If you live in America and pay attention to the news, you know that some politicians are slowly working to erode your gun rights, and people are now looking for some of the most gun-friendly states to live in or to raise a family in. We took into account gun laws, crime rates, and more to bring you this comprehensive prediction list for 2024 of some of the most favorable gun-friendly states.This article focuses on the states in America with the most favorable gun laws, including other factors, that are considered the best states for gun owners.
To see a larger version of our top 10 gun friendly states map, click here.
Most Gun Friendly States in America
#1 Arizona
With almost 50% of households owning at least one firearm, Arizona has some of the fewest gun control laws in the country.#2 New Hampshire
Despite having a low percentage of gun ownership per household, New Hampshire has relaxed gun laws, low crime rates, and high-paying jobs in the industry.
#3 Oklahoma
This is a permitless carry state that honors all permits other 50 states with over 54% of households owning at least one firearm.
#4 Texas
In this state, you can conceal carry without a permit if you are not a felon and are at least 21 years of age. It offers some of the most gun jobs in the U.S.
#5 Idaho
With a little over 60% of households owning guns and a high percentage of gun jobs, Idaho is a good state for those who own guns.
#6 West Virginia
This state is a permitless carry state, and it doesn’t require additional background checks aside from the federal ones.
#7 Montana
With over 66% of households owning at least one firearm, it is an open carry state with no registration or permit requirements.
#8 Mississippi
This is a permitless carry state where 18-year-olds can open carry, and an average of over 55% of households own at least one firearm.
#9 Alabama
Alabama allows 19-year-olds to open carry without a CCW and has an average of over 55% of households owning at least one firearm.
#10 Missouri
This is a permitless open carry state if you are over the age of 19, with an average of almost 50% of households owning at least one firearm.
Ranking Factors and Gun Laws
For those living in the United States, the topic of gun control seems to be constantly reported with the rising number of mass and school shootings. In many states, politicians and some of the public are becoming activists for strict gun control policies and banning guns completely, while gun advocates believe that everyone in the USA should be able to have the right to bear arms to protect their rights and families.
The 2nd Amendment of the constitution clearly states this:
"A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Many states are more gun-friendly than others. Some are working to slowly erode gun rights and ban gun ownership. Many factors are blamed for gun violence, such as poverty, income equality, violent video games, culture, pharmaceuticals, and drug and alcohol abuse, to name a few.
With more than 494 million firearms in the U.S. (and growing at a fast pace), many think these policies will help reduce the number of guns getting into the hands of the wrong people. However, many others believe that gun control will ultimately reduce the number of guns in the population and solve the gun violence problem in America.
However, popular gun civil rights organizations like the NRA give a variety of reasons why gun control doesn’t work, including the argument that criminals don’t obey gun control laws or laws in general.
Gun control laws only impact law-abiding citizens who use proper legal channels to purchase firearms. Criminals and felons who are not able to purchase guns at gun stores will find other ways to purchase firearms through various means, such as illegal underground sales, bought or traded from friends or family, purchased by individuals other than them, theft, gifts, etc., and are not deterred by state and federal gun laws. This is why background checks don’t work on criminals and why many people believe that gun control is a false hope.
Note: Rankings were estimated by compiling state-level scores in four indicators:
1. Favorability of gun laws
2. Number of guns per household
3. Number of gun-related jobs
4. Crime rates by state
Sources:
1. https://www.nraila.org/why-gun-control-doesn-t-work/2. https://www.zippia.com/advice/least-gun-friendly-states/
3. https://www.rand.org/pubs/tools/TL354.html
4. https://www.usa.gov/crime-statistics