Gun violence in America has spiked since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The murder rate increased by a record of nearly 30% nationally in 2020, according to FBI data. In 2021, the gun death rate hit its highest level in nearly three decades, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
There have been 43,244 gun-related deaths as of Dec. 23, 2022, a decline from 45,091 murder rate may be declining slightly but the second worst for gun violence in nearly a decade. A strong majority of murders are committed with firearms, FBI data shows. Firearms are also used in other crimes, and often found at crime scenes. (These are the states where gun-related crimes are surging.)
The United States is awash with guns, at over 434 million as of 2020, according to the Firearm Industry Trade Association. Many firearms that are originally purchased legally end up being used in crimes or find their way to the black market. When firearms are found at crime scenes, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives goes through a process to trace the gun’s origin and try to determine who was last in possession of it.
According to the ATF, the first step in tracing a gun is determining the manufacturer and/or importer of the gun, which then leads to the holder of the original Federal Firearms License that sold the gun. From there the ATF finds firearm transaction records to identify the first purchaser and then investigate what that person did with the gun and whether it was still in their possession at the time a crime was committed. The firearm caliber traced the most often in every state is 9mm. It is the firearm caliber used the most to commit crimes in the U.S.
To identify the states where the most guns are traced by the federal government, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed firearm tracing data from the ATF. States are ranked by the number of firearms traced in 2021 for every 100,000 people in the state. We also reviewed data on firearm background checks from the FBI, which are often used as a proxy for gun sales. Background check data is also from 2021.
The majority of the states with the most firearm tracing are in the Southeast and Southwest. Interestingly, Montana, the state with the highest rate of adults living with a gun in their homes at 66.3%, is 32nd on the list.
Guns that are traced by the ATF are typically those found at crime scenes. These guns have either been used, or are suspected to have been used, to commit a crime. Though it is important to note that not all firearms used in a crime are traced.
Click here to see states where the most guns are traced by the federal government.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
50. Hawaii
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 7.6 per 100,000 people (110 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (21, 19.1% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (13, 11.8% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: 12 gauge (8, 7.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 1,228 per 100,000 people – the fewest (17,707 total)
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49. Vermont
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 35.9 per 100,000 people (232 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (72, 31.0% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (42, 18.1% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: 12 gauge (21, 9.1% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,985 per 100,000 people – 20th fewest (51,549 total)
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48. Maine
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 36.4 per 100,000 people (499 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (176, 35.3% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (65, 13.0% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .45 caliber (36, 7.2% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 9,415 per 100,000 people – 25th fewest (129,193 total)
47. Connecticut
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 44.3 per 100,000 people (1,596 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (647, 40.5% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (158, 9.9% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (149, 9.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,689 per 100,000 people – 16th fewest (277,250 total)
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46. Massachusetts
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 45.7 per 100,000 people (3,193 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,338, 41.9% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (291, 9.1% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (281, 8.8% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 3,712 per 100,000 people – 5th fewest (259,248 total)
45. Wyoming
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 49.8 per 100,000 people (288 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (79, 27.4% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (49, 17.0% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .45 caliber (24, 8.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 14,621 per 100,000 people – 7th most (84,624 total)
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44. New Hampshire
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 49.8 per 100,000 people (692 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (242, 35.0% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (72, 10.4% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: 12 gauge (56, 8.1% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 10,933 per 100,000 people – 16th most (151,853 total)
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43. New Jersey
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 50.1 per 100,000 people (4,640 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,905, 41.1% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (453, 9.8% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (421, 9.1% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 2,411 per 100,000 people – 3rd fewest (223,437 total)
42. New York
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 51.4 per 100,000 people (10,198 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (3,906, 38.3% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (1,065, 10.4% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (966, 9.5% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 2,342 per 100,000 people – 2nd fewest (464,575 total)
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41. Rhode Island
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 60.3 per 100,000 people (661 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (299, 45.2% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (69, 10.4% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (52, 7.9% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 3,463 per 100,000 people – 4th fewest (37,936 total)
40. Idaho
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 70.8 per 100,000 people (1,345 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (486, 36.1% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (163, 12.1% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .45 caliber (120, 8.9% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 14,402 per 100,000 people – 9th most (273,762 total)
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39. Washington
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 70.8 per 100,000 people (5,478 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,866, 34.1% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (638, 11.6% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: 12 gauge (428, 7.8% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 9,522 per 100,000 people – 25th most (736,846 total)
38. Minnesota
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 79.9 per 100,000 people (4,560 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (2,159, 47.3% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (404, 8.9% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (388, 8.5% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 16,563 per 100,000 people – 6th most (945,299 total)
37. Iowa
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 80.0 per 100,000 people (2,555 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,116, 43.7% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (307, 12.0% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (198, 7.7% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 8,352 per 100,000 people – 21st fewest (266,678 total)
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36. Utah
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 89.5 per 100,000 people (2,989 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,206, 40.3% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (389, 13.0% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (228, 7.6% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 35,398 per 100,000 people – 3rd most (1,181,564 total)
35. South Dakota
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 90.0 per 100,000 people (806 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (256, 31.8% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (129, 16.0% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: 12 gauge (78, 9.7% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 11,937 per 100,000 people – 14th most (106,881 total)
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34. West Virginia
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 93.7 per 100,000 people (1,671 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (586, 35.1% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (197, 11.8% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (157, 9.4% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 12,577 per 100,000 people – 12th most (224,240 total)
33. North Dakota
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 96.8 per 100,000 people (750 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (240, 32.0% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (112, 14.9% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: 12 gauge (68, 9.1% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 10,394 per 100,000 people – 21st most (80,546 total)
32. Montana
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 101.9 per 100,000 people (1,125 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (272, 24.2% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (175, 15.6% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: 12 gauge (88, 7.8% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 14,547 per 100,000 people – 8th most (160,640 total)
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31. Alaska
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 106.2 per 100,000 people (778 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (208, 26.7% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (102, 13.1% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .45 caliber (80, 10.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 12,449 per 100,000 people – 13th most (91,207 total)
30. Nebraska
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 111.1 per 100,000 people (2,181 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (731, 33.5% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (368, 16.9% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: 12 gauge (180, 8.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 4,618 per 100,000 people – 8th fewest (90,676 total)
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29. Arkansas
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 116.2 per 100,000 people (3,516 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,472, 41.9% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (411, 11.7% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (323, 9.2% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 9,541 per 100,000 people – 24th most (288,706 total)
28. Pennsylvania
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 117.1 per 100,000 people (15,186 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (6,895, 45.4% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,387, 9.1% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (1,286, 8.5% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 10,862 per 100,000 people – 17th most (1,408,165 total)
27. Wisconsin
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 119.1 per 100,000 people (7,021 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (3,575, 50.9% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (699, 10.0% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (531, 7.6% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 13,329 per 100,000 people – 11th most (785,856 total)
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26. Colorado
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 119.6 per 100,000 people (6,954 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (2,688, 38.7% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (676, 9.7% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (641, 9.2% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 10,819 per 100,000 people – 18th most (628,811 total)
25. Michigan
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 122.1 per 100,000 people (12,274 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (5,863, 47.8% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,521, 12.4% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (771, 6.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 9,661 per 100,000 people – 23rd most (970,990 total)
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24. Oregon
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 125.5 per 100,000 people (5,331 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,795, 33.7% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (723, 13.6% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (430, 8.1% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 10,695 per 100,000 people – 19th most (454,133 total)
23. Oklahoma
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 131.6 per 100,000 people (5,246 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (2,129, 40.6% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (541, 10.3% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (493, 9.4% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 10,448 per 100,000 people – 20th most (416,514 total)
22. California
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 137.0 per 100,000 people (53,761 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (21,437, 39.9% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (5,504, 10.2% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (4,989, 9.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 3,762 per 100,000 people – 6th fewest (1,476,073 total)
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21. Virginia
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 139.1 per 100,000 people (12,019 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (5,442, 45.3% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,409, 11.7% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (898, 7.5% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,583 per 100,000 people – 15th fewest (655,339 total)
20. Kansas
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 145.6 per 100,000 people (4,273 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,764, 41.3% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (450, 10.5% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (426, 10.0% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,843 per 100,000 people – 18th fewest (230,168 total)
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19. Kentucky
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 150.0 per 100,000 people (6,764 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (2,936, 43.4% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (693, 10.2% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (490, 7.2% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 85,334 per 100,000 people – the most (3,848,061 total)
18. Illinois
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 150.6 per 100,000 people (19,086 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (9,444, 49.5% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (2,325, 12.2% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .45 caliber (1,300, 6.8% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 66,879 per 100,000 people – 2nd most (8,474,505 total)
17. Indiana
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 151.6 per 100,000 people (10,316 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (4,799, 46.5% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,116, 10.8% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (805, 7.8% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 26,676 per 100,000 people – 4th most (1,815,531 total)
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16. Texas
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 153.6 per 100,000 people (45,351 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (21,189, 46.7% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (5,321, 11.7% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (3,289, 7.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 6,708 per 100,000 people – 10th fewest (1,980,753 total)
15. Maryland
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 157.5 per 100,000 people (9,710 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (3,689, 38.0% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (969, 10.0% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (861, 8.9% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 4,343 per 100,000 people – 7th fewest (267,753 total)
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14. Florida
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 157.6 per 100,000 people (34,331 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (14,889, 43.4% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (3,573, 10.4% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (3,015, 8.8% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,859 per 100,000 people – 19th fewest (1,711,685 total)
13. Mississippi
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 159.3 per 100,000 people (4,699 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (2,074, 44.1% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (530, 11.3% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (397, 8.4% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 10,960 per 100,000 people – 15th most (323,319 total)
12. Missouri
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 163.7 per 100,000 people (10,096 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (4,361, 43.2% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,348, 13.4% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .45 caliber (728, 7.2% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 10,282 per 100,000 people – 22nd most (634,191 total)
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11. Delaware
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 164.5 per 100,000 people (1,651 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (778, 47.1% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (158, 9.6% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (139, 8.4% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 6,884 per 100,000 people – 11th fewest (69,068 total)
10. Arizona
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 165.3 per 100,000 people (12,027 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (5,215, 43.4% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,119, 9.3% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (934, 7.8% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,748 per 100,000 people – 17th fewest (563,763 total)
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9. Alabama
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 174.5 per 100,000 people (8,797 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (3,851, 43.8% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,043, 11.9% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (735, 8.4% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 18,776 per 100,000 people – 5th most (946,271 total)
8. Ohio
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 175.9 per 100,000 people (20,723 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (10,531, 50.8% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (2,178, 10.5% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (1,560, 7.5% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,232 per 100,000 people – 12th fewest (851,887 total)
7. Georgia
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 188.5 per 100,000 people (20,356 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (9,708, 47.7% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (2,431, 11.9% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (1,509, 7.4% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,472 per 100,000 people – 14th fewest (806,912 total)
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6. New Mexico
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 191.9 per 100,000 people (4,060 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (1,577, 38.8% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (459, 11.3% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (317, 7.8% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 9,216 per 100,000 people – 23rd fewest (194,989 total)
5. South Carolina
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 205.4 per 100,000 people (10,661 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (4,872, 45.7% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,151, 10.8% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (861, 8.1% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 9,353 per 100,000 people – 24th fewest (485,487 total)
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4. Nevada
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 212.7 per 100,000 people (6,687 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (3,319, 49.6% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (619, 9.3% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (485, 7.3% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 5,934 per 100,000 people – 9th fewest (186,578 total)
3. North Carolina
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 217.2 per 100,000 people (22,918 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (9,554, 41.7% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (2,328, 10.2% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (1,861, 8.1% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 7,409 per 100,000 people – 13th fewest (781,733 total)
2. Tennessee
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 219.9 per 100,000 people (15,337 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (6,679, 43.5% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,933, 12.6% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .380 caliber (1,095, 7.1% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 13,828 per 100,000 people – 10th most (964,512 total)
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1. Louisiana
> Guns traced by the ATF, 2021: 296.3 per 100,000 people (13,702 total)
> Most traced firearm chamber: 9mm (5,727, 41.8% of total)
> Second most traced firearm chamber: .40 caliber (1,757, 12.8% of total)
> Third most traced firearm chamber: .22 caliber (1,033, 7.5% of total)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 8,680 per 100,000 people – 22nd fewest (401,345 total)
Methodology
To identify the states where the most guns are traced by the federal government, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on firearm tracings from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. States are ranked by the number of firearms traced in 2021 for every 100,000 people in the state.
Population data is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey. Data on specific firearm calibers tracings are also from the ATF.
Guns that are traced by the ATF are typically those found at crime scenes and are either have been used, or are suspected to have been used, to commit a crime. Though it is important to note that not all firearms used in a crime are traced.
We also reviewed data on background checks from the FBI, which are a proxy for gun sales. Background check data is also from 2021.
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