Major gun laws in all 50 states

Discover the major gun laws in all 50 states.
(Michael Murphy)

(Michael Murphy)

Gun ownership laws vary based on which of the 50 states you live in. For example, some states, like Washington, partially allow long guns to be given via a state permit, while for handguns, you must register the gun with a firearms permit. Others, like South Carolina and Texas, have barely any limits on who can get a gun and what type of gun they can buy. With no nationwide standard, navigating each state’s gun laws can be tricky.

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Gun laws by state

Use the table below to see how each state handles gun ownership:

State Background checks for private sales? State permit required? Firearm registration required? Assault weapons ban?
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut Partial
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa ❌Handguns


Long-guns
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Handguns


Long-guns

Handguns


Long-guns
Massachusetts
Michigan
Handguns


Long-guns

Handguns


Long-guns
Minnesota
Handguns


Long-guns
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Handguns


Long-guns

Handguns


Long-guns
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Handguns


Long-guns
New Mexico
New York
Handguns


Long-guns

Handguns


Long-guns
North Carolina
Handguns


Long-guns

Handguns


Long-guns
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Handguns


Long-guns

Handguns


Long-guns
Rhode Island
Handguns


Long-guns
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Handguns


Long-guns

Handguns


Long-guns
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
District of Columbia
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The Rantt Rundown

Gun violence inflicts an immense toll on Americans — claiming tens of thousands of lives each year. Lax gun laws and unfettered access to firearms have simplified how people can take their own lives and/or the lives of others. The cost of American gun violence is tragic, and, without major gun reform, will continue to be on the rise.

Law // Gun laws / Gun ownership / Second amendment