Which State is the MOST ANTIGUN?

Worst states

I too lived in MA for many years - Boston area. Gun laws are VERY restrictve.

Then, of course, you have Kennedys, Kerrys and Barney Frank! Why do those a-holes keep getting elected?

I now live in TN which is a shall-issue state and is reciprocal with pretty much every other state that's shall-issue.

BUT, when I go to NH to visit my daughter & grandkids, I don't carry 'cause I gotta go through NY & MA.

NY pretty much sucks too so car as gun restrictions go. I was "exiled" there once for four long years.

CHICAGO

Click to expand...

Thank God, I don't live in the city itself, or all the gun regualtions would be 10x's dumber and stricter. But then again the rules are a joke, since last I checked theirs no blockades going into Chicago. I wonder how the gang members get guns into Chicago? Oh wait, they simply drive their cars filled up with illegal weapons into the city.

Not the worst, but Washington is on the verge to becoming the most anti-gun state in the USA.. THe mayor of Seattlle is calling for an outright ban on guns in Seattle and of all cities in Washington. Doubt he will pull it off in Spokane, since they are all right-wingers over there who would likely just tell the mayor/government to shove it. However, for Seattle, Bellingham, Olympia, even Vancouver, I think its a reality, as libs are becoming the majority. Its pretty scary, but I am definately wanting to jump ship, only been in the state for 1 year and now looking for greener pastures. THe state is being infested with liberals and people from the LA and SF Bay areas are moving up here en masse and trying to take what was once the perfect American city and turn it into a trash heap like the old cities they had to flee.

Some other things to know about Washington:
1. No Fully Autos/NFA weapons
2. Cannot Use Silencers See #1
3. Open Carry Banned
4. Very Few Places to Shoot in Western Side (More Beautiful) of State
5. Guns banned in Mt Rainer Natl Park, which is best tourist, hiking, camping attraction in the state.
6. Guns banned in Olympic National Park. Second best tourist, hiking camping attraction in the state.

In Chicago you cannot own any kind of handgun, let alone carrying it legally. There are 0 carry permits in all of Illinois. Why am I here?

here in texas, we are not allowed shoot a person unless they are committing at least a class c misdemeaner.

and i have to conceal my 1911 in order for it to be legal.

+1 on MD no issue permit no "hi-cap"mags certain counties register paintball and airsoft, if you buy quantities of handgun ammo of a caliber of a gun not registered to you expect a visit from Maryland State Police.

+1 on MD no issue permit no "hi-cap"mags certain counties register paintball and airsoft, if you buy quantities of handgun ammo of a caliber of a gun not registered to you expect a visit from Maryland State Police.
__________________

Click to expand...

TOTAL B.S.!

Maryland has some really onerous laws, but to my knowledge NONE of these claims are true.

True, Maryland is the textbook example of what's wrong with "may issue": unless you are politically connected, you are VERY unlikely to be granted a permit with out a damn good reason, and even then you'll have to fight for it. Still, many people do have carry permits here. It is NOT "no issue."

There is NO ban on "high capacity" magazines. It is perfectly legal to own, possess, and use magazines of any capacity. It is illegal to TRANSFER mags holding more than 20 rounds IN STATE. That means we have to make a run up to Pennsylvania or to Virginia, West-by-god-Virginia, or Delaware to buy our 30 rounders. It's a damn hassle, but you're never more than 30 miles from the state line in Maryland, so it's feasable. It is a real annoyance, but it's nothing like New Jersey or California.

What counties register airsoft and paintball? That's nonsense. We don't even have GUN registration here.

if you buy quantities of handgun ammo of a caliber of a gun not registered to you expect a visit from Maryland State Police.

Click to expand...

This claim is so bizarre it's downright delusional. Like I just said, our guns aren't even registered, legally speaking. Nor are ammunition sales regulated. This claim is just too mind-bogglingly crazy for words.

Three weeks ago, I bought 400 rounds of WWB 9x19 at Wal Mart. There is no record of my purchase. No one checked my i.d. I paid cash.

I do not own ANY firearm chambered for 9x19.

I do not anticipate a visit from the MSP. Get real, buddy.

No problem with full auto here. ($10 annual state tax.) Likewise, no problem with other NFA items.

No problem with evil cosmetic feature on "assault rifles." No restriction on muzzle breaks, bayonet lugs, or "shoulder things that go up". There is a 7 day waiting period on many scary looking rifles and likewise on handguns. That sucks. But we have plenty of AKs and ARs here, even full auto.

And there is no doubt that the State retains a database on those sales, which is a sort of de facto back-door registration. But there is no requirement to register handguns or "assault rifles" brought in from out of state, or which have been in your posession since way-back-when.

There is a limit of one "regulated" firearm a month, that is, "assault rifles" and handguns. However, by filling out a simple form and sending it to the State Police, one can register oneself as a "Collector". Collectors can buy as many "restricted" firearms as they can afford. (I decline to register myself.)

AR15 HBARs are not "regulated". Cash and carry, no wait, no extra forms.



In many ways, Maryland really, really sucks. I mean really. Did I mention that Maryland sucks? But every one of the crazy claims made by "swgunner" is absurdly false. (OK, I don't know Scheisse about TOY guns, airsoft or paintball. I believe pellet guns are banned in Baltimore. )

Did I mention I disagree with swgunner?

Check out this video of the thriving firearms culture in Maryland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgeGvXbzwAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE9QYUyOG6w&feature=related



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

Hay dope:you sure you live in mass.there sure is a castle law.signed by Gov King.and you dont have to retreat.thats an urban ledgnd,check it out and contact GOAL and ask Nancy.508/393/5333 ext 201.
the other good part is the number of gun clubs.and you dont have to register your guns,what you do is buy a gun and it is registered by the feds and the state.so no matter where you go the gun is registered.and there is no registration on the NICS check.
I would not say Mass was a great state but it is not the worst,and if you get rid of the anti gun legislatures it would return to a great state.that Gov is ripe to get the republicans in,and there are some good democrates.join GOAL

Click to expand...

Hmm interesting. Do you have any links on that? Everything I've ever read says there is a duty to retreat unless you are at home.

There are a lot of gun clubs around, which is surprising. There are literally a dozen within a 30 min drive of me. There is one 2 mins down the road and I live in a suburb very close to Boston. Outdoor range, with archery and everything.

Dope

I have a CPL from Michigan which is a pretty liberal state in my opinion. I give it a C letter grade.

Click to expand...

So what do you think about having your gun "inspected" by the police when you bought it? Registration by another name?

isp2605 said:

Just because a state is mentioned doesn't make it so. How many who responded actually know what the laws are for the other states? I venture a guess most of the answers came from people who barely know the laws in their own state and don't have any idea about any other state other than to parrot what they've heard others say with no actual knowledge.
Instead of asking some nebulous question of "which is worse" the question should have required the person to answer why they believe "X" state is worse than another. Then you'll find out just how little some people actually know but you'll find out all the rumors that they believe.
How many states not mentioned require a person to get permission from the sheriff or other authority before the person can buy a gun?
How many states require registration of any type firearm?
How many states restrict the type of firearm you are allowed to buy?

Click to expand...

I agree that the question is nebulous, and a few folks here are providing incorrect information. That said, here's my justification for the "worst 5", and you'll notice a pistol bias because I'm not nearly as familiar with long-gun laws:

Mass: state AWB, state list of acceptable pistol models, "may-issue" CCW at the county level, permit required for purchase/possession of guns or ammo (including BB/air guns), police appear to disregard GOPA's interstate transport provisions, has a noted anti-gunner in the US Senate (Kennedy).
NY: state AWB, "may-issue" CCW at the county level, police appear to disregard GOPA's interstate transport provisions, permit required for purchase/possession of pistols, has a noted anti-gunner in the US Senate (Schumer), NYC's existence
NJ: state AWB, "may-issue" CCW that is de facto no-issue, permit required for purchase of pistols, has a noted anti-gunner in the US Senate (Lautenberg)
IL: No CCW, FOID required to purchase/possess pistols/ammo, has a noted anti-gunner in the US Senate (Durbin), Chicago's existence
CA: state AWB, state list of acceptable pistol models, "may-issue" CCW at the county level, registration of all pistols, microstamping is most likely there, has a noted anti-gunner in the US Senate (Feinstein).

Please feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken about any of the above.

Aside from keeping aware of things via tha interwebs, I have worked in Mass for 5 years, I grew up in NYS, my wife grew up in NJ, and I lived in CA for a year. I left Hawaii (where I lived for 3 years) out of the top five for the same reason that people cite the UK and Australia as being worse than Japan for gun rights: socially it is less of an issue there, and there's no "commit a felony by driving over the state line" issue which mitigates what would otherwise be bottom-5 laws. Maryland (where I lived for 4 years) is in a close fight with Mass for my bottom-5 status, perhaps it is just that Mass is more annoying to me personally.

You at least gave reasons. Lots of states have anti-gun legislators. Some are just more vocal than others and hide in the weeds.
I noticed you didn't list HI. How did you like the gun laws there? A bit restrictive were they not. I guess being "socially less of an issue" makes it OK for near out right ban and severe restrictions. Strange set of standards for your list. I guess the residents of HI have different Constitutional rights than the other 49 states since it's "socially acceptable" for them to restrict possession.
However, for clarification and to put it in perspective, for IL, there is no ban on any guns except full auto, no mag size limit, no ammo restriction, no registration of firearms, no AWB, no limits on the number you can buy. To get a FOID you need to be able to answer the same questions that are on the 4473. If a person can't answer 4473 to get a gun then they can't get a FOID either.
There are several states where a person has to get permission from the sheriff or state before they can make an purchase. That a lot more restrictive than a FOID. For MI they have to get their new purchases "inspected". That's more restrictive than a FOID. While IL doesn't have CCW there are several states which have CCW laws on the books that in actuality and practice have no CCW.

D.C. is the worst I've ever seen!

Cheers,

Gungle George

We have visited our military son in various states. In Maryland(Aberdeen Proving) we found out after the fact that I was a felon for having firearms in my trunk. In Chicago I asked to look at a rifle in a sports shop and he asked for my FOID card-could not even handle it without a card. I told him that I was from NC and would go back home to buy it. He could not believe that you could only fill out forms to purchase a rifle and do a call in for pistols unless you had a cc permit.

In Chicago I asked to look at a rifle in a sports shop and he asked for my FOID card-could not even handle it without a card. I told him that I was from NC and would go back home to buy it.

Click to expand...

1) Since you are from out of state you don't need a FOID in IL. You were perfectly legal to handle a firearm in IL. People from out of state legally do it every day in IL.
2) Since you are from out of state you couldn't buy the gun anyway unless you had that dealer ship it to an FFL in NC.

I am a resident of Pennsylvania and I am proud to say that we have extremly favorable gun laws in our Commonwealth(state). We do have Instant Check for all firearms but after one call, you walk with your purchase. No semi auto bans(read assault rifles), hi-cp mag bans, or ammo bans. We are a shall issue ccw state and I have had mine for 40 years now. Only restriction we have, and it's reasonable, is no big game hunting with a semi auto rifle...must be manually operated. The City of Philadelphia is always trying to ban handguns, but their problem is with illegal and stolen guns and druggies and not with their law abiding citizens. Fortunately cities can not overide state law. We are blessed here as far as gun laws go!

Mass: state AWB, state list of acceptable pistol models, "may-issue" CCW at the county level, permit required for purchase/possession of guns or ammo (including BB/air guns), police appear to disregard GOPA's interstate transport provisions, has a noted anti-gunner in the US Senate (Kennedy).

Please feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken about any of the above.

Click to expand...

State AWB
Yes, but it is perfectly legal to buy and possess pre-ban weapons and large-cap mags with a Class A LTC.

May-issue CCW at county level
Actually issue is at the town level. There are some bad towns, mainly the cities and the suburban Boston towns.
Most towns, especially in the west and southeast, are OK.

Permit required for purchase/possession of BB/air guns
Not so.

Has a noted anti-gunner in Sen Kennedy
True, but his ill effects are felt by all states. He doesn't sit in the Mass. legislature.

Looking at some of the restrictions mentioned in other states, Mass. has no range requirement for an LTC, and no requirement to designate a particular handgun or type. There is no waiting period for any purchases, including handguns, and no limit on purchases.

I don't deny things are tough. But I'm 65 and I've had an LTC since I was 21, and I don't "know" anyone. Both my sons were issued Class A Large Capacity LTCs when they were 21, mainly because they have clean records.

I legally own every firearm I've ever wanted, including high cap handguns and rifles that fit the "assault weapons" definition. I carry all day now that I never have to be on school grounds.

Massachusetts had a long history of fighting for freedom that predates the appearance of Senators Kennedy and Kerry and the suburban soccer moms by 300 years.

While some people bitch endlessly about the present circumstances and constantly talk about "getting out," others of us stay where we were born, join the NRA and the Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League, vote and support pro-gun politicians and initiatives, fight anti-gun legislation, hunt, shoot, carry concealed and fight to get our state back on the right track.

I know there are people in California and New Jersey who feel exactly the same way.

Tinpig

Mass: state AWB, state list of acceptable pistol models, "may-issue" CCW at the county level, permit required for purchase/possession of guns or ammo (including BB/air guns), police appear to disregard GOPA's interstate transport provisions, has a noted anti-gunner in the US Senate (Kennedy).

Click to expand...

You forgot to mention that possession of a firearm without the proper permit is a mandatory minimum senstence of year in prison. Combined with that disregard for GOPA's interstate transport provisions, this makes MA the absolute worst state to travel through with firearms, IMO.

isp2605: Let's just say I'd move back to Hawaii before I ever thought about moving to Illinois, because as both are pretty bad for pistol ownership/CCW, Hawaii weather and politics are much less stormy or corrupt. Their social structure is relevant to me - sure the US Constitution applies just the same, but Hawaii started as a monarchy and the political traditions were effectively imposed there in the mid-20th century, not brought in with the 'original' settlers. The fact that you can't drive to Hawaii with guns and ammo in your trunk does make a difference to me, just as the fact that Honolulu doesn't have a Chicagoland-esque complete pistol ban makes a difference to me. I said that but for the "social issue" they were bottom-5, but it seems like you're looking for an argument. If you want to replace Illinois with Hawaii on your bottom-5 list, feel free.

ct has got to be in the top 10-15 right?

-kirk

MA the absolute worst state to travel through with firearms, IMO.

Click to expand...

Does it have to be

1. Unloaded, and
2. Enclosed in a case, and
3. Not immediately accessible or broken down in a nonfunctioning state.

Like Illinois? (http://www.isp.state.il.us/foid/firearmsfaq.cfm)

All three of these are a requirement to even enter Illinois with any firearm. Broken down? I guess unloaded and inside a case is still too dangerous! It must be dissassembled if it's not in your trunk in order to be safe!

Lots of people are citing Massachusetts as an example of a state which disregards the part of the Gun Owners Protection Act which protects people engaged in a peaceable journey from a state where they can legally own a firearm to another state where they can legally own a firearm. (See here for the actual statute.)

Does anyone have a news story or court case citation of anyone who has actually been arrested, or charged, for this? I did a quick search on THR and couldn't find anything more than rumors of harassment by LEOs.

California, Massachuetts, New Jersey, New York ... what does it matter unless you live in one of these states and are subjected to the idiocy, or unless you are traveling through one of these states and are then subjected to the same idiocy?

If gun rights are important to you, and if you live in a state where the fundamentals of the Second Amendment are routinely denied, you have at least one good option available to you: move. If the company you work for is talking about transferring you to an anti-gun state, don't take the transfer. If you have the option of moving for a new job to a pro-state v. an anti-state, go to the pro state.

Life is filled with trade-offs. But some things should not be traded away.

The laws in Louisiana have changed. Years ago, you had to wait until someone breaking into your home actually came in, through a window, breaking down a door, whatever.

Now, we can shoot legally someone on our property.

The fact that you can't drive to Hawaii with guns and ammo in your trunk does make a difference to me, just as the fact that Honolulu doesn't have a Chicagoland-esque complete pistol ban makes a difference to me. I said that but for the "social issue" they were bottom-5, but it seems like you're looking for an argument. If you want to replace Illinois with Hawaii on your bottom-5 list, feel free.

Click to expand...

It just seems pretty strange that your criteria doesn't include HI simply because you can't drive there. Personally that criteria doesn't make any sense to me. Can't drive from there either so the people who live there I guess are stuck and their restrictions really don't matter. Fact remains HI has a lot of firearm restrictions, a lot more than some of the states that you can drive to.
But it's your list, you can include which ever state you want.

All three of these are a requirement to even enter Illinois with any firearm. Broken down? I guess unloaded and inside a case is still too dangerous! It must be dissassembled if it's not in your trunk in order to be safe!

Click to expand...

IL doesn't require all 3. IL law only requires that it be unloaded and in a case. FOPA requires it also be inaccessible to the occupants. That's what you are quoting in your reference.