Does your state support your 2nd Amendment rights or make it exceedingly difficult to keep and bear arms? Here’s your chance to find out!
We ranked the worst states for gun owners in 2025 by analyzing each state’s current laws, pending laws, concealed carry guidelines, self-defense statutes, and 2A-centric taxes. Continue reading to see where your state stands!
Jump to a state: AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY
Report Highlights:
- Hawaii is the #1 worst state for gun owners due to strict purchasing and carry laws, as well as defying the Supreme Court on the individual’s right to carry.
- Massachusetts is the #2 worst state for gun owners due to its permit-to-purchase and reciprocity laws.
- California, New York, and Illinois take the #3, #4, and #5 spots in our list of worst states for gun ownership due to strict purchasing and carrying requirements.
- Ohio, North Carolina, and Maine take spots #25, #24, and #23 due to new restrictive legislation with some relaxed carry laws.
- Some states rank worse than others due to excessive infringements, additional taxes, and the current governors’ 2A statements.
- State and local laws defining “stand your ground” and “duty to retreat” vary, and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
What Did We Measure?
Let’s take a moment to analyze which factors make a state the worst for gun ownership. If we only consider purchasing requirements, then we neglect carrying requirements and use of force thresholds. So, we came up with a list based on the following factors:
- Current gun laws
- Current purchase laws
- Current concealed carry weapon (CCW) guidelines
- Reciprocity between other states
- Sales tax
- Current governor’s voting history
- Stand your ground laws
Note: We are not lawyers and are not qualified to give legal advice. No information on Ammo.com is intended to be construed as legal advice. It’s essential to look at each state’s current local laws in addition to federal laws. For example, most states define “stand your ground” and “duty to retreat” differently. Explore the links below to better understand your state’s laws.
#25 Ohio
Ohio is a Constitutional carry state, where anyone over the age of 21 can carry a firearm without a permit so long as they aren’t already prohibited from doing so. However, the state does issue Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHLs). These licenses allow gun owners to carry in 38 other states, and Ohio accepts travelers’ permits from 49 states.
Firearms purchasers pay standard sales tax, and must pass a federal background check when purchasing a firearm from an FFL dealer. Those who sell guns regularly in Ohio (and everywhere else in the U.S.) must obtain an FFL.
Ohio law protects those in a life-threatening situation. For example, the prosecutor carries the burden of proof, and the state has both castle doctrine and stand-your-ground exceptions, with no duty to retreat.
Perhaps you’re surprised to see Ohio on this list. Although Governor Mike DeWine has signed several pro-gun bills, only so many states can make our Most Gun-Friendly States list. All states on that list have permitless carry for those 18 and older, whereas Ohio denies this right to those under 21.
#24 North Carolina
You can open carry in many places in North Carolina as long as you’re a resident, over the age of 18, and lawfully permitted to possess a firearm. However, you must obtain a concealed firearm permit, and not every city or county allows open carry without one. A North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) allows you to carry in 37 states, while travelers from 48 states can conceal carry using their permits.
Unfortunately, you won’t get a tax exemption on firearms, ammunition, or accessories. But if you ever find yourself in a life-threatening situation, the state does offer protection against civil and criminal liability.
Governor Josh Stein, the state’s former attorney general, is a staunch supporter of gun control, including ghost gun bans, safe storage laws, and enhanced background checks, while the state legislature is largely pro-2A. Compared to other states on this list, the future of North Carolina’s gun policy is uncertain, making the state one of the worst for gun owners.
#23 Maine
Maine is an open-carry state, where anyone over 21 who is also legally allowed to possess a firearm can concealed or open carry. Per federal law, only those over 21 can purchase handguns in Maine, while those over 18 can purchase shotguns or rifles (which is pretty standard on this list). This state honors permits from all 50 states, and a Maine Permit to Carry Concealed Handguns is honored in 29 other states.
You don’t need to register your firearms in Maine, but you do have to sign an acknowledgement that you received a safe storage pamphlet with every purchase. Maine also offers tax exemptions for safety devices such as safe storage boxes and trigger guards.
The state also has yellow flag laws authorizing law enforcement to remove dangerous weapons from perceived threats. You can’t own, possess, or purchase a firearm if you have a pending domestic violence charge, order of protection, or pending felony charges.
Governor Janet Mills switched from opposing gun control legislation to supporting it after a deadly mass shooting. Mills implemented statewide background checks and extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) despite governing a state with one of the lowest gun-related death rates in the nation.
#22 Nevada
Nevada is an open-carry state where anyone over the age of 18 can open carry a firearm, but must obtain a Concealed Firearms Permit at 21 and older to concealed carry. Those who prefer to conceal carry must apply for a CCW permit (the Nevada CCW permit has many restrictions). Those with a CCW permit can legally carry a firearm in 33 states. Travelers from 27 states will find that Nevada honors their CCW permits.
Private firearm sales in Nevada are subject to background checks, but residents don’t have to register their guns. The state doesn’t have safe storage laws, and it also doesn’t give tax exemptions for firearms, ammunition, or accessories.
If you’re in a situation where you must defend your life, Nevada’s laws may protect you from criminal prosecution. You have a right to stand your ground and no duty to retreat. Moreover, the state has a castle doctrine that protects reasonable acts of self-defense in the home.
Governor Joe Lombardo campaigned for the Second Amendment and vetoed three anti-2A bills early in his term. The governor also vowed to veto any anti-gun bill brought to his desk. Even so, several restrictions still apply, which is why the Silver State takes the #22 spot on our list of America’s worst states to be a gun owner.
#21 Virginia
Virginia residents 18 and older can open carry without a permit, and concealed carry with a permit at 21. There’s a long list of places where you can’t legally carry a firearm. Furthermore, there are some districts where gun owners can’t even open carry, so be sure to look into local ordinances. If you do obtain a CHP, you can conceal carry and travel to 35 states (Virginia honors permits from 48 states).
Virginia doesn’t require firearm registrations or permits to purchase firearms. However, even private sellers must seek out an FFL dealer to run a universal background check. Gun owners in the state won’t receive any firearm-related tax exemptions, either.
The state has some statutes supporting a castle doctrine with no duty to retreat (if the situation is in your own home, and you aren’t the aggressor). However, the laws are quite flimsy with respect to personal defense scenarios.
Virginia was on the brink of enacting red flag laws. However, the new governor, Glenn Youngkin, opposes gun control measures and tends to lean toward mental health-related solutions, whereas the state legislature supports gun control. The current governor’s voting history indicates strong support for gun rights. Should this trend continue, Virginia may perform better on our list.
Continue reading Worst States to Be a Gun Owner (2024 Updated) on Ammo.com