Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Gun Laws

Compendium of State Firearms Laws

Friday, July 9, 2010

Click here for a PDF version of this document (1.6 MB)

Compendium of State Firearms Laws

Compiled by NRA Institute for Legislative Action 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Since state laws are subject to frequent change, this chart is not to be considered legal advice or a restatement of the law.

With extensive gun control laws on the books in America, there are two challenges facing every gun owner. First, you owe it to yourself to become familiar with the federal laws on gun ownership. Only by knowing the laws can you avoid innocently breaking one.

Second, while federal legislation receives the most media attention, state legislatures and city councils make many more decisions regarding your right to own and carry firearms. NRA members and all gun owners must take extra care to be aware of anti-gun laws and ordinances at the state and local levels.

The following chart lists the main provisions of state firearms laws as of the date of publication. In addition to the state provisions, the purchase, sale, and, in certain circumstances, the possession and interstate transportation of firearms are regulated by the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 as amended by the Firearms Owners` Protection Act of 1986. Also, cities and localities may have their own gun ordinances in addition to federal and state restrictions. Details may be obtained by contacting local law enforcement authorities or by consulting your state`s firearms law digest compiled by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.


All fifty states have passed sportsmen`s protection laws to halt harrassment.

State

Gun Ban

Exemp
tions to
NICS2

State Waiting
Period-Number
of Days

License or
Permit to
Purchase
or Other Prerequisite

Registration

      Handguns Longguns Handguns Longguns Handguns Longguns

Alabama

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Alaska

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

Arizona

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

Arkansas

-- RTC3 -- -- -- -- -- --

California

X1 -- 105 105,6 10, 11 -- X X 13

Colorado

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Connecticut

X1 -- 145,6 145,6 X9, 11 -- -- X 13

Delaware

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Florida

-- -- 36 -- -- -- -- --

Georgia

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

Hawaii

X1 P, RTC -- -- X9, 11 X9 X12 X12

Idaho

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

Illinois

1,7 -- 3 2 X9 X9 X 14 X 14

Indiana

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Iowa

-- P, RTC -- -- X9 -- -- --

Kansas

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Kentucky

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Louisiana

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Maine

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Maryland

X1 -- 75 74,5 X 10, 11 -- -- --

Massachusetts

X1,7 -- -- -- X9 X9 -- --

Michigan

-- P -- -- X9, 11 -- X --

Minnesota

-- -- 79 X 9 X9 X9 -- --

Mississippi

-- RTC3 -- -- -- -- -- --

Missouri

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Montana

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

Nebraska

-- P -- -- X -- -- --

Nevada

-- RTC 7 -- -- -- 7 --

New Hampshire

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

New Jersey

X1 -- -- -- X9 X9 -- X 13

New Mexico

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

New York

X1 P, RTC -- -- X9, 11 X9 X X 15

North Carolina

-- P, RTC -- -- X9 -- -- --

North Dakota

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

Ohio

-- -- -- -- -- -- 7 --

Oklahoma

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Oregon

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Pennsylvania

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Rhode Island

-- -- 75 75 X 11 -- -- --

South Carolina

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

South Dakota

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Tennessee

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Texas

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

Utah

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

Vermont

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Virginia

X1 -- -- -- X10 -- -- --

Washington

-- -- 58 -- -- -- -- --

West Virginia

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Wisconsin

-- -- 2 -- -- -- -- --

Wyoming

-- RTC -- -- -- -- -- --

District of Columbia

X1 -- 10 10 X X X X

State

Owner ID Cards or Licensing State Provision for Right-to-Carry Concealed Carrying Openly Prohibited Workplace Protection Law Firearm Rights Constitutional Provision State Firearms Preemption Laws Range Protection Law

Alabama

-- M X18 -- X X X

Alaska

-- R16 -- X X X X

Arizona

-- R16 -- X X X X

Arkansas

-- R 19 -- X X X

California

-- L X20 -- -- X X

Colorado

-- R X21 -- X X21 X

Connecticut

-- M X -- X X23 X

Delaware

-- L -- -- X X --

Florida

-- R X X X X X

Georgia

-- R X X X X X

Hawaii

X L X -- X -- --

Idaho

-- R -- -- X X X

Illinois

X D X -- X -- X

Indiana

-- R X X X X24 X

Iowa

-- R X -- -- X X

Kansas

-- R -- X X X X

Kentucky

-- R -- X X X X

Louisiana

-- R -- X X X X

Maine

-- R -- -- X X X

Maryland

-- L X -- -- X X

Massachusetts

X L X -- X X23 X

Michigan

-- R X18 -- X X X

Minnesota

-- R X18 X -- X X

Mississippi

-- R -- X X X X

Missouri

-- R -- -- X X X

Montana

-- R -- -- X X X

Nebraska

-- R -- -- X -- X

Nevada

-- R -- -- X X X

New Hampshire

-- R -- -- X X X

New Jersey

X L X -- -- X23 X

New Mexico

-- R -- -- X X X

New York

X L X -- -- X23 X

North Carolina

-- R -- -- X X X

North Dakota

-- R X20 -- X X X

Ohio

-- R 17 -- X X X

Oklahoma

-- R X20 X X X X

Oregon

-- R -- -- X X X

Pennsylvania

-- R X18 -- X X X

Rhode Island

-- L X -- X X X

South Carolina

-- R X -- X X X

South Dakota

-- R -- -- X X X

Tennessee

-- R X19 -- X X X

Texas

-- R X -- X X X

Utah

-- R X20 X X X X

Vermont

-- R16 X19 -- X X X

Virginia

-- R -- -- X X X

Washington

-- R X22 -- X X --

West Virginia

-- R -- -- X X X

Wisconsin

-- D -- -- X X X

Wyoming

-- R -- -- X X X

District of Columbia

X D X -- NA -- --

Concealed carry codes:

R: Right-to-Carry "Shall issue" or less restrictive discretionary permit system (Ala., Conn.) (See also note #19.)
M: Reasonable May Issue; the state has a permissive may issue law, but the authorities recognize the right to keep and bear arms.
L: Right-to-Carry Limited by local authority`s discretion over permit issuance.
D: Right-to-Carry Denied, no permit system exists; concealed carry is prohibited.

Reciprocity and Recognition codes:

OR: Outright Recognition
TR: True Reciprocity
CR: Conditional Reciprocity
N: No recognition

Notes:

1. "Assault weapons" are prohibited in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. Massachusetts: It is unlawful to sell or transfer handguns not on the Firearms Roster. The City of Boston has a separate "assault weapons" law. Some local jurisdictions in Ohio also ban "assault weapons." Hawaii prohibits "assault pistols." California bans "assault weapons", .50BMG caliber firearms, some .50 caliber ammunition and "unsafe handguns." Illinois: Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Morton Grove, Winnetka, Wilmette, and Highland Park prohibit handguns; some cities prohibit other kinds of firearms. Maryland prohibits "assault pistols"; the sale or manufacture of any handgun manufactured after Jan. 1, 1985, that does not appear on the Handgun Roster; and the sale of any handgun manufactured after January 1, 2003 that is not equipped with an "integrated mechanical safety device." Massachusetts: It is unlawful to sell, transfer or possess "any assault weapon or large capacity feeding device" [more than 10 rounds] that was not legally possessed on September 13, 1994 and the sale of handguns not on the Firearms Roster. The City of Boston has a separate "assault weapons" law. The District of Columbia bans "assault weapons," .50BMG caliber firearms and ammunition, "unsafe firearms," and "large capacity" (more than 10 rounds) ammunition feeding devices. Virginia prohibits "Street Sweeper" shotguns. (With respect to some of these laws and ordinances, individuals may retain prohibited firearms owned previously, with certain restrictions.) The sunset of the federal assault weapons ban does not affect the validity of state and local "assault weapons" bans.

2. National Instant Check System (NICS) exemption codes:
RTC-Carry Permit Holders Exempt From NICS
P-Holders of state licenses to possess or purchase or firearms ID cards exempt from NICS.

3. NICS exemption notes: Alaska: Permits marked "NICS Exempt". Arkansas: Those issued on and after 4/1/99 qualify. Kentucky: Permits issued after 7/12/06 qualify. Michigan: Licenses to Purchase a Pistol and Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPL's) issued on or after 11/22/05 qualify. Mississippi: Permits issued to security guards do not qualify. North Dakota: Those issued on or after 12/1/1999 qualify.

4. Maryland subjects purchases of "assault weapons" to a 7-day waiting period.

5. Waiting period for all sales. California: 10 days; sales, transfers and loans of handguns must be made through a dealer or through a sheriff's office. Maryland: 7 days; purchasers of regulated firearms must undergo background checks performed by the State Police, either through a dealer or directly through the State Police. Rhode Island: 7 days; private sales can be made through a dealer or the seller must follow the same guidelines as a sale from a dealer.

6. The waiting period does not apply to a person holding a valid permit or license to carry a firearm. In Connecticut, a certificate of eligibility exempts the holder from the waiting period for handgun purchases; a hunting license or a permit to carry exempts the holder for long gun purchasers. California: transfers of a long gun to a person's parent, child or grandparent are exempt from the waiting period. Persons who are screened and cleared through the Personal Firearms Eligibility Check are still subject to the 10-day waiting period and background check provisions.

7. In certain cities or counties.

8. May be extended by police to 30 days in some circumstances. An individual not holding a driver's license must wait 60 days.

9. Connecticut: A certificate of eligibility or a carry permit is required to obtain a handgun and a carry permit is required to transport a handgun outside your home. Hawaii: Purchase permits are required for all firearms Illinois: A Firearm Owner's Identification Card (FOI) is required to possess or purchase a firearm, must be issued to qualified applicants within 30 days, and is valid for 5 years. Iowa: A purchase permit is required for handguns, and is valid for one year. Massachusetts: Firearms and feeding devices for firearms are divided into classes. Depending on the class, a firearm identification card (FID) or class A license or class B license is required to possess, purchase, or carry a firearm, ammunition thereof, or firearm feeding device, or "large capacity feeding device." Michigan: A handgun purchaser must obtain a license to purchase from local law enforcement, and within 10 days present the license and handgun to obtain a certificate of inspection. Minnesota: A handgun transfer or carrying permit, or a 7-day waiting period and handgun transfer report, is required to purchase handguns or "assault weapons" from a dealer. A permit is valid for one year, a transfer report for 30 days. New Jersey: Firearm owners must possess a FID, which must be issued to qualified applicants within 30 days. To purchase a handgun, a purchase permit, which must be issued within 30 days to qualified applicants and is valid for 90 days, is required. An FID is required to purchase long guns. New York: Purchase, possession and/or carrying of a handgun require a single license, which includes any restrictions made upon the bearer. New York City also requires a license for long guns. North Carolina: To purchase a handgun, a license or permit is required, which must be issued to qualified applicants within 30 days. Persons with a Right-to-Carry license are exempt. Pennsylvania: No private sales. All handgun purchases must go through a licensed dealer or the county sheriff.

10. A permit is required to acquire another handgun before 30 days have elapsed following the acquisition of a handgun. In Virginia, those with a permit to carry a concealed weapon are exempt from this prohibition.

11. Requires proof of safety training for purchase. California: Must have Handgun Safety Certificate receipt, which is valid for five years. Connecticut: To receive certificate of eligibility, must complete a handgun safety course approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Hawaii: Must have completed an approved handgun safety course. Maryland: Must complete an approved handgun safety course. Michigan: A person must correctly answer 70% of the questions on a basic safety review questionnaire in order to obtain a license to purchase. New York: Some counties require a handgun safety training course to receive a license. Rhode Island: Must receive a state-issued handgun safety card.

12. Registration/Licensing requirements. California: A person moving into California has 60 days to file a registration form with the Department of Justice. Hawaii: Must register any firearm(s) brought into the State within 3 days of arrival of the person or firearm(s), whichever occurs later. Handguns purchased from licensed dealers must be registered within 5 days. Illinois: A new resident must obtain FOI card as soon as possible when moving to the State. Massachusetts: A new resident has 60 days to obtain a FID card. Nebraska: Omaha handgun owners must register their firearms with the local police. Nevada: Clark County: A resident must register their handguns after being in the county for more than 60 days. New York: A license must be obtained before acquisition and relocation

13. "Assault weapon" registration. California had two dates by which assault weapons had to be registered or possession after such date would be considered a felony: March 31, 1992 for the named make and model firearms banned in the 1989 legislation and December 31, 2000 for the firearms meeting the definition of the "assault weapons in the 1999 legislation. In Connecticut, those firearms banned by specific make and model in the 1993 law had to be registered by October 1, 1994 or possession would be considered a felony. A recent law requires registration of additional guns by October 1, 2003. In New Jersey, any "assault weapon" not registered, licensed, or rendered inoperable pursuant to a state police certificate by May 1, 1991, is considered contraband.

14. Chicago only. Must get FOID card after receiving drivers` license.

15. New York City only.

16. Vermont, Alaska and Arizona law respect your right to carry without a permit. Alaska and Arizona also have permit to carry systems to establish reciprocity with other states.

17. A person with a concealed handgun license may transport a loaded handgun in a vehicle if it is in a holster.

18. Carrying a handgun openly in a motor vehicle requires a license. Minnesota: Persons with a CCW permit can carry openly.

19. Arkansas prohibits carrying a firearm "with a purpose to employ it as a weapon against a person." Tennessee prohibits carrying "with the intent to go armed." Vermont prohibits carrying a firearm "with the intent or purpose of injuring another."

20. Loaded.

21. Municipalities may prohibit open carry in government buildings if such prohibition is clearly posted.

22. Local jurisdictions may opt of the prohibition.

23. Preemption through judicial ruling. Local regulation may be instituted in Massachusetts if ratified by the legislature.

24. Except Gary and East Chicago and local laws enacted before January 1994.

TRENDING NOW
Colorado: General Assembly Continues to Follow California's Lead; Semi-Auto Ban Scheduled For Hearing

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Colorado: General Assembly Continues to Follow California's Lead; Semi-Auto Ban Scheduled For Hearing

The Colorado General Assembly continues to follow California's lead when it comes to gun control, this year already pushing for an 11% Excise tax on firearms/ammunition and now pursuing a ban on commonly owned semi-automatic ...

Wisconsin: Legislation Updating the Definition of Muzzloader Signed by Governor Evers

Friday, March 15, 2024

Wisconsin: Legislation Updating the Definition of Muzzloader Signed by Governor Evers

Yesterday, the governor signed Wisconsin Act 116, formally Senate Bill 587, into law. This legislation establishes a new definition for “muzzleloaders” that would allow for the use of innovative technological advancements that could benefit sportsmen, ...

Maine: NRA Fires Back Against Gun Grabbers

Friday, March 15, 2024

Maine: NRA Fires Back Against Gun Grabbers

For months, anti-gun politicians and gun-grabbing groups have been running wild in Augusta, spreading misinformation about firearms in a desperate attempt to pass the most extreme gun-control in the country. The proposals carry the same theme, ...

Delaware: Senate Passes Maryland-Style Permit to Purchase Scheme

Friday, March 15, 2024

Delaware: Senate Passes Maryland-Style Permit to Purchase Scheme

Last night, the Delaware Senate passed Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) by a vote of 15 to 6. This extreme legislation will impose a Maryland-style “handgun qualified purchase card” and a handgun transfer ...

Virginia: More than a Dozen Anti-Gun Bills Sent to the Governor!

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Virginia: More than a Dozen Anti-Gun Bills Sent to the Governor!

The newly elected Virginia General Assembly has prioritized restricting law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights and has made good on that priority this session. This year, dozens of anti-gun bills have been considered in both chambers ...

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Introduced in General Assembly

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Introduced in General Assembly

Anti-Gun extremist State Reps. Tim Hernandez (D-04) and Elisabeth Epps (D-06) introduced House Bill 24-1292, a bill banning the manufacturing, importing, purchasing, selling, offering to sell, or transferring ownership of so called “assault weapons”. 

Washington Post’s Somewhat Pro-Gun Column Inadvertently Exposes Problem with Mandatory Storage Laws

News  

Monday, March 11, 2024

Washington Post’s Somewhat Pro-Gun Column Inadvertently Exposes Problem with Mandatory Storage Laws

We generally don’t expect to see the Washington Post say anything positive about firearms or law-abiding gun owners, although there are occasional Op-Eds from pro-Second Amendment lawmakers, unbiased researchers and Constitutional scholars, and the like.

Appropriations Bill Passes with Language Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

News  

Monday, March 11, 2024

Appropriations Bill Passes with Language Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

Last week, Congress approved a package of legislation to fund various government agencies that corrects a longstanding and shameful practice that had been depriving American veterans of their Second Amendment rights since 1998.

Colorado: Mandatory Storage Bill Passes Committee and Hearings Postponed Due to Weather

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Colorado: Mandatory Storage Bill Passes Committee and Hearings Postponed Due to Weather

Today, HB 24-1348 which mandates how firearms must be stored in unattended vehicles, passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and is now eligible for a final vote on the House Floor. Please contact your lawmakers by using the ...

Utah: Governor Cox Signs Legislation Protecting Financial Privacy of Gun Owners!

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Utah: Governor Cox Signs Legislation Protecting Financial Privacy of Gun Owners!

Today, Governor Spencer Cox signed HB 406, legislation that provides important financial privacy protections for gun owners when purchasing firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition. The NRA would like to thank Governor Cox for signing this ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.