Top 15 list that makes a Gun Friendly State

[Midwest]

The top 15 criteria for candidates for a Gun Friendly State should consist of the following.


1.Constitutional Carry- Concealed and Open Carry without a permit.

2.Allows those 18 or older to carry concealed or open

3.Allows all NFA. No state firearm restrictions. No magazine restrictions. If the Feds allow it you can own it

4.Shall issue carry permit (If Constitutional Permit-less is not applicable). Open carry allowed without permit.

5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees

6.Private Sales allowed

7.No restrictions on gun shows

8.Very few places where you cannot carry

9.State preemption

10.Stores posting anti carry signs have no legal weight.

11.Has very good hunting laws, long season , few restrictions on what firearms you can use.

12.Pro-gun Sheriffs

13.Pro-gun politicians

14.Firearms are a way of life, long history, widely accepted

15.Gun ranges plentiful and inexpensive


What states have most of the above? Then take them in order to make the top 5.

Kentucky comes real close to above. We have constitutional OPEN carry. Unfortunately you have to be 21 to get a concealed carry permit in order to carry concealed.
__________________
I am not a lawyer, I just study the history of gun control laws.

 

[preachnhunt]

#14 is an important one. I have lived all over the state and except for the most populated areas having and carrying guns is an accepted fact of life.

I also want to give a thumbs up to Arkansas. I was recently stopped there by a state trooper. When he saw my Ky concealed carry license he asked if I was carrying at the time. I said "yes" and he said "good,everyone who has a CCL should..."

 

[DammitBoy]

1.Constitutional Carry- Concealed and Open Carry without a permit.

The states that don't require a permit to carry concealed:

Vermont
Alaska
Wyoming
Arizona
Arkansas

Kentucky doesn't make that list.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Michigan:

1.Constitutional Carry- Concealed and Open Carry without a permit.
- No. Permit less open carry allowed.


2.Allows those 18 or older to carry concealed or open
Must be 21 for a CPL. An 18 year old can legally open carry.


3.Allows all NFA. No state firearm restrictions. No magazine restrictions. If the Feds allow it you can own it.
Allows for some NFA. SBS and SBR still outlawed. No other guns are banned, no magazine restrictions.

4.Shall issue carry permit (If Constitutional Permit-less is not applicable). Open carry allowed without permit.
Yes.

5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees
Yes, for FFLs. The state does a BGC when applying for a pistol purchase permit, and I don't know what system they use for that.

6.Private Sales allowed
Yes

7.No restrictions on gun shows
Not that I am aware of, other than a pistol purchase permit for a handgun.

8.Very few places where you cannot carry
We do have gun free zones, but a CPL holder can open carry in a GFZ. Also, there is the opportunity, albeit slight and restrictive, to be exempt from a GFZ.
9.State preemption

10.Stores posting anti carry signs have no legal weight.
Sort of. One can be charged with armed trespass if they reuse to leave when asked. This applies whether or not a sign is posted.

11.Has very good hunting laws, long season , few restrictions on what firearms you can use.
Kinda. Certain areas are limited to shotgun or muzzle loader during in season.


12.Pro-gun Sheriffs
Depends on the county. Most states have a lot of them.

13.Pro-gun politicians
See #12.

14.Firearms are a way of life, long history, widely accepted
Could be argued either way, positive or negative. I'd say Detroit has a long history of firearms as a way of life, but not in a positive way. But on the other hand, people come far and wide for deer season.

15.Gun ranges plentiful and inexpensive
Yes and sort of. There is plenty of state and federal land where you can shoot for free. Some if thee have ranges set up and monitored by the DNR. Others are just secluded spots used by the locals. Paid, private ranges run the gamut on price.

Not asked, but Michigan does have some goofy restrictions of black powder guns.
I would not place Michigan in the top 5 gun friendly state. Top 20? Probably.

 

[aeriedad]

Good list, Midwest. Of course it could be nitpicked, but I don't see the point. It serves its purpose just fine.

SC fails completely on #s 1, 2 & 10 (well, at least re: #10, the anti-carry signs must meet well-defined criteria to be valid).

Moderate failure on #8 due to no carry where alcohol is served for consumption on premises. We almost fixed this early this year, but state senate ran out the clock. Next opportunity is early next year, and I'd say there's a good chance we'll get it done this time.

In all other respects, I'm satisfied with SC's general respect for RKBA.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

MINNESOTA

1.Constitutional Carry- Concealed and Open Carry without a permit.

No. Concealed and open carry only on a permit. Open carry uncommon.

2.Allows those 18 or older to carry concealed or open.

No. Must be 21 for a CCW permit.

3.Allows all NFA. No state firearm restrictions. No magazine restrictions. If the Feds allow it you can own it.

No. No non-C&R machine guns, no short-barrel shotguns, no suppressors. Oddly, short-barrel rifles are not an issue.

4.Shall issue carry permit (If Constitutional Permit-less is not applicable). Open carry allowed without permit.

Yes, we have an excellent shall-issue permitting system, but you must have a permit to open carry.

5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees.

Yes. However, a state permit (free) is required to purchase handguns or statutorily defined assault weapons. This takes about three days to get and is valid for a year. Valid CCW permit is good in lieu of purchase permit for buying.

6.Private Sales allowed

Yes. For now...

7.No restrictions on gun shows.

We don't really have gun shows up here... we have holster, magazine, cheap knife, and homemade accessory shows with a few guns on the tables as well.

8.Very few places where you cannot carry.

Generally true. Parking lot law, public university campus carry legal (although if you are staff, faculty, or a student, they can still fire or expel you), besides the usual airport/post office/jail/court house exceptions, the only one I can think of that is verboten is daycare providers.

9.State preemption.

You know, I am not 100% sure. Some of this may be arcane- first class cities (Over 100,000 population, of which there are really only four, I think, unless St. Cloud grew some more) have more statutory authority to regulate things and tax, but I am not sure if any of that extends to regulation of firearms. I believe our carry law trumps any local ordinances regarding that specifically, but there may be local ordinances regarding gun shows, etc.

10.Stores posting anti carry signs have no legal weight.

True. These signs have greatly decreased in number over the nine years since we passed CCW. Signs do not have the force of law, but if you are asked to leave, you must do so or receive a $25 trespassing citation. The statute specifically states that your gun cannot be confiscated. But if you don't leave when you're asked to do so, you're an idiot anyway.

11.Has very good hunting laws, long season , few restrictions on what firearms you can use.

I do not hunt, so I can't help you here.

12.Pro-gun Sheriffs

Generally more true than false, but a mixed bag like most places.

13.Pro-gun politicians

Generally more false than true, but much closer than you'd think, given how many rural politicians we have. The Minneapolis/St. Paul cesspool aside, and some of the more liberal suburbs, but the rest are generally pretty good.

14.Firearms are a way of life, long history, widely accepted.

Generally more true than false.

15.Gun ranges plentiful and inexpensive.

No public ranges of which I am aware, but I have eight or nine choices of range of varying quality within 30 miles.

Good list, Midwest. Of course it could be nitpicked, but I don't see the point. It serves its purpose just fine.

SC fails completely on #s 1, 2 & 10 (well, at least re: #10, the anti-carry signs must meet well-defined criteria to be valid).

Moderate failure on #8 due to no carry where alcohol is served for consumption on premises. We almost fixed this early this year, but state senate ran out the clock. Next opportunity is early next year, and I'd say there's a good chance we'll get it done this time.

In all other respects, I'm satisfied with SC's general respect for RKBA.

I am not... you guys have extremely limited carry permit reciprocity (at least for me) and a Byzantine list of places that are off limits for carry. Though admittedly it's not like you're alone there. Ironically most of the states that have had shall-issue permits the longest have the weirdest and most irritatingly irrational places where you cannot carry, whereas many of the more traditionally liberal states that have only gotten shall-issue permits in the last 15 years or so are much less restrictive.

 

[gdcpony]

The top 15 criteria for candidates for a Gun Friendly State should consist of the following.


1.Constitutional Carry- Concealed and Open Carry without a permit. Would be nice

2.Allows those 18 or older to carry concealed or open. Feds took pistols from this. My daughter is 14 and carrying my LR-308 out hunting today. Can't wait until the neighbors see her biking down the road with an "assault rifle" on her back. Of course, I'll be behind her with my old Mauser .257 because she isn't 18

3.Allows all NFA. No state firearm restrictions. No magazine restrictions. If the Feds allow it you can own it. How about they say screw the feds and allow what the constitution said in the first place?

4.Shall issue carry permit (If Constitutional Permit-less is not applicable). Open carry allowed without permit. Perfect!

5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees

6.Private Sales allowed If they aren't, it is an Anti state

7.No restrictions on gun shows

8.Very few places where you cannot carry. I think that outside of serving alcohol any where should be fine

9.State preemption YEP!

10.Stores posting anti carry signs have no legal weight. I actually think if it is a private business the owner should be able to post whatever rule he wants. What that does for his image and business is on us and whether we choose to shop there. You take away someone's right to control their property and what is next?

11.Has very good hunting laws, long season , few restrictions on what firearms you can use. Nope, better would be if they manage their game herds and regulate the season based on that. Long seasons no limits and you get no game left. OH does this part well

12.Pro-gun Sheriffs

13.Pro-gun politicians

14.Firearms are a way of life, long history, widely accepted Tools not weapons. That is how they used to be viewed outside of war

15.Gun ranges plentiful and inexpensive


What states have most of the above? Then take them in order to make the top 5.

Kentucky comes real close to above. We have constitutional OPEN carry. Unfortunately you have to be 21 to get a concealed carry permit in order to carry concealed.
__________________
I am not a lawyer, I just study the history of gun control laws.

My suggestions. I would add in place of the stores one: No one can force my storage requirements. If I want a gun loaded on my front porch with my 7yr old (extreme example), then that is my decision not theirs- and my consequences. I have to lock my firearms because I have kids. More than half the firearms in my house belong to the kids!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

1.Constitutional Carry- Concealed and Open Carry without a permit.

The states that don't require a permit to carry concealed:

Vermont
Alaska
Wyoming
Arizona
Arkansas

Kentucky doesn't make that list.

Neither does Arkansas.
There is a lot of controversy around the latest changes to Arkansas' gun laws, but in no way is there constitutional carry. The only thing that changed was that the term "journey" was defined. You can legally carry a firearm if you are on a journey outside your county of residence without having to have a CHL. Open or concealed carry is not discussed and the courts will likely make the decision one way or the other as soon as someone has the balls and money to be the test case.

If you go to the Wal Mart in your town, you are in your own county and are not legally allowed to carry a firearm. That's not constitutional carry if it doesn't even apply to where you live.

 

[manithree]

Utah (as I understand it):

1.Constitutional Carry- Concealed and Open Carry without a permit.

Open carry only, but real constitutional carry passed the legislature this year (the governor vetoed it). A new governor or a clue bat and we'll get it soon.

2.Allows those 18 or older to carry concealed or open

Only open for now until 21, but Utah recognizes the Maine permit which is available at 18. Arguably an out-of-state permit doesn't exempt the holder from federal GFSZA, but lots of 18 year-olds get the Maine permit and start carrying.

3.Allows all NFA. No state firearm restrictions. No magazine restrictions. If the Feds allow it you can own it

Check.

4.Shall issue carry permit (If Constitutional Permit-less is not applicable). Open carry allowed without permit.

Check

5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees

Check AFAIK

6.Private Sales allowed

Check

7.No restrictions on gun shows

Check AFAIK

8.Very few places where you cannot carry

I've open (but usually conceal) carried at my kids schools. People open carry at the un-secured areas of the airport. State law allows churches to opt in to banning, but even then it's only an infraction and you can't lose your CFP for a single conviction.

9.State preemption

Check

10.Stores posting anti carry signs have no legal weight.

Check. Only homes, mental institutions, courthouses, police stations, jails, and "houses of worship" signs carry any legal weight.

11.Has very good hunting laws, long season , few restrictions on what firearms you can use.

I don't know how we compare there. $50 bounty on 'yotes, and the mountains are speckled with orange during the rifle season.

12.Pro-gun Sheriffs

Check++: http://www.scribd.com/doc/121298169/Utah-Sheriffs-Association-s-letter-to-President-Barack-Obama

We respect the Office of the President of the United States of America. But, make no mistake, as the duly-elected sheriffs of our respective counties, we will enforce the rights guaranteed to our citizens by the Constitution. No federal official wil be permitted to descend upon our constituents and take from them what the Bill of Rights -- in particular Amendment II -- has given them. We, like you, swore a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and we are prepared to trade our lives for the preservation of its traditional interpretation.

The Utah Sheriffs' Association

13.Pro-gun politicians

We didn't get rid of Hatch, but I'm represented in Washington by Mike Lee and Jason Chaffetz.

14.Firearms are a way of life, long history, widely accepted

Check.

15.Gun ranges plentiful and inexpensive

Check.

 

[HoosierQ]

While one could not argue that a state that fit all the criteria on this hypothetical list certainly would be a "gun friendly state", I for one think it is way too broad and thus excludes a very large number of states which are, in point of fact, very gun friendly.

So...list fail...in the context of providing useful information on the subject.

Perhaps it would be valuable if one were to apply it to a state in such a way that 10 out of 15 satisfies the criteria...something along those line.

Really more of a desired future state rather than a definition.

 

[87jeep]

WOW just WOW, Some of you like limits, regs and love it.
Freedom is in AZ & UT. AZ has a group called AZCDL(arizona citizens Defense league) formed in 2005, now nearing 10,000 members that has got the state to remove (almost)all the dumb laws that pertain to weapons.
What are you doing in your state to change the state & local laws???
Maybe we need a ACDL American Citizens Defence League? Just remember you will have to get off your butt if thing are to change in D.C. Talk is cheap, need action!

 

[aeriedad]

I am not... you guys have extremely limited carry permit reciprocity (at least for me) and a Byzantine list of places that are off limits for carry. Though admittedly it's not like you're alone there. Ironically most of the states that have had shall-issue permits the longest have the weirdest and most irritatingly irrational places where you cannot carry, whereas many of the more traditionally liberal states that have only gotten shall-issue permits in the last 15 years or so are much less restrictive.

Yeah, SC does have poor reciprocity, which is why I also got a UT CFP right after my SC CWP. But reciprocity wasn't on Midwest's list.

Re: places off-limits, you may have confused us for NC (and they improved to be more like SC on 1 October--even better because of restaurant carry!). Aside from restaurants serving alcohol, about the only other state-imposed off-limits areas that really annoy me are schools, hospitals, doctors' offices & similar establishments. But even in those we can carry with expressed permission from authorities in charge of the business or school district. Of course, as a practical matter it's far easier to just not carry there.

Most everything else off-limits is because of federal law, not state.

 

[huntsman]

your whole premise of gun friendly went right down the crapper with this

5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees

 

[Midwest]

There are minor differences that might put one state over another one lets say if we came up with a list of Top 10 or Top 15 gun friendly states.

Vermont has constitutional concealed and open carry but doesn't allow silencers. That may not make a difference to some, it might make a difference to others. Source:
http://www.submachinegun.net/sbsconr.htm

Indiana allows those 18 years old to get get a conceal carry permit. Kentucky you have to be 21.

Montana has constitutional (permit-less) carry in rural areas, in cities and towns you still need to have a conceal carry permit.

In some states, it cost very little to get a carry permit compared to other states. Some states require training, others do not require any training to get a carry permit.

Breaking this down further in determining a top 10 or top 20 list of gun friendly states would be this question. "What state is closest to a constitutional carry, but still requires a permit?" For instance: What state costs the least, and has the least hassle to get in the shortest amount of time?

This isn't a 'scientific' or a 'set in stone' list. Rather it helps us gather information how one state might be different compared another one in some categories. Would Arizona take a higher ranking over Vermont because of the VT's silencer restriction? Or would Vermont rank higher because they never required a carry permit to begin with ? I think it is informative and fun to compare notes and differences as well as to get a diverse amount of insight from the members here.

 

[hso]

5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees

There are some advantages to the State check that might outweigh the NICS, like the Feds not having access to that info. Also, aren't you paying a fee for fed NICS anyway (TN has a state system so I don't know what NICS charges).?

11.Has very good hunting laws, long season , few restrictions on what firearms you can use.

Hunting seasons should be purely based on wildlife management goals so you may have restrictions based on valid wildlife population counts. Restrictions on firearms would be based on humane kills only. Suppressors would also be allowed for hunting.

 

[Midwest]

There are some advantages to the State check that might outweigh the NICS, like the Feds not having access to that info. Also, aren't you paying a fee for fed NICS anyway (TN has a state system so I don't know what NICS charges).?

Right, but we don't know what records every POC state is 'collecting as well', it maybe more than what the Feds 'collect'.

your whole premise of gun friendly went right down the crapper with this
Quote:
5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees

I honestly can't see how having to PAY fees for a background check done when buying from a FFL (in a POC) is ever a 'good thing'.

POC (Point of Contact) states usually charge for State NICS background checks done at the Local Gun Store. In states that don't have a POC, the LGS normally uses the Fed NICS and usually do not charge for background checks. So having a state operating as a POC means a fee .

A good example of a POC State gone wrong is New Jersey, there that state charges $16 per background check. Did I mention that they are CLOSED Sundays, State Holidays and have much less hours in operation than the Federal NICS?

Carry permits seems to be good enough to meet requirements in several states and therefore can be used to bypass Fed NICS and State POC (and also hopefully bypasses the state POC fees as well). Whatever the case, and I don't know what all Point of Contact states charge. But having to pay for a background check when other states don't charge for a fee isn't a plus for gun owners.

 

[HexHead]

Tennessee....



1.Constitutional Carry- Concealed and Open Carry without a permit.
Nope, it's been talked about, and when the now Governor was running for election, he said he'd sign it, but has back pedaled on that. No permit less carry, Period. Open or concealed

2.Allows those 18 or older to carry concealed or open
Nope. 21 or over. See above

3.Allows all NFA. No state firearm restrictions. No magazine restrictions. If the Feds allow it you can own it
Yep.

4.Shall issue carry permit (If Constitutional Permit-less is not applicable). Open carry allowed without permit.
Shall-issue Handgun Carry Permit, for Concealed or Open Carry

5.Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees
$10 TBI NICS. They also let the FFL know if the firearm was reported stolen when the check is run.

6.Private Sales allowed
Yep.

7.No restrictions on gun shows
None that I've ever seen.

8.Very few places where you cannot carry
All the usual places are prohibited, but we do have "restaurant carry". TN doesn't have any "bars", just restaurants, so you can carry in any establishment that sells or serves alcohol as long as it's not posted, and you aren't drinking.

9.State preemption
Yes. But when they legalized State Park carry, they opted to allow localities to post local parks. It varies county by county or county by city. It can be very confusing. Especially since they didn't have to change any signs until they needed to be replaced anyway.

10.Stores posting anti carry signs have no legal weight.
Just a simple circle/slash decal carries legal weight. Passing one is a Class C misdemeanor with a $500 fine. They can be really easy to miss too.

11.Has very good hunting laws, long season , few restrictions on what firearms you can use.
Goid hunting laws.

12.Pro-gun Sheriffs
Not in the cities.

13.Pro-gun politicians
Not in the cities

14.Firearms are a way of life, long history, widely accepted
Not in the cities. Too damn many liberals have moved here.

15.Gun ranges plentiful and inexpensive
I guess, but I belong to a private club.

I'd put us in the Top 20 at best, largely because of the signage and parks issues.

 

[DammitBoy]

Having a background check is a negative.

 

[armedaccountant]

Neither does Arkansas.
There is a lot of controversy around the latest changes to Arkansas' gun laws, but in no way is there constitutional carry. The only thing that changed was that the term "journey" was defined. You can legally carry a firearm if you are on a journey outside your county of residence without having to have a CHL. Open or concealed carry is not discussed and the courts will likely make the decision one way or the other as soon as someone has the balls and money to be the test case.

If you go to the Wal Mart in your town, you are in your own county and are not legally allowed to carry a firearm. That's not constitutional carry if it doesn't even apply to where you live.

Paul-

I have to respectfully disagree with you. There were two sections to ACT 746. Our AG Dustin McDaniel only issued an opinion on the first Section. Look at Section 2, this is the more important change. The words that are underlined were added.

SECTION 2. Arkansas Code § 5-73-120 is amended to read as follows:
5-73-120. Carrying a weapon.
(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a weapon if he or she
possesses a handgun, knife, or club on or about his or her person, in a
vehicle occupied by him or her, or otherwise readily available for use with a
purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ the handgun, knife, or club as a
weapon against a person.

To many, myself included, that reads if you don't plan on committing a crime with your weapon then you are free to carry it. I will agree with you that it will have to be decided by the courts. I know there have been some open carry marches in the state, but I wouldn't advise anyone to carry without a license unless they have the time and money for a court battle.

 

[huntsman]

I honestly can't see how having to PAY fees for a background check done when buying from a FFL (in a POC) is ever a 'good thing'.

POC (Point of Contact) states usually charge for State NICS background checks done at the Local Gun Store. In states that don't have a POC, the LGS normally uses the Fed NICS and usually do not charge for background checks. So having a state operating as a POC means a fee .

You are only focusing on the costs and not the loss of states rights when linking a CCW to the feds NICS. We in Ohio have a bill pending now on just such a thing and it seems in an attempt to gain more reciprocity and eliminate the need of a background check for FFL purchases(with a CCW) more Ohio citizens could suffer firearms disability because the Fed law is more stringent than state.

You can read more here.

http://forums.buckeyefirearms.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17543&p=125552#p125552

 

[Midwest]

You are only focusing on the costs and not the loss of states rights when linking a CCW to the feds NICS. We in Ohio have a bill pending now on just such a thing and it seems in an attempt to gain more reciprocity and eliminate the need of a background check for FFL purchases(with a CCW) more Ohio citizens could suffer firearms disability because the Fed law is more stringent than state.

You can read more here.

http://forums.buckeyefirearms.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17543&p=125552#p125552

If you have a KY CCW (actually called a CDWL "Concealed Deadly Weapons License"), you can bypass NICS with it. KY uses the Fed NICS for all firearms purchases. There is never a fee for background checks done at a LGS in KY.

Here is the list of all the states on which method they use. Notice they list which state's CCW can act as an alternate to NICS...be it a State POC or the Fed NICS.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/poc

They use the term "ATF-qualified alternate permit"


In some states that act as a POC.... Washington State for example, handguns are handled by the state instead of the Fed NICS. (Long guns are handled by the Fed NICS). This brings my earlier point home that states can go beyond what the Feds do in 'collecting information'.

And Washington State is a good example where the state did go beyond the Feds in 'collecting information'. Information on all handgun purchases are sent to the State Capitol as well as the Sheriff. Its called the "Pistol Transfer Form" , although now this is being done online in Washington State.

www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-414500.html


"There is a three-part form used for this. One copy goes to the CLEO where the purchaser lives, one is kept by the dealer, and the third goes to the Dept. of Licensing in Olympia. "


Further info http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/docs/firearmsOnlineSlides.pdf

If the LGS in Washington State was just using Federal NICS for handgun purchases, that information would not be going to the State Capitol and to the Sheriff. This was my point which illustrates that because the state does the NICS (and acts as Point of Contact) it is not always good thing as some might believe.

To clarify, my statement

Uses Federal NICS - No State POC means no State background check fees

should be amended to also read " By having No State POC also means no 'additional information' can be collected by the state. "

 

[Outlaw Man]

To many, myself included, that reads if you don't plan on committing a crime with your weapon then you are free to carry it. I will agree with you that it will have to be decided by the courts. I know there have been some open carry marches in the state, but I wouldn't advise anyone to carry without a license unless they have the time and money for a court battle.

At least five sets of sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys agree with you, too.

McDaniel's opinion on the journey portion was incredibly weak, as well. It baffles me how anyone could read that and say a journey only applies while you're in your vehicle.

I see carry in Arkansas being very similar to wet and dry counties until there is a court case to settle it, though.

 

[Twiki357]

I’m not sure about numbers 11 (I’m not a hunter) & 12 (Varies by county), but Arizona meets all the other criteria.

 

[Tejicano Loco]

New Mexico has just about all that except for Constitutional Carry. NM is a Shall Issue state and open carry requires no permit nor license.

One thing in addition to this list which NM has - your vehicle is legally an extension of your domicile so you can have guns in your car or truck however you want. I can legally (with no LEO "grey zone"enforcement) drive around town with my registered, suppressed, full-auto MAC-10 on the seat next to me - either in the open or under a newspaper, however I feel. That is a feeling of freedom.

 

[leadcounsel]

12.Pro-gun Sheriffs

13.Pro-gun politicians

14.Firearms are a way of life, long history, widely accepted

These are very important and need to be stressed. If you ever find yourself needing to actually USE your gun in self defense, you want the sheriffs, prosecutors, and if you end up at trial the jury members to all side with you in your use of your gun. Think of the possible different outcomes in FL v. Zimmerman if the incident occurred in:
1. Utah - Doubtful any charges filed
2. NY, IL, or CA - convicted

As applied to WA state, where I live, WA is a surprisingly pro gun state. It's a shall issue state, permits are affordable and requires only a background check. Silencers permitted (SBRs and SBS are illegal). No restrictions on private sales. I went to a pro-gun rally at the capital after Sandy Hook and there was a HUGE showing of people. Huge state with lots of outdoorsmen and hunting. 3 national parks including the only rainforest in the nation, and of course you can carry there too.

I'd say the worst laws are:
-FFL handgun purchases require a 5 day wait unless you have a carry permit.
-Extra 'fee' or 'tax' or whatever on gun FFL purchases amounting to 10% of cost of gun
-No SBR and SBS if you like that sort of thing

Seattle, and King County, are generally liberal and we have liberals in office currently, but the rest of the state is powerful enough to keep it pro-gun. When Colorado sadly fell to the anti gun movement in 2013, WA felt the ripples of gun control and stood our ground and organized and crushed the antis. I do, however, fear that WA could fall one day and I've prepared mentally to uproot and move to UT or AZ.

And Washington State is a good example where the state did go beyond the Feds in 'collecting information'. Information on all handgun purchases are sent to the State Capitol as well as the Sheriff. Its called the "Pistol Transfer Form" , although now this is being done online in Washington State.

Not true. It's optional.

I would also add to the list:
1. Stand your ground and Castle Doctrine laws
2. State equivalent 2nd Amendment (seems that CA and a few others don't offer it in their state constitution)
3. Arbitrary limits on TYPES of guns or ammo or limits on the number of guns or ammo
4. Storage laws (safes, locks, disassembled, etc.)