Gun ownership by state

Do you own a gun? Would you ever consider owning one? The United States is split into thirds on that subject. 

Just under 30% of American adults currently own a gun. A little more than a third say they might own one in the future, and the other third can't imagine ever having one.

In April 2020, the RAND Corporation published a long-term study tracking gun ownership in all 50 states, from 1980 to 2016. They combined survey-based estimates with other data indicative of gun ownership — shooting death records, gun-related magazine subscriptions, background check submissions and more — to determine the percentage of adults in each state who live in a household with at least one gun.

We've ranked the states by those percentages. Keep going to see where your state falls.

In this photo, a man with a rifle poses at a protest against the closure of Pennsylvania businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

49 (TIE). Massachusetts

An estimated 14.7% of Massachusetts adults have a gun in their home.

Here, Boston officials speak at a 2019 press conference to announce charges against more than 60 suspected gang members.

49 (TIE). New Jersey

An estimated 14.7% of New Jersey adults have a gun in their home.

Here, a man holds a handgun for sale at the RTSP shooting range in Randolph.

48. Rhode Island

The study estimates 14.8% of adults in Rhode Island live in homes with guns.

David DeLoia, the owner of Heritage Gun & Coin in West Warwick, says he has seen an uptick in applications for gun purchases since businesses were shuttered during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

47. Hawaii

An estimated 14.9% of adults in Hawaii have guns at home.

Here, Jerry Ilo teaches a hunter-education training course in Honolulu. 

46. New York

An estimated 19.9% of New Yorkers share their homes with at least one firearm.

These once-illegally-owned guns were seized by the New York Police Department in 2013.

45. Connecticut

In Connecticut, 23.6% of adults have a firearm in their homes.

This police photo shows guns and ammunition found with the shooter's body at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

44. Illinois

In Illinois, 27.8% of adults have at least one firearm at home.

Dr. Shandrea Boyd shoots at the Eagle Sports gun range during a concealed-carry certification test in Oak Forest.

43. California

An estimated 28.3% of adults in California have guns in their homes.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti shows the results of an anonymous gun buyback program in 2017.

42. Maryland

Guns are in the households of an estimated 30.2% of Marylanders. 

A woman practices holding a handgun at a National Rifle Association virtual shooting booth in National Harbor.

41. Delaware

An estimated 34.4% of Delaware adults share their homes with at least one firearm.

Revolvers are on display at Miller's Gun Center in New Castle.

40. Florida

An estimated 35.3% of adults in Florida live in homes with guns.

Brandon Wexler demonstrates with a weapon at the K&W Gunworks store in Delray Beach.

39. Ohio

In Ohio, 40% of adults have at least one firearm at home. 

Customers peruse the merchandise at a gun show in Mansfield.

38. Michigan

In Michigan, 40.2% of adults have at least one gun at home.

Here, armed protesters calling for an end to restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 gather outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing in April 2020.

37. Pennsylvania

An estimated 40.7% of Pennsylvanians have guns in their homes.

Gun salesman Nathan Palermo is shown here holding an AR-15.

36. New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, 41.1% of adults have guns in their homes.

A customer handles a shotgun in Merrimack. Sales doubled from 2015 to 2016, the store owner said.

35. Washington

Guns are in the households of an estimated 42.1% of Washington state residents.

Tiffany Teasdale, owner of Lynnwood Gun and Ammunition, demonstrates a Daniel Defense DD5 semi-automatic rifle on April 2, 2020. The store would not comply with Governor Jay Inslee's pandemic-induced closure of non-essential retail stores, Teasdale said.

34. Minnesota

An estimated 42.8% of Minnesotans share their homes with at least one firearm.

A Ruger .22 caliber semiautomatic and other guns are displayed on an American flag in Woodbury. 

33. Iowa

In Iowa, 43.6% of adults have guns in their homes.

High school students prepare for a trapshooting match in Osage.

32. Virginia

Around 44.6% of adults in Virginia have guns at home.

A protester wears a pistol on his hip during a "Unite the Right" demonstration in Charlottesville.

31. Indiana

In Indiana, 44.8% of adults have at least one firearm at home.

An NRA convention-goer holds a 24-karat-gold-plated Desert Eagle pistol at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

30. Colorado

An estimated 45.1% of adults in Colorado live in homes with guns.

Here, a Bush Master AR-15 semi-automatic rifle is displayed at Firing-Line gun shop in Aurora.

29. Nebraska

An estimated 45.2% of Nebraska adults have guns in their homes.

28. Wisconsin

Guns are in the homes of 45.3% of Wisconsinites.

A model walks the runway during the NRA Concealed Carry Fashion Show in Milwaukee.

27. Texas

In Texas, 45.7% of adults live in homes with guns.

A man carries a rifle with a Texas flag attached to it during a police-appreciation rally in Houston.

26. North Carolina

The report found that 45.8% of adults in North Carolina have guns in their homes.

Bret Reid shows off a Remington 700 hunting rifle and a Remington 1100 shotgun at Atlantic Outdoors gun shop in Stokesdale.

25. New Mexico

The gun-ownership rate in New Mexico is 46.2%.

Salesman Nathan Williams attends to customers at The Outdoorsman gun shop in Santa Fe.

24. Arizona

In Arizona, an estimated 46.3% of adults have guns at home.

Members of a self-appointed civilian paramilitary group prepare to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border near Arivaca.

22 (TIE). Utah

In Utah, around 46.8% of adults share their homes with guns.

The owner of Ready Gunman in Springville stands behind the counter at his shop.

22 (TIE). Maine

The study also found that 46.8% of adults in Maine have at least one gun at home.

Former Portland police chief Michael Chitwood holds a confiscated MAC-10 fully automatic pistol.

21. Nevada

An estimated 47.3% of Nevada adults have guns in their homes.

Country music star Miranda Lambert attends the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena with a small pistol attached to her shoe.

20. Missouri

In Missouri, 48.8% of adults have guns at home.

In late June 2020, Mark and Patricia McCloskey of St. Louis brandished guns at Black Lives Matter protesters. The couple said they were defending their home. They were later charged with one count each of unlawful use of a weapon, a felony.

19. Kansas

An estimated 48.9% of Kansas adults have firearms in their homes.

Assistant Kansas Attorney General Amy Hanley shows a jury a Ruger Redhawk gun during a 2013 murder trial.

18. Georgia

Around 49.2% of Georgians live in homes with guns.

Makenzie Wynn poses with a Black Rain Ordinance rifle at an NRA event in Atlanta. Her father snaps a photo.

17. South Carolina

In South Carolina, 49.4% of adults share their homes with at least one gun.

Mike Jones poses beside a display of weapons in a gun store in Simpsonville.

16. Vermont

An estimated 50.5% of Vermont adults have guns in their homes.

Police display drugs and guns confiscated in the state. 

15. Oregon

Guns are in the households of 50.8% of Oregonians.

Handguns are shown here at Roseburg Gun Shop in Roseburg.

14. Tennessee

In Tennessee, 51.6% of adults have guns in their homes.

Convention-goers look at Old West handguns at an NRA gathering in Nashville.

13. Louisiana

An estimated 53.1% of adults in the Bayou State have guns at home.

While her husband looks on, Madelie Sellers shoots a .45 caliber pistol at Precision Guns and Indoor Range in Baton Rouge.

12. Kentucky

In Kentucky, 54.6% of adults have firearms at home.

Christian Florea, 10, looks over an FN MK 48 machine gun at an NRA event in Louisville.

11. Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, 54.7% of adults have guns at home.

The founder and president of H&H Gun Range smiles at a Henry Golden Boy rifle at his store in Oklahoma City.

10. North Dakota

Guns are in the households of 55.1% of adults in North Dakota.

Rick Berg target shoots at the National Guard Armory in Bismarck.

9. South Dakota

An estimated 55.3% of South Dakota adults have guns in their homes.

A firearms instructor watches as State Rep. Sam Marty shoots a target at a law enforcement training facility in Pierre in 2014.

8. Alabama

An estimated 55.5% of adults in Alabama have guns at home.

Prince William County prosecutor Richard C. Conway holds the grip of a small gun during a 2003 trial.

7. Mississippi

In Mississippi, 55.8% of adults have guns at home.

Jake Driskell, a police officer and owner of Gun Guy Tactical, helps first-time shooter Katherine Huffman in Petal.

6. Arkansas

Around 57.2% of Arkansans have guns in their homes.

A North Little Rock gun shop displays a semi-automatic handgun and a holster.

5. West Virginia

An estimated 58.5% of West Virginia adults have guns in their homes.

Fortitude Ranch is a survivalist retreat in Mathias. Their motto is, "Prepare for the Worst... Enjoy the Present!" Here, the camp's chief operating officer stands next to a 50-caliber gun.

According to the camp's website, members can enjoy outdoor space for hiking or raising livestock as well as more than a dozen basement rooms, should people need protected from radioactive fallout. The facility also functions as a time share: Members can book the ranch for two weeks per year for family vacations.

4. Idaho

The study found that 60.1% of Idaho adults have guns at home.

3. Alaska

In Alaska, 64.5% of adults share their homes with at least one firearm.

Children shoot a rifle in Newtok.

2. Wyoming

In Wyoming, an estimated 66.2% of adults live in homes with guns.

The co-owners of Thunder Beast Arms Corp. prepare to shoot high-powered rifles at a range west of Cheyenne.

1. Montana

With 66.3% of adults living in homes with guns, Montana is the highest-ranking state on this list.