States With the Toughest Gun Laws

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

GoLocalPDX News Team & GraphIQ

Early in 2016, President Barack Obama sparked further debate on the gun control issue when he introduced a new set of executive orders aimed at reducing gun violence. Although the executive orders would bypass Congress, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., stated the rules “will no doubt be challenged in the courts.”

Regardless, it’s clear the subject of gun control will remain at the forefront of American politics and the 2016 election. With that in mind, InsideGov decided to examine the current gun control measures in place, using data from the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence ranks states by the relative overall strength or weakness of their gun laws, where higher scores — and therefore a higher grade — represent tougher gun laws. Laws that require background checks are weighted most heavily. Other considerations include dealer licensing, waiting periods and assault weapons bans. On each slide, we've visualized each state's score compared to the national average, which was calculated by averaging each state’s score.

The states with the toughest laws also tend to vote Democratic more consistently. However, no state received a solid A grade, and 26 states received F’s. We've excluded those 26 states on this list, ranking the remaining states from lowest to highest grade.

How does your state rank?

#24. West Virginia

Score: 18
Grade: D-

West Virginia may rank low in terms of overall gun control, but in 2015 Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed a bill that would have allowed people to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

#23. Indiana

Score: 19.5
Grade: D-

The relatively lax firearm laws in Indiana have led some to link them to gun violence in Chicago.

#22. New Hampshire

Score: 20.5
Grade: D

New Hampshire requires handgun dealers to obtain a state license, but does not extend the rule to dealers of rifles and shotguns.

#21. Nebraska

Score: 21.5
Grade: D

Nebraska differs from many states in that it gives local jurisdictions some control over firearm regulations.

#20. Virginia

Score: 22
Grade: D

Following the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, the state took greater measures to report mental health records and prohibit sales of firearms to any person who has been "adjudicated as a mental defective."

#19. Ohio

Score: 24
Grade: D

Ohio does not prohibit the sale of assault weapons nor limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time.

#18. Wisconsin

Score: 25
Grade: D

In a major blow to gun control advocates, Republican Gov. Scott Walker repealed the state's mandatory 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases in 2015.

#17. Iowa

Score: 29
Grade: C-

Iowa took steps to tighten gun control when it enacted child access prevention requirements upon gun owners.

#16. Colorado

Score: 29.5
Grade: C-

While Colorado requires licensed firearms dealers to process background checks, it does not impose limits on the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time.

#15. Michigan

Score: 30
Grade: C

Michigan gun control laws require firearm owners to report handgun purchases and theft of any firearm.

#14. Oregon

Score: 31
Grade: C

Oregon greatly strengthened its firearm regulations in 2015 when it enacted laws requiring background checks for all firearm purchases.

#13. Pennsylvania

Score: 35
Grade: C

Compared to other solidly Democratic states, Pennsylvania's gun control laws are relatively lax, with no requirements for firearm owners to obtain licenses or register their weapons.

#12. Minnesota

Score: 36.5
Grade: C

Although federally licensed firearms dealers must initiate background checks, Minnesota does not require private sellers to do so.

#11. Washington

Score: 47.5
Grade: B-

Washington requires all firearm dealers to obtain a state license, but does not mandate that individuals register their weapons.

#10. Delaware

Score: 50.5
Grade: B

Delaware has relatively strict gun control measures, including mandatory background checks and purchase restrictions on domestic violence misdemeanants.

#9. Rhode Island

Score: 58.5
Grade: B+

Rhode Island may have comprehensive gun control measures overall, but it still does not prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons.

#8. Illinois

Score: 60
Grade: B+

In addition to requiring background checks, Illinois has instituted some design safety standards for handguns.

#7. Hawaii

Score: 73.5
Grade: B+

In 2014, Hawaii had the lowest number of firearm-related deaths per 100K people. Gun regulation advocates have attributed this to its tight gun control measures.

#6. New York

Score: 81
Grade: A-

New York enacted major gun control reforms in 2013, including an expansion of the assault weapons ban and requirements for ammunition dealers to conduct background checks.

#5. Massachusetts

Score: 81.5
Grade: A-

Following the New York reforms, Massachusetts passed a comprehensive gun control bill in 2014 that increased firearm regulations.

#4. Maryland

Score: 82
Grade: A-

Among Maryland's firearm regulations are a ban on the transfer of certain assault weapons and a mandatory seven-day waiting period prior to the physical transfer of a firearm.

#3. New Jersey

Score: 86
Grade: A-

Republican Gov. Chris Christie may have shifted to the right on the issue of gun control, but his state still has some of the tightest firearm regulations in the country.

#2. Connecticut

Score: 86.5
Grade: A-

Connecticut's extensive gun control laws require firearms dealers to obtain a license and mandate background checks for all firearm sales at gun shows.

#1. California

Score: 93.5
Grade: A-

California takes the top spot as the state with the strictest gun control measures. Among the regulations in place are required background checks and limitations on the number of handguns an individual can purchase each month.

Gun Control Overview

The map below shows how each state ranks in terms of firearm regulations. Generally speaking, states that vote Republican tend to have less regulation on guns.

Research Political Issues at InsideGov

Related Slideshow: 10 Facts About Oregon Gun Laws

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Background Checks

Governor Kate Brown signed a bill into law in May that requires requiring background checks on private gun sales, according to Guns and Ammo Magazine.

"We have an obligation to protect Oregonians from gun violence," Brown said. "If we want to keep our kids, schools and communities safe, we must make it harder for dangerous people to get guns."

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Concealed Carry

According to the National Rifle Association's website, concealed carry of firearms is allowed in Oregon if the carrier has been issued a permit.

To get a concealed carry permit apply at your local sheriff's office, pass a background check, prove you're at least 21, demonstrate that you're competent with the weapon and you're good to walk around strapped.

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Mental Health Issues

In Oregon, people who've lost their gun rights because of mental health issues can petition to get them back, according to the Oregon Psychiatric Review Board.

The PSRB conducts relief hearings to determine if someone should again be permitted to own guns.

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Loaded Guns in Public

According to a description of Oregon gun laws on the NRA website, it is unlawful to possess a loaded firearm in a public building, which includes hospitals, capitol buildings, schools, colleges, courthouses or city hall. Exceptions are made if you have a concealed carry permit.

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Out of State Purchases

According to the NRA, Oregon residents are not limited to purchasing firearms in their own state. They may also purchase firearms in California, Idaho, Nevada or Washington

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Machine Guns

Oregon residents are permitted to own machine guns, as long as they are registered with the federal government, according to the NRA.

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No Permit Required

According to Laws.com, no permit is needed to own a handgun or a rifle in the state of Oregon

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Felons

According to the NRA website, most felons are not allowed to own or carry a firearm in Oregon.

There are exceptions, however. If the crime was later expunged from a person's record or downgraded to a misdemeanor, that person is able to own a gun.