Every State, Ranked
Each year, our attorneys track and analyze gun legislation in all 50 states, assigning laws and policies point values. States are ranked and given letter grades, which are then compared to the most recent gun death rates released by the CDC. For over a decade now, the data has shown that commonsense gun laws prevent gun violence—but only in the states with the courage to enact them.
Select a state on the map or in the table to view that state’s individual scorecard.
| Gun Law Strength (Ranked) | State | Grade | Gun Death Rate (Ranked) | Gun Death Rate (per 100K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | A | 44 | 8.5 |
| 2 | New Jersey | A | 48 | 5 |
| 3 | Connecticut | A- | 45 | 6 |
| 4 | Hawaii | A- | 50 | 3.4 |
| 8 | Illinois | A- | 27 | 14.1 |
| 7 | Maryland | A- | 33 | 13.5 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | A- | 49 | 3.7 |
| 6 | New York | A- | 46 | 5.3 |
| 13 | Colorado | B | 22 | 15.4 |
| 12 | Delaware | B | 25 | 14.3 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | B | 47 | 5.1 |
| 11 | Virginia | B | 34 | 13.4 |
| 10 | Washington | B | 39 | 10.9 |
| 15 | Oregon | B- | 35 | 13 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | B- | 31 | 13.6 |
| 18 | Michigan | C+ | 24 | 14.6 |
| 17 | Minnesota | C+ | 43 | 8.9 |
| 16 | Nevada | C+ | 18 | 17 |
| 19 | New Mexico | C | 7 | 22.7 |
| 24 | Florida | C- | 29 | 13.7 |
| 20 | Nebraska | C- | 41 | 10.1 |
| 21 | North Carolina | C- | 21 | 16 |
| 22 | Vermont | C- | 37 | 11.6 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | C- | 36 | 12.2 |
| 25 | Ohio | D | 23 | 15.2 |
| 26 | Indiana | D- | 17 | 17.3 |
| 31 | Alabama | F | 5 | 23.6 |
| 41 | Alaska | F | 6 | 23.5 |
| 42 | Arizona | F | 20 | 16.7 |
| 50 | Arkansas | F | 8 | 22.6 |
| 28 | Georgia | F | 15 | 17.7 |
| 48 | Idaho | F | 16 | 17.6 |
| 30 | Iowa | F | 38 | 11.2 |
| 45 | Kansas | F | 19 | 16.9 |
| 42 | Kentucky | F | 13 | 20.1 |
| 34 | Louisiana | F | 2 | 26.3 |
| 29 | Maine | F | 40 | 10.4 |
| 45 | Mississippi | F | 1 | 28.6 |
| 47 | Missouri | F | 4 | 23.9 |
| 40 | Montana | F | 11 | 20.9 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | F | 42 | 8.9 |
| 39 | North Dakota | F | 28 | 13.8 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | F | 12 | 20.7 |
| 32 | South Carolina | F | 9 | 22 |
| 44 | South Dakota | F | 32 | 13.6 |
| 37 | Tennessee | F | 10 | 21.3 |
| 36 | Texas | F | 26 | 14.2 |
| 33 | Utah | F | 30 | 13.6 |
| 34 | West Virginia | F | 14 | 18.1 |
| 49 | Wyoming | F | 3 | 25.9 |
| Share | ||||
Here to Help
Looking to strengthen your state’s gun laws? Our experts regularly partner with state lawmakers to craft effective, lifesaving firearm legislation. We’re also happy to speak with researchers, advocates, and members of the media looking to learn about our proven strategies for preventing violence.
Gun Laws Save Lives
The correlation is undeniable: states with stronger gun laws have lower gun death rates. Simply put, gun laws save lives. But strong laws can’t fully protect a state if its neighbors haven’t done their part. Gun trafficking from states with weak gun laws undermines protections that work to prevent shootings and plays a major role in fueling violence in states with strong laws.
Until every state in the union steps up to support gun safety laws, America will continue to have one of the highest gun death rates in the world.
Read MoreYEAR IN REVIEW
Six days into 2021, armed insurrectionists stormed the US Capitol and set the tone for extremist legislators nationwide. Despite the horrific start to the year, many lawmakers and advocates across the country remained dedicated to passing gun safety bills in their home states—and succeeded. The progress our movement made last year was critical, but the fight to save lives is a marathon, not a sprint—and we can’t let up now.
Here are a few of the best and worst states of 2021.
Strongest Laws
Most Improved
Safest State
Weakest Laws
Biggest Drop
Deadliest State
Legislative Progress
Surges in Violence
Over the last decade, gun violence has jumped 22% across the country—driven by steady increases in gun suicides and a precipitous rise in gun homicides during the pandemic. States with the weakest gun laws have been hit hardest by rising violence: from 2011 to 2020, gun death rates rose by a staggering 37% in F states. A states saw a smaller increase over this period, one roughly half the size of F states.
Read MoreDisproportionate Impact
Join the Fight
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Donate
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Get Involved
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Talk To An Expert
Our attorneys can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence issues.
Litigation
We’re holding the gun lobby accountable in courts across the nation.
Statistics
Learn more about the devastating scope of America’s gun violence epidemic.
Gun Laws By State
Explore the ins and outs of gun safety laws and policies in all 50 states.
Annual Gun Law Scorecard
South DakotaF- Gun Safety Strength Rank44 out of 50
- Gun Death Rate Rank32 out of 50
- Gun Deaths per 100k13.6
- % difference from national average↓0.4%
What Changed This Year
How To Improve
- Require background checks for all gun sales
- Strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence and hate crimes
- Enact an extreme risk protection order law