How strict are gun laws in the United States?

Varies by region

US gun laws vary significantly by state, with some allowing permitless carry and others requiring permits or having restrictions.

The United States is one of 7 countries classified “Varies by region” for civilian gun ownership — 6% of the 113 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)

Source

Taken from: Wikipedia: Overview of gun laws by nation
Last checked: 7 July 2026
How it was classified: Classified by a language model from the source text, then checked against hand-verified reference countries.

State by state

Alabama: Permissive Alabama has no state permit requirement to purchase firearms, and residents can carry concealed or openly without a permit.
Alaska: Permissive Alaska has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry, permitless open carry, and no restrictions on magazine capacity or NFA weapons.
Arizona: Permissive Arizona has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry, permitless open carry, and no restrictions on magazine capacity or NFA weapons.
Arkansas: Permissive Arkansas is a 'shall issue' state with permitless carry, allowing citizens and lawful permanent residents over 21 to carry concealed or openly without a license.
California: Restrictive California has strict gun laws with requirements for licensing, background checks, and registration. Firearm ownership is heavily regulated.
Colorado: Restrictive Colorado has laws regulating firearm ownership, including magazine capacity restrictions, requirements for concealed carry permits, and prohibitions on certain types of firearms.
Connecticut: Licensed / moderate Firearm ownership is legal in Connecticut but requires licensing, background checks, and registration with reasonable requirements.
Delaware: Restrictive Delaware has restrictive gun laws with requirements for licensing and background checks, bans on certain types of firearms, and magazine capacity restrictions.
District of Columbia: Restrictive The District of Columbia has strict regulations on firearm ownership and use, including licensing requirements, background checks, and registration.
Florida: Licensed / moderate Florida has moderate gun laws with requirements for licensing and background checks.
Georgia: Permissive Georgia has a 'shall issue' policy for residents 21 years or older, allowing permitless concealed and open carry since April 12, 2022.
Hawaii: Highly restrictive / banned Hawaii has strict firearm laws, with requirements for licensing and registration, and bans on certain types of firearms.
Idaho: Permissive Idaho has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits and permitless carry is allowed, with no restrictions on magazine capacity or NFA weapons.
Illinois: Restrictive Illinois has strict regulations on firearm ownership, including licensing requirements, background checks, and registration for certain firearms.
Indiana: Permissive Indiana has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits, and permitless concealed and open carry are allowed since July 1, 2022.
Iowa: Permissive Iowa has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry, permitless open carry is allowed, and there are no magazine capacity restrictions.
Kansas: Permissive Kansas has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits, and permitless carry is allowed. There are no restrictions on magazine capacity or NFA weapons.
Kentucky: Permissive Kentucky has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry, and permitless carry is allowed. There are no restrictions on magazine capacity or NFA weapons.
Louisiana: Permissive Louisiana has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits, and effective July 4, 2024, adults 18+ will no longer need a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Maine: Permissive Maine has no restrictions on long gun ownership, and handgun ownership is allowed with some private sales requiring background checks.
Maryland: Licensed / moderate Firearm ownership is legal in Maryland but requires licensing, background checks, and registration with reasonable requirements.
Massachusetts: Licensed / moderate Massachusetts requires a state permit to purchase and own firearms, with licensing requirements for both long guns and handguns. Background checks are mandatory for private sales.
Michigan: Licensed / moderate Michigan requires a state permit to purchase firearms, with background checks and licensing requirements for both long guns and handguns.
Minnesota: Licensed / moderate In Minnesota, firearm ownership is legal but requires licensing and background checks with reasonable requirements.
Mississippi: Permissive Mississippi has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits, and permitless carry is allowed for handguns. Open carry without a permit is also permitted.
Missouri: Permissive Missouri has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits, and permitless carry is allowed. Local governments can regulate open carry.
Montana: Permissive Montana has no restrictions on long guns or handguns, with permitless carry allowed since February 18, 2021.
Nebraska: Permissive Nebraska has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits and permitless carry is allowed since September 2023.
Nevada: Licensed / moderate Firearm ownership is legal but requires licensing, background checks, or registration with reasonable requirements in Nevada.
New Hampshire: Permissive New Hampshire has a 'shall issue' policy for residents and non-residents, with permitless carry allowed since February 22, 2017.
New Jersey: Licensed / moderate Firearm ownership is legal in New Jersey, but requires licensing and background checks for handguns, with some restrictions on magazine capacity and NFA weapons.
New Mexico: Permissive New Mexico does not require any permit to purchase a long gun or handgun, and there is no magazine capacity restriction.
New York: Licensed / moderate Firearm ownership in New York requires licensing, background checks, and registration for handguns, with some restrictions on long guns.
North Carolina: Permissive North Carolina has repealed its law requiring a permit and background check to buy a handgun, allowing citizens to purchase handguns without restrictions.
North Dakota: Permissive North Dakota has minimal restrictions on firearm ownership, with no state permit required to purchase or register firearms.
Ohio: Permissive Ohio has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry and permitless carry is allowed since June 13, 2022.
Oklahoma: Permissive Oklahoma has a permissive gun law regime, allowing citizens to own firearms with minimal restrictions.
Oregon: Licensed / moderate Oregon has a moderate set of gun laws, requiring licensing and background checks for firearm ownership, but allowing open carry without a permit.
Pennsylvania: Licensed / moderate Firearm ownership in Pennsylvania requires licensing and registration for handguns, with some restrictions on magazine capacity and private sales.
Rhode Island: Licensed / moderate Firearm ownership in Rhode Island requires licensing, background checks, and registration with reasonable requirements.
South Carolina: Permissive South Carolina has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry, permitless carry is allowed since March 14, 2024, and there is state preemption of local restrictions.
South Dakota: Permissive South Dakota has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits, and permitless carry is allowed. There are no magazine capacity restrictions or background checks required for private sales.
Tennessee: Permissive Tennessee has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits, and permitless carry is allowed. There are no restrictions on magazine capacity or NFA weapons.
Texas: Permissive Texas has permissive gun laws, allowing citizens and lawful permanent residents to own firearms with minimal restrictions.
Utah: Permissive Utah has a permissive gun law regime, allowing citizens to own firearms with minimal restrictions. Concealed carry permits are available to those above 18 without certain convictions.
Vermont: Licensed / moderate Vermont has laws regulating firearm ownership, including licensing requirements and restrictions on magazine capacity.
Virginia: Licensed / moderate Virginia has moderate gun laws with requirements for licensing and background checks. Firearm registration is not required.
Washington: Licensed / moderate Firearm ownership is legal but requires licensing and background checks with reasonable requirements.
West Virginia: Permissive West Virginia has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits, and permitless carry is allowed. There are no restrictions on magazine capacity or NFA weapons.
Wisconsin: Licensed / moderate Wisconsin requires a state permit to purchase handguns, but not long guns. Concealed carry permits are issued 'shall-issue'.
Wyoming: Permissive Wyoming has a 'shall issue' policy for concealed carry permits and permitless carry is allowed, with no restrictions on magazine capacity or NFA weapons.

Nearby countries

Bahamas: Licensed / moderate Firearms ownership requires license or permit with some restrictions.
Canada: Restrictive Gun ownership is restricted with licensing required for restricted firearms and non-restricted only in rural areas.
Cuba: Restrictive Firearms ownership is restricted, mainly for hunting and sport shooting under license.
Belize: Licensed / moderate Firearms ownership requires permit with some restrictions and may be issued.
El Salvador: Permissive Civilians can own firearms with shall-issue licensing for hunting and sport shooting.
Nicaragua: Highly restrictive / banned Civilian gun ownership is largely banned with strict licensing requirements.

Other laws in United States

Death Penalty: Retained / in use
School Corporal Punishment: Varies by region
Military Conscription: No conscription
Jury Trials: Jury trials used

Every law in the United States → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →

A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.