Gun Ownership by State

Firearm ownership is a fundamental aspect of American life, enshrined in the constitution and underpinning the narrative of personal liberty and self-defense. However, the patterns of gun ownership are far from uniform, varying considerably across the 50 states, reflecting the diversity of cultures, attitudes, and laws.

According to the latest data, approximately 43.1% of American households possess at least one firearm. However, the percentages range dramatically from state to state. At the upper end of the spectrum, you'll find Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska, with gun ownership rates of over 64% in each. Conversely, states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Hawaii have the lowest percentages, all below 15%.

Here are some key findings from the data:

• Montana tops the list of states with the highest percentage of households owning a gun, standing at 66.3%.
• Wyoming and Alaska follow closely, with gun ownership rates of 66.2% and 64.5%, respectively.
• The states with the lowest rates of gun ownership are New Jersey and Massachusetts, both at 14.7%, and Rhode Island and Hawaii at 14.8% and 14.9% respectively.
• Among the more populated states, Texas has a gun ownership rate of 45.7%, while California has one of the lowest rates at 28.3%.
• The median rate of gun ownership across all states is around 46%, indicating that almost half of the households in a typical U.S. state own a firearm.

The striking discrepancies in gun ownership rates underscore the stark cultural and legal differences across the U.S. Understanding these patterns provides a valuable perspective on debates over gun control, public safety, and individual rights, helping to inform policy-making and public discourse.

Looking at the percentage of households with a gun, the ten states with the highest values are Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho, West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Montana tops the list with 66.3% of households owning a gun. Wyoming closely follows with a gun ownership rate of 66.2%. In Alaska, 64.5% of households possess firearms. In Idaho, 60.1% of households have a firearm. 

West Virginia has a gun ownership rate of 58.5%, making it the fifth state in terms of the highest gun ownership. Arkansas isn't far behind with a rate of 57.2%. In Mississippi, 55.8% of households have firearms, while in Alabama, this number is slightly lower at 55.5%. South Dakota reports a gun ownership rate of 55.3%, and North Dakota rounds out the top ten with a gun ownership rate of 55.1%. 

The ten states with highest gun ownership (% of households with guns):

1. Montana - 66.3%
2. Wyoming - 66.2%
3. Alaska - 64.5%
4. Idaho - 60.1%
5. West Virginia - 58.5%
6. Arkansas - 57.2%
7. Mississippi - 55.8%
8. Alabama - 55.5%
9. South Dakota - 55.3%
10. North Dakota - 55.1%

Focusing on the states with the lowest levels of gun ownership, the following analysis details the ten states with the smallest percentage of households owning a gun. 

New Jersey and Massachusetts share the lowest rate of gun ownership, with just 14.7% of households owning a gun. Following closely behind is Rhode Island with a slightly higher figure of 14.8% of households with a gun. Hawaii ranks fourth with a figure of 14.9%. 

Next in the list is New York with a rate of 19.9% households, and Connecticut following with 23.6% of its households owning a gun. Illinois comes in seventh with 27.8% of households owning a gun. California stands at 28.3%, Maryland at 30.2%, and finally, Delaware has a slightly higher rate with 34.4% of households owning a gun. 

The ten states with highest gun ownership (% of households with guns):

1. New Jersey - 14.7%
2. Massachusetts - 14.7%
3. Rhode Island - 14.8%
4. Hawaii - 14.9%
5. New York - 19.9%
6. Connecticut - 23.6%
7. Illinois - 27.8%
8. California - 28.3%
9. Maryland - 30.2%
10. Delaware - 34.4%