Gun Laws

GUN LAWS BY STATE

The Complete Guide

Welcome to the most comprehensive guide on gun laws by U.S. state!

We've built this guide to provide you with everything necessary to avoid legal problems with your gun and CCW.

Keep reading below for all the specifics...

STATES WITH

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DEADLY FORCE LAWS

STATES THAT

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BAN OPEN CARRY

STATES WITH NICS

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CHECK-PRIVATE SALES

STATES WITH

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FIREARM REGISTRY

Overview of State Gun Laws

America - the only country in the world where you are legally allowed to own a firearm. Our constitution has given you the absolute right to legally carry a weapon in all 50 states.

However - you must be aware that gun laws within the U.S. are very different between the states. Each state has the right to enact legislation that varies from the Federal law of the U.S. Constitution. Because of these state rights, there are wide variations to how each state views its gun laws, with each state taking a different approach to conceal carry, self-defense, and permit laws.

Some states can be more restrictive than others, and in most cases, it's up to local law enforcement about how they will enforce either the federal or local laws. Be warned though - the Supreme Court has ruled in Printz v United States that local municipalities are NOT obligated to enforce federal firearms laws, it's up to their discretion.

As you'll see below - there are a variety of states which do not overtly protect your rights to carry a firearm. However, there are 40 states which strict provisions that protect your right to bear and own firearms, which is nearly the same as the U.S. constitution.

Firearm Carry Laws

Fundamentally, there are only 2 options for carrying a firearm in the U.S. and below we'll go more into detail about these types, but for now, here are the basics:

Open Carry
Concealed Carry

Open Carry - This is a description for carrying a firearm that is visible to everyone in sight - like a gun in a holster not concealed by a shirt.

Concealed Carry - This describes a firearm that is NOT visible to those within a certain distance. The firearm is hidden from sight.

Now, each individual state determines how they'll issue permits, or if a permit will need to be required for concealing or open carry. Because of the U.S. constitution, all states should allow some form of carrying, but this is dependent on the discretion of the state. For instance, New York does not allow for open carry even if you own a CCW permit and are legally trained with a firearm.

We deem these states with a "May Issue" designation.

Open Carry

Open carry is a designation where you're allowed to carry a weapon in full visibility. Basically if a state has an open carry policy you're allowed to carry the weapon without a permit required.

But you need to be fully aware of the laws because there are certain states with strict designations about when and where you're allowed to openly carry. For instance, in Wisconsin you can open carry a long rifle with only a hunter safety course, but cannot openly carry a handgun.

California though will not allow for open carry under any circumstance, except for law enforcement.

Concealed Carry

There are 3 different issue policies or groupings for concealed carry. There was previously a designation called "No Issue" which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court for being unconstitutional. The 3 main categories include:

Unrestricted - This indicates you are unrequired to have a permit for carrying a firearm. This has also been designated as "Constitutional Carry"
Shall Issue - You're required to have a permit if you wish to carry a firearm. You will only need to meet minimum requirements like background check, age, or training. These requirements are set by the state.
May Issue - This is a designation for a state with very restrictive laws for getting a permit. To conceal carry within this state a permit is required, but we've gone ahead and indicated the various laws and complications you'll experience trying to get one. States like California, New York, and Hawaii are an example of states with restrictive laws requiring a thorough application on why you require a gun permit.

"May Issue" states are beginning to be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court because of unlawful discrimination towards citizens, but you must still be aware of these rules and laws to avoid any unnecessary fines or jail time.

Firearm Sales & Purchases

For ease of understanding, you should know that it has been left to the 50 states to determine the execution of permit issuance, or even if they'll require a permit to purchase a weapon from an authorized dealer.

There are some states which require a permit for purchasing any weapon, like a handgun or rifle. For instance, in Illinois, you're required to have what's called a FOID card for purchasing any ammunition or firearm.

One thing in common between all 50 states is they require some form of background check to purchase a weapon. Now the level of scrutiny that goes into the background checks varies from state to state. For instance, in Texas they require a copy of your photo ID only and for you to meet the minimum age along with no felonies to purchase a handgun.

Private Sales Loophole

One interesting thing about purchasing firearms in America is the loophole around private sales between 2 citizens. Background checks are NOT required for any private sale between 2 citizens. However, be aware that 18 states have decided to create legislation which extends background checks to private sales.

If you live in a state that requires this you must have your sale processed by a licensed firearm dealer or the local police. Below we've listed the states which require these background checks for private sales. They include:

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington

Firearm Registration

Firearm registration means that you as a citizen who lawfully owns a weapon are required by your state government to "officially" register your weapon. AKA you've got to associate your name with the ID marker tied to your gun, and this data is kept with the government.

Now, I but "officially" within quotation because even though most states do NOT require gun registration, they'll still track your weapon purchase by collecting sales data via your credit card.

This is a highly controversial topic within the United States and it's a law currently being discussed by the Supreme Court for release within the next 2 years.

Within 4 states there is a requirement for you to register your gun with the state police department.

The states are:

California, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, and the District of Columbia.

States With Gun Registries

These States Have Official Gun Registries

California - The California registry is regularly kept updated by the CDoJ or California Department of Justice. The information required includes full name, address, fingerprints and serial number of the weapon. However, if you've owned the weapon before 1991 you will not need to register it.
District of Columbia - Here you're required to register the serial number along with your name and address to the D.C. Police.
Hawaii - Same as California for information required except you the data base is maintained by the state, but Hawaii additionally requires a 5 day waiting period from purchase of the firearm before bringing home.
Maryland - this state only requires you to register an automatic weapon or handgun to the local police department.
New York - You're required to register a handgun only which ties the seriel number and your name and address together. If you possess a handgun without it registered you'll be subject to expensive fines. Please know there is a $3 fee associated with registering the weapon.

States That Collect Data on Gun Sales

Michigan - Handgun sales must be reported to your local police station.
New Jersey - You must provide a copy of the purchase permits to the New Jersey police. They will maintain the record of transfer or purchase.
Washington -All licensed dealers are required to deliver a report of handgun sales to the local police.

Stand Your Ground Laws

Castle Doctrine - or more commonly "Stand Your Ground" laws allow for individual citizens to defend themselves and their property with deadly force. Stand Your Ground laws specifically indicate you have no duty to retreat if in danger, and this law has been enacted within 27 states.

You must know there are variations between the states about what constitutes a stand your ground case. One example is they'll look into the possibility of using non-lethal force before the use of deadly force. Here are high-level conditions for Stand Your Ground:

An attempt to unlawfully enter an occupied residence or vehicle.
There must be reasonable suspicion by the occupants of a house that the intruder will cause bodily harm or death to the person.
The intruder cannot have been lawfully allowed to enter, or been provoked by the occupants.
You cannot classify law enforcement as intruders or leverage stand your ground laws against police. This includes forced entry for on-premise arrests

Duty to Retreat

The opposite of Stand Your Ground is called Duty to Retreat where you're legally required to first retreat if you're attacked. You can only use deadly force if there's no option for retreat or you would be put in further danger by retreating.

State Gun Laws in The USA

Gun Law Rating

5 stars is the friendliest.

Alabama

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	Firearm must be in holster
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No

Main article: Alabama gun laws
Alabama laws rating -

Alaska

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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No

Main article: Gun laws in Alaska
Alaska laws rating -

Arizona

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns
Permit required	No	No
Purchase permit required	No	No
Registration of firearm	No	No
Open carry allowed	Yes	Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Arizona gun laws
Arizona laws rating -

Arkansas

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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Arkansas gun laws
Arkansas laws rating -

California

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Permit required	Yes	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	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.

Main article: California gun laws
California laws rating -

Colorado

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 checks on private gun sales required	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.

Main article: Colorado gun laws
Colorado laws rating -

Connecticut

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Permit required	Yes	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	Yes	Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction	Yes	Yes	Magazine limited to 10 rounds.

Main article: Connecticut gun laws
Connecticut laws rating -

Delaware

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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	Yes	Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Delaware gun laws
Delaware laws rating -

District of Columbia

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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	Yes	Sale must be through licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction	Yes	Yes	Magazine limited to 10 rounds.

Main article: District of Columbia gun laws
District of Columbia laws rating -

Florida

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Florida gun laws
Florida laws rating -

Georgia

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	License required.
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Georgia gun laws
Georgia laws rating -

Hawaii

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	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.

Main article: Hawaii gun laws
Hawaii laws rating -

Idaho

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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Idaho gun laws
Idaho laws rating -

Illinois

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

Main article: Illinois gun laws
Illinois laws rating -

Indiana

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

Main article: Indiana gun laws
Indiana laws rating -

Iowa

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

Main article: Iowa gun laws
Iowa laws rating -

Kansas

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Kansas gun laws
Kansas laws rating -

Kentucky

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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.
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Kentucky gun laws
Kentucky laws rating -

Louisiana

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 but can be restricted by some local authorities.
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Louisiana gun laws
Louisiana laws rating -

Maine

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	No	No	Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required	No	No
Registration of firearm	No	No
Open carry allowed	Yes	Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Maine gun laws
Maine laws rating -

Maryland

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Concealed carry 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.
Permit needed for open carry?	Yes	No	Requires carry permit for handgun but usually only police or security guards open carry.
Background checks on private gun sales required	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.

Main article: Maryland gun laws
Maryland laws rating -

Massachusetts

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Concealed carry permit required	Yes	No	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 checks on private gun sales required	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.

Main article: Massachusetts gun laws
Massachusetts laws rating -

Michigan

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	No	You must have a carry permit or handgun purchase license which both require a background check.
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Michigan gun laws
Michigan laws rating -

Minnesota

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Minnesota gun laws
Minnesota laws rating -

Mississippi

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Mississippi gun laws
Mississippi laws rating -

Missouri

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Missouri gun laws
Missouri laws rating -

Montana

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Montana gun laws
Montana laws rating -

Nebraska

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	No	Need a carry permit to purchase which requires a background check.
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Nebraska gun laws
Nebraska laws rating -

Nevada

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes*	Yes*	*Voluntary, up to seller if they want to do a background check
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Nevada gun laws
Nevada laws rating -

New Hampshire

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: New Hampshire gun laws
New Hampshire laws rating -

New Jersey

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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	Registration of firearms is voluntary.
Open carry allowed	No	Yes	Carry permit is required for handguns.
Background checks on private gun sales required	Yes	No	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.

Main article: New Jersey gun laws
New Jersey laws rating -

New Mexico

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes*	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
Open carry allowed	Yes	Yes	No permit required.
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: New Mexico gun laws
New Mexico laws rating -

New York

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	Yes	Must be through a licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction	Yes	Yes	Limited to 10 rounds.

Main article: New York gun laws
New York laws rating -

North Carolina

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	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

Main article: North Carolina gun laws
North Carolina rating -

North Dakota

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	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

Main article: North dakota gun laws
North dakota rating -

Ohio

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 but some restrictions in vehicles and liquor establishments.
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Ohio gun laws
Ohio rating -

Oklahoma

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

Main article: Oklahoma gun laws
Oklahoma rating -

Oregon

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

Main article: Oregon gun laws
Oregon rating -

Pennsylvania

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	No	All sales must be made through a licensed dealer or county sheriffs office.
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Pennsylvania gun laws
Pennsylvania rating -

Rhode Island

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	No	Policy is Shall Issue and May Issue.
Purchase permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	Yes
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Rhode Island gun laws
Rhode Island Laws rating -

South Carolina

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	No	Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required	No	No
Registration of firearm	No	No
Open carry allowed	No	Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: South Carolina gun laws
South Carolina laws rating -

South Dakota

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: South Dakota gun laws
South Dakota laws rating -

Tennessee

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Tennessee gun laws
Tennessee laws rating -

Texas

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	No	Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required	No	No
Registration of firearm	No	No
Open carry allowed	Yes	Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Texas gun laws
Texas laws rating -

Utah

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Utah gun laws
Utah laws rating -

Vermont

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 checks on private gun sales required	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

Main article: Vermont gun laws
Vermont laws rating -

Virginia

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	No	Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required	No	No
Registration of firearm	No	No
Open carry allowed	Yes	Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Virginia gun laws
Virginia laws rating -

Washington

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	Yes	No	Policy is Shall Issue.
Purchase permit required	No	No
Registration of firearm	Yes	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 checks on private gun sales required	Yes	Yes	Sales must go through a licensed dealer.
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Washington gun laws
Washington laws rating -

West Virginia

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	No	No	Policy is Unrestricted.
Purchase permit required	No	No
Registration of firearm	No	No
Open carry allowed	Yes	Yes
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: West Virginia gun laws
West Virginia laws rating -

Wisconsin

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry 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 to openly carry a handgun or long gun.
Background checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No

Main article: Wisconsin gun laws
Wisconsin laws rating -

Wyoming

Subject	Handguns	Long Guns	Notes
Carry permit required	No	No	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 checks on private gun sales required	No	No
Magazine size restriction	No	No