State-by-State Breakdown: Gun Sales in 2024

By Melly Alazraki Published Oct 23, 9:10AM EDT

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State-by-State Breakdown: Gun Sales in 2024 — © 2011 Getty Images / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Many responsible gun owners feel it’s crucial to understand gun safety. However, according to Everytown Research & Policy, only nine states require future gun owners to take basic safety training.

Using data from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the most people bought guns in June 2024. States are ranked on the number of firearm background checks initiated through the NICS in June 2024 for every 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, and data on the number of age-adjusted deaths due to firearms for every 100,000 people is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While background checks do not correspond one-to-one with gun sales, they remain the best proxy of gun sales, and if anything, can be indicative of trends. In the first half of 2024, unadjusted background check figures nationwide (including territories) were about 13% lower than the same period in 2023, at 13.2 million versus 15.2 million. (Also see, Last Year’s Best Selling Guns in the US.)

Why This Matters

There are no official means to track legal gun sales. Therefore, firearm background checks remain the best estimates for gun sales, especially trends. Still, background checks have limitations, and now the measure may further change with the closing of the “gun show loophole.” Meanwhile, some checks are conducted without involving a sale, such as rechecks, confusing the matter further. With the presidential elections looming and the issue of gun rights and gun control always a hot topic, keeping apprised of trends in gun sales can help provide some context.

These are the states where the most people bought guns in the first half of 2024:

50. Hawaii

Hawaii+gun+shop | Waikiki Gun Shop and Indoor Range

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 5.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 7,142 (the lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 4.5 deaths per 100,000 residents (3rd lowest)
Total population, 2023: 1,435,138 (11th lowest)

49. New York

New+York+gun+store | New York City, Manhattan, Little Italy, 183 Grand St. : ' John Jovino Gun Shop '

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 7.9 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 155,185 (23rd highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 5.3 deaths per 100,000 residents (5th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 19,571,216 (4th highest)

48. New Jersey

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 8.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 81,100 (16th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 5.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (4th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 9,290,841 (11th highest)

47. Rhode Island

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 11.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 12,327 (2nd lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 3.1 deaths per 100,000 residents (the lowest)
Total population, 2023: 1,095,962 (7th lowest)

46. Nebraska

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 17.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 34,100 (7th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 12.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (14th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 1,978,379 (14th lowest)

45. California

California+gun+shop | Sporting Goods Store - Bridgeport, California

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 17.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 687,376 (2nd highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 8.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (7th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 38,965,193 (the highest)

44. Iowa

Iowa+gun+shop | Checking out guns at the gun shop

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 17.9 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 57,380 (11th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 11.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (10th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 3,207,004 (20th lowest)

43. Massachusetts

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 18.8 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 131,670 (24th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 3.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (2nd lowest)
Total population, 2023: 7,001,399 (16th highest)

42. Nevada

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 22.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 71,128 (13th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 18.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (15th highest)
Total population, 2023: 3,194,176 (19th lowest)

41. Maryland

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 22.5 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 139,302 (25th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 13.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (16th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 6,180,253 (19th highest)

40. Georgia

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 24.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 267,351 (11th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 19.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (14th highest)
Total population, 2023: 11,029,227 (8th highest)

39. Ohio

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 25.5 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 300,942 (8th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 15.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (25th highest)
Total population, 2023: 11,785,935 (7th highest)

38. Delaware

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 26.8 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 27,608 (4th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 11.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (12th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 1,031,890 (6th lowest)

37. Texas

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 26.9 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 820,439 (the highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 15.3 deaths per 100,000 residents (25th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 30,503,301 (2nd highest)

36. Louisiana

Al's Gun Shop, Lake Charles, Louisiana (Al A.H. Giertz) by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.

Al's Gun Shop, Lake Charles, Louisiana (Al A.H. Giertz) (CC0 1.0) by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 27.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 123,758 (23rd lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 28.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (2nd highest)
Total population, 2023: 4,573,749 (25th highest)

35. Washington

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 27.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 212,477 (20th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 12.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (15th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 7,812,880 (13th highest)

34. Florida

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 28.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 640,178 (3rd highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (18th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 22,610,726 (3rd highest)

33. Kansas

FN America pistol | Armor Piercing Pistol Isolated on White Background Right

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 28.5 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 83,792 (17th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 16.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (21st highest)
Total population, 2023: 2,940,546 (17th lowest)

32. Vermont

Florida Lawmakers Consider Concealed Carry For Firearms Without Permits

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 29.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 18,833 (3rd lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 12.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (13th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 647,464 (2nd lowest)

31. Virginia

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 29.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 254,172 (12th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (23rd lowest)
Total population, 2023: 8,715,698 (12th highest)

30. Kentucky

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 29.2 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 132,090 (25th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 18.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (16th highest)
Total population, 2023: 4,526,154 (25th lowest)

29. Indiana

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 31.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 213,730 (19th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 17.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (17th highest)
Total population, 2023: 6,862,199 (17th highest)

28. North Carolina

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 31.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 343,543 (7th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 16.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (20th highest)
Total population, 2023: 10,835,491 (9th highest)

27. Connecticut

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 32.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 115,661 (21st lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 6.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (6th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 3,617,176 (22nd lowest)

26. South Carolina

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 32.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 172,442 (21st highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 20.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (9th highest)
Total population, 2023: 5,373,555 (23rd highest)

25. Arizona

Two Guns, Arizona (CC BY 2.0) by Eric Friedebach

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 34.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 253,180 (14th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 20.1 deaths per 100,000 residents (12th highest)
Total population, 2023: 7,431,344 (14th highest)

24. Arkansas

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 34.4 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 105,662 (19th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 21.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (8th highest)
Total population, 2023: 3,067,732 (18th lowest)

23. Michigan

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 35.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 357,070 (6th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 15.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (24th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 10,037,261 (10th highest)

22. Maine

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 35.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 49,677 (10th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 11.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (11th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 1,395,722 (9th lowest)

21. New Mexico

Larry's Discount Gun Shop by Stefan Andrej Shambora

Larry's Discount Gun Shop (CC BY 2.0) by Stefan Andrej Shambora

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 36.9 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 78,086 (15th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 27.3 deaths per 100,000 residents (3rd highest)
Total population, 2023: 2,114,371 (15th lowest)

20. Missouri

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 37.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 229,540 (17th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 24.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (5th highest)
Total population, 2023: 6,196,156 (18th highest)

19. Mississippi

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 37.5 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 110,280 (20th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 29.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (the highest)
Total population, 2023: 2,939,690 (16th lowest)

18. Minnesota

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

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 37.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 216,360 (18th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 9.6 deaths per 100,000 residents (8th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 5,737,915 (22nd highest)

17. South Dakota

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 37.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 34,696 (9th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 15.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (24th highest)
Total population, 2023: 919,318 (5th lowest)

16. Tennessee

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 39.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 282,174 (10th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 20.5 deaths per 100,000 residents (10th highest)
Total population, 2023: 7,126,489 (15th highest)

15. Oklahoma

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 39.8 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 161,189 (22nd highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 19.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (13th highest)
Total population, 2023: 4,053,824 (23rd lowest)

14. North Dakota

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 40.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 31,612 (5th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 16.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (22nd highest)
Total population, 2023: 783,926 (4th lowest)

13. Illinois

State Of Illinois Passes Illinois Assault Weapons Ban

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 41.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 515,848 (5th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (20th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 12,549,689 (6th highest)

12. Utah

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 41.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 142,325 (24th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 13.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (17th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 3,417,734 (21st lowest)

11. Pennsylvania

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 41.9 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 542,515 (4th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.7 deaths per 100,000 residents (22nd lowest)
Total population, 2023: 12,961,683 (5th highest)

10. Colorado

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 42.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 247,135 (15th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 17.1 deaths per 100,000 residents (18th highest)
Total population, 2023: 5,877,610 (21st highest)

9. Wisconsin

Wisconsin+gun+shop | In Wisconsin, you get guns with your bikes

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 42.9 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 253,519 (13th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (19th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 5,910,955 (20th highest)

8. Alaska

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 47.1 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 34,574 (8th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 22.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (7th highest)
Total population, 2023: 733,406 (3rd lowest)

7. West Virginia

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 48.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 86,166 (18th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 16.2 deaths per 100,000 residents (23rd highest)
Total population, 2023: 1,770,071 (12th lowest)

6. New Hampshire

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 53.7 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 75,329 (14th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 10.1 deaths per 100,000 residents (9th lowest)
Total population, 2023: 1,402,054 (10th lowest)

5. Oregon

Oregon+gun+shop | Eugene, Oregon Gun Shop

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 54.6 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 231,028 (16th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 14.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (21st lowest)
Total population, 2023: 4,233,358 (24th lowest)

4. Alabama

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 55.3 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 282,653 (9th highest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 25.5 deaths per 100,000 residents (4th highest)
Total population, 2023: 5,108,468 (24th highest)

3. Wyoming

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 58.4 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 34,097 (6th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 20.4 deaths per 100,000 residents (11th highest)
Total population, 2023: 584,057 (the lowest)

2. Montana

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 59.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 66,831 (12th lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 23.9 deaths per 100,000 residents (6th highest)
Total population, 2023: 1,132,812 (8th lowest)

1. Idaho

Firearm background checks per capita, Jan-June 2024: 60.0 per 1,000 residents
Total firearm background checks, Jan-June 2024: 117,945 (22nd lowest)
Firearm mortality, 2022: 17.0 deaths per 100,000 residents (19th highest)
Total population, 2023: 1,964,726 (13th lowest)

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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