The right to bear arms is one of the core rights given to all Americans. Naturally, it only stands to reason that some folks go above and beyond when it comes to obtaining firearms. Today, we’re looking at the states that buy the most guns per capita.
45. Nebraska
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 2.4 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 4,834 (6th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 12.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (14th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 1,978,379 (14th lowest of 50 states)
44. California
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 2.9 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 113,016 (2nd highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (7th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 38,965,193 (7th lowest of 50 states)
43. Massachusetts
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 3.0 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 20,774 (25th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 3.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (2nd lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 7,001,399 (2nd lowest of 50 states)
42. Illinois
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 3.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 40,956 (10th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (20th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 12,549,689 (20th lowest of 50 states)
41. Maryland
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 3.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 20,676 (24th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 13.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (16th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 6,180,253 (16th lowest of 50 states)
40. Georgia
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 3.6 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 39,567 (12th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 19.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (14th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 11,029,227 (14th highest of 50 states)
39. Ohio
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 3.6 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 42,565 (8th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 15.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (25th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 11,785,935 (25th highest of 50 states)
38. Nevada
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 3.7 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 11,817 (15th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 18.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (15th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 3,194,176 (15th highest of 50 states)
37. Vermont
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 3.8 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 2,456 (3rd lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 12.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (13th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 647,464 (13th lowest of 50 states)
36. Louisiana
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 3.8 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 17,437 (21st lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 28.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (2nd highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 4,573,749 (2nd highest of 50 states)
35. Texas
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.0 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 122,363 (the highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 15.3 deaths per 100,000 residents (25th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 30,503,301 (25th lowest of 50 states)
34. Kansas
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.1 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 12,097 (17th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 16.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (21st highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 2,940,546 (21st highest of 50 states)
33. Kentucky
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.1 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 18,700 (23rd lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 18.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (16th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 4,526,154 (16th highest of 50 states)
32. Delaware
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 4,387 (4th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 11.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (12th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 1,031,890 (12th lowest of 50 states)
31. Florida
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 96,736 (3rd highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (18th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 22,610,726 (18th lowest of 50 states)
30. Washington
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 33,621 (18th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 12.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (15th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 7,812,880 (15th lowest of 50 states)
29. Virginia
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 37,536 (15th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (23rd lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 8,715,698 (23rd lowest of 50 states)
28. Indiana
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.4 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 30,092 (20th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 17.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (17th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 6,862,199 (17th highest of 50 states)
27. South Carolina
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.6 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 24,651 (22nd highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 20.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (9th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 5,373,555 (9th highest of 50 states)
26. North Carolina
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 4.7 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 50,427 (6th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 16.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (20th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 10,835,491 (20th highest of 50 states)
25. Arkansas
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.0 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 15,325 (19th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 21.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (8th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 3,067,732 (8th highest of 50 states)
24. Michigan
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.1 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 51,379 (5th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 15.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (24th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 10,037,261 (24th lowest of 50 states)
23. Connecticut
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.2 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 18,693 (22nd lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 6.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (6th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 3,617,176 (6th lowest of 50 states)
22. Mississippi
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 15,576 (20th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 29.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (the highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 2,939,690 (the highest of 50 states)
21. Maine
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 7,405 (10th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 11.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (11th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 1,395,722 (11th lowest of 50 states)
20. Arizona
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 39,687 (11th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 20.1 deaths per 100,000 residents (12th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 7,431,344 (12th highest of 50 states)
19. South Dakota
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.4 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 4,971 (7th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 15.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (24th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 919,318 (24th highest of 50 states)
18. Missouri
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.5 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 33,881 (17th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 24.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (5th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 6,196,156 (5th highest of 50 states)
17. Minnesota
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.5 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 31,758 (19th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 9.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (8th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 5,737,915 (8th lowest of 50 states)
16. New Mexico
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.7 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 12,008 (16th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 27.3 deaths per 100,000 residents (3rd highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 2,114,371 (3rd highest of 50 states)
15. Tennessee
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.8 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 41,349 (9th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 20.5 deaths per 100,000 residents (10th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 7,126,489 (10th highest of 50 states)
14. North Dakota
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.8 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 4,562 (5th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 16.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (22nd highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 783,926 (22nd highest of 50 states)
13. Wisconsin
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.8 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 34,423 (16th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (19th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 5,910,955 (19th lowest of 50 states)
12. Oklahoma
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 5.9 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 24,017 (24th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 19.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (13th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 4,053,824 (13th highest of 50 states)
11. Pennsylvania
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 6.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 81,703 (4th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (22nd lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 12,961,683 (22nd lowest of 50 states)
10. Colorado
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 6.6 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 38,814 (13th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 17.1 deaths per 100,000 residents (18th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 5,877,610 (18th highest of 50 states)
9. West Virginia
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 7.1 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 12,528 (18th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 16.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (23rd highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 1,770,071 (23rd highest of 50 states)
8. Utah
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 7.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 25,116 (21st highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 13.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (17th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 3,417,734 (17th lowest of 50 states)
7. New Hampshire
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 7.7 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 10,783 (12th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 10.1 deaths per 100,000 residents (9th lowest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 1,402,054 (9th lowest of 50 states)
6. Alabama
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 8.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 42,630 (7th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 25.5 deaths per 100,000 residents (4th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 5,108,468 (4th highest of 50 states)
5. Alaska
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 8.5 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 6,259 (9th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 22.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (7th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 733,406 (7th highest of 50 states)
4. Oregon
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 9.1 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 38,550 (14th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm Mortality
: 14.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (21st lowest of 50 states) - Total population, 2023: 4,233,358 (21st lowest of 50 states)
3. Wyoming
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 9.3 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 5,425 (8th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 20.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (11th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 584,057 (11th highest of 50 states)
2. Montana
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 10.0 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 11,379 (13th lowest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 23.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (6th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 1,132,812 (6th highest of 50 states)
1. Idaho
- Firearm background checks per capita, May 2024: 10.6 per 1,000 residents
- Total firearm background checks, May 2024: 20,868 (25th highest of 50 states)
- Firearm mortality, 2022: 17.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (19th highest of 50 states)
- Total population, 2023: 1,964,726 (19th highest of 50 states)
The image featured at the top of this post is ©James Case / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
