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State Gun Laws

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Thursday, August 6, 2020

Alabama Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION -- Article 1, Section 26

(a) Every citizen has a fundamental right to bear arms in defense of himself or herself and the state. Any restriction on this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.

(b) No citizen shall be compelled by any international treaty or international law to take an action that prohibits, limits, or otherwise interferes with his or her fundamental right to keep and bear arms in defense of himself or herself and the state, if such treaty or law, or its adoption, violates the United States Constitution.

 

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Alaska Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION -- Article 1, Section 19.

“A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The individual right to keep and bear arms shall not be denied or infringed by the state or political subdivision of the State.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Arizona Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION -- Article 2, Section 26.

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the State shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain, or employ an armed body of men.”

GUN LAWS  

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Arkansas Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION -- Article 2, Section 5.

“The citizens of this State shall have the right to keep and bear arms, for their common defense.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

California Gun Laws

GUN LAWS  

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Colorado Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article II, Section 13.

“The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called in question; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Connecticut Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 15.

“Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state.”

GUN LAWS  

Friday, August 7, 2020

Delaware Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, §20.

“A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, and for hunting and recreational use.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, May 4, 2020

Florida Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 8.

“(a) The right of the people to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and of the lawful authority of the state shall not be infringed, except that the manner of bearing arms may be regulated by law. (b) There shall be a mandatory period of three days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, between the purchase and delivery at retail of any handgun. For the purposes of this section, “purchase” means the transfer of money or other valuable consideration to the retailer, and “handgun” means a firearm capable of being carried and used by one hand, such as a pistol or revolver. Holders of a concealed weapon permit as prescribed in Florida law shall not be subject to the provisions of this paragraph. (c) . . . anyone violating the provisions of subsection (b) shall be guilty of a felony. (d) This restriction shall not apply to a trade in of another handgun.” Article 1, Section 8.

The legislature of the State of Florida, in a declaration of policy incorporated in its “Weapons and Firearms” statute, recognizes that adult citizens of the state retain their constitutional right to keep and bear firearms for hunting and sporting activities and for defense of self, family, home, and business and as collectibles.

GUN LAWS  

Friday, June 3, 2022

Georgia Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 1, Paragraph VIII.

“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but the General Assembly shall have power to prescribe the manner in which arms may be borne.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Hawaii Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 15.

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

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Thursday, September 30, 2021

Idaho Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 11.

“The people have the right to keep and bear arms, which right shall not be abridged; but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to govern the carrying of weapons concealed on the person, nor prevent passage of legislation providing minimum sentences for crimes committed while in possession of a firearm, nor prevent passage of legislation providing penalties for the possession of firearms by a convicted felon, nor prevent the passage of legislation punishing the use of a firearm. No law shall impose licensure, registration or special taxation on the ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition. Nor shall any law permit the confiscation of firearms, except those actually used in the commission of a felony.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Illinois Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Section 22, Article I of the Illinois Bill of Rights

NOTICE: H.B. 183 recently became law, making Illinois the last state to implement Right to Carry, please see our legislative update. This page will be continually updated as more detailed information becomes available and the new law is implemented. Serious concerns remain about the implementation, cost and issuance of concealed carry licenses in Illinois.  NRA-ILA will continue to update you on developments related to concealed carry in Illinois and fight to ensure that licenses are issued in a timely manner to those law-abiding Illinoisans interested in their inherent right to self-defense.

“Subject only to the police power, the right of the individual citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Indiana Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1 Section 32.

“The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State.”

GUN LAWS  

Friday, October 1, 2021

Iowa Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 1.

Iowa has no State Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. However, the Iowa Constitution does guarantee certain inalienable rights—among which are “defending life” and “protecting property.”

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Monday, March 30, 2020

Kansas Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Kansas Bill of Rights Section 4.

“The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and : security; but standing armies in time of peace, are dangerous to • liberty, and shall not be tolerated, and the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Kentucky Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 1, Paragraph 7.

“All men are by nature, free and equal, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned: ... 7) the right to bear arms in defense of themselves and of the state, subject to the power of the general assembly to enact laws to prevent persons from carrying concealed weapons.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Louisiana Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 11.

"The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be infringed. Any restriction on this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny."

GUN LAWS  

Monday, August 10, 2020

Maine Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 16. “Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Maryland Gun Laws

Maryland has no constitutional provision granting a “right to bear arms.”

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION

GUN LAWS  

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Massachusetts Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Declaration of Rights, Article 17.

“The people have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defense. And as, in time of peace, armies are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be maintained without the consent of the legislature, and the military power shall always be held in an exact subordination to the civil authority, and be governed by it.”

GUN LAWS  

Friday, April 10, 2020

Michigan Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 6.

“Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Minnesota Gun Laws

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Mississippi Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 3 Section 12.

“The right of every citizen to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person, or property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall not be called in question, but the legislature may regulate or forbid carrying concealed weapons.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, August 10, 2020

Missouri Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 23.

That the right of every citizen to keep and bear arms, ammunition, and accessories typical to the normal function of such arms, in defense of his home, person, family and property, or when lawfully summoned in aid of the civil power, shall not be questioned. The rights guaranteed by this section shall be unalienable. Any restriction on these rights shall be subject to strict scrutiny and the state of Missouri shall be obligated to uphold these rights and shall under no circumstances decline to protect against their infringement. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the general assembly from enacting general laws which limit the rights of convicted violent felons or those adjudicated by a court to be a danger to self or others as result of a mental disorder or mental infirmity."

GUN LAWS  

Friday, October 1, 2021

Montana Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 2, Section 12.

“The right of any person to keep or bear arms in defense of his own home, person, and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall not be called in question, but nothing herein contained shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Nebraska Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Nebraska Constitution art. 1, sec. 1.

“All persons ... have certain ... rights, among these are ... the right to keep and bear arms for security or defense of self, family, home, and others, and for lawful common defense, hunting, recreational use, and all other lawful purposes, and such rights shall not be denied or infringed by the state or any subdivision thereof.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Nevada Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 11, Paragraph 1.

“Every citizen has the right to keep and bear arms for security and defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use and for other lawful purposes.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

New Hampshire Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Part 1, Article 2-a

“All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property, and the state.”

GUN LAWS  

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

New Jersey Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - No Constitutional Provision on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. However, the New Jersey  Constitution, Art. 1, § 1, does guarantee certain “unalienable” rights, including “defending life,” “protecting property,” and “pursuing and obtaining safety.”

GUN LAWS  

Friday, August 14, 2020

New Mexico Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article II, Section 6.

“No law shall abridge the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms for security and defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use and for other lawful purposes, but nothing herein shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons. No municipality or county shall regulate, in any way, an incident of the right to keep and bear arms.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

New York Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - None. However, Article 2, Section 4 of the New York Civil Rights Law provides: “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms cannot be infringed.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

North Carolina Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 30.

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, and, as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they shall not be maintained, and the military should be kept under strict subordination to and governed by the civil power. Nothing herein shall justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons, or prevent the General Assembly from enacting penal statutes against that practice.”

GUN LAWS  

Friday, October 1, 2021

North Dakota Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section l

“All individuals . . . have certain inalienable rights, among which are . . . to keep and bear arms for the defense of their person, family, property, and the state, and for lawful hunting, recreational, and other lawful purposes, which shall not be infringed.”

GUN LAWS  

Friday, July 24, 2020

Ohio Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 4.

“The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security; but standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and shall not be kept up; and the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, August 17, 2020

Oklahoma Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 2, Section 26.

“The right of a citizen to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person, or property, or in aid of the civil power, when thereunto legally summoned, shall never be prohibited, but nothing herein contained shall prevent the legislature from regulating the carrying of weapons.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Oregon Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 27.

“The people shall have the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of themselves and the state, but the military shall be kept in strict subordination to the civil power.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Pennsylvania Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 21.

“The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Rhode Island Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 22.

“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, August 17, 2020

South Carolina Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 20.

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

South Dakota Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article VI, Section 24.

“The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be denied.”

GUN LAWS  

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Tennessee Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 26.

“That the citizens of this State have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defense; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime.”

GUN LAWS  

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Texas Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 23.

“Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.”

GUN LAWS  

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Utah Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 6.

“The individual right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the State as well as for other lawful purposes shall not be infringed; but nothing herein shall prevent the legislature from defining the lawful use of arms.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Vermont Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Chapter 1, Article 16.

“That the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves and the State as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up; and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to and governed by the civil power.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Virginia Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 13.

“That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state, therefore, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.”

GUN LAWS  

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Washington Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 24.

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

West Virginia Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Art. 3, Sec. 22.

A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home, and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use.

GUN LAWS  

Monday, March 30, 2020

Wisconsin Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - WISC. CONST. art. 1, § 25

The people have the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose.

GUN LAWS  

Monday, April 26, 2021

Wyoming Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1, Section 24.

“The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be denied.”

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.