" Most Armed States " ........

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I would have bet that the southern states would have had more on the list    I'm thinking if they could find out the gun owners that did'nt do NICS background checks to buy a gun the number of southern states on the list would be much higher.







1, Kentucky
Population:4,314,113
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents (Dec. 2008 – May 2010): 134,028

2, Utah
Population:2,784,572
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 30,315

3, Montana
Population:974,989
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 25,745

4, Wyoming
Population:544,270
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 22,827

5, Alaska
Population:698,473
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 22,273

6, West Virginia
Population:1,819,777
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 21,455

7, South Dakota
Population:812,383
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 19,062

8, North Dakota
Population:646,844
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 17,829

9, Arkansas
Population:2,889,450
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 17,483

10, Alabama
Population:4,708,708
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 16,860

11, Tennessee
Population: 6,296,254
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 16,684

12, Oklahoma
Population: 3,687,050
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 15,801

13, Idaho
Population: 1,545,801
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 15,764

14, Colorado
Population: 5,024,748
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 15,086

15, Missouri
Population: 5,987,580
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 14,712

16, New Hampshire
Population: 1,324,575
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 14,522

17, Mississippi
Population: 2,951,996
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 14,165

18, Illinois
Population: 12,910,409
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,879

19, Connecticut
Population: 3,518,288
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,783

20, New Mexico
Population: 2,009,671
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,408

21, Louisiana
Population: 4,492,076
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,329

22, Minnesota
Population: 5,266,214
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,285


23, Kansas
Population: 2,818,747
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 12,516

24, Washington
Population: 6,664,195
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 12,508

25, Pennsylvania
Population: 12,604,767
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 12,449

26, Oregon
Population: 3,825,657
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 12,059

27, Indiana
Population: 6,423,113
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,614

28, South Carolina
Population: 4,561,242
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,578

29, Maine
Population: 1,318,301
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,528

30, Virginia
Population: 7,882,590
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,134

31, Iowa
Population: 3,007,856
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,127

32, Nevada
Population: 2,643,085
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,115

33, Texas
Population: 24,782,302
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,936

34, North Carolina
Population: 9,380,884
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,411

35, Vermont
Population: 621,760
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,366

36, Georgia
Population: 9,829,211
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,200

37, Michigan
Population: 9,969,727
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,030

38, Wisconsin
Population: 5,654,774
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 8,534

39, Ohio
Population: 11,542,645
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 8,491

40, Nebraska
Population: 1,796,619
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 8,081

41, Arizona
Population: 6,595,778
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 7,954

42, Florida
Population: 18,537,969
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 7,510

43, Delaware
Population: 885,122
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 5,636

44, California
Population: 36,961,664
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 5,444


45, Maryland
Population: 5,699,478
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 4,040

46, Massachusetts
Population: 6,593,587
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 3,796

47, Rhode Island
Population: 1,053,209
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 3,504

48, New York
Population: 19,541,453
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 3,047

49, Hawaii
Population: 1,295,178
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 2,031

50, New Jersey
Population: 8,707,739
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 1,536

[Sludge]

Joe, that is skewed because us southerners already have entire arsenals collected.  Most of my gun buying happened years ago and I have inherited a ton of guns.  The good statistic (if ya could get it) would be number of guns per resident.  I would say that would tell the tale.

[Oss]

Isnt Kentucky a state where you can own a Tank, a 50 caliber machine gun or anything your heart desires?

Maybe I should retire there   when the time comes.

[Charlie]

I'm a little confused.  Kentuckys statistic is 134,028 per 100,000.  How do you check up on more people than you have?

[MNBill]

Don't forget Obama and Pelosi,,, I have no guns, I sold them all to a guy and  I do not remember his name. 

[Foozle]

I'm a little confused.  Kentuckys statistic is 134,028 per 100,000.  How do you check up on more people than you have?

I'm guessing the correct number is 34,028 per 100,000.  We like our guns here in the Bluegrass - but probably not quite to this extent!  Terry

[MNBill]

Stat is how many gun checks per 100000, not how many people they checked on. Alot of folks are buying multiple guns and a check is done each time.

[Spirited-6]

I'm guessing the correct number is 34,028 per 100,000.  We like our guns here in the Bluegrass

Terry, you are right on the numbers.  There are a LOT of CCDW class`s being taught in KY. Not long a go it was hard to find someone that would teach a CCDW class. Not any more, there are those stick in the ground signs all over with phone numbers for classes. I think twice before I call someone a A-hole for texing and driving with their head up, they might shoot me. Hell, I saw a 9 year old kid with his cell on one hip and a 38 on the other. KIDDING. 

[RedValk]

I would have bet that the southern states would have had more on the list    I'm thinking if they could find out the gun owners that did'nt do NICS background checks to buy a gun the number of southern states on the list would be much higher.



10, Alabama
Population:4,708,708
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 16,860

It's good to be ranked in the top 10.......    

[Pete]

Multiple guns can be bought on the same 4473 form with 1 NICS check, if bought at the same time.
Separate forms equals separate NICS check whether done on the same or different days.

[Kaiser]

Mental note....

...if I ever turn to a life of crime, do so in New Jersey.

[Serk]

Per the dates listed (Dec. 2008 – May 2010), this isn't most armed, this is "Most gun buying during the Obama gun buying panic"... As was stated elsewhere, us Southern people already had our arsenals...

[Daniel Meyer]

Per the dates listed (Dec. 2008 – May 2010), this isn't most armed, this is "Most gun buying during the Obama gun buying panic"... As was stated elsewhere, us Southern people already had our arsenals...

Muhahahaha! Good point!

[czuch]

Thats non private sales?
I dont have any guns. I dont believe in guns. I dont have the combination to that safe anymore. Its bolted to the floor from the inside and I cant get in it.
 Want some tofu surprise?

[Serk]

Another thing I forgot in regards to gauging gun ownership by NICS checks, the concealed carry license of many states acts as a waiver to NICS checks, so that if someone with a license is purchasing a firearm, there is no NICS check logged. So, states with high numbers of people licensed to carry, any firearms purchased by those people would not show in these numbers...

Personally, I don't WANT there to be any reliable indicator of how many people have firearms... Let 'em keep guessing, but never, EVER let 'em KNOW the exact number or locations of 'em!

[valkMJ]

PA is only #25?  That's so unfair.  They really need to break it down by area.  I'm sure in the suburbs of Philly and Pittsburgh the number of gun owners is fairly low.  But in Pennsyltucky (everywhere else in the state) I'm sure the population is quite well-armed.

I also agree with the "inheritance" issue of these numbers.  Only one of my guns was bought in the state.  The others I got from my pappy.  They wouldn't show up on this list.   

[9Ball]

Mental note....

...if I ever turn to a life of crime, do so in New Jersey.

Here in the peoples republic of NJ we have a mandated system where an application through the local police (if applicable) or the NJ State Police is needed for each handgun (up to 3 at any one time) that requires a full background check, not an instant check like the other more reasonable states.  I believe they run a final check through the NICS at the time of sale, but we have to produce a permit (4 part carbon form) signed by the Chief of Police for each handgun, and only one handgun per month.

It appears the libs have made it so difficult here that it discourages sales enough to put us in 50th place.  How I miss Colorado and Idaho where you went and bought what you wanted with just a few forms and a phone call to the NICS.

I have a feeling the actual number of handguns purchased each year in NJ is quite a bit higher than the NICS statistics show.


Be careful in the rural parts....there are actually a lot of rednecks here in South Jersey.  The rest of the state has the violent armed criminals, areas like Camden, Jersey City, and Newark.

[Gear Jammer]

Another thing I forgot in regards to gauging gun ownership by NICS checks, the concealed carry license of many states acts as a waiver to NICS checks, so that if someone with a license is purchasing a firearm, there is no NICS check logged. So, states with high numbers of people licensed to carry, any firearms purchased by those people would not show in these numbers...

Since I received my CHL (CCW) in Texas, I haven't had an NICS check done on me in 10+ years.  Won't say how many weapons I've purchased in that time. 

[GreenLantern57]

I personally know 200-300 families here in rural Texas that have min of 5 shotguns, 6 rifles, 3-8 handguns. This would have been WAY before all this background stuff.  Private sales are also not indicated here. My step-dad bought 6 pistols from a widow that had no heirs, but all the guns he husband left. He and his buddies gave her fair price for the goods though.

[Varmintmist]

PA is only #25?  That's so unfair.  They really need to break it down by area.  I'm sure in the suburbs of Philly and Pittsburgh the number of gun owners is fairly low.  But in Pennsyltucky (everywhere else in the state) I'm sure the population is quite well-armed.

I also agree with the "inheritance" issue of these numbers.  Only one of my guns was bought in the state.  The others I got from my pappy.  They wouldn't show up on this list.   

PA fields about 1 MILLION armed people the first day of deer. We are a class 3 state (full auto legal), open carry state, and there is no required class for CCW which we have had for longer than most states, other surveys have stated that PA contains more firearms per capita than TX.
For you southern boys, remember that it was a Pennsylvania long rifle before we moved to Kentucky

Serk said:

Another thing I forgot in regards to gauging gun ownership by NICS checks, the concealed carry license of many states acts as a waiver to NICS checks, so that if someone with a license is purchasing a firearm, there is no NICS check logged.

Not anymore. NICS is required for the purchase of a handgun at all times, and a long gun through a FFL, period.

[Big Rig]

Mental note....

...if I ever turn to a life of crime, do so in New Jersey.

Here in the peoples republic of NJ we have a mandated system where an application through the local police (if applicable) or the NJ State Police is needed for each handgun (up to 3 at any one time) that requires a full background check, not an instant check like the other more reasonable states.  I believe they run a final check through the NICS at the time of sale, but we have to produce a permit (4 part carbon form) signed by the Chief of Police for each handgun, and only one handgun per month.

It appears the libs have made it so difficult here that it discourages sales enough to put us in 50th place.  How I miss Colorado and Idaho where you went and bought what you wanted with just a few forms and a phone call to the NICS.

I have a feeling the actual number of handguns purchased each year in NJ is quite a bit higher than the NICS statistics show.


Be careful in the rural parts....there are actually a lot of rednecks here in South Jersey.  The rest of the state has the violent armed criminals, areas like Camden, Jersey City, and Newark.

+1 of course if I had any guns I would certainly register them all so I would be legal...

[Chrisj CMA]

Sumpthin aint right.  Florida is #42...........now if we are that un armed here in FL why, on any given day you go into most any gun shop, sporting good store that sells ammo and the shelves are bare.  I cant even imagine what it would be like in the top 5 states.........well, the gun shops have some ammo, but its usually the EXPENSIVE type..........if you want the everyday stuff like Winchester 125 grain semi jacketed soft points for your .357 that used to run $15 and now are $25-$35 for 50 rnds, they are gone..........I refuse to pay $40 for 25 PP rounds to go target shooting

On a brighter note I found a place on line....if you dont know about it, check it out  Cheaper than dirt, I get the catalog too.  S&W 500 rounds for 50% of what I could find in the store and and almost $20 less than even at the gun show.  $32 for 20.........well worth it too.........talk about stress relief.  If adrenalin is good for you and It must be cause we all need it so bad............5 rnds out of that 50CAL and you are AWAKE all day.   

[Serk]

Cheaper than dirt

They've got 2 stores too... One is about 40 miles from me, the other is 20 miles from me, depending on how much of a ride I feel like taking before I hit the range...

[fuzzy2bucks]

Looks like they forgot my personal armory