,000 people – 3rd lowest of 50 states (475 total)
New Mexico
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers (federal law)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 19
> Gun deaths in 2021: 27.8 per 100,000 people – 3rd highest of 50 states (578 total)
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New York
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: License required for purchase and ownership
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21
> Gun deaths in 2021: 5.4 per 100,000 people – 4th lowest of 50 states (1,078 total)
Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
North Carolina
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 20th highest of 50 states (1,839 total)
Source: Mike Kemp / In Pictures via Getty Images
North Dakota
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: Minors can be loaned or given a handgun for specific purposes, with adult supervision
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 16.8 per 100,000 people – 22nd highest of 50 states (128 total)
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Ohio
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18 (federal law)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 16.5 per 100,000 people – 24th highest of 50 states (1,911 total)
Oklahoma
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 21.2 per 100,000 people – 12th highest of 50 states (836 total)
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Oregon
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit and safety training required for purchase
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 14.9 per 100,000 people – 21st lowest of 50 states (670 total)
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Pennsylvania
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 14.8 per 100,000 people – 20th lowest of 50 states (1,905 total)
Source: Courtesy of George Z. via Yelp
Rhode Island
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: Permit and safety training required for purchase
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: 7 days
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 5.6 per 100,000 people – 5th lowest of 50 states (64 total)
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South Carolina
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 22.4 per 100,000 people – 11th highest of 50 states (1,136 total)
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South Dakota
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers (federal law)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 14.3 per 100,000 people – 18th lowest of 50 states (128 total)
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Tennessee
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 22.8 per 100,000 people – 10th highest of 50 states (1,569 total)
Source: Rick Gershon / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Texas
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18 (federal law)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 15.6 per 100,000 people – 24th lowest of 50 states (4,613 total)
Source: GEORGE FREY / AFP via Getty Images
Utah
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 13.9 per 100,000 people – 16th lowest of 50 states (450 total)
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Vermont
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 (without a hunting safety certificate)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 16
> Gun deaths in 2021: 11.9 per 100,000 people – 13th lowest of 50 states (83 total)
Source: AFP Contributor / AFP via Getty Images
Virginia
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 14.3 per 100,000 people – 19th lowest of 50 states (1,248 total)
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Source: Francis Dean / Getty Images
Washington
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: Yes
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 21 (for possession outside private property)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 11.2 per 100,000 people – 12th lowest of 50 states (896 total)
Source: Courtesy of R&R's WV Gunshows via Facebook
West Virginia
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21 from licensed dealers, 18 from private sellers (federal law)
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 19th highest of 50 states (319 total)
Wisconsin
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 18
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18
> Gun deaths in 2021: 13.5 per 100,000 people – 15th lowest of 50 states (793 total)
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Wyoming
> Licensing and safety training requirements for handguns: None
> Universal background checks for handgun purchases: No
> Mandatory waiting periods for handgun purchases: None
> Minimum age for handgun purchase: 21
> Minimum age for handgun possession: 18 (federal law)
> Gun deaths in 2021: 26.1 per 100,000 people – 5th highest of 50 states (155 total)
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