25/07/2024

15 States with the Highest Rates of Legal Gun Ownership

Guns are a huge part of American culture, and in some states, they’re even more popular than others. Whether it’s for hunting or just plain tradition, people’s attitudes toward firearms vary from state to state. Here are 18 states with the highest percentage of firearm ownership.

A Gun Owner’s Paradise

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This information comes from a World Population Review report. Montana tops the list, as a whopping 66.3% of folks in this state own a gun. People here believe in a lifestyle that includes a lot of hunting and spending time in the great outdoors, meaning that guns are part of everyday equipment for many Montanans.

Wyoming Keeps It Close

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Just a hair behind Montana, Wyoming has 66.2% of its residents packing heat, which is pretty much for the same reasons as big skies and open lands. Plus, in places where your nearest neighbor might be miles away, having a gun feels like a necessary part of life. How else are you going to defend yourself?

Guns for the Great Frontier

In Alaska, owning a gun is as normal as having a snow shovel, and 64.5% of folks here can vouch for that. It makes sense since living here is pretty difficult and requires certain precautions. Residents are often face-to-face with wildlife, meaning they have to use guns to protect themselves.

Outdoor Essentials

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Idahoans love the great outdoors, and 60.1% of the population own guns to keep safe from any dangers out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re hiking in Bear Country or hunting game because owning a firearm is necessary. This connection with the land and its traditions is one of the many reasons there’s so much gun ownership across the state.

Tradition of Hunting

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West Virginia’s love for guns and hunting game runs deep, with 58.5% of its residents owning one. Beyond hunting, many West Virginians view their firearms as a link to their heritage because they pass guns down through generations. This tradition and practical uses, such as home protection, mean that firearms are a key part of life in the Mountain State.

Heritage and Safety

In Arkansas, 57.2% of people own firearms, and the people here see guns as more than just tools. Firearms are a part of the state’s identity, and locals use their firearms for various activities, including shooting sports across the Ozarks and safeguarding livestock on farms. Many Arkansans view firearm ownership as a mix of practicality and tradition.

Strong Gun Ownership

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Over in Mississippi, 55.8% of residents own guns, showing that they don’t simply use firearms for sport. Instead, many residents believe that guns are an important part of life, both for traditional hunting and providing security. It makes sense, as they have a permitless carry law and no minimum age for owning a shotgun or rifle.

Long Gun Heritage

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55.5% of people in Alabama own guns, which is mostly because so many of them see firearms as heirlooms. Many families pass down rifles and shotguns, each with its own history and personal stories. This admiration for firearms, along with their practical uses for hunting and protection, has made guns a big part of Alabaman culture.

Essential Firearms

It’s no surprise that guns are so big in South Dakota, as the people here need to control the wildlife that could threaten their livestock. 55.3% of people count on their firearms as part of their daily lives and for community activities like hunting and competitive shooting. Relying on guns is just a natural part of the state’s rural traditions.

Rugged Self-Reliance

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Don’t forget about North Dakota, where 55.1% of residents need their guns to survive and stay safe. Guns are just as reliable here as sturdy boots, especially in remote areas where wildlife and the elements are serious threats. It has created a sense of respect and a practical approach towards guns for most North Dakotans.

A Legacy of Firearms

Oklahoma’s gun ownership rate is 54.7%, which comes from the state’s rich history and tales of the Old West. In the past, people viewed firearms as necessary to maintain the law, and today, they remain an important part of life in both rural and urban areas. People in Oklahoma value their sense of independence and self-sufficiency above all else.

Hunting Traditions

Kentucky is home to 54.6% of gun owners, and this is largely due to its hunting culture. Families here gather during hunting seasons to pass down skills and stories, bonding over shared experiences in Kentucky’s huge natural habitats. These traditions have made firearms important for people to manage wildlife and socialize.

Keep On Hunting

In Louisiana, 53.1% of the population owns guns because of the state’s unique geography. Whether it’s wetlands or woodlands, there are plenty of perfect places to hunt game and fish. Anybody who wants to hunt needs a firearm, and this love for guns supports a way of life that respects and revolves around nature.

Protective Residents

Tennessee has a gun ownership rate of 51.6%, which is a sign of people’s attitudes towards safety and sport. The state has huge hunting grounds that are as appealing to outdoorsmen as its cities are to those seeking protection. As such, people here believe firearms are equally important for security and recreation, which is a huge part of Tennessee’s culture.

More Than One Reason

Oregonians have many different reasons for owning guns, which is why 50.8% of the population does. These reasons include personal protection in urban areas, wildlife management, and sports in the countryside. Either way, Oregon has adapted its gun culture to fit the different environments and residents’ lifestyles.

Being Practical

Guns are an ordinary part of life in Vermont, and 50.5% of residents own them. It makes sense, as locals need firearms to deal with all the wildlife here and stay safe in the more isolated areas. Many Vermonters have a pretty practical view of firearms as useful tools, which is why they’re so normal here.

A Long History

South Carolina is where 49.4% of people own guns, and the state has a rich hunting culture to provide this. Most people in the state will use guns for almost everything, whether that’s just to protect themselves or to take part in sporting activities. Either way, their approach to gun ownership is something that’s not going away anytime soon.

Many Natural Resources

In Georgia, 49.2% of the population owns guns, and local people really value their right to bear arms. This is mostly due to the state’s sheer amount of natural resources for hunting and outdoor sports, though some people do own firearms as a form of protection. This mix of safety and sport has created a well-rounded perspective on gun ownership in the state.