which states are the best and least restrictive for gun ownership?

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rod5591

rod5591

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Any analysis done on the best states for gun ownership, with the least restrictions and red tape?

Where a gun can be inherited, gifted, or privately transferred?

Where shotguns can be freely modified?

Etc.,

Which states are the free states?
 
Virginia is pretty "free", but I am not sure what you mean by modifying shotguns. Most laws about cutting them down and such are federal laws and have nothing to do with the state.
 
You have my vote for Idaho, no waiting periods and all the NFA items you can afford legally. As for shotguns I dont think its illegal to modify a shotgun anywhere as long as it follows the ATF rules but I might be wrong. Best of all the brady bunch rated us2 out of a hundred on gun laws only because we didnt pass the CCW on school grounds.

PS welcome to the forum
 
Vermont, Montana, Arizona and Alaska. All have no waiting periods and all have constitutional carry, (no CCW required for carrying OC or CC. I am actually not positive on Montana but I believe a law went through recently for constitutional carry. Although as another member pointed out barrel lengths are federal laws.
I have the amazing fortune to live in Vermont although the only problems are no silencers and no loaded long arms in a vehicle. The last one is just kind of annoying really.
 
Kentucky is very good on firearms. It does require a shall issue permit to carry concealed, but you can open carry, or even keep a firearm in a glove box or console w/o a concealed carry permit. You can own/use nfa items. No state restriction. We also have a pretty good preemption law.
 
I think I've read somewhere that Montana's "constitutional carry" has some big holes in it. The problem with Vermont is that they offer no carry permit, so once you leave the state you're screwed.

Arizona and Alaska have it right. I keep my Alaska permit current so that when I travel I can still be armed in most states. We have no gun laws, so only the federal prohibitions limit what you can buy.
 
I've noticed that many states where there is minimal red tape for carry, there can be nevertheless lots of regulations where you can't carry: bars, restaurants, houses of worship, police stations, sports events, nonsterile airport areas, private residences unless you have express permission, etc.

We in MA have a may-issue license system, and that is NOT great at all, but...

Once you have the license, you can carry except in schools and courthouses. Also, once you have been informed by someone who controls a property that no firearms are allowed on that property, you must leave.

VT seems to be similar in terms of having few designated "no carry" zones.
 
Look on the Brady Campaign's Website. They do a somewhat comprehensive analysis and rank the states based on the how restrictive their laws are. If you are looking for the least restrictive states, just look at the list from the bottom up.
 
Alabama is pretty good. Not many restrictions but CCW permit is required.We get a 16 out of 100 rating from the Brady Campaign to Deny the 2nd Amendment.
 
South Carolina is great. Give the cash to the gun shop owner, fill out your paper work, and a quick call to sled and you walk out with a new pieace.
Private sale is a breeze here to. I could buy a gun today and walk out side and sell it to the first person that wants it. I can buy a gun from any one wanting to sell and just have it transfered.
As far as modifying shotguns.....I think as long as the barrel is 18 inches you can do anything.
No mag cap restrictrions of any type.
The only limitation I know of is that, you can't buy more than 5 guns in 5 buisness days.
 
Here's the Brady scorecard: http://www.bradycampaign.org/xshare...0_Brady_Campaign_State_Scorecard_Rankings.pdf

From a "gun guy" perspective, you read it backwards. :)

It is oddly skewed as most gun folks will count certain facets (CCW, Title II stuff, AWB) as much more important than sales and record issues and the Bradys' way of counting puts states like IL too far down the list, and states like PA waaaaay too far up it.

But, it is a fair stab at figuring out where you might want to live. Pretty much any state under 30 "points" is good to go.
 
I really question their logic. CT in the top 5? I live in CT and don't feel very restricted. There is no "list" of banned guns, it's easy to get a pistol permit for concealed or open carry, FTF sales of long guns aren't regulated.
 
Yes. I feel the same way about PA, but if you go to the site and read the full scorecard (HERE) you can see which things they consider important which might push your state up the list even if they aren't particularly troubling to you.

There's stuff about selling guns with trigger locks, details of sales reporting, requirements for special state licenses for dealers, security systems required for dealers, etc. They're looking at a lot more than "shall issue" CCW, and no AWB.
 
oneounceload said:
Also add NV, FL, TX and GA to your list
Click to expand...

Florida and Texas? Where almost no unlicensed carry of a handgun available for self defense in public is allowed? That Florida and Texas?
 
Michigan is okay, but we have room for improvement :rolleyes:

Most long guns you can go in, hand over the cash, and walk out. I say most because some long guns are considered hand guns and require a purchase permit. An 18" barrel PGO or folding stock shotgun = hand gun purchase permit. 28" PGO pr full stocked shotgun = long gun, good to go. Folding stock AK, or collapsable stock AR = purchase permit. Fixed stock, AK/ AR = good to go. Antique cap black powder revolver = depends on it's purpose. If you ever plan to shoot it = pistol purchase permit. Otherwise = good to go.

We got a Brady score of 25. I hope in the future we can sell Detroit to Ohio, and get a bill that allows NFA items for the general public. We'll probably have to pawn Flint off on someone, too though. Maybe Canada?
 
@ dr b :what: I didnt think they allowed gun owners up there if you ever make it down to the Idaho falls area and wanna shoot some bunnies let me know
 
I'm gonna have to toss in Colorado, pretty dang sweet here IMO. Can open carry in the entire state except Denver and Boulder (local ordinances), can carry a loaded handgun in your car anywhere without a permit, can carry loaded long guns in vehicles too but the chamber must be empty (DOW requirement). CCW permits are "shall issue", which means if there's no reason to deny you then you should be approved no question, I know I was.
 
Just a bit of clarification on Alabama:

Permit is required only for concealed carry, and for vehicle carry. Not for purchase (instant check at FFL), no regulations on FTF transfer (unless you know/suspect the transferee to be ineligible). Open carry legal except for the same restrictions on CC, but some localities are still trying to make their own/uphold nonexistent laws in violation of preemption.

AFM
 
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