Poll: The Continental 49. Which State Is the Most Gun Friendly?

Can't say which state is the most gun friendly...but it's pretty good here in Indiana!

As Virginia has taught us, what is gun-friendly this year may not be gun-friendly next year. It's hard to build your foundation on shifting sands.

Most articles that I have read on the subject Points to AZ as the most gun friendly.

Probably no one state, but a range at the top. Much as there's a range at the bottom.

Seriously?! You left the Gunshine State off the list........

Texas is quite long-gun-friendly, but is far from the best regarding handguns. Some of Texas’ handgun-friendliness is myth, such as the belief that open carry is, and always has been, legal. Open carry of handguns is legal, but only for those with Licenses To Carry A Handgun, and only if carried in specified types of holsters. Licensed carry is subject to a disappointing number of prohibited places, though things have gotten better, since the licensing system was enacted in the early 1990s.

Texas has relatively few prohibited places for long guns. Long guns can be carried openly or concealed, and, generally, loaded or unloaded is OK.

One problem, in Texas, is that the voting demographic is shifting in a direction that could be threatening to firearms freedoms, while becoming more friendly to felons.

Idaho has Concealed Carry and Enhanced Concealed Carry, which meets the requirements of almost every other State; recognizes ALL CCW Permits from any State; has Constitutional Carry; allows open carry; allows CCW on college campuses; has no waiting period (unless determined by a NICS issue); does not require NICS checks with a CCW Permit; CCW is allowed almost everywhere and if carrying in a location that the owner does not allow, it is only punishable as a ticket for trespassing if one refuses to leave.

Seems that what county you live in is as important as what state. Some counties will punish and make an example of people who legally defend themselves.

Kentucky is probably the most well-armed State in America. We have recognized the Right of the individual to Bear Arms from the very beginning. We carry guns everywhere, everybody knows it, and nobody cares.

I'd still rather be in Idaho. But for other reasons.

I'll second Rexster's comments about Texas. It is not anywhere near as gun friendly as so many make it out to be.

Well it's not Illinois ! Move here if you like taxes and draconian gun laws. But mostly taxes.

Stophel said:

Kentucky is probably the most well-armed State in America. We have recognized the Right of the individual to Bear Arms from the very beginning. We carry guns everywhere, everybody knows it, and nobody cares.

I'd still rather be in Idaho. But for other reasons.

I'll second Rexster's comments about Texas. It is not anywhere near as gun friendly as so many make it out to be.

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Texas is not. Even when they were trying to pass pro gun bills, a lot of pro gun people were fighting against it like OC for example. I remember Texans on just about every gun forum and in social media were fighting against OC at the very same time other state were passing Constitutional Carry. All the while other statea had permitless. OC for decades without issue.

AlexanderA said:

As Virginia has taught us, what is gun-friendly this year may not be gun-friendly next year. It's hard to build your foundation on shifting sands.

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Very true. Arkansas (at the moment) is very gun friendly, legally speaking. But this is purely by statute. Statutes can be repealed at the whim of state legislatures. And the statutes themselves are pretty murky... subject to a judge's interpretation. Their State Constitution sucks, frankly, when it comes to the Right to Bear Arms. So it's not set in stone.

IJ1981 said:

No Open Carry in the Sunshine State, other than home, camping, hunting and fishing.

Also a LONG laundry list of OL locales. Florida has a lotta work to do to catch up to the top dogs.

Only 5 of the 50 disallow OC.

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IJ1981 said:

No Open Carry in the Sunshine State, other than home, camping, hunting and fishing.

Also a LONG laundry list of OL locales. Florida has a lotta work to do to catch up to the top dogs.

Only 5 of the 50 disallow OC.

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Whats "OL" mean?

Meh, open carry off your own property is ridiculous anyway. There I said it. I wouldnt actively oppose it, but I have no use for it.

We have very common sense gun laws and have repeatedly struck down leftist/ antigun intrusions despite having endured several of the worst mass shootings in recent years.

I believe we are the most gun-friendly state when corrected for our population and density by far. Just my opinion living here.

Styx said:

Texas is not. Even when they were trying to pass pro gun bills, a lot of pro gun were fighting against it like OC for example. I remember Texans on just about every gun forum an in social media were fighting against OC at the very same time other state were passing Constitutional Carry. All the while other statea had permitless. OC for decades without issue.

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I remember when the NRA made a very public statement opposing the Texas Open Carry movement years ago. Which only further cemented my disdain for that organization.

It's darned hard to beat Idaho. Every kind of gun is legal there. There's Constitutional Carry and very few places are off-limits. There's Castle Doctrine and pretty robust laws protecting self defense. OC and CCW are both legal. Importantly there's also tons of places you can shoot.

Montana isn't bad at all but not quite as good as ID. A permit is needed to CCW here in cities but not outside of town. The permit is Shall-Issue but surprisingly laborious to obtain and very slow (also a bit expensive). Every kind of gun is legal (full auto, suppressors- both with the right stamps, natch) which is great but we have some bizarre CCW restrictions (eg can't carry inside of bank for some reason). The state constitution has preemption laws which is great.

South Dakota is overall really good. A permit is required to CC but it's Shall-Issue, very cheap and easy to get. There's no class of gun that's banned there the state constitution also has preemption provisions that cities can't violate. There's a strong gun culture and lots of places to shoot.

Minnesota is actually really good, too. I haven't lived there for a few years (maybe 4 or 5?) but last I saw suppressors had just been legalized. The CCW permit is Shall-Issue or it was and there's a pretty good gun culture as well.

IJ1981 said:

OL is Off Limits, Sir NightLord40K!

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We dont have any municipal localities which are "OL" to guns or carrying concealed. Our state preemption law sees to that.

We have buildings and businesses which are OL such as courthouses, schools, and bars. No big deal, IMO.

Stophel said:

Kentucky is probably the most well-armed State in America.

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Nope. Not even in the top ten...

Idaho is pretty great really. You just need to be in Idaho and legally able to have a gun to carry too btw, not just residents.

I say Arizona. And not just because I'm a resident. But I could be wrong! I remember being taught in school that there are 48 states in the Continental United States, but based on the title of this post there is an extra one I don't know about! And for all I know that's the most gun friendly state!