Guns and Hunting

This State Has the Most Gun-Related Crime

Browning pistol | Guns for sale
artas / iStock via Getty Images

24/7 Wall St. Insights

  • The rate of federal gun tracings ranges from about 20 for every 100,000 people to over 350 per 100,000.
  • While some states have strict gun laws, other states possess relatively lax regulations.
  • Also: Discover the next Nvidia 

Americans tend to take their Second Amendment right to bear arms quite seriously. In fact, about one-third of U.S. adults confess to owning a gun. Additionally, four in 10 adults live in a home alongside a gun. Despite the fact that the majority of gun owners say they primarily own the weapon for protection, only about half of Americans believe gun ownership increases safety. A whole 49% percent say guns do more to reduce safety, by allowing almost anyone to obtain such a dangerous weapon.

The United States is an incredibly large country, with each state possessing its own gun laws. While some states have strict gun laws, other states possess relatively lax regulations. According to Sitemark, the states with the most adopted gun safety policies are California, Illinois, and New York. Meanwhile, Mississippi is the state with the most relaxed gun policies.

Everytown Research & Policy’s website provides details on the type of gun laws and the rate of gun violence within each state. This information plays a role in understanding why a given state has or does not have a large number of guns circulating. Using the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) firearm tracking data, 24/7 Wall Street ranked states by the number of firearms traced by the ATF in 2022 for every 100,000 people. We also used population data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey calculations.

Across the 50 states, the rate of federal gun tracings ranges from about 20 for every 100,000 people to over 350 per 100,000. The top 15 states on this list alone account for nearly half of all federal firearm tracings in 2022, despite being home to only about 36% of the U.S. population — excluding territories and Washington, D.C.

While the concentration of federal firearm investigations varies considerably by geography, certain patterns hold up across the 50 states. For example, handguns—such as pistols, revolvers, and derringers—are far more likely to be used in a crime than rifles or shotguns.

More easily concealed than long guns, handguns accounted for over 50% of all federally traced firearms in 49 of the 50 states. In the majority of states, over 80% of the firearms traced by the ATF in 2022 were handguns. Not surprisingly, the bulk of all firearms traced are chambered for 9mm, .40 caliber, or .22 caliber ammunition — all popular handgun rounds.

Why We Are Writing About State Gun Ownership

Florida guns | Florida Lawmakers Consider Concealed Carry For Firearms Without Permits
Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Though the history of American’s right to possess arms dates back centuries, it remains at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Firearm possession is pivotal in many of our headlining new stories, for better or worse. It is a hot, albeit heavily nuanced, topic in both our private homes and our nation’s capital. To remain educated on the issues, we must seek to understand the laws of each state, the types of guns Americans choose, and the rate at which weapons are used for violence. Comparing data state-by-state is useful in this endeavor.

50. Hawaii

okimo / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 287
  • Per capita: 19.9 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (49.5%), rifles (29.6%), shotguns (13.2%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (54), .22 Cal and 12 GA (25 each), .45 Cal (16)

49. Vermont

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 299
  • Per capita: 46.2 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (64.5%), rifles (22.7%), shotguns (11.7%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (86), .22 Cal (35), and 12 GA (27)

48. New Hampshire

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 710
  • Per capita: 50.9 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (71.0%), rifles (18.3%), shotguns (8.7%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (267), .22 Cal (100), 12GA (50)

47. Massachusetts

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 3,665
  • Per capita: 52.5 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (82.9%), rifles (10.3%), shotguns (4.0%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (1,630), .40 Cal (329), .22 Cal (298)

46. Connecticut

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 1,917
  • Per capita: 52.9 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (83.6%), rifles (10.0%), shotguns (4.8%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (824), .40 (202), .22 Cal (161)

45. New Jersey

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 5,248
  • Per capita: 56.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (85.2%), rifles (8.2%), shotguns (5.2%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (2,388), .40 Cal (507), .22 Cal (416)

44. Wyoming

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 340
  • Per capita: 58.5 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (68.5%), rifles (20.6%), shotguns (9.4%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (94), .22 Cal (44), 12GA (25)

43. New York

New York | The skyline of New York City, United States
StockByM / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 11,987
  • Per capita: 60.9 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (82.1%), rifles (10.3%), shotguns (5.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (4,969), .380 (1,134), .22 Cal (1,126)

42. Idaho

vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 1,495
  • Per capita: 77.1 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (72.6%), rifles (17.5%), shotguns (8.1%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (508), .22 Cal (236), .40 (105)

41. Washington

LoweStock / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 6,191
  • Per capita: 79.5 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (75.9%), rifles (14.6%), shotguns (8.2%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (2,329), .22 Cal (680), .40 Cal (483)

40. Rhode Island

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 1,017
  • Per capita: 93.0 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (79.4%), rifles (12.7%), shotguns (5.7%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (426), .22 Cal (106), .40 Cal (86)

39. Minnesota

jimkruger / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 5,327
  • Per capita: 93.2 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (79.5%), rifles (12.1%), shotguns (7.5%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (2,433), .22 Cal (413), .40 Cal (399)

38. Iowa

pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 3,196
  • Per capita: 99.9 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (80.7%), rifles (10.4%), shotguns (7.0%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (1,536), .22 Cal (269), .380 Cal (220)

37. Maine

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 1,398
  • Per capita: 100.9 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (67.8%), rifles (20.0%), shotguns (10.4%)
  • Popular chambering: .22 Cal (297), 9mm Cal (205), .38 Cal (136)

36. Michigan

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 10,145
  • Per capita: 101.1 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (84.7%), rifles (9.6%), shotguns (4.7%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (4,748), .40 Cal (1,166), .45 Cal (604)

35. South Dakota

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 929
  • Per capita: 102.1 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (67.3%), rifles (21.5%), shotguns (10.1%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (318), .22 Cal (147), 12GA (64)

34. Utah

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 3,453
  • Per capita: 102.1 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (78.6%), rifles (13.9%), shotguns (6.5%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (1,473), .22 Cal (365), .45 Cal (251)

33. North Dakota

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 832
  • Per capita: 106.8 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (72.7%), rifles (16.8%), shotguns (10.0%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (308), .22 Cal (121), 12GA (65)

32. Nebraska

Miriam Bade / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 2,141
  • Per capita: 108.8 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (75.2%), rifles (14.5%), shotguns (8.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (896), .22 Cal (217), .40 Cal (181)

31. Arkansas

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 3,494
  • Per capita: 114.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (80.3%), rifles (12.2%), shotguns (4.7%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (1,486), .40 Cal (361), .22 Cal (289)

30. Montana

Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 1,305
  • Per capita: 116.2 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (64.1%), rifles (24.2%), shotguns (9.0%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (348), .22 Cal (180), .45 Cal (116)

29. West Virginia

ScottNodine / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 2,104
  • Per capita: 118.5 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (70.4%), rifles (19.1%), shotguns (9.4%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (705), .22 Cal (274), .380 Cal (165) 

28. Oregon

KingWu / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 5,586
  • Per capita: 131.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (71.1%), rifles (19.8%), shotguns (7.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (1,932), .22 Cal (736), .40 Cal (388) 

27. Pennsylvania

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 17,543
  • Per capita: 135.2 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (78.7%), rifles (12.9%), shotguns (7.0%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (7,898), .40 Cal (1,557), .22 Cal (1,522)

26. Colorado

pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 7,917
  • Per capita: 135.6 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (80.6%), rifles (12.1%), shotguns (6.3%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (3,377), .40 Cal (694), .22 Cal (650)

25. Wisconsin

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 8,007
  • Per capita: 135.9 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (86.1%), rifles (9.0%), shotguns (4.3%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (4,121), .40 Cal (718), .22 Cal (545)

24. Oklahoma

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 5,657
  • Per capita: 140.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (81.8%), rifles (12.2%), shotguns (5.0%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (2,350), .40 Cal (562), .22 Cal (516)

23. California

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 56,262
  • Per capita: 144.2 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (76.6%), rifles (15.2%), shotguns (6.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (22,580), .40 Cal (5,493), .22 Cal (4,914)

22. Kansas

Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 4,521
  • Per capita: 153.9 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (82.9%), rifles (10.0%), shotguns (6.1%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (2,016), .40 Cal (470), .22 Cal (333)

21. Illinois

franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 19,706
  • Per capita: 156.6 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (88.6%), rifles (6.0%), shotguns (3.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (10,031), .40 Cal (2,376), .45 Cal (1,263)

20. Florida

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 36,335
  • Per capita: 163.3 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (83.4%), rifles (8.9%), shotguns (4.0%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (16,508), .40 Cal (3,474), .380 Cal (2,815)

19. Alaska

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 1,200
  • Per capita: 163.6 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (79.2%), rifles (14.3%), shotguns (5.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (384), .45 Cal (119), .40 Cal (118)

18. Missouri

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 10,157
  • Per capita: 164.4 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (89.4%), rifles (6.5%), shotguns (3.1%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (4,635), .40 Cal (1,298), .45 Cal (714)

17. Delaware

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 1,676
  • Per capita: 164.6 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (83.5%), rifles (10.1%), shotguns (5.8%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (843), .22 Cal (153), .40 Cal (121)

16. Indiana

Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 11,320
  • Per capita: 165.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (84.2%), rifles (9.2%), shotguns (5.0%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (5,315), .40 Cal (1,202), .22 Cal (815)

15. Virginia

ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 14,465
  • Per capita: 166.6 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (82.5%), rifles (10.8%), shotguns (55.3%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (6,473), .40 Cal (1,635), .22 Cal (966)

14. Kentucky

Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 7,524
  • Per capita: 166.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (80.8%), rifles (11.0%), shotguns (5.1%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (3,247), .40 Cal (697), .22 Cal (633)

13. Ohio

Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 20,520
  • Per capita: 174.5 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (86.0%), rifles (7.3%), shotguns (4.1%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (10,242), .40 Cal (1,867), .380 Cal (1,527)

12. Maryland

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 11,137
  • Per capita: 180.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (75.1%), rifles (13.3%), shotguns (9.2%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (4,708), .40 Cal (1,046), .22 Cal (885)

11. Mississippi

traveler1116 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 5,353
  • Per capita: 182.2 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (83.8%), rifles (10.6%), shotguns (4.5%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (2,421), .40 Cal (609), .22 Cal (384)

10. New Mexico

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 3,955
  • Per capita: 187.1 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (79.9%), rifles (12.6%), shotguns (6.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (1,679), .22 Cal (343), 40 Cal (336)

9. Nevada

LPETTET / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 5,959
  • Per capita: 187.5 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (85.8%), rifles (8.9%), shotguns (4.2%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (3,026), .40 Cal (473), .22 Cal (420)

8. Texas

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 56,466
  • Per capita: 188.0 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (85.3%), rifles (8.3%), shotguns (3.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (27,952), .40 Cal (5,878), .380 Cal (3,838)

7. Arizona

dszc / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 14,019
  • Per capita: 190.5 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (80.0%), rifles (13.3%), shotguns (4.9%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (6,257), .40 Cal (1,215), .22 Cal (1,095)

6. Alabama

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 10,519
  • Per capita: 207.3 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (85.7%), rifles (9.2%), shotguns (4.3%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (4,597), .40 Cal (1,219), .380 Cal (804)  

5. Georgia

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 22,656
  • Per capita: 207.6 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (89.1%), rifles (6.9%), shotguns (3.4%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (11,578), .40 Cal (5,272), .380 Cal (1,533)

4. South Carolina

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 12,106
  • Per capita: 229.2 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (83.6%), rifles (8.4%), shotguns (4.7%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (5,573), .40 Cal (1,162), .380 Cal (905)

3. North Carolina

pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 25,085
  • Per capita: 234.5 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (81.0%), rifles (11.4%), shotguns (6.3%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (11,331), .40 Cal (2,333), .22 Cal (1,886)

2. Tennessee

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 17,182
  • Per capita: 243.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (83.7%), rifles (9.4%), shotguns (4.8%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (7,505), .40 Cal (1,886), .22 Cal (1,133)

1. Louisiana

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
  • Total traced in 2022: 16,235
  • Per capita: 353.7 per 100,000 people
  • Type: handgun (83.7%), rifles (10.5%), shotguns (4.4%)
  • Popular chambering: 9mm (7,498), .40 Cal (2,049), .22 Cal (1,000)

Cash Back Credit Cards Have Never Been This Good

Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers. A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges. See our top picks for the best credit cards today. You won’t want to miss some of these offers.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.