Hopefully the prosecutor will take this opportunity to drop the case.

"Come stand behind the barrel.", ha ha, nice try.

      

Does your state support your 2nd Amendment rights or make it exceedingly difficult to keep and bear arms? We've ranked the worst states to be a gun owner below. How? By analyzing each state's current laws, upcoming laws, concealed carry guidelines, self-defense statutes, and 2A-centric taxes in order to identify the worst states for gun owners in 2024.

Report Highlights:

• Hawaii is the #1 worst state for gun owners due to strict purchasing and carry laws, as well as defying the Supreme Court on the individual's right to carry.
• California is the #2 worst state for gun owners due to its permit-to-purchase and reciprocity laws.
• New York, Illinois, and New Jersey take the #3, #4, and #5 spot in our list of worst states for gun ownership due to strict purchasing and carrying requirements.
• North Carolina, Maine, and Ohio fall into spots #25, #24, and #23 due to new restrictive legislation with some relaxed carry laws.
• Some states rank lower than others due to excessive infringements, additional taxes, and the current Governor's 2A statements.
• State and local laws defining Stand Your Ground vs. Duty to Retreat vary and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Our ranking factors and how we weighed each of those factors are detailed here: "Ranking Factors: What Did We Measure?". Our sources are listed here. Without further ado, please scroll down to see how we ranked America's worst states for gun owners in 2024.



#25 North Carolina

You can open carry in many places in North Carolina as long as you're a resident and lawfully permitted to possess a firearm. However, you must obtain a concealed firearm permit, and not every city or county allows open carry without one. A North Carolina CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit) allows you to carry in 37 states, while travelers[1] from 48 states can conceal carry with their permits.

Unfortunately, you won't get a tax exemption on any firearms, ammunition, or accessories. But if you ever find yourself in a life-threatening situation, the state offers protection against civil and criminal liability[2].

The state legislature recently vetoed a bill for those who prefer to purchase firearms without additional steps, and residents no longer need permits to purchase firearms. However, Governor Roy Cooper did support the bill, so North Carolina's position on this list is a toss-up.

#24 Maine

Maine is an open-carry state[3] where anyone over 21 who is also legally allowed to possess a firearm can carry. In accordance with federal laws, only those over 21 can purchase handguns[4] in Maine, while those over 18 can purchase shotguns or rifles (which is pretty standard on this list).

You don't need to register your firearms in Maine, but you do have to sign an acknowledgement that you received a Safe Storage pamphlet with every purchase. Maine also offers tax exemptions[5] for safety devices such as safe storage boxes and trigger guards. However, the state also has yellow flag laws authorizing law enforcement to remove dangerous weapons[6] from perceived threats.

You can't own, possess, or purchase a firearm if you have a pending domestic violence charge[7], order of protection, or pending felony charges.

Recently, Governor Janet Hills switched from opposing gun control legislation to supporting it[8] after a deadly mass shooting. The governor now plans to implement statewide background checks and ERPOs (despite having one of the lowest gun-related death rates in the nation).

#23 Ohio

Ohio is a Constitutional carry state where anyone over the age of 21 can carry a firearm without a permit, as long as they aren't already prohibited from doing so. However, the state does issue CHLs (Concealed Handgun licenses[9]). These licenses allow gun owners to carry in 38 other states, and Ohio accepts travelers' permits from 49 states.

Firearms purchasers will still pay the standard sales tax rates and must pass a federal background check when purchasing a firearm from an FFL dealer. Those who sell guns regularly in Ohio (and everywhere else in the U.S.) must obtain an FFL or face federal charges.

Ohio law protects those in a life-threatening situation. For example, the prosecutor carries the burden of proof, and the state has both Castle Doctrine and stand-your-ground exceptions[10], with no duty to retreat.

Perhaps you're surprised to see Ohio on this list. Currently, Governor Mike DeWine[11] is asking the Ohio state legislature to enact more gun control measures (including tightening down on background checks and ERPOs) to keep gun owners from exercising their 2A rights.

#22 Nevada

Nevada is an open-carry state where anyone over the age of 18 can carry a firearm. Those who like to travel or prefer to conceal carry must apply for a CCW (the Nevada CCW does have many restrictions[12]). However, once obtained, you can carry a firearm in 33 states, and travelers coming from 27 states will find that Nevada honors their CCWs.

Private firearm sales in Nevada are still subject to background checks[13], but you don't have to register your guns. The state doesn't have safe storage laws, but it also doesn't give tax exemptions for firearms, ammunition, or accessories.

If you're in a situation where you must defend your life, Nevada's laws may protect[14] you from criminal prosecution. You have a right to stand your ground and no duty to retreat. Moreover, the state has a castle doctrine that protects reasonable acts of self-defense in the home.

Governor Steve Sisolak recently signed Red Flag legislation[15] and supports more restrictions on gun owners in the state. While Nevada isn't anywhere near the worst state for gun owners at the time of writing, it may head further down our list in the coming years.

#21 Virginia

Virginia is another open-carry state with many restrictions. For example, there's a long list of places[16] you can't legally carry a firearm, and you'll need the state's CHP to conceal a firearm. Furthermore, there are some districts where gun owners can't even open-carry, so be sure to look into local ordinances. If you do obtain a CHP, you can conceal carry and travel to 35 states (Virginia honors permits from 48 states).

Virginia doesn't require firearm registrations or permits to purchase firearms. However, even private sellers must seek out an FFL dealer to run a universal background check[17] to adhere to new laws. Gun owners in the state won't see any firearm-related tax exemptions either.

The state has some statutes supporting a castle doctrine with no duty to retreat[18] (if the situation is in your own home and you aren't the aggressor). However, the laws are quite flimsy with respect to personal defense scenarios.

Virginia was on the brink of Red Flag Laws; however, the new governor, Glenn Youngkin, opposes gun control measures[19] and tends to lean toward mental-health-related solutions.

Continue reading Worst States to be a Gun Owner (2024 Updated) on Ammo.com