Nearly 83% of Illegal Guns Recovered in This State Are Trafficked from Outside Its Borders

Guns and Hunting

Published: September 1, 2024 7:10 am

24/7 Wall St. Insights

24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the biggest gun trafficking problems in 2022, according to firearm tracing data from the ATF.
Rankings were based on the number of recovered guns that were determined to have come from out of state.
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According to The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), investigations revealed that from 2017 to 2021, nearly 230,000 firearms were being trafficked within the United States. Most of the trafficked weapons were handguns, while rifles came in second. These illegal weapons were sometimes involved in crimes including aggravated assault, homicide, and attempted homicide. Furthermore, 60% of recipients of the trafficked guns were convicted felons. While every state in the nation has illegal weapons recovered from out-of-state, some have much larger trafficking problems than others.

Ranking all 50 states, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the biggest gun trafficking problems in 2022, according to firearm tracing data from the ATF. Rankings were based on the number of recovered guns that were determined to have come from out of state. The number of firearms moved across state lines was more than 80% in some states.

Gun-related policies differ by state, which can help contribute to gun traffickers obtaining guns in states with less stringent laws and moving them across state lines to states with stricter gun policies. When a weapon is confiscated at a crime scene, officials look up the serial numbers to find where it originated. These ID numbers can help trace where the gun was originally purchased. ATF found that in 2022 alone, nearly a fourth of 400,000 confiscated guns were found outside of the original purchasing state.

Generally, states with strict gun laws see the most gun trafficking. For example, more than 1,000 guns were bought in Georgia (a state with no universal background checks) and recovered in New York (a state that places serious restrictions on guns). Gun violence prevention group Giffords Law Center assigned eight of the 10 top-ranking states on this list a letter grade of either “A” or “A-” for the strength of their gun laws. (Here is a look at every state’s grade on gun laws.)

Why We Are Covering Gun Trafficking

Gun regulations in the United States have been a major issue, dividing party lines for decades. They continue to be a huge point of contention during election periods. Gun trafficking across state lines is a large piece of the puzzle when it comes to weapons violence in America. The nation continues to see a rise in public shootings, tragically many of which involve schools and children. Without access to guns, states with strict gun control may seem like safer places to live. However, if a gun can be easily purchased in a nearby state and carried over, such laws seem to be rendered meaningless.

50. Alaska

Firearms from out of state recovered in Alaska, 2022: 12.9% (134 of 1,040 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Alaska, 2022: Washington; 17 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Alaska, 2022: California; 12 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Alaska, 2022: Arizona; 7 firearms
Alaska’s gun law strength grade: F

49. Texas

Firearms from out of state recovered in Texas, 2022: 13.6% (6,610 of 48,632 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Texas, 2022: Louisiana; 1,273 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Texas, 2022: Oklahoma; 480 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Texas, 2022: Mississippi; 452 firearms
Texas’s gun law strength grade: F

48. Ohio

Firearms from out of state recovered in Ohio, 2022: 15.0% (2,618 of 17,477 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Ohio, 2022: Kentucky; 484 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Ohio, 2022: Indiana; 232 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Ohio, 2022: West Virginia; 219 firearms
Ohio’s gun law strength grade: D-

47. Wisconsin

Guns (CC BY 2.0) by Michaela Pereckas

Firearms from out of state recovered in Wisconsin, 2022: 15.5% (1,065 of 6,872 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Wisconsin, 2022: Illinois; 168 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Wisconsin, 2022: Indiana; 89 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Wisconsin, 2022: Texas; 78 firearms
Wisconsin’s gun law strength grade: C

46. Virginia

Firearms from out of state recovered in Virginia, 2022: 15.7% (1,864 of 11,909 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Virginia, 2022: North Carolina; 293 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Virginia, 2022: Florida; 165 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Virginia, 2022: Georgia; 158 firearms
Virginia’s gun law strength grade: B+

45. Indiana

Firearms from out of state recovered in Indiana, 2022: 16.5% (1,554 of 9,434 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Indiana, 2022: Kentucky; 278 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Indiana, 2022: Illinois; 208 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Indiana, 2022: Ohio; 162 firearms
Indiana’s gun law strength grade: D-

44. Arizona

Firearms from out of state recovered in Arizona, 2022: 16.6% (1,972 of 11,885 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Arizona, 2022: California; 200 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Arizona, 2022: Texas; 186 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Arizona, 2022: New Mexico; 163 firearms
Arizona’s gun law strength grade: F

43. Alabama

Firearms from out of state recovered in Alabama, 2022: 17.2% (1,567 of 9,087 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Alabama, 2022: Georgia; 343 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Alabama, 2022: Mississippi; 263 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Alabama, 2022: Florida; 185 firearms
Alabama’s gun law strength grade: F

42. Georgia

Firearms from out of state recovered in Georgia, 2022: 17.9% (3,581 of 20,011 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Georgia, 2022: Alabama; 575 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Georgia, 2022: Florida; 519 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Georgia, 2022: South Carolina; 500 firearms
Georgia’s gun law strength grade: F

41. Missouri

Firearms from out of state recovered in Missouri, 2022: 19.3% (1,709 of 8,845 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Missouri, 2022: Kansas; 512 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Missouri, 2022: Illinois; 246 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Missouri, 2022: Texas; 111 firearms
Missouri’s gun law strength grade: F

40. Louisiana

Firearms from out of state recovered in Louisiana, 2022: 19.5% (2,629 of 13,468 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Louisiana, 2022: Texas; 857 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Louisiana, 2022: Mississippi; 520 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Louisiana, 2022: Georgia; 154 firearms
Louisiana’s gun law strength grade: F

39. South Carolina

Firearms from out of state recovered in South Carolina, 2022: 20.2% (2,084 of 10,331 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in South Carolina, 2022: North Carolina; 550 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in South Carolina, 2022: Georgia; 477 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in South Carolina, 2022: Florida; 129 firearms
South Carolina’s gun law strength grade: D-

38. Florida

Firearms from out of state recovered in Florida, 2022: 20.3% (6,150 of 30,327 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Florida, 2022: Georgia; 1,214 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Florida, 2022: Alabama; 560 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Florida, 2022: Texas; 437 firearms
Florida’s gun law strength grade: D+

37. Arkansas

Gun Play, Arkansas (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Rod Waddington

Firearms from out of state recovered in Arkansas, 2022: 20.9% (602 of 2,876 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Arkansas, 2022: Texas; 126 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Arkansas, 2022: Tennessee; 84 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Arkansas, 2022: Mississippi; 58 firearms
Arkansas’s gun law strength grade: F

36. Pennsylvania

Firearms from out of state recovered in Pennsylvania, 2022: 21.1% (2,701 of 12,772 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Pennsylvania, 2022: Georgia; 324 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Pennsylvania, 2022: Virginia; 271 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Pennsylvania, 2022: Ohio; 256 firearms
Pennsylvania’s gun law strength grade: B

35. New Mexico

Gun Wall (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Michael Saechang

Firearms from out of state recovered in New Mexico, 2022: 21.2% (674 of 3,181 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in New Mexico, 2022: Texas; 184 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in New Mexico, 2022: Arizona; 97 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in New Mexico, 2022: Colorado; 57 firearms
New Mexico’s gun law strength grade: C+

34. Oklahoma

Village Tactical Gun Store in ... by Wesley Fryer

Village Tactical Gun Store in ... (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

Firearms from out of state recovered in Oklahoma, 2022: 21.8% (1,033 of 4,749 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Oklahoma, 2022: Texas; 273 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Oklahoma, 2022: Arkansas; 96 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Oklahoma, 2022: Kansas; 90 firearms
Oklahoma’s gun law strength grade: F

33. New Hampshire

Firearms from out of state recovered in New Hampshire, 2022: 21.8% (126 of 579 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in New Hampshire, 2022: Maine; 25 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in New Hampshire, 2022: Massachusetts; 22 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in New Hampshire, 2022: Vermont; 11 firearms
New Hampshire’s gun law strength grade: D-

32. Michigan

Firearms from out of state recovered in Michigan, 2022: 21.8% (1,910 of 8,746 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Michigan, 2022: Ohio; 268 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Michigan, 2022: Illinois; 219 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Michigan, 2022: Kentucky; 175 firearms
Michigan’s gun law strength grade: B-

31. Iowa

IMG_4397 (CC BY 2.0) by Geoffrey Fairchild

Firearms from out of state recovered in Iowa, 2022: 22.3% (610 of 2,738 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Iowa, 2022: Illinois; 83 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Iowa, 2022: Texas; 48 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Iowa, 2022: Missouri; 46 firearms
Iowa’s gun law strength grade: F

30. Mississippi

Firearms from out of state recovered in Mississippi, 2022: 23.2% (1,071 of 4,625 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Mississippi, 2022: Tennessee; 272 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Mississippi, 2022: Louisiana; 199 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Mississippi, 2022: Alabama; 133 firearms
Mississippi’s gun law strength grade: F

29. Kentucky

Firearms from out of state recovered in Kentucky, 2022: 23.3% (1,413 of 6,067 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Kentucky, 2022: Indiana; 308 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Kentucky, 2022: Ohio; 226 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Kentucky, 2022: Tennessee; 191 firearms
Kentucky’s gun law strength grade: F

28. North Carolina

Firearms from out of state recovered in North Carolina, 2022: 24.6% (5,099 of 20,737 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in North Carolina, 2022: South Carolina; 1,411 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in North Carolina, 2022: Virginia; 801 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in North Carolina, 2022: Georgia; 533 firearms
North Carolina’s gun law strength grade: C-

27. Utah

Firearms from out of state recovered in Utah, 2022: 24.6% (711 of 2,888 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Utah, 2022: Nevada; 80 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Utah, 2022: Colorado; 54 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Utah, 2022: Idaho; 52 firearms
Utah’s gun law strength grade: F

26. Oregon

Firearms from out of state recovered in Oregon, 2022: 25.4% (1,084 of 4,263 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Oregon, 2022: Washington; 315 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Oregon, 2022: California; 135 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Oregon, 2022: Idaho; 113 firearms
Oregon’s gun law strength grade: A-

25. Colorado

The Business End Of The Stick by A Guy Named Nyal

The Business End Of The Stick (CC BY 2.0) by A Guy Named Nyal

Firearms from out of state recovered in Colorado, 2022: 25.8% (1,686 of 6,528 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Colorado, 2022: Texas; 273 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Colorado, 2022: Florida; 105 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Colorado, 2022: Wyoming; 100 firearms
Colorado’s gun law strength grade: A-

24. Minnesota

Firearms from out of state recovered in Minnesota, 2022: 26.3% (1,073 of 4,081 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Minnesota, 2022: Wisconsin; 176 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Minnesota, 2022: North Dakota; 91 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Minnesota, 2022: Texas; 75 firearms
Minnesota’s gun law strength grade: B

23. West Virginia

Firearms from out of state recovered in West Virginia, 2022: 26.8% (450 of 1,677 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in West Virginia, 2022: Ohio; 109 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in West Virginia, 2022: Kentucky; 51 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in West Virginia, 2022: Virginia; 48 firearms
West Virginia’s gun law strength grade: F

22. Washington

Firearms from out of state recovered in Washington, 2022: 27.1% (1,295 of 4,777 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Washington, 2022: Oregon; 279 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Washington, 2022: Idaho; 161 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Washington, 2022: Montana; 109 firearms
Washington’s gun law strength grade: A-

21. Vermont

Firearms from out of state recovered in Vermont, 2022: 27.2% (62 of 228 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Vermont, 2022: New Hampshire; 25 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Vermont, 2022: Florida; 6 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Vermont, 2022: Connecticut; 4 firearms
Vermont’s gun law strength grade: B-

20. Nevada

Firearms from out of state recovered in Nevada, 2022: 28.7% (1,403 of 4,894 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Nevada, 2022: California; 259 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Nevada, 2022: Arizona; 240 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Nevada, 2022: Texas; 110 firearms
Nevada’s gun law strength grade: B-

19. Montana

Firearms from out of state recovered in Montana, 2022: 28.8% (290 of 1,006 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Montana, 2022: Washington; 30 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Montana, 2022: Wyoming; 27 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Montana, 2022: North Dakota; 22 firearms
Montana’s gun law strength grade: F

18. Tennessee

Tennessee gun show gun shop | Pistol for sale in a gun store

Firearms from out of state recovered in Tennessee, 2022: 28.8% (4,044 of 14,023 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Tennessee, 2022: Mississippi; 1,096 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Tennessee, 2022: Georgia; 525 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Tennessee, 2022: Alabama; 296 firearms
Tennessee’s gun law strength grade: F

17. Maine

Firearms from out of state recovered in Maine, 2022: 29.2% (153 of 524 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Maine, 2022: New Hampshire; 31 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Maine, 2022: Massachusetts; 23 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Maine, 2022: Florida; 14 firearms
Maine’s gun law strength grade: D-

16. Kansas

Please Check All Firearms at t... by ryan harvey

Please Check All Firearms at t... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by ryan harvey

Firearms from out of state recovered in Kansas, 2022: 30.0% (1,145 of 3,823 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Kansas, 2022: Missouri; 551 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Kansas, 2022: Oklahoma; 89 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Kansas, 2022: Texas; 82 firearms
Kansas’s gun law strength grade: F

15. Delaware

Firearms from out of state recovered in Delaware, 2022: 31.1% (426 of 1,369 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Delaware, 2022: Pennsylvania; 132 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Delaware, 2022: Georgia; 46 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Delaware, 2022: Virginia; 43 firearms
Delaware’s gun law strength grade: B+

14. Idaho

Firearms from out of state recovered in Idaho, 2022: 31.3% (382 of 1,222 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Idaho, 2022: Washington; 61 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Idaho, 2022: Oregon; 59 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Idaho, 2022: California; 49 firearms
Idaho’s gun law strength grade: F

13. South Dakota

Firearms from out of state recovered in South Dakota, 2022: 32.4% (230 of 709 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in South Dakota, 2022: Nebraska; 22 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in South Dakota, 2022: Colorado; 15 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in South Dakota, 2022: Colorado; 15 firearms
South Dakota’s gun law strength grade: F

12. North Dakota

Firearms from out of state recovered in North Dakota, 2022: 34.7% (245 of 706 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in North Dakota, 2022: Minnesota; 37 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in North Dakota, 2022: Texas; 22 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in North Dakota, 2022: Montana; 21 firearms
North Dakota’s gun law strength grade: F

11. Rhode Island

Beretta Shotguns (CC BY 2.0) by big-ashb

Firearms from out of state recovered in Rhode Island, 2022: 35.9% (288 of 803 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Rhode Island, 2022: Massachusetts; 36 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Rhode Island, 2022: Georgia; 29 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Rhode Island, 2022: Virginia; 25 firearms
Rhode Island’s gun law strength grade: B+

10. Nebraska

Firearms from out of state recovered in Nebraska, 2022: 36.3% (660 of 1,820 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Nebraska, 2022: Iowa; 148 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Nebraska, 2022: Missouri; 51 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Nebraska, 2022: Texas; 50 firearms
Nebraska’s gun law strength grade: C-

9. California

Firearms from out of state recovered in California, 2022: 48.3% (16,073 of 33,304 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in California, 2022: Arizona; 4,512 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in California, 2022: Nevada; 2,309 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in California, 2022: Texas; 1,667 firearms
California’s gun law strength grade: A

8. Wyoming

Firearms from out of state recovered in Wyoming, 2022: 49.4% (129 of 261 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Wyoming, 2022: Colorado; 25 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Wyoming, 2022: Florida; 12 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Wyoming, 2022: Texas; 10 firearms
Wyoming’s gun law strength grade: F

7. Illinois

Firearms from out of state recovered in Illinois, 2022: 51.3% (7,874 of 15,353 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Illinois, 2022: Indiana; 2,521 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Illinois, 2022: Missouri; 1,005 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Illinois, 2022: Wisconsin; 650 firearms
Illinois’s gun law strength grade: A-

6. Hawaii

Waikiki Gun Club (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Andym5855

Firearms from out of state recovered in Hawaii, 2022: 51.7% (76 of 147 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Hawaii, 2022: California; 12 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Hawaii, 2022: Washington; 10 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Hawaii, 2022: Virginia; 7 firearms
Hawaii’s gun law strength grade: A-

5. Maryland

Firearms from out of state recovered in Maryland, 2022: 56.9% (4,044 of 7,103 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Maryland, 2022: Virginia; 1,172 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Maryland, 2022: Georgia; 411 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Maryland, 2022: North Carolina; 318 firearms
Maryland’s gun law strength grade: A-

4. Connecticut

Firearms from out of state recovered in Connecticut, 2022: 59.6% (805 of 1,351 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Connecticut, 2022: Georgia; 109 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Connecticut, 2022: South Carolina; 90 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Connecticut, 2022: Florida; 88 firearms
Connecticut’s gun law strength grade: A

3. Massachusetts

Firearms from out of state recovered in Massachusetts, 2022: 63.2% (1,504 of 2,381 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in Massachusetts, 2022: New Hampshire; 291 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in Massachusetts, 2022: Maine; 205 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in Massachusetts, 2022: Florida; 135 firearms
Massachusetts’s gun law strength grade: A-

2. New York

Firearms from out of state recovered in New York, 2022: 81.1% (6,620 of 8,158 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in New York, 2022: Georgia; 1,008 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in New York, 2022: Virginia; 684 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in New York, 2022: Florida; 652 firearms
New York’s gun law strength grade: A-

1. New Jersey

Firearms from out of state recovered in New Jersey, 2022: 82.8% (2,927 of 3,536 traced firearms)
Top source state for firearms recovered in New Jersey, 2022: Pennsylvania; 617 firearms
Second largest source of firearms recovered in New Jersey, 2022: Georgia; 469 firearms
Third largest source of firearms recovered in New Jersey, 2022: Virginia; 321 firearms
New Jersey’s gun law strength grade: A

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