US Gun Laws by State
Get detailed US gun laws by state, covering concealed carry permits, open carry restrictions, and background check requirements.
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Michigan Background Check and Gun Laws
The State of Michigan has numerous laws concerning the ownership and the carrying of firearms. Generally, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and agents thereof acting in an official capacity, are exempt from Michigan's firearms regulations. The Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 Article 1, Section 6 reads: Every person has a…
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Massachusetts Background Check and Gun Law
Massachusetts Law requires firearm owners to be licensed through their local Police Department or the Massachusetts State Police if no local licensing authority is available. A license is required by state law for buying firearms and ammunition. An applicant must have passed a State approved firearm safety course before applying for a license. All…
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Maryland Background Check and Gun Laws
In addition to having a Maryland driver's license, Maryland requires all gun purchasers to watch a safety video before purchasing a "regulated firearm". Once complete, the purchaser is issued a certification card. Every time you purchase a regulated firearm in Maryland thereafter, you must present this card to prove you have watched the safety video…
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North Carolina Background Check and Gun Laws
To acquire a handgun in North Carolina (including private sales, gifts, and inheritance) an individual must go to the county sheriff's office in the county in which they reside and obtain a pistol purchase permit. This is not required if one has a CCW (Carrying a Concealed Weapon) permit. State law requires the applicant to…
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Maine Background Check and Gun Laws
Maine is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry. The issuing authority is the local government or local police, or the state police. A permit to carry a concealed firearm shall be issued within 30 days to a qualified applicant who has been a Maine resident for at least five years, or within 60 days…
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Louisiana Background Check and Gun Laws
Louisiana is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall issue a concealed handgun permit to qualified applicants, after performing an NICS background check and giving the local police 10 days to provide additional information about the applicant. An applicant must demonstrate handgun proficiency by taking a…
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Kentucky Background Check and Gun Laws
Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant Statutes Notes State permit to purchase? No No Firearm registration? No No "Assault weapon" law? No No Owner license required? No No Carry permits issued? No Yes KRS § 237.110 State preemption of local restrictions? Yes Yes KRS § 65.870 Exception:…
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Kansas Background Check and Gun Laws
Despite having relatively nonrestrictive firearms laws, Kansas remained one of the few states with no provision for the concealed carry of firearms until March 2006, when the state legislature passed Senate Bill 418, "The Personal and Family Protection Act." This bill made Kansas the 47th state to permit concealed carry in some form and the…
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Iowa Background Check and Gun Laws
Iowa is a "may issue" state for concealed carry. A Permit to Carry Weapons may be issued or denied to qualified residents at the discretion of the county sheriff, or to non-residents at the discretion of the Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Applicants must successfully complete an approved training course and demonstrate…
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New York Background Check and Gun Laws
New York State, by many measures, is practically the strictest state in the nation as far as the procedure for obtaining a handgun (pistol) carry license is concerned. However, unlike many of the other extremely strict states (such as New Jersey or Maryland), once a New York State pistol license is obtained (with varying degrees…