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Compiled by |
Since state laws are subject to frequent change, this chart is not to be considered legal advice or a restatement of the law.
. . . . With over 20,000 "gun control" laws on the books in America, there are two challenges facing every gun owner. First, you owe it to yourself to become familiar with the federal laws on gun ownership. Only by knowing the laws can you avoid innocently breaking one.. . . . Second, while federal legislation receives much more media attention, state legislatures and city councils make many more decisions regarding your right to own and carry firearms. NRA members and all gun owners must take extra care to be aware of anti-gun laws and ordinances at the state and local levels.
. . . .The following chart lists the main provisions of state firearms laws as of the date of publication. In addition to the state provisions, the purchase, sale, and, in certain circumstances, the possession and interstate transportation of firearms are regulated by the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 as amended by the Firearms Owners' Protection Act of 1986. Also, cities and localities may have their own gun ordinances in addition to federal and state restrictions. Details may be obtained by contacting local law enforcement authorities or by consulting your state's firearms law digest compiled by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
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State |
Gun Ban |
Exemptions to NICS2 |
State Waiting Period-Number of Days |
License or Permit to Purchase |
Registration |
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Alabama |
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Alaska |
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Arizona |
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Arkansas |
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California |
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Colorado |
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Connecticut |
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Delaware |
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Florida |
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Georgia |
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Hawaii |
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Idaho |
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Illinois |
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Indiana |
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Iowa |
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Kansas |
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Kentucky |
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Louisiana |
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Maine |
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Maryland |
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Massachusetts |
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Michigan |
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Minnesota |
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Mississippi |
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Missouri |
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Montana |
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Nebraska |
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Nevada |
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New Hampshire |
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New Jersey |
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New Mexico |
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New York |
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North Carolina |
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North Dakota |
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Ohio |
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Oklahoma |
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Oregon |
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Pennsylvania |
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Rhode Island |
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South Carolina |
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South Dakota |
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Tennessee |
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Texas |
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Utah |
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Vermont |
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Virginia |
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Washington |
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West Virginia |
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Wisconsin |
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Wyoming |
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District of Columbia |
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State |
Record of Sale Reported to State or Local Govt. |
State Provision for Right-to-Carry Concealed15 |
Carrying Openly Prohibited |
OwnerID Cards or Licensing |
Firearm Rights Constitutional Provision |
State Firearms Preemption Laws |
Range Protection Law |
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Alabama |
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Alaska |
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Arizona |
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Arkansas |
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California |
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Colorado |
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Connecticut |
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Delaware |
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Florida |
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Georgia |
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Hawaii |
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Idaho |
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Illinois |
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Indiana |
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Iowa |
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Kansas |
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Kentucky |
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Louisiana |
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Maine |
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Maryland |
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Massachusetts |
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Michigan |
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Minnesota |
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Mississippi |
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Missouri |
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Montana |
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Nebraska |
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Nevada |
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New Hampshire |
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New Jersey |
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New Mexico |
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New York |
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North Carolina |
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North Dakota |
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Ohio |
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Oklahoma |
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Oregon |
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Pennsylvania |
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Rhode Island |
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South Carolina |
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South Dakota |
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Tennessee |
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Texas |
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Utah |
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Vermont |
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Virginia |
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Washington |
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West Virginia |
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Wisconsin |
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Wyoming |
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District of Columbia |
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Concealed carry codes:
R: Right-to-Carry: "shall issue" or less restrictive discretionary permit system (Ala., Conn.) (See also note #21.)
L: Right-to-Carry Limited by local authority's discretion over permit issuance.
D: Right-to-Carry Denied, no permit system exists; concealed carry is prohibited.Notes:
1. In certain cities or counties.
2. National Instant Check System (NICS) exemption codes:
RTC-Carry Permit Holders Exempt From Nics
GRTC-Holders of RTC Permits issued before November 30, 1998 exempt from NICS. Holders of more recent permits are not exempt.
L-Holders of state license to possess or purchase or fireaarms ID cards exempt from NICS.
O-Other, See Note 3.
3. NICS exemptions notes: Indiana: Personal protection and hunting and target permits; Mississippi: Permit issued to security guards does not qualify.; Texas: Texas Peace Officer license, TCLEOSE Card, is grandfathered only.
4. Chicago only. No handgun not already registered may be possessed.
5. Arkansas prohibits carrying a firearm "with a purpose to employ it as a weapon against a person." Tennessee prohibits carrying "with the intent to go armed." Vermont prohibits carrying a firearm "with the intent or purpose of injuring another."
6. Loaded.
7. New York City only.
8. A permit is required to acquire another handgun before 30 days have elapsed following the acquisition of a handgun.
9. Maryland subjects purchases of "assault weapons" to a 7-day waiting period.
10. May be extended by police to 30 days in some circumstances. An individual not holding a driver's license must wait 90 days.
11.Carrying a handgun openly in a motor vehicle requires a license.
12. Every person arriving in Hawaii is required to register any firearm(s) brought into the State within 3 days of arrival of the person or firearm(s), whichever occurs later. Handguns purchased from licensed dealers must be registered within 5 days.
13.Concealed carry laws vary significantly between the states. Ratings reflect the real effect a state's particular laws have on the ability of citizens to carry firearms for self-defense.
14. Purchases from licensed dealers only.
15. The state waiting period does not apply to a person holding a valid permit or license to carry a firearm. In Connecticut, a hunting license also exempts the holder, for long gun purchases. In Indiana, only persons with unlimited carry permits are exempt.
16. Connecticut: A permit to purchase or a carry permit is required to obtain a handgun and a carry permit is required to transport a handgun outside your home. District of Columbia: No handgun may be possessed unless it was registered prior to Sept. 23, 1976 and re-registered by Feb. 5, 1977. A permit to purchase is required for a rifle or shotgun. Hawaii: Purchase permits, required for all firearms, may not be issued until 14 days after application. A handgun purchase permit is valid for 10 days, for one handgun; a long gun permit is valid for one year, for multiple long guns. Illinois: A Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOI) is required to possess or purchase a firearm, must be issued to qualified applicants within 30 days, and is valid for 5 years. Iowa: A purchase permit is required for handguns, and is valid for one year, beginning three days after issuance. Massachusetts: Firearm owners must possess a Firearms Owner's ID Card (FID) or a license to carry. Handgun purchasers must have a (a) license to carry, or (b) purchase permit and an FID, or (c) purchase permit and proof of exempt status. A handgun permit is valid for 10 days. A long gun purchaser must have a carry license or FID or proof of exempt status. Michigan: A handgun purchaser must obtain a license to purchase from local law enforcement, and within 10 days present the license and handgun to obtain a certificate of inspection. Minnesota: A handgun transfer or carrying permit, or a 7-day waiting period and handgun transfer report, is required to purchase handguns or "assault weapons" from a dealer. A permit or transfer report must be issued to qualified applicants within 7 days. A permit is valid for one year, a transfer report for 30 days. Missouri: A purchase permit is required for a handgun, must be issued to qualified applicants within 7 days, and is valid for 30 days. New Jersey: Firearm owners must possess an FID, which must be issued to qualified applicants within 30 days. To purchase a handgun, an FID and a purchase permit, which must be issued within 30 days to qualified applicants, is valid for 90 days, are required. An FID is required to purchase long guns. New York: Purchase, possession and/or carrying of a handgun require a single license, which includes any restrictions made upon the bearer. New York City also requires a license for long guns. North Carolina: To purchase a handgun, a license or permit is required, which must be issued to qualified applicants within 30 days. Ohio: Some cities require a permit-to-purchase or firearm owner ID card.
17. Preemption through judicial ruling. Local regulation may be instituted in Massachusetts if ratified by the legislature.
18.Except Gary and East Chicago and local laws enacted before January, 1994.
19.Vermont law respects your right to carry without a permit.
20. California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City, and other local jurisdictions in New York, and some local jurisdictions in Ohio prohibit "assault weapons." Hawaii prohibits "assault pistols." Illinois: Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Morton Grove, Winnetka, Wilmette, and Highland Park prohibit handguns; some cities prohibit other kinds of firearms. Maryland prohibits several small, low-caliber, inexpensive handguns and "assault pistols." Massachusetts: It is unlawful to sell, transfer or possess "any assualt weapon or large capacity feeding device" [more than 10 rounds] that was not legally possessed on September 13, 1994. Ohio: some cities prohibit handguns of certain magazine capacities." Virginia prohibits "Street Sweeper" shotguns. The District of Columbia prohibits new acquisition of handguns and any semi-automatic firearm capable of using a detachable ammunition magazine of more than 12 rounds capacity. (With respect to some of these laws and ordinances, individuals may retain prohibited firearms owned previously, with certain restrictions.)
21. Local jurisdictions may opt out of prohibition.
22. Preemption only applies to handguns.
Last Updated on 4/14/99
| Posted: 1999-07-16 |
NRAILA.org is maintained for the NRA by
Homepage established 1994 by the NRA Institute for
Legislative Action
11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030