Which U.S. State Earned an ‘F’ for the Weakest Gun Control Laws?

Wyoming is one of the handful of American states with the most lenient gun control policies. Unsurprisingly, Wyoming has a higher gun death rate than many states with stricter laws, coming in as the eleventh highest in 2022. The state also had the second highest gun suicide rate that same year. Additionally, firearms were the second leading cause of death for children. According to the Giffords Law Center, a gun violence prevention group, states with stricter gun policies report fewer firearm deaths.

An analysis by the Giffords Law Center found that Wyoming has the weakest gun control laws of any state in the country. Using data compiled by the Giffords Law Center, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Wyoming’s approach to 14 key gun control policy areas. It is important to note that the laws on this list are not exhaustive, and only represent broad guidelines. Legal nuances can also vary at the local level. Gifford’s Law Center assigned Wyoming a letter grade of “F”, on an A-F scale, for the strength of its gun control policies.

Why It Matters

With the exception of some modest revisions to background check protocols, the U.S. has not implemented any meaningful gun control reform in decades. Still, state governments also have the authority to enact their own policies, resulting in a patchwork of gun laws across the 50 states. Currently, Wyoming ranks as having the weakest state-level firearm regulations in the country.

Universal background check laws

• State policy: Under federal law, all gun buyers must undergo a background check before obtaining a firearm from a licensed retailer — but transfers made from unlicensed retailers are exempt from background check requirements. While many states have closed this loophole with universal background check laws, Wyoming has not.

Mental health reporting

• State policy: Wyoming is not required to report individuals involuntarily committed to undergo mental health treatment, or those who are living with a guardian to help manage their affairs, to federal background check databases.

Concealed carry of a firearm

• State policy: No permit is required to carry a concealed firearm in certain public places in Wyoming.

Handgun open carry regulations

• State policy: Open carry of handguns is permitted in certain public places in Wyoming.

Long gun open carry regulations

• State policy: In Wyoming, open carry of a long gun is permitted in certain public places.

Stand your ground laws

• State policy: Use of deadly force is permitted in public, if necessary, to prevent death or serious bodily harm — even if it is possible to step away from the incident.

Guns in schools

• State policy: In Wyoming, firearms can be carried in K-12 schools by school security officers, teachers, and other school employees who have been granted permission.

Mandatory waiting periods for firearm purchases

• State policy: There is no mandatory waiting period for firearm purchases in Wyoming.

Assault-style weapons

• State policy: Assault-style weapons, like those modeled after AK-47 or M-16 military rifles, are not regulated in Wyoming.

High-capacity magazines

• State policy: Wyoming does not regulate or restrict high-capacity magazines.

Licensing requirements

• State policy: Gun owners or prospective buyers do not need to obtain a permit in Wyoming.

State-level prohibitions on who can own firearms

• State policy: Wyoming does not meaningfully expand upon federal laws restricting access to firearms for certain individuals.

Minimum age requirements for handguns

• State policy: In Wyoming, individuals must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun. The state does not set a minimum age requirement for possession of a handgun.

Minimum age requirements for long guns

• State policy: In Wyoming, individuals must be at least 18 years old to purchase a long gun, like a rifle or shotgun. The state does not set a minimum age requirement for possession of a long gun.