Alaska did not pass any significant gun laws in 2017. Despite its remote location, Alaska exports crime guns to other states at nearly twice the national average and has the highest gun death rate in the nation. Lawmakers could take steps to reduce these numbers and save lives by enacting gun safety laws including universal background checks and limits on bulk gun purchases. Learn more about Alaska’s gun laws.

Arizona enacted no notable gun laws in 2017, and in 2016 the state exported crime guns at a rate higher than 44 other states. Arizona could raise its F grade in a number of ways, including by requiring people to obtain a background check and license in order to carry a hidden, loaded gun in public.Learn more about Arizona’s gun laws.

While gun safety advocates defeated a dangerous permitless carry bill in 2017, Arkansas still managed to weaken its already poor gun laws by forcing public universities and other buildings to allow concealed, loaded guns on their premises. Ways to raise Arkansas’s grade include passing universal background checks, extreme risk protection order legislation, and laws to keep domestic abusers from accessing guns. Learn more about Arkansas’s gun laws.

California boasts the strongest gun laws in the nation and a correspondingly low gun death rate. The state further strengthened its gun laws in 2017 by prohibiting hate crime offenders from accessing guns and funding urban gun violence reduction programs. California should increase its investment in these lifesaving, community-based programs and pass laws that regulate the sale of dangerous home firearm assembly kits. Learn more about California’s gun laws.

Colorado did not pass any significant gun laws in 2017, maintaining its C grade after advocates helped defeat irresponsible bills that would have allowed guns in K–12 schools and concealed carry without a permit. Ways for Colorado to raise its grade include requiring gun dealers to obtain a state license and mandating reporting of lost or stolen firearms. Learn more about Colorado’s gun laws.

In 2017, Connecticut protected funding for Project Longevity, a lifesaving community-based violence intervention program. The state, which overhauled its gun laws in 2013 following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, consistently has one of the lowest gun death rates in the nation. It could further raise its grade by requiring safe storage of guns and limiting bulk firearm purchases. Learn more about Connecticut’s gun laws.

Delaware did not pass any significant gun laws in 2017, maintaining its B grade, with both positive and negative firearm bills still pending. Delaware lawmakers could raise its grade and save lives from gun violence by passing the extreme risk protection order bill currently pending in the state’s general assembly. Learn more about Delaware’s gun laws.

In 2017, Florida legislators amended the state’s already dangerous Stand Your Ground law, making the policy even more extreme. The amendment was struck down as unconstitutional but is currently on appeal. To raise its F grade and save lives, Florida could enact universal background checks, require safe storage of firearms, and repeal Stand Your Ground. Learn more about Florida’s gun laws.

In 2017, Georgia enacted a dangerous law allowing individuals with concealed carry permits to bring guns onto college and university campuses. Thanks to efforts by gun safety advocates, a bill to allow concealed carry without a license or background check failed to advance in the legislature. One of the many ways Georgia could raise its F grade is by passing universal background checks. Learn more about Georgia’s gun laws.

In 2017, Hawaii improved efforts to keep guns out of dangerous hands by enacting a law that makes it easier for law enforcement to investigate individuals who lie on background check forms when trying to buy a gun. The state has some of the strongest gun laws in the nation and enjoys one of the lowest gun death rates as a result. Learn more about Hawaii’s gun laws.

Already an F state, Idaho further weakened its gun laws after the state enacted a law to allow concealed carry without a permit. Idaho exports twice as many crime guns as it imports, driving violence in other states. To cut that number and raise its grade, Idaho could pass universal background checks, reinstate concealed carry permits, and allow local governments to pass gun laws.Learn more about Idaho’s gun laws.

Illinois did not enact any significant gun safety laws in 2017, maintaining its B+ grade with both positive and negative firearm bills still pending. Gun violence in Illinois is driven by trafficking from neighboring states with weak gun laws, such as Indiana. Passing a gun dealer licensing law or an extreme risk protection order law would help Illinois raise its grade and save lives. Learn more about Illinois’s gun laws.

In 2017, Indiana weakened its restrictions on armor-piercing bullets. However, bills to compel colleges to allow concealed carry on campus and to remove Indiana’s CCW permitting requirement were defeated. To raise Indiana’s grade, legislators could pass universal background checks, a strong extreme risk protection order law, and laws that keep convicted domestic abusers from accessing guns. Learn more about Indiana’s gun laws.

Iowa’s grade dropped from a C to a C- after lawmakers enacted a deadly Stand Your Ground law, weakened handgun permit requirements, and allowed concealed carry in the state capitol. Iowa could raise its grade and save lives by immediately repealing the dangerous gun laws passed in 2017, requiring background checks for all gun purchases, or passing an extreme risk protection order law.Learn more about Iowa’s gun laws.

In 2017, a law went into effect that made Kansas the first state to force public universities to allow people who have never passed a background check or obtained any permit to carry concealed, loaded weapons in campus buildings. A few of the many ways Kansas could raise its grade include passing universal background checks, repealing its dangerous permitless carry and campus carry laws, and acting to disarm domestic abusers. Learn more about Kansas’s gun laws.

Kentucky failed to enact significant gun safety laws in 2017, scoring an F yet again, and its weak laws have made it a leading exporter of crime guns to states with stronger laws. Two ways for Kentucky to raise its grade and save lives include requiring background checks on private gun sales and allowing local governments to regulate firearms. Learn more about Kentucky’s gun laws.

Louisiana’s weak laws earned the state another F, although in 2017 the state extended its gun possession restrictions for domestic abusers to cover same-sex and dating partners. Requiring private sale background checks and allowing local governments to regulate firearms are just two of the many ways Louisiana could raise its grade and save lives. Learn more about Louisiana’s gun laws.

Maine did not pass any significant gun safety laws in 2017, earning another F this year. Maine could raise its grade by passing universal background checks, requiring a permit to carry concealed weapons, or allowing local governments to regulate firearms. Learn more about Maine’s gun laws.

Maryland continued to improve its already strong gun laws after enacting a bill addressing guns and domestic violence. Gun violence in the state is driven by trafficking from nearby states with weaker laws, notably Virginia and Georgia, which earned a D and an F respectively. Maryland legislators could further strengthen the state’s gun laws by passing an extreme risk protection order law. Learn more about Maryland’s gun laws.

In 2017, Massachusetts became the second state to ban the sale and possession of bump stocks. The state has the lowest gun death rate in the country and, correspondingly, some of the strongest gun laws. State legislators should continue to strengthen its laws by enacting an extreme risk protection order law and providing more stable funding for urban violence reduction programs. Learn more about Massachusetts’s gun laws.

Michigan did not enact any significant gun laws in 2017, although a dangerous bill is pending to allow concealed carry in schools and hospitals. To raise its grade and save lives from gun violence, Michigan should reject this deadly bill, require private sale background checks, and allow local governments to regulate firearms. Learn more about Michigan’s gun laws.

Minnesota did not pass any significant gun laws in 2017, maintaining a C+ grade with positive and negative firearm bills still pending. Ways for Minnesota to raise its grade and save lives include requiring background checks on private sales, enacting an extreme risk protection order law, and requiring reporting of lost and stolen guns. Learn more about Minnesota’s gun laws.

Mississippi did not enact any significant gun safety measures in 2017. Not only did the state earn an F, it ranks 50th among the states, with the weakest gun laws in the nation. Not coincidentally, Mississippi is also the number one exporter of crime guns to other states and has the country’s fourth-highest gun death rate. The quickest way for Mississippi to improve these numbers would be to pass universal background checks. Learn more about Mississippi’s gun laws.

Missouri’s weak gun laws earned the state another F grade. The state has seen a nearly 25% increase in firearm deaths and injuries since it repealed a permit-to-purchase law in 2007. To reduce gun deaths and raise its grade, Missouri should enact universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders, and other lifesaving gun laws. Learn more about Missouri’s gun laws.

Montana’s governor vetoed two dangerous bills in 2017 that would have allowed guns into more public spaces. Legislators also defeated efforts to allow individuals to carry loaded guns in public without a background check or license. In 2016, Montana exported crime guns at the eighth-highest rate nationally. To improve the state’s F grade, legislators could pass universal background checks and an extreme risk protection order law. Learn more about Montana’s gun laws.

Nebraska expanded its list of people prohibited from buying guns to include those subject to a harassment protection order in 2017, but received a D again due to its lack of comprehensive gun safety laws. Ways to raise Nebraska’s grade include requiring background checks on all gun sales, requiring gun dealers to obtain a state license, and passing an extreme risk protection order law. Learn more about Nebraska’s gun laws.

Nevada’s grade dropped from a C- to a D in 2017 due to the state’s failure to enforce its background check law, in spite of the fact that the measure was passed by voters in a 2016 ballot initiative. However, Nevada did strengthen its gun laws by prohibiting people convicted of domestic violence offenses and stalking from buying a gun. Learn more about Nevada’s gun laws.

New Hampshire’s grade fell from a D to an F in 2017 after enacting a reckless law that allows people to carry hidden, loaded guns in public without any sort of permit or license. New Hampshire also doesn’t require background checks at gun shows, on the internet, or in private sales, making it all the easier for dangerous individuals buy a gun and bring it to public places. Learn more about New Hampshire’s gun laws.

In 2017, New Jersey strengthened efforts to combat domestic violence by enacting a law that creates a process for convicted domestic abusers to relinquish their guns to law enforcement. New Jersey has some of the strongest gun laws in the country, a correspondingly low gun death rate, and in 2016 exported crime guns at the lowest rate of all 50 states. Learn more about New Jersey’s gun laws.

New Mexico failed to enact significant gun laws in 2017, and its governor vetoed bipartisan legislation to require domestic abusers to relinquish their firearms upon conviction. Ways for the state to raise its F grade and save lives include comprehensively restricting access to guns by domestic violence offenders and requiring background checks on all gun sales. Learn more about New Mexico’s gun laws.

New York did not enact any significant gun laws in 2017, but has strong gun laws and a correspondingly low gun death rate. New York currently requires individuals living with people prohibited from possessing firearms to safely store their guns, but the state could further strengthen its safe storage law by making it a crime to leave a firearm accessible to a minor. Learn more about New York’s gun laws.

North Carolina was the site of multiple crucial defensive victories by gun safety advocates in 2017, as dangerous campus carry and permitless carry bills failed to advance, as did efforts to repeal the state&rsqup;s background check requirement for handgun purchases. To raise the state’s grade and save lives, legislators could expand the state’s background check requirement to cover all gun sales, not just handguns, and enact an extreme risk protection order law. Learn more about North Carolina’s gun laws.

In 2017, North Dakota repealed its requirement that people obtain a license to carry concealed firearms in public, earning the state another F. Some of the many ways North Dakota could raise its grade and save lives include passing universal background checks, preventing substance abusers from purchasing or possessing guns, and regulating ammunition sales. Learn more about North Dakota’s gun laws.

Ohio did not enact any significant gun laws in 2017. The state does not require firearms dealers to obtain a state license, limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time, impose a waiting period on firearm purchases, or regulate ammunition sales. Enacting any of these policies would raise Ohio’s grade and save lives. Learn more about Ohio’s gun laws.

Oklahoma did not enact any significant gun laws in 2017. Bills allowing individuals to carry guns on college and university campuses and in public without a permit both failed thanks to concerted efforts by local gun safety advocates. Ways Oklahoma could improve its grade include passing universal background checks and requiring gun dealers to obtain a state license. Learn more about Oklahoma’s gun laws.

In 2017, Oregon enacted an extreme risk protection order law that allows family members and law enforcement to temporarily prevent a dangerous person from accessing guns. While Oregon passed universal background checks in 2015, it could further raise its grade and save lives by limiting bulk purchases of firearms, regulating ammunition purchases, and requiring safe storage of firearms in the home. Learn more about Oregon’s gun laws.

Pennsylvania did not enact significant gun laws in 2017, maintaining its C grade with positive and negative firearm bills still pending. Pennsylvania could raise its grade and save lives by requiring background checks on private sales of long guns, not just handguns, allowing local governments to regulate firearms, and requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s gun laws.

In 2017, Rhode Island strengthened its laws to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. To raise its grade from a B+, Rhode Island lawmakers should continue to pass new gun safety measures, including restrictions on the sale of military-style firearms, extreme risk protection orders, and prohibitions on hate crime offenders accessing guns. Learn more about Rhode Island’s gun laws.

South Carolina did not enact any significant gun laws in 2017. Thanks to efforts by gun safety advocates, bills to allow individuals to carry guns in public without a permit or background check, as well as on college campuses, failed to advance in the legislature. In 2016, South Carolina exported crime guns at a rate higher than 44 other states. The quickest way for South Carolina to raise its grade and save lives would be to pass universal background checks. Learn more about South Carolina’s gun laws.

South Dakota has very few gun safety laws and did not make significant improvements in 2017. A few of the many ways South Dakota could raise its grade and save lives include enacting universal background checks, requiring the reporting of mental health records to the federal background checks database, regulating ammunition sales, and allowing local governments to pass gun laws.Learn more about South Dakota’s gun laws.

Tennessee created a procedure for domestic violence offenders to relinquish their firearms, raising the state’s grade from an F to a D-. Ways for the state to make further improvements and continue to raise its grade include requiring background checks on private sales, requiring gun dealers to obtain a state license, and imposing a waiting period on firearm purchases. Learn more about Tennessee’s gun laws.

In 2017, Texas further weakened its gun laws by repealing restrictions on the possession of silencers and removing school districts’ authority to keep weapons out of vehicles in school parking lots, earning the state another F. However, dangerous permitless carry and campus carry bills were defeated thanks to efforts by gun safety advocates. Ways for Texas to raise its grade include adopting universal background checks and repealing its dangerous campus carry law. Learn more about Texas’s gun laws.

In 2017, Utah improved its gun laws by prohibiting firearm possession by domestic violence misdemeanants and by subjects of restraining orders. The state still earned an F though, due to its lack of fundamental gun safety laws like private sale background checks. Utah could do even more to prevent domestic gun violence, and raise its grade, by creating a process for abusers to relinquish their guns to law enforcement when they become prohibited. Learn more about Utah’s gun laws.

Vermont did not adopt any significant gun legislation in 2017. State lawmakers can raise Vermont’s F grade by enacting universal background checks, passing an extreme risk protection order law, requiring a permit to carry guns in public, regulating firearm dealers, or restricting firearm access by domestic abusers. Learn more about Vermont’s gun laws.

Virginia did not enact any significant gun laws in 2017, maintaining its D grade. Irresponsible campus carry and permitless carry bills failed thanks to dedicated efforts from gun safety advocates. Ways for Virginia to raise its grade and save lives include enacting universal background checks, passing laws aimed at preventing gun trafficking, and funding urban gun violence reduction programs. Learn more about Virginia’s gun laws.

In 2017, Washington passed a law to allow temporary transfers of guns without a background check to prevent suicide and made it easier for law enforcement to investigate those who lie on background check forms. To further raise its grade, Washington could regulate ammunition sales, limit bulk firearm purchases, and fund urban gun violence reduction programs. Learn more about Washington’s gun laws.

In 2017, West Virginia passed a law allowing concealed carry permit holders to keep guns in cars parked on K–12 school property. Despite this, gun safety advocates helped defeat a bill that would have allowed guns on college and university campuses. The state could raise its grade by requiring private-sale background checks, gun purchase waiting periods, or safe storage. Learn more about West Virginia’s gun laws.

Wisconsin did not enact any significant gun laws in 2017, earning another C-. Two bills to eliminate the state’s concealed carry license requirement are still pending in the legislature. Some of the ways Wisconsin could raise its grade include passing universal background checks, strengthening the permitting system for carrying concealed weapons in public, and funding urban violence reduction programs. Learn more about Wisconsin’s gun laws.

Wyoming enacted a law in 2017 that allows K–12 school employees with concealed carry permits to carry hidden, loaded firearms in buildings and on school grounds. Wyoming has the second-highest gun suicide rate in the country and the fourth-highest crime gun export rate. Some of the ways Wyoming could raise its grade and save lives include imposing waiting periods on gun purchases, requiring safe storage of firearms, and enacting an extreme risk protection order law. Learn more about Wyoming’s gun laws.