Special Report

Universal Background Check Laws in Every State

Samuel Stebbins

Published: February 12, 2024 9:31 am

Each year, more than 40,000 Americans are killed by guns, according to the Gun Violence Archive, and while federal law requires licensed firearm dealers to conduct background checks on all gun buyers in the United States, there are loopholes. Background checks are typically completed in under two minutes and are designed to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons, domestic abusers, and other Americans otherwise prohibited from gun ownership. All 50 states are subject to these rules, but in much of the country, there are ways around the federal law.

National background check laws only apply to licensed gun dealers, which results in millions of firearms being sold every year by private dealers – including those who sell guns online, at gun shows, or elsewhere without a federal license. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the loophole is exploited by unlicensed dealers to traffic firearms to prohibited buyers. (Here is a look at the states where the most guns are stolen.)

A 2023 poll by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy shows that 86% of American adults support background checks for firearm sales and transfers, and according to a Gallup survey, 56% believe regulations should be stricter than what they currently are. But despite widespread public support, lawmakers in Washington have yet to enact universal background check laws. In the absence of federal legislation, many states have taken action. 

24/7 Wall St. reviewed background check laws in every state by using data from gun violence prevention group Giffords Law Center. Of the 50 states, 15 have universal background check laws. Under these laws, all firearm sales must be conducted through a licensed dealer. In the case of private sellers, they are required to carry out a background check through licensed dealers or law enforcement. An additional six states have not enacted such laws, but require (or will soon require) firearm owners to have a permit – and a background check is required to obtain the permit. (Here is a look at the states with the strictest gun control laws.)

The loophole in the federal background check law remains in 29 states. Gun ownership rates in these states tend to be far higher than they are in the 21 states with universal background checks. Gun violence also tends to be more common in states with the private seller loophole. Of the 15 states with the highest firearm death rate, only two have universal background check laws.

Here are the universal background check laws in every state.

See below to read our detailed methodology.

Alabama

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 52.8% of households (10th highest – tied)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 26.4 per 100,000 people – 4th highest (1,315 total)

Alaska

Source: SteveChristensen / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 57.2% of households (5th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 25.2 per 100,000 people – 6th highest (182 total)

Arizona

Source: lucky-photographer / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 36.0% of households (16th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 18.3 per 100,000 people – 17th highest (1,365 total)

Arkansas

Source: navycrackerjack74 / Flickr

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 51.8% of households (14th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 23.3 per 100,000 people – 8th highest (698 total)

California

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 16.3% of households (6th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 9.0 per 100,000 people – 8th lowest (3,576 total)

Colorado

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 37.9% of households (19th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 17.8 per 100,000 people – 18th highest (1,064 total)

Connecticut

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• Universal background check laws? Yes. Private sellers must submit a background check form to law enforcement, or sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer. Gun buyers must also have a permit.
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 18.8% of households (8th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 6.7 per 100,000 people – 6th lowest (248 total)

Delaware

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 38.7% of households (21st lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 16.6 per 100,000 people – 23rd highest (158 total)

Florida

Source: Aneese / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 28.8% of households (10th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 14.1 per 100,000 people – 17th lowest (3,142 total)

Georgia

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 37.7% of households (18th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 20.3 per 100,000 people – 14th highest (2,200 total)

Hawaii

Source: aimintang / E+ via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? Yes, through a gun-owner permit system
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 9.1% of households (3rd lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 4.8 per 100,000 people – 2nd lowest (71 total)

Idaho

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 57.8% of households (4th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 16.3 per 100,000 people – 25th highest (309 total)

Illinois

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? Yes, through a gun-owner permit system
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 22.6% of households (9th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 16.1 per 100,000 people – 25th lowest (1,995 total)

Indiana

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 42.4% of households (21st highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 18.4 per 100,000 people – 16th highest (1,251 total)

Iowa

Source: dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 38.5% of households (20th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 11.2 per 100,000 people – 12th lowest (364 total)

Kansas

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 42.3% of households (22nd highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 20th highest (503 total)

Kentucky

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 52.5% of households (12th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 21.1 per 100,000 people – 13th highest (947 total)

Louisiana

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 52.3% of households (13th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 29.1 per 100,000 people – 2nd highest (1,314 total)

Maine

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 47.7% of households (16th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 12.6 per 100,000 people – 14th lowest (178 total)

Maryland

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns, permit also required for handgun buyers
• Gun-ownership rate: 16.7% of households (7th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 15.2 per 100,000 people – 22nd lowest (915 total)

Massachusetts

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, through a gun-owner permit system
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 9.0% of households (2nd lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 3.4 per 100,000 people – the lowest (247 total)

Michigan

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? Yes, through a gun-owner permit system, effective in 2024
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 38.9% of households (22nd lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 15.4 per 100,000 people – 23rd lowest (1,544 total)

Minnesota

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, through a gun-owner permit system, effective Aug. 1, 2023
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: Handguns and assault-style weapons only
• Gun-ownership rate: 39.1% of households (23rd lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 10.0 per 100,000 people – 9th lowest (573 total)

Mississippi

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 54.1% of households (8th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 33.9 per 100,000 people – the highest (962 total)

Missouri

Source: benkrut / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 52.8% of households (10th highest – tied)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 23.2 per 100,000 people – 9th highest (1,414 total)

Montana

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 65.0% of households (the highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 25.1 per 100,000 people – 7th highest (280 total)

Nebraska

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, through a gun-owner permit system
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: Handguns only
• Gun-ownership rate: 39.2% of households (24th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 10.3 per 100,000 people – 10th lowest (200 total)

Nevada

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 32.9% of households (12th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 19.8 per 100,000 people – 15th highest (633 total)

New Hampshire

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 46.3% of households (19th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 8.3 per 100,000 people – 7th lowest (123 total)

New Jersey

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer. Gun buyers must also have a permit.
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 8.9% of households (the lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 5.2 per 100,000 people – 3rd lowest (475 total)

New Mexico

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? Yes, background checks must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 35.9% of households (15th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 27.8 per 100,000 people – 3rd highest (578 total)

New York

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns, permit also required for handgun buyers
• Gun-ownership rate: 14.5% of households (5th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 5.4 per 100,000 people – 4th lowest (1,078 total)

North Carolina

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 37.1% of households (17th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 21st highest (1,839 total)

North Dakota

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 53.3% of households (9th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 16.8 per 100,000 people – 22nd highest (128 total)

Ohio

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 41.9% of households (23rd highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 16.5 per 100,000 people – 24th highest (1,911 total)

Oklahoma

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 54.9% of households (7th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 21.2 per 100,000 people – 12th highest (836 total)

Oregon

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer. Gun buyers must also have a permit.
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 41.4% of households (24th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 14.9 per 100,000 people – 21st lowest (670 total)

Pennsylvania

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? Yes, background checks must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer or law enforcement
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: Handguns only
• Gun-ownership rate: 40.2% of households (25th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 14.8 per 100,000 people – 20th lowest (1,905 total)

Rhode Island

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, private sellers are required to submit an application from the buyer to law enforcement
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns, permit also required for handgun buyers
• Gun-ownership rate: 13.9% of households (4th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 5.6 per 100,000 people – 5th lowest (64 total)

South Carolina

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 45.0% of households (20th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 22.4 per 100,000 people – 11th highest (1,136 total)

South Dakota

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 55.0% of households (6th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 14.3 per 100,000 people – 19th lowest (128 total)

Tennessee

Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 46.9% of households (18th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 22.8 per 100,000 people – 10th highest (1,569 total)

Texas

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 35.5% of households (14th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 15.6 per 100,000 people – 24th lowest (4,613 total)

Utah

Source: mj0007 / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 39.7% of households (25th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 13.9 per 100,000 people – 16th lowest (450 total)

Vermont

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 50.3% of households (15th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 11.9 per 100,000 people – 13th lowest (83 total)

Virginia

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? Yes, background checks must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 35.3% of households (13th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 14.3 per 100,000 people – 18th lowest (1,248 total)

Washington

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• Universal background check laws? Yes, generally, all sales must be conducted through a federally licensed dealer
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: All handguns and long guns
• Gun-ownership rate: 32.1% of households (11th lowest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 11.2 per 100,000 people – 11th lowest (896 total)

West Virginia

Source: benkrut / iStock via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 60.0% of households (3rd highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 17.3 per 100,000 people – 19th highest (319 total)

Wisconsin

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• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 47.1% of households (17th highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 13.5 per 100,000 people – 15th lowest (793 total)

Wyoming

Source: JTSorrell / E+ via Getty Images

• Universal background check laws? No
• Firearm types subject to universal background check laws: None
• Gun-ownership rate: 60.7% of households (2nd highest)
• Firearm deaths in 2021: 26.1 per 100,000 people – 5th highest (155 total)

Methodology

24/7 Wall St. reviewed data compiled by the gun violence prevention group Giffords Law Center to identify the background check laws in each state. We also reviewed 2021 firearm mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

Supplementary data on the share of households that own a gun came from a 2020 study published by the RAND Corporation, a research and public policy advocacy group. States are ranked by the estimated share of households that owned at least one firearm in 2016, the most recent year of available data.