Browse State Gun Laws

EVERY ISSUE, EVERY STATE

As the gun lobby continues to block progress in Washington, states are taking action to make their communities safer. The research is clear: states with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. Our gun law library provides a comprehensive overview of gun laws and regulations in every state in the nation. Use the menus below to filter by state and policy area to find specific laws.

All Policy Areas

Background Checks

Background Check Procedures

Interstate & Online Gun Sales

Mental Health Reporting

NICS & Reporting Procedures

Universal Background Checks

Child & Consumer Safety

Child Access & Safe Storage

Design Safety Standards

Non-powder & Toy Guns

Smart Guns

Crime Guns

Bulk Gun Purchases

Microstamping & Ballistics

Trafficking & Straw Purchasing

Location Restrictions

Open Carry

Stand Your Ground

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation

Assault Weapons

Ghost Guns

Large Capacity Magazines

Machine Guns & 50 Caliber

Silencers

Other Laws & Policies

Federal Powers

Gun Industry Immunity

Intervention Strategies

Key Federal Regulation Acts

Preemption of Local Laws

State Right to Bear Arms

Tiahrt Amendments

Owner Responsibilities

Licensing

Registration

Reporting Lost & Stolen Guns

Who Can Have a Gun

Domestic Violence & Firearms

Extreme Risk Protection Orders

Firearm Prohibitions

Firearm Relinquishment

Hate Crimes

Minimum Age

Terrorist Watchlist

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Alabama

Alabama law prohibits the possession or sale of brass or steel teflon-coated handgun ammunition or ammunition of like kind designed to penetrate bullet-proof vests.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Alaska

In Alaska, a state parole board may require as a condition of special medical, discretionary, or mandatory parole that a prisoner released on parole not possess or control firearm ammunition.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Arizona

Arizona law generally prohibits anyone from giving or selling ammunition to a person under age 18 without written consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Arkansas

Arkansas law does not, among other things: prohibit individuals ineligible to possess firearms under state law from possessing ammunition, require a license for the possession of ammunition, or require a license to sell ammunition.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in California

California has some of the nation’s strongest laws regulating the sale of ammunition, and in 2019 became the first state in the nation to require a point-of-sale background check to buy ammunition.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Colorado

The provisions of Colorado law that prohibit domestic abusers from possessing firearms apply to ammunition as well. Colorado does not regulate ammunition in any other way.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Connecticut

Effective October 1, 2013, Connecticut prohibits the sale of ammunition or an ammunition magazine to any buyer unless the prospective ammunition purchaser meets certain criteria.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Delaware

Delaware prohibits the purchase, ownership, possession or control of ammunition by the same categories of persons who are ineligible to purchase or possess firearms under state law.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Florida

Florida law prohibits the possession of ammunition by the same persons who are directly prohibited by Florida law from possessing firearms, although the persons who are prevented from obtaining firearms through the background check process required by Florida law are not similarly prevented from obtaining ammunition.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Georgia

Georgia law does not significantly regulate the sale, transfer, purchase or possession of ammunition in any way. Furthermore, Georgia law limits local regulation of ammunition.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Hawaii

Hawaii prohibits the ownership, control or possession of ammunition by any person who meets certain criteria.

Hardware & Ammunition

Ammunition Regulation in Idaho

Idaho prohibits any person, firm, association or corporation from selling or giving any minor under the age of 16 any shells or fixed ammunition of any kind, except shells loaded for use in shotguns or for use in rifles of 22 caliber or smaller without the written consent of the parents or guardian of the minor.

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Every day, the experts at Giffords Law Center work tirelessly to craft, enact, and defend the gun safety policies and programs that save lives. A safer America is within reach, but we need your courage and commitment to get there.