1. Alaska
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 61.7% | 15,824 | ~734,000 |
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Alaska tops our list for the highest rate of gun ownership within the country. This largely thanks to its highly gun-friendly laws as well as a culture that prizes gun ownership. A majority non-urban population and popularity of hobbies such as hunting and recreational shooting also play a factor in the high rate of gun ownership. A high median income may also be a contributing factor.
2. Arkansas
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 57.9% | 79,841 | ~3,039,000 |
Like Alaska, Arkansas also possesses a long-established gun culture and a majority non-urban population. Gun laws within the state are reasonable. Recreational shooting remains a very popular hobby, but self-defense remains the most commonly cited reason for owning a firearm. |
3.Idaho
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 56.9% | 49,566 | ~1.826,000 |
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This landlocked state has one of the gun-friendly laws in all of the United States. The state has a small urban population, and recreational shooting is a popular hobby. The state has a large firearm industry with, on a per capita basis, manufacturers the most guns and ammunition.
4. West Virginia
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 54.2% | 35,264 | ~1,778,000 |
West Virginia’s demographics are also defined by a high rural population. The state has a long-ingrained gun culture and features very friendly gun laws. |
5. Wyoming
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 53.8% | 132,806 | ~567,000 |
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Featuring a relatively high median income among residences and highly friendly gun laws, more than half its residents possess a firearm. Surprisingly, despite it, not a requirement, the state features a relatively high rate of registered firearms.
6. Montana
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 52.3% | 22.133 | ~1,087,000 |
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Montana features highly permissive gun laws and has a population that is predominately rural. Hunting is a popular hobby, but self-defense is also listed as a common reason for owning a firearm.
7. New Mexico
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 49.9% | 94,580 | ~2,096,000 |
In New Mexico, the overwhelming reason cited for owning a firearm is self-defense. Other reasons for the high rate of gun ownership include favorable gun laws and long-established gun culture. |
8. Alabama
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 48.9% | 161,641 | ~4,908,600 |
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Alabama has a very high non-urban population. Gun laws are very permissive, and ownership of firearms is encouraged. Recreational shooting and self-defense are among the most commonly cited reasons for owning a firearm.
9. North Dakota
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 47.9% | 13,272 | ~761,700 |
North Dakota a rich heritage of hunting, and many of its residences share a strong fondness for guns. Friendly gun laws and a relatively high purchasing power also factor in the high gun ownership rate. |
10. Hawaii
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 45.1% | 450,760 | ~1,412,700 |
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Despite the relatively restrictive gun laws, and it being an island with a majority urban population, Hawaii still features a surprisingly high rate of gun ownership. According to one estimate, there are more guns circulating on the island than there are people living there.
11. Louisiana
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 44.5% | 116,830 | ~4,645,200 |
The state has reasonably permissive gun laws, but the main contributing factor behind the high rate of gun ownership is the popularity of hunting and recreational shooting in the state. Self-defense is also commonly cited as a reason for firearm procession, especially in the cities. |
12. South Carolina
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 44.4% | 105,600 | ~5,210,000 |
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South Carolina features a large non-urban population, and gun laws are quite permissive. Gun-friendly laws and an established gun culture largely explain the high rate of firearm possession.
13. Mississippi
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 42.8% | 35,494 | ~2,989,000 |
Gun laws in Mississippi are very friendly, and many residents see recreational shooting and hunting as a favorite past-time. The population is also predominately rural, and despite a relatively low average income, the much lower cost of living still allows for much greater spending power. |
14. Kentucky
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 42.4% | 81,058 | ~4,500,000 |
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Gun laws in Kentucky are highly permissive, and gun-ownership is encouraged. Hunting and shooting are a popular pastime among residents. There is also a thriving gun industry within the state.
15. Tennessee
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 39.4% | 99,159 | ~6,897,580 |
Gun laws with Tennessee are quite permissive, and there is also a long-established gun culture within the state. Most residents cite self-defense as the primary reason for owning a gun. The state has a sizable rural population. |
16. Nevada
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 37.5% | 76,888 | ~3,19,600 |
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Nevada has long been associated with the wild west and gun culture. Gun laws are quite relaxed here, and there is no indication of that changing anytime soon. Recreational shooting remains highly popular among state residents.
17. Minnesota
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 36.7% | 79,307 | ~5,700,600 |
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Despite not having exactly the most favorable gun laws in the United States, the percentage of gun ownership is still high due to deeply-ingrained hunting-related gun culture. As such, hunting rifles and shotguns are quite common, but handgun sales have also been picking up pace steadily in recent years.
18. Texas
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 35.7% | 588,696 | ~29,472,300 |
If anything, most would be surprised to see why Texas is so low on the list. Regardless, the Lone Star State features very friendly gun laws and a people that pride themselves on self-sufficiency, including when it comes to security. Firearms have also been an integral part of the state’s history and culture. |
19. South Dakota
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 35% | 21,130 | ~903,000 |
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Strong gun culture and very friendly gun laws, along with a large rural population, help explain the high rate of gun ownership in South Dakota. Hunting is also very popular within the state, with as much as 37% of the population engaged in the hobby.
20. Wisconsin
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 34.7% | 64,878 | ~5, 851,750 |
Friendly gun laws, a long-established gun culture as well as the high popularity of hunting as a pastime all result in a high rate of gun ownership in the state. |
21. Colorado
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 34.3% | 92,435 | ~5,845,500 |
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Colorado features reasonably permissive gun laws, but over the years, have been steadily tightening. However, this hasn’t deterred Coloradoans from purchasing firearms. In fact, in the same years, firearm purchase has actually increased!
22. Iowa
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 33.8% | 28,494 | ~3,179,850 |
Iowa gun laws are just decent. Rather, the relatively high rate of gun ownership is explained by the presence of strong gun culture, especially in rural areas. Hunting remains a poplar hobby within the state. |
23. Indiana
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 33.8% | 114,019 | ~6,745,400 |
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Gun laws in Indiana are quite friendly, and recreational shooting is a popular hobby. Strong gun culture and a large local gun industry also factor in the relatively high rate of gun ownership.
24. Florida
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 32.5% | 343,288 | ~21,993,000 |
With very friendly gun laws and lots of outdoor shooting and hunting opportunities, it should surprise no one that Florida features a gun ownership rate higher than what is the national average. |
25. Arizona
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 32.3% | 179,738 | ~7,378,490 |
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Arizona boasts one of the country’s most friendly gun laws – enforcing virtually no restrictions outside of what is already legislated in Federal law. With a long-established gun culture, a thriving gun industry, and plenty of hunting opportunities, if anything, one would expect the rate of ownership to be even higher.
26. Kansas
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 32% | 52,634 | ~2,910,360 |
Kansas is another state with among the nation’s most friendly gun laws. A mix of prevalent gun culture and the popularity of recreational shooting also influence the above-average rate. Among some urban residence, self-defense is also cited as a top reason for owning a firearm. |
27. Utah
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 31.9% | 72,856 | ~3,282,120 |
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A state that historically has been fiercely independent and at one time even declared war on the United States government, it would come as no surprise that Utah features an above-average rate of gun-ownership.
28. Georgia
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 31.6% | 190,050 | ~10,736,100 |
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A combination of friendly gun laws and a strong gun culture explain the above-average rate of gun ownership. Surprisingly, despite an abundance of game, hunting isn’t cited as a major reason for owning a gun. The state also has a flourishing gun industry.
29. Oklahoma
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 31.2% | 71,269 | ~3,954,820 |
Oklahoma features very friendly gun laws and a strong gun culture. A high proportion of its residences are also non-urban. Hunting and recreational shooting are often cited as major reasons for owning a firearm. |
30. Virginia
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 29.3% | 307,822 | ~8,626,200 |
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Gun laws with the state are quite friendly, and Virginians enjoy a median household income that is above the country’s average. These two factors largely explain the rate of gun ownership within the state.
31. Vermont
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 28.8% | 5,872 | ~628,000 |
The state features very friendly gun laws. Hunting and recreational shooting are cited as the biggest reasons for owning a firearm. |
32. Michigan
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 28.8% | 65,742 | ~10,045,000 |
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Gun laws within Michigan are reasonable. The biggest factor explaining the rate of ownership within the state seems to be hunting, with almost 1 in 10 Michiganians being a licensed hunter.
33. North Carolina
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 28.7% | 152,238 | ~10,611,900 |
Gun laws in North Carolina are quite friendly. The Tar Heel state also has a long-established gun culture, which primarily factors into its rate of gun ownership. |
34. Washington
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 27.7% | 91,835 | ~7,797,100 |
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Gun laws in Washington are reasonable. Hunting remains the biggest cited reason for gun ownership. There is also a noticeable divide in firearm perception between the rural and urban populace. However, in recent years, gun purchases in cities have also been on the increase since the past decade.
35. Pennsylvania
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 27.1% | 236,377 | ~12,820,900 |
Gun laws within the state are quite friendly, and hunting is quite a common hobby among residence. Recreational shooting is also a commonly cited reason for firearm ownership. |
36. Missouri
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 27.1% | 72,995 | ~6,169,270 |
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Obtaining a gun Is very easy in Missouri, and a strong culture is also present, which makes the average figure of gun ownership rather surprising.
37. Oregon
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 26.6% | 61,383 | ~4,301,090 |
Like in Washington, firearm perception tends to vary between the urban and rural populations. Gun laws are reasonable, and hunting is the biggest cited reason for firearm purchases. |
38. Illinois
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 26.2% | 146,487 | ~12,659,700 |
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The state of Illinois features somewhat restrictive gun laws. The state doesn’t seem to have a strong gun culture, so, if anything, the current rate of gun ownership comes as a bit of a surprise as being a bit higher than one expects.
39. Massachusetts
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 22.6% | 37,152 | ~6,976,600 |
A positive perception of firearms isn’t all that common within the state, and gun laws are restrictive. Recreational shooting seems to be the most commonly cited reason for firearm ownership. |
40. Maine
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 22.6% | 15,371 | ~1,345,800 |
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Despite having among the friendliest gun laws on the East coast, Maine features an ownership rate that is below that of the US average. Likely, it could be a combination of extremely low rates of crime and shooting sports not being all that popular among residences.
41. Maryland
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 20.7% | 103,109 | ~6,083,120 |
Gun laws within the state are highly restrictive, which makes it difficult to purchase and own firearms. |
42. California
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 20.1% | 344,622 | ~39,937,500 |
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The perception of firearms inclines more towards the negative the Golden State. Gun laws are also highly restrictive, which may explain the low rate of firearm ownership.
43. Nebraska
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 19.8% | 22,234 | ~1,952,570 |
Gun laws with Nebraska are permissive. Crime rates are low, and the ownership rate is largely accounted for by hunters and recreational shooters. |
44. Ohio
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 19.6% | 173,405 | ~11,747,700 |
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Gun laws are friendly in Ohio, but a relative lack of interest in guns and the state being overall relatively safe results in a low rate of gun ownership.
45. Connecticut
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 16.6% | 82,400 | ~3,563,080 |
A very low crime rate and a negative perception of firearms translate to a low rate of gun ownership. Gun laws are restrictive but not suffocating. |
46. New Hampshire
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 14.4% | 64,135 | ~1,371,250 |
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Like its northern neighbor, New Hampshire also features highly friendly gun laws and a very low-rate of crime. Lack of interest in recreational shooting and hunting explains the very low gun ownership figure.
47. New Jersey
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 11.3% | 57,505 | ~8,936,570 |
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Gun laws are highly restrictive in New Jersey. This, along with a negative perception of firearms translates to a very low rate of gun ownership in the state
48. New York
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 10.3% | 76,207 | ~19,440,500 |
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The state of New York has probably among the worst gun laws in the country. A largely negative perception of a firearm also factors behind the low rate of gun ownership.
49. Rhode Island
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 5.8% | 4,223 | ~1,056,160 |
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Gun laws in Rhode Island are permissive, but a very low rate of crime plus little fondness of shooting as a sport among locals translates to a very low rate of firearm possession.
50. Delaware
| Gun Ownership | Total Registered Guns | Population | | 5.2% | 4,852 | ~982,895 |
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