States Where The Most People Have Bought Guns So Far in 2025

By Melly Alazraki Updated May 28, 9:57AM EDT · Published May 10, 9:14AM EDT

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States Where The Most People Have Bought Guns So Far in 2025 — © GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images

In 2025, gun background checks are down compared to the same four-month period last year. Between January and April of 2024, firearm checks were at 4.6 million. However, during the first quarter of 2025, they are at 4.4 million, revealing a 4.3% decrease. Interestingly, this drop is a trend continuing from years prior. Figures from 2023 were below those of 2022. In 2024, 9.3 million background checks were conducted during quarter one, compared to 10.7 million in 2023 during the same timeframe. This represented a 13.4% drop. It is important to note that while background checks are the best proxy to gun sales, they remain but an estimate.

To determine the states where the most people have bought guns so far this year, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. States were ranked based on the number of firearm background checks initiated through the NICS from January 2025 through April 2025 per 1,000 residents. Background rechecks for existing gun permits were excluded. Population data is from the Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates program, while data on the number of age-adjusted deaths due to firearms per 100,000 residents in 2023 is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WONDER database.

The adjusted national firearm background check figure amounts to 20.5 checks per 1,000 residents. This figure varies considerably by state, from 2.9 per 1,000 residents in Hawaii to 35.4 per 1,000 in Idaho. Hawaii also has the fewest checks at just over 4,300, while Texas has the most checks at nearly 610,000 so far this year. Despite this, Texas has lower background checks per capita than the national average at 19.4 checks per 1,000 residents. (Also see: States With the Most Firearm Retailers.)

On the other hand, several states have a higher background check per capita figure than the national average, with checks in 10 states reaching over 30 per 1,000 residents. When it comes to gun deaths per capita, Mississippi has the most deaths per 100,000 residents at 28.6, while Massachusetts has the fewest at 3.8.

This post was updated on May 28, 2025 to provide the most up-to-date data.

Why This Matters

In the absence of a national gun registry that tracks the sale of every gun, firearm background checks provide the best estimates of gun sales, and especially of trends. Still, they have limitations. For example, not included in background checks are private sales, while periodic or similar rechecks where a purchase is not involved are included. The debate over gun rights and gun control has always been a hot topic for Americans, with debates flaring up with each mass shooting. Keeping apprised of trends in gun sales can help provide some context.

50. Hawaii

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 2.98 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 4,312
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 4.5 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 1,446,146

49. New York

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 4.43 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 88,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 4.7 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 19,867,248

48. New Jersey

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 4.42 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 42,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 4.5 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 9,500,851

47. Rhode Island

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 5.39 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 6,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 5.2 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 1,112,308

46. California

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 10.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 400,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 39,431,263

45. Nebraska

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 14.96 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 30,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 10.6 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 2,005,465

44. Massachusetts

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 4.90 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 35,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 3.8 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 7,136,171

43. Iowa

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 21.85 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 70,808
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 10.5 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 3,241,488

42. Nevada

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 55.33 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 180,730
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 17.0 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 3,267,467

41. Maryland

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-Apr 2025: 9.93 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-Apr 2025: 62,215
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 11.8 deaths per 100,000 residents
Total population, 2024: 6,263,220

40. Georgia

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 20.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 223,617
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 19.7 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 11,180,878

39. Ohio

National Shooting Sports Foundation Hosts Annual Trade Show In Las Vegas

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 44.4 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 527,579
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 15.6 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 11,883,304

38. Texas

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 19.4 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 610,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 15.3 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 31,290,831

37. Delaware

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 18.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 20,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 11.9 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 1,067,410

36. Washington

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 4.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 37,858
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 8,035,700

35. Louisiana

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 7.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 35,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 28.4 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 4,597,740

34. Florida

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 26.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 623,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 23,839,600

33. Kansas

Kansas+guns | Please Check All Firearms at the Greeter's Desk

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 32.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 96,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 15.9 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 2,970,606

32. Virginia

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 12.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 109,143
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 13.7 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 8,657,365

31. Kentucky

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 9.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 43,488
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 18.8 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 4,486,310

30. Vermont

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 7.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 4,045
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 534,000

29. Arizona

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 17.8 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 7,852,000

28. Connecticut

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 4.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 16,905
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 6.2 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 3,675,069

27. Indiana

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 10.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 70,276
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 18.7 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 6,924,275

26. North Carolina

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 22.5 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 248,535
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 16.4 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 11,046,024

25. South Carolina

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 6.4 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 35,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 19.1 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 5,479,000

24. Arkansas

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 24.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 72,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 21.9 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 3,000,000

23. Maine

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 14.2 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 1,405,012

22. Michigan

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 10.4 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 105,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 15.4 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 10,140,459

21. Missouri

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 20.8 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 6,245,466

20. New Mexico

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 27.3 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 2,130,256

19. Mississippi

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: Data not available
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 28.6 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 2,943,045

18. South Dakota

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 13.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 12,200
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 12.3 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 924,669

17. Minnesota

Bill's Gun Shop and Range (CC BY 2.0) by Eugene Kim

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 12.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 69,518
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 9.6 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 5,793,151

16. Utah

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 74.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 259,730
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 14.8 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 3,506,838

15. Tennessee

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 41.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 298,425
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 22.1 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 7,227,750

14. Oklahoma

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 5.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 22,761
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 19.9 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 4,095,393

13. North Dakota

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 29.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 23,090
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 13.0 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 796,568

12. Pennsylvania

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 23.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 304,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 14.0 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 13,078,751

11. Colorado

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 34.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 206,116
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 17.1 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 5,957,493

10. Alaska

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 44.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 32,857
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 22.4 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 741,147

9. Wisconsin

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 5.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 33,308
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 12.7 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 5,989,256

8. Illinois

State Of Illinois Passes Illinois Assault Weapons Ban

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 24.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 305,281
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 13.5 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 12,710,158

7. West Virginia

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 15.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 26,626
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 16.2 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 1,769,979

6. Oregon

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 7.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 31,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 14.4 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 4,272,371

5. New Hampshire

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 17.5 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 24,658
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 10.1 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 1,409,032

4. Alabama

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 27.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 140,000
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 25.1 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 5,157,699

3. Montana

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 32.9 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 37,519
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 23.9 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 1,137,233

2. Wyoming

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 55.4 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 32,857
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 22.1 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 587,618

1. Idaho

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan–Apr 2025: 35.4 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan–Apr 2025: 70,808
Firearm mortality rate, 2023: 17.9 deaths per 100,000 people
Total population, 2024: 2,001,619

About the Author Melly Alazraki →

Melly Alazraki worked in the finance world, on both the buy and sell sides, before turning to writing about it. Her work has been featured in Daily Finance, Aol.com, MSN Money, The Motley Fool, BloggingStock, and 24/7 Wall St.

Melly initially wrote about general stock market and economics news before becoming a specialist, covering the pharmaceutical beat for Daily Finance. Several of her articles have been cited in papers published in Cornell University Press, Berkeley Technology Law Journal, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and others.

Since joining 24/7 Wall St., Melly helped develop the site's data journalism side, focusing on economic, population trends, housing, and other topics.

Graduating with an honors commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, Melly uses her knowledge of economics, business, and experience to write data-supported pieces that aim to provide value and insight to readers.

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