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2023 Gun Laws at a Glance

Sportsman's Warehouse maintains the following guide to firearm policies and regulations at all levels of government-federal, state, and local. We track gun laws across the nation as new legislation is proposed and implemented, to help you stay on the right side of the law when purchasing, using or transporting your firearm.

Overview of State Gun Laws

Because of the structure of US state and federal legislative bodies, gun laws vary hugely from state to state. In the US, firearms legislation is typically enacted at the state level. But, these state laws are entirely independent of existing federal firearms laws. The result is a huge mix of gun laws across the United States, with each state having its own policies and regulations on various aspects of gun ownership. This includes issues like permits, carry laws, self-defense laws, and even gun sales. In some areas, state firearms laws can even be less restrictive than US federal laws. Unfortunately, these state laws do not overrule federal laws. The result is an ambiguous situation wherein local and state law enforcement must use their own discretion as to whether they choose to enforce federal law or not. There have been many issues with this over the course of our nation’s history, but the Supreme court has ruled that local law enforcement is not obligated to enforce federal firearm laws.

Further, there are currently 40 states that have provisions similar to the Second Amendment of the Constitution. These provisions can be seen as state-level second amendments that protect the citizens of these states when it comes to firearms ownership.

Firearm Carry Laws

In the United States, there are two ways to carry a firearm -- concealed carry and open carry. These names are fairly self-explanatory. A concealed carry firearm is hidden from the view of others, while an open carry is visible to everyone.

States are able to determine for themselves how permits will be issued -- or if they will even be required to openly or concealed carry firearms. In theory, all 50 states allow citizens to carry firearms on their persons. However, some states like California and New York have made the application process so difficult that citizens are effectively banned from having handguns.

Concealed Carry

In the US, concealed carry laws can get fairly complicated. The federal government has attempted to simplify concealed carry laws by grouping states into three distinct categories. Until recently, there was a fourth category, but it was ruled to be unconstitutional. The remaining three categories are:

  • Unrestricted - Doesn’t require a permit to carry a firearm. Sometimes known as “constitutional carry”.
  • Shall Issue - Requires a permit to carry a firearm. Applicant has to meet certain minimum requirements like age, training, background checks, etc.
  • May Issue - A carry permit is required but the laws in some states may be impossible or impractical to comply with. For example, an applicant may be asked to demonstrate their need for a permit. It is then left to the discretion of local law enforcement whether or not this need is justified. Many states will not issue a permit to anyone. May Issue states are less and less common, with many court rulings overturning their restrictive firearm policies.

Open Carry

Open carry laws vary hugely from state to state. There are states that simply do not have a law, states that require a permit, and states that have a full and outright ban on open carry. Some states forgo open carry laws, instead opting for local authorities’ ordinances in regulating the open carry of firearms. Some states like Florida have conditional open carrying of firearms, allowing open carry while hunting or fishing. There are even some states which ban handguns from being openly carried, but not long guns.

Firearm Purchases

In some states, permits are required to purchase firearms. Depending on the state, these permits can cover handguns, long guns, or even simple ammunition. For example, Illinois requires buyers to have FOID cards to buy any firearm. While buyers can use a concealed carry permit for purchases, they must still have a valid FOID card. By federal law, background checks are required on all persons buying a firearm from a licensed dealer. These checks are processed through the NICS, or National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Private Sales

One controversial aspect of American gun laws is that background checks do not have to be conducted during the private sales of firearms. This loophole is quickly closing though, and there are currently 18 states which now require background checks for private sales. Typically, these firearm sales are required to be processed through local police or a licensed dealer. Some states only apply these laws to handguns, while others cover long guns as well.

The states that require a background check on private gun sales are Washington, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan, Massachusetts, Iowa, Illinois, Hawaii, DC, Delaware, Colorado, Connecticut, and California.

Firearms Registration

In the US, most states do not require the registration of guns. There is also no federal program to register guns. Under federal law, a national gun registry would be illegal and in fact, eight states currently have bans on any type of gun registry. There are, however, four states (and one district) that have their own registry for firearms: California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, and DC.

States with Official Gun Registries

  • California - Maintained by the California Department of Justice, this state registry keeps information on buyers, sellers, and firearms imported into California. This information includes serial numbers, fingerprints, names, and addresses. Guns owned before 1991 are not required to be registered with the state of California.
  • District of Columbia - In DC, all handguns and long guns are required to be registered. This registry is maintained through the Metropolitan Police.
  • Hawaii - All firearms (long guns and handguns) are required to be registered within a 5 day period from when they are purchased or imported into the state.
  • Maryland - Handguns and automatic weapons are required to be registered with state police.
  • New York - Only handguns must be registered, and it is a criminal offense to possess an unregistered handgun.

States That Collect Data on Gun Sales

Some states do not maintain registries on specific firearms, but instead, collect information on general firearm purchases and ownership.

  • Michigan - All handgun sales must be registered with local police.
  • New Jersey - Copies of all purchase permits are logged with the New Jersey state police.
  • Washington - Licensed dealers report all sales of handguns to local law enforcement and the state’s Department of Licensing.

Stand Your Ground Laws

Known commonly as “Castle Doctrines”, Stand Your Ground laws permit a gun owner to defend themselves with deadly force. Under the Stand Your Ground laws, a person has no duty to retreat in the presence of a threat. These types of laws exist in 27 different states, but they do vary from state to state. Depending on the state, they may address the degree of retreat, what types of places are covered, or if there is non-lethal force required before using deadly force.

Most Stand Your Ground laws have many or all of the following conditions:

  • An attempt to forcibly and illegally enter a business, vehicle, or residence.
  • The intruder must not have been provoked by the occupants.
  • The occupant(s) must have a reasonable belief that the intruder will either cause death or serious harm. Note: In a few states, Stand Your Ground laws can cover less serious offenses like burglary.
  • The intruder must be acting illegally.
  • These laws cannot be used against law enforcement while they are carrying out duties.
  • Occupants must be legally within a residence, business, or vehicle.
  • Stand Your Ground laws cannot be applied by fugitives or when aiding fugitives.

Gun Laws by State

In some states, permits are required to purchase firearms. Depending on the state, these permits can cover handguns, long guns, or even simple ammunition. For example, Illinois requires buyers to have FOID cards to buy any firearm. While buyers can use a concealed carry permit for purchases, they must still have a valid FOID card. By federal law, background checks are required on all persons buying a firearm from a licensed dealer. These checks are processed through the NICS, or National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Alabama Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is shall issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Gun must be in holster
Background check on private sale No No

Alaska Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background check on private sale No No

Arizona Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Arkansas Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted "when on a journey" (outside your county of residence)
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No license required
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

California Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is May Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes
Registration of firearm Yes Yes
Open carry allowed Yes Yes *Long guns and handguns can be openly carried in some rural counties.
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Magazine limited to 10 rounds. But Federal Court blocked ban in June 2017 so still unresolved.

Colorado Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes *No permit required. Cannot open carry in posted areas such as Denver
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer and Colorado Bureau of Investigation must approve tansfer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Magazine limited to 15 rounds.

Connecticut Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue due to Court rulings.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes There is a 14 day waiting period to purchase long guns.
Registration of firearm Yes Yes Sales and serial numbers are recorded. Does not apply to out of state sales.
Open carry allowed Yes Partial Requires permit for handgun. There is no law regarding long guns and open carry.
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Magazine limited to 10 rounds.

Delaware Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is May Issue. But operates like Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes

District of Columbia Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes N/A Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required Yes Yes
Registration of firearm Yes Yes Must be registered with Metropolitan Police.
Open carry allowed No No
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Magazine limited to 10 rounds.

Florida Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No Florida law bans any registration of firearms
Open carry allowed No No There are some exceptions such as when hunting or fishing.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Georgia Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes License required
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Hawaii Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is May Issue but operates as No Issue state
Purchase permit required Yes Yes
Registration of firearm Yes Yes
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Open carry of long guns allowed and no law against handguns but permits are never issued for handguns
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Permit required to purchase handgun. Will require background check to obtain permit.
Magazine size restriction Yes No Can not hold more than 10 rounds in handgun.

Idaho Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No *Non-residents require a permit to carry concealed within cities. Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Illinois Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes Yes Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required FOID Required FOID Required Purchases need a FOID card.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed No No
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Seller is required to verify purchasers FOID card.
Magazine size restriction No No

Indiana Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Permit is required
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Iowa Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No Carry premit can be used to purchase
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Permit is required
Background check on private sale No No Will need a permit to purchase or cary
Magazine size restriction No No

Kansas Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Kentucky Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Maine Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Maryland Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes N/A Policy is May Issue. Permits are difficult to obtain.
Purchase permit required Yes No Requires a handgun qualification license.
Registration of firearm Yes No Handguns and automatic weapons require registration with police.
Open carry allowed Yes No Requires carry permit for handgun but usually only police or security guards open carry.
Background check on private sale Yes Partial Sales must go through a licensed dealer or police.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Limited to 10 rounds. Possession of higher capacity magazine is legal if purchased out of state.
State preemption Yes Yes Most local laws are preempted by state laws but there are a few laws that are not.
Assault weapons banned Yes Yes There is a ban on certain models of firearms.

Massachusetts Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes Yes Policy is May Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes Carry permit or FID (firearm identification) required.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes No Permit required to open carry handguns. Open carry of long guns is illegal except when hunting
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Seller is required to verify the purchasers FID card.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Must not exceed 10 rounds.
Red flag law Yes Yes Firearms can be temporarily confiscated.
Owner license required Yes Yes FID license required.

Michigan Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No *If purchaser does not have a carry license and sale is not through a licensed dealer then they will need a permit.
Registration of firearm Yes No Must be registered with law enforcement.
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Permit required to open carry in vehicle.
Background check on private sale Yes No You must have a carry permit or handgun purchase license which both require a background check.
Magazine size restriction No No

Minnesota Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Residents of Minnesota can use a carry permit to purchase.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Permit required to openly carry handgun or long gun.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Mississippi Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted. No license required if firearm is carried in a purse, handbag, satchel, holsters and sheaths.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Missouri Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted. No permit is required however you can still obtain one. A permit will exempt the holder from laws passed by local authorities
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Montana Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No *You will need a permit if you want to carry a concealed firearm in a city or town. Policy is Unrestricted and Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Nebraska Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Carry permit or handgun certificate required.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Firearm must be visible in a vehicle. Can be restricted by local authorities.
Background check on private sale Yes No Need a carry permit to purchase which requires a background check.
Magazine size restriction No No

Nevada Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes If in a vehicle cannot be concealed on your person without a permit.
Background check on private sale Yes Yes *Voluntary, up to seller if they want to do a background check
Magazine size restriction No No

New Hampshire Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required. Long guns in vehicles cannot be loaded.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

New Jersey Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes Yes Policy is May Issue. Permits rarely issued to ordinary citizens.
Purchase permit required Yes Yes Handgun ammunition, rifles and shotguns require a purchaser ID card.
Registration of firearm Yes No Only handguns are required to be registered to you if purchased in State as a resident. Rifles/shotguns are not required to be registered.
Open carry allowed No Yes Carry permit is required for handguns.
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Purchasers of handguns require a permit to purchase. Purchasers of long guns need a firearms purchaser ID card.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Limit of 10 rounds for a semi-automatic rifle or handgun and 6 rounds for a semi-automatic shotgun.

New Mexico Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No *You only need a permit to conceal carry, open carry is legal with no permit. Policy is Shall Issue but operates as a limited Unrestricted state.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No Registration of firearms is voluntary.
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required
Background check on private sale Yes Yes
Magazine size restriction No No

New York Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required Yes No Policy is May Issue. Generally it is harder to obtain a permit closer to big NY cities.
Purchase permit required Yes No Outside New York city, Suffolk and Nassau counties permits to purchase a handgun are issued by County or State Supreme Court Judges.
Registration of firearm Yes No It is illegal to possess an unregistered handgun.
Open carry allowed No Yes Carry permit holders must carry their handgun concealed.
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Must be through a licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Limited to 10 rounds.

North Carolina Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required Yes No Carry permit or Pistol Purchase permit required.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale Yes No Will need a carry permit or purchase permit to buy a handgun which require a background check to acquire.
Magazine size restriction No No

North Dakota Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No Carry permit or Pistol Purchase permit required.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale No No Will need a carry permit or purchase permit to buy a handgun which require a background check to acquire.
Magazine size restriction No No

Ohio Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required but some restrictions in vehicles and liquor establishments.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Oklahoma Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Requires a carry permit for handguns.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Oregon Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Sales must be through a licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction No No

Pennsylvania Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes All places except Philadelphia or in a vehicle.
Background check on private sale Yes No All sales must be made through a licensed dealer or county sheriffs office.
Magazine size restriction No No

Rhode Island Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue and May Issue.
Purchase permit required No No Must pass a safety exam and then will be issued a "Blue Card" to purchase.
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes For handguns only if you have a permit issued by the Attorney General. No permit is required for long guns.
Background check on private sale Yes Yes
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes

South Carolina Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed No Yes
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

South Dakota Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Firearm must be clearly visible in vehicle.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Tennessee Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes Requires a permit for handguns. Long guns must be unloaded if openly carried.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Texas Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Utah Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue. A loaded handgun can be carried in a vehicle without a permit but a permit is required outside the vehicle.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required if gun is two actions from being fired. A permit is required if there is ammunition in the chamber.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Vermont Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Vermont has never issued or required gun permits.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Sales must be done through licensed dealer, unless sale is to family member.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes Longuns no more that 10 rounds, handguns no more than 15 rounds

Virginia Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale Yes Yes
Magazine size restriction No No

Washington Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required No Yes
Registration of firearm No No Firearms dealers must report all handgun sales to the police.
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required unless it is a loaded handgun in a vehicle. Long guns must be unloaded to openly carry in a vehicle.
Background check on private sale Yes Yes Sales must go through a licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction Yes Yes

West virginia Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Unrestricted
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Wisconsin Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit required to openly carry a handgun or long gun.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No

Wyoming Gun Laws

Subject Handguns Long Guns Notes
Permit required No No Policy is Shall Issue. Residents do not need a permit to open or conceal carry. Non-residents will require a permit to conceal carry. Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required No No
Registration of firearm No No
Open carry allowed Yes Yes No permit is required for residents or non-residents.
Background check on private sale No No
Magazine size restriction No No
 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not to be construed as legal advice or acted upon as if it is legal advice: it is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information. Gun laws can change frequently, especially at the state and local levels. Application of gun laws can be unique to an individual’s situation. We recommend that each individual consult with a competent and qualified legal professional before purchasing, transporting, or using any firearm or firearm-related product.

Last updated: 4/1/2023