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What Are the Best and Worst States for Second Amendment Fans?

Feb. 22, 2013 11:28am Mike Opelka

Do you live in a state that still holds high regard for the Second Amendment?

Image: Brady Campaign

The map seen above comes from the Brady Campaign, a group pushing for more stringent gun laws. Based on Brady’s scoring system, red states have the most relaxed laws when it comes to gun ownership. Green states are those with the toughest limitations for anyone hoping to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed gun rights.

The Brady group scores states on a variety of topics - things like state license requirements and background checks on all purchases. No state scores a perfect 100 with Brady, but California gets an 81, and that is before any new laws that will get put in place following the Sandy Hook massacre.

Image: Brady Campaign

At the top of Brady’s “best” (the most restrictive) states are:

California
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Massachusetts
Hawaii

Leading the “worst” list (according to Brady) are three states that might be considered the “best” states for gun owners. All three scored a ZERO on the Brady checklist. Getting a zero is probably like scoring 100 in the eyes of a firearms fan. Meet the “zeros”:

Arizona
Alaska
Utah

Rounding out the rest of the top 10 best states for gun ownership (based on Brady) appear to be:

North Dakota
Oklahoma
Florida
Wisconsin
Texas
Wyoming
Mississippi

If you are a gun owner, it is likely that you already know the laws in your state because you had to jump through whatever hoops required in order to secure a firearm. But what do you know about gun laws in the rest of the country?

If you have to move to another state, will you be able to bring your guns with you?
What about traveling with a gun? Can you drive across country with a weapon? (Air and train travel have specific limitations.)
If you have a concealed carry permit in one state, is it recognized in other states?

Considering concealed carry rights, unlike a drivers license, not every state respects or acknowledges the concealed carry permits from other states. If you are planning on moving or traveling to another state, and you want to bring your weapon(s) with you, it is wise to constantly look into the laws of the place you are going. At least one website is attempting to stay abreast of the changes in the laws.

The map below is all about “concealed carry” rights. The light blue colored states “shall issue” permits, the khaki-colored states are those that “may issue” ccw permits, the yellow states require that you be a resident of the state in order to get a carry permit. And the red states (there’s only one state – Illinois and the District of Columbia) are places where citizens cannot even apply for a carry permit.

Image: Handgunlaw.us website

(We do realize that the Illinois ban was overturned in December of 2012, and the state has 180 days to come up with a new plan. An appeal is expected soon.)

There’s even an iPhone and Android app called “legal heat” that you can download on your phone to carry every state’s concealed carry laws with you.

As changes to gun laws in states are constantly evolving, we recommend that you always keep up with the laws in your state and community.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (266)

rja444
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:28pm
Now they should do a map on crime and violence and then compare the two.

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Timberline
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:11pm
I wouldn’t put Texas on the list of “friendly” since they prohibit open carry.

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Mr F
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 6:01pm
It is interesting that Brady campaign lumps Pennsylvania with in with Maryland and Illinois. We are shall issue, we have to no training requirement for CCW, it is 20 dollars, and takes about 15 minutes at the county courthouse. We have castle doctrine and state preemption and If it wasn’t for the fact that our current governor and legislature has to fix all the crap that happened under the previous Democrap governor we would probably have constitutional carry.

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- Mr F
  Posted on February 23, 2013 at 6:55pm
  Not to mention the fact that there are things in their grading criteria that are wrong.
  
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azghost
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 5:57pm
I’m Proud and carry, thanks brady bunch. My family, home and self is safe.

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MaddieT
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 5:56pm
Connecticuty is where the shooting appened so strict gun laws meant nohting here. NY has a high murder rate, almost ass high as Illinois and it has a stirct gun law, can’t caonceal and carry there either. Illinois doesn’t have a particualrly hard gun law there but the city of Chicago, where you can’t buy a gun , has the highest muirder rate of all N.J doesn’t have a high murder rate over all but i fyou go to Newark o rtrenton and some other townas there it is beyond dangerous and plenty of guns. I ma sure obama has something he wants ot accomplish, it has nothing to do with crime in the streets, he couldn’t care less but his Homeland security is buying up million sof rtounds of bullets, the Army is having a hard time getting any so who knows what great thigns he has in store for us, I do know h eis not the brightest bulb in the b ox, he certianly doesn’t know anything about American so w ehave to stay storng and keep the faith, don’
t forget who we are and certainly don’t forget who they are. they are not us.

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USALOVER2011
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 5:41pm
@WHATMEWORRY-NEVER
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 1:24pm
The problem with Utah is all the non-Mormons that move there because of the culture then try to change it. I never understand why people are attracted to a spot, move there then try to change it to what they moved from, go back home if you want to bring your old ways. Every state I have lived in is great in it’s own way, well not Communist controlled ones like California, Illinois, New York and etc.

I strongly disagree with your “all non-Mormons” comment. There are some people that want to change Utah into whatever they want them to change into, but, I stay away from those type of people! My family and I are not Mormons, and some of my friends are not either. I will never ever try to change them, and none of my friends are not trying to change them either…. 99.9% of my neighbors are very religious, very involve at church and very family oriented, that’s what I love about them. My family and I, and most of my non-Mormons friends are the same way, except we go to Catholic church.
This is not the first time I heard someone making comments like this, and I wish people would stop saying “ALL non-Mormons” because you can’t be anymore wrong! By the way, we also love our GUNS and BIBLE.

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crazeedi
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 5:41pm
Pennsylvania sold more weapons and ammo than any other state last year-we may not have the best second ammendment statutes but I know we have the most guns!

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Hawaii_Conversative
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 5:07pm
In “The Republic of Hawaii” at least on the island of Oahu, “Rights Denied” – ALOHA

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jamespubliusmadison
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 4:59pm
please email support@theblaze.com if you’d like to read these TheBlaze articles from your phone app!

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OngoingFreedom
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 4:40pm
Handgunlaw dot us is a GREAT site, and I have (and use) Legal Heat as well. Interstate travel with your handgun can be hazardous to your legal status otherwise.

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Jones in CO
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 4:02pm
Please not that ‘may issue’ usually means ‘denied’

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historianMI
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:59pm
It is interesting, and perhaps instructive, that Illinois does not allow honest citizens to possess handguns (I don’t know their laws regarding rifles and shotguns), and at the same time thugs and dope gangs kill nine people every week. There seems a large disconnect here—-or else some unstated or hidden motive is involved here.

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Rageinthemachine
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:55pm
I am looking for a little clarity here from our Floridians. If I have a CCW from another state, can I carry concealed in Florida if I am not a Florida resident?

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- OngoingFreedom
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 4:42pm
  Not a Floridian but I can answer your question.
  
  It…depends. It depends on whether or not Florida recognizes it. Get the Legal Heat app or go to Handgunlaw dot us to see..
  
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SistaTriscuit
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:41pm
I love my state, Wyoming. We don’t need no steeeeeenking permit to carry concealed in the Cowboy State, baby. The 2nd Amendment IS our permit to carry concealed here.

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- Mad Engineer
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 5:03pm
  Agreed. I would move home if I could find a job there in my field as my current job in Oklahoma. That being said, the laws in Oklahoma are OK by me….. :)
  
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2bfree
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:34pm
I thank God that I’m on the worst list.

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- USALOVER2011
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 10:10pm
  You are…. are you serious? Or you’re just kidding!
  
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EDC1911
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:33pm
I wholeheartedly disagree with Alabama being in the orange zone. We have more lax gun laws than texas even. I’ve traveled a bit, and trust me, Alabama is where it’s at if you’re a gun-owner. We might be a “may issue” state but in practice it’s “shall issue”. Our gun permits are $7.50 and no class or anything required, it’s awesome

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EDC1911
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:31pm
Add your comments

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Hammernsickle
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:25pm
Yep! My state made the grade! Utah is awesome! It is very reserved and conservative, but it’s tough to find a freer place. I can carry my 7.5″ barreled .44 mag on my hip, pump gas and walk right into the station, and guess what, NO dirty looks from anyone. Very often you can spot a pick-up truck with at least two guns in the gun-rack in the rear window. A majority of citizens here are gun owners, and a majority of them own multiple fire arms. I personally know several people who own upwards 100 to 200+ firearms. We aren’t afraid or paranoid, we just love freedom. And this state is definitely prepared to fight for it. May I suggest that if you’re a hardcore leftist, this ain’t the place for you!!

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flysail
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:20pm
Here in Colorado… the libs want women to pee on their attackers to stop their attack…. If that really worked they would ban high capacity bladders and put a mandatory background check to buy a box of depends.

I believe in Pro -Choice:

A Rapist and a Woman with a .45

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Firefight
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:13pm
………VT is the least restrictive in the nation by far. No permit needed for anyone to carry and no real restrictions aside from federal ones.
And as bad as CT is, It’s much better than MA, NY. and NJ.At least you can drive through the state with your sidearm. And if you have a carry permit you can open carry as well. Notice it is a carry permit and not a concealed carry permit because in CT it is your choice to open or conceal carry. Although the lefties get really freaked out about it ;)

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:17pm
  Actually, Alaska, Wyoming and Arizona have Constitutional carry as well, and very good Castle Doctrine laws too boot. At one time though, Vermont was the Gold Standard regarding carry. Other states are catching up, and hey, that’s a good thing!
  
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- SistaTriscuit
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:43pm
  We need no permit here in Wyoming to carry concealed, and the Castle Doctrine is alive and well here.
  
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- SistaTriscuit
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:44pm
  And yes, it’s a very good thing that other states are finally catching up to VT, GhostOfJefferson!
  
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FuturePresident
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:11pm
Haha apparently they forgot my sweet home of Vermont on the ‘worst list’ cause we invented Vermont carry of which I am a proud participant. I love our laws, I can go into a bank, pick up my brother from high school (without entering a building/bus), or even walk around with my AK47 locked and loaded without breaking any laws. Gotta love this state.

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:18pm
  Well, I can do that in Ohio too, and if it’s not concealed, I don’t need any license or “permission”. I walk in my bank all the time with my 1911 on my hip for the world to see, nobody blinks an eye. :)
  
  I do like your lack of concealed carry requirements though.
  
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- FuturePresident
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:58pm
  haha yeah, I can carry open or concealed, no license, registration…it’s great. Definitely cuts down on what would be large expenses for me :P Thank you founders of Vermont, it is greatly appreciated
  
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ORACLE12389
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:08pm
I’m in that crappy red eye sore on the map, good news is that their ban was ruled unconstitutional, and we have to have conceal carry by June.

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TX_45_ACP
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 2:45pm
The Brady Campaign – Attempting to aid Communists takeover the US, one state at a time.

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Anadara
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 2:38pm
This map is a very good analog to show the level of gun violence in the US.

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mtnhimike
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 2:33pm
Where is Mr. Heston when we need him ?

We need more like him speaking out……you will have to pry my gun from my cold dead hands….

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on February 22, 2013 at 3:19pm
  He’s dead. He was also on record as supporting the AWB. When he did the “cold dead hands” speech originally, he hoisted a black powder musket. Sorry, but while he had a nice voice and everything, he really blew it when he caved on the AWB.
  
  Give me the somewhat more nutty but oh so fun Ted Nugent any day of the week. :)
  
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