I enclose you a list of the killed, wounded, and captives of the enemy from the commencement of hostilities at Lexington in April 1775, until November 1777, since which there has been no event of any consequence … I think that upon the whole it has been about one half the number lost by them, in some instances more, but in others less. This difference is ascribed to our superiority in taking aim when we fire; every soldier in our army having been intimate with his gun from his infancy.
– Thomas Jefferson, letter to Giovanni Fabbroni, June 8, 1778
The most important thing for you to understand about the 2nd Amendment is that it’s always under fire. It doesn’t matter what the pressing issue is. It could be a border wall, it could be health care, it could be a foreign war, there is always a collection of people who are trying to figure out how to take another bite out of your gun rights.
This might be about ammo, it might be about magazine capacity, it might be about types of rifles. Eventually, if we don’t remain vigilant, you will be living in a nation that looks like the UK where you are not even allowed to buy pocket knives online.
Luckily for us States have a big say in the gun rights of citizens but not all states are on the side of gun owners. Do you know the very best and worst states in the Union for gun owners? We are going to look at five of the very best and five states that you should run away from.
Defining Best
To define the best states in the nation for guns we have to first consider what best means. Of course, the best quantifier for a good gun state has to come from the roots of the 2nd Amendment.
2nd Amendment
Our rights keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, so it would make sense that the very best states in the union for gun owners would be those that do their best not to infringe.
Concealed Carry Permits and Right to Carry
Things like CCW Permits or concealed carry permits and the ability to procure them is one example of how a state could be rated. Some states make it a very simple process while others require that you jump through flaming hoops while juggling just to apply for a CCW Permit.
There are states that allow open carry and even some that allow concealed carry without a permit.
Legislation and Representatives
We can also look at legislation and the attitude towards guns. At any given moment the motives and proposed legislation of the public “representatives” are a great tell if you are looking for examples of states that welcome gun owners.
Modern Sporting Rifles
How are these MSRs treated by laws in the state? Now, modern sporting rifles would be things that more liberal states would recognize as “Assault Weapons” and seem to be hell bent on denying ownership and access the people of their states.
NFA
States have varying degrees of laws when it comes to owning things like SBRs or Short barreled rifles, suppressors, machine guns, shotguns and other destructive devices.
Castle Doctrine
How you protect your home is a huge part of gun ownership. Even the most radical Federally proposed gun laws seem to understand the importance of allowing certain guns, like shotguns, for home defense. However, your right to use force to prevent death, forcible crime or bodily harm can differ widely from state to state.
The best states for gun owners are going to grade well in all these areas and maybe even in some areas outside of even these. At the end of the day it goes back to the simple declaration of the 2nd Amendment.
The 5 Worst States for Gun Owners
Massachusetts
Though obtaining a permit to carry in this state is easier in rural Massachusetts its still a “may issue” state and people in Boston are gonna have a real struggle getting one of their own. You will need a license to buy any firearm or ammo in this state and that is as ugly as anything you are going to find on this list.
Assault weapons are banned in MA as are magazines that carry over 10 rounds of ammunition. Sad state for the birthplace of the American Revolution.
New York
A Bastian of liberal ideology it should come as no surprise to anyone that we the gun rights in this state are some of the worst in the nation. The gun owners in this state face aggression both from politicians bent on crushing the 2nd amendment as well as the citizens are just as antigun. Its such a mess that Remington arms is headed out of the state with their operation.
The NY SAFE Act that followed the Sandy Hook Shooting ratcheted up the level of gun restrictions in the State. There were no grandfathered magazines above 30 rounds, assault weapons definitions have widened drastically. New York has taken and will take every action to stifle 2nd Amendment rights. They also have the peoples support.
Illinois
We all use the sad and brutal crime in Chicago as ammunition against gun laws. Illinois requires the dreaded FOID. This is a firearms owner identification card and it is required in the state before you are allowed to buy guns or ammunition.
If you jump through the hoops to buy a handgun you are going to wait 3 days after your purchase to get that gun and you are going to deal with a “shall issue” state if you wish to carry that handgun concealed.
Maryland
Maryland has been so tough on gun owners that they chased the firearms producer, Beretta, out of the state!
This state has followed, lock step, with all the radical proposed gun restriction laws of recent years. You will need to give the state police your fingerprints if you hope to buy any firearm, you will not be allowed to have magazines with more than 10 rounds in them and all “assault weapons” are banned.
Their concealed carry permit process is one of the toughest in the nation. So, after you go through all the steps to buy a gun you will likely just have to hide it in your safe to satisfy the state.
California
It should come as no surprise that the liberal headquarters known as California made this list. Our criteria above talked about legislation and representation. This state seems to have representatives that pride themselves in their restrictive laws.
Because of this leadership you find hostility toward gun owners in many areas. Firearms producers are often forced to create “California Approved” versions of their guns. Of course, like Maryland’s affect, many gun owners are just running away from the state.
A 10-day waiting period, banning of all “assault weapons” and the 10 round magazine rules, are more reasons that the sunny state of California is nothing short of a prison for gun owners.
The 5 Best States for Gun Owners
Arizona
The southwestern region of the nation has been all the news lately. Nestled along the southern border is a state that stands out as an absolute paradise for gun owners in the modern age. I am talking about the state of Arizona.
Arizona is home to one of the best shooting cultures in the nation. It’s something to behold. From people shooting recreationally to those who train others and shoot professionally, Arizona is a great home for gun owners.
Guns and Ammo have named Arizona the #1-gun state for the last 5 years. This has a lot to do with the things mentioned above but also because of the right to carry concealed or not and Castle Doctrine rules that allow it citizen to defend themselves.
Alaska
The last true American frontier, Alaska offers up freedoms that are no longer offered in the lower 38. These freedoms expand far beyond gun ownership. Alaskans are allowed to carry weapons in almost all cases. They can carry concealed or open without the need of any permit from the state. The only real law that affects that is if a person is intoxicated.
Alaska also offers some of the most impressive lands for hunting and shooting. The outdoor recreational opportunities are built for the gun owner.
Utah
Stunning, natural beauty and permissive gun laws tend to go hand in hand in the west. Utah is one of the most beautiful states in all the nation and its gun laws are just as appealing. They share the right to carry laws of places like Alaska and Arizona.
They operate under a two mechanical actions rule. Which means you can carry but without a round in the chamber meaning you need to chamber a round (1.) and fire that round by pulling the trigger (.2)
The legislation and representation are decidedly pro-gun and that goes a long way for gun owners.
Kansas
Kansas has recently moved to permit less carry on all accounts. They were trying to recognize out of state permits, but it died in the legislative process. Though they lack the strong support of citizenry and don’t share in the support of shooting support its easy to understand why this state is a great option for gun owners.
Wyoming
While it might not come up on your radar, Wyoming is a near blueprint of what a favorable gun owner’s state should look like. The law is on your side if you stand and defend yourself with a firearm, it’s a permit less carry state and recognizes the permits of all other states. The hunting and shooting culture are massive and that is another check for the good.
Wyoming is what we all should strive for in a gun owning state.
With another powerful push for an increase in National Gun Control, its very important that we empower the states to not only oppose the radical national regulations but to allow the people of those states to take advantage of their second amendment rights.
Its good to see people leaving these states that tax them to death and restrict their gun ownership. It means the citizenry are paying attention and these states will pay the price as taxes on guns, hunting, fishing licenses and of course the population of working Americans continues to plummet.
Is it time for you to move out of your state? After reading this article you might find yourself looking at property in a new state over the weekend. All the power is in your hands. Don’t let these twisted states control your 2nd Amendment rights!
