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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Hawaii Background Check and Gun Laws
Hawaii is a "may issue" state for concealed carry. "In an exceptional case, when an applicant shows reason to fear injury to the applicant's person or property," a license to carry a pistol or revolver may be granted or denied at the discretion of the county police chief. In practice however few if any concealed…
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Georgia Background Check and Gun Laws
Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant Statutes Notes State Permit to Purchase? No No None Firearm registration? No No None "Assault weapon" law? No No None Owner license required? No No None Carry permits issued? No Yes OCGA §16-11-129 Concealed or open carry allowed with permit. See also OCGA §43-38-10 which is…
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Florida Background Check and Gun Laws
Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant Statutes Notes State Permit to Purchase? No No None No Firearm registration? No No None No "Assault weapon" law? No No None No Owner license required? No No None No Carry permits issued? No Yes Chapter 790.06 Concealed carry only; no open carry allowed, even with permit State Preemption of…
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District of Columbia Background Check and Gun Laws
In Washington, D.C., all firearms must be registered with the police, by the terms of the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975. The same law also prohibited the possession of handguns, even in private citizens' own homes, unless they were registered before 1976. However, the handgun ban was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court…
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Delaware 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 11 Del.C. § 1441(j) Permit needed to carry concealed State Preemption of local restrictions? Yes*…
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Connecticut Background Check and Gun Laws
Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant Statutes Notes State Permit to Purchase? No Yes CGS 29-36(f), CGS 29-36(g) Certificate of Eligibility for Pistol or Revolver required to purchase handguns. Applicants must complete an approved handgun safety course, and pass a NICS background check prior to issuance of certificate. Certificate of Eligibility valid for five years. There…
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Colorado Background Check and Gun Laws
Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant Statutes Notes State Permit to Purchase? no no None yes Firearm registration? No No None No "Assault weapon" law? No No None No Owner license required? No No None No Concealed Carry permits issued? Yes Yes CRS 18-12 No Open carry without a permit? Yes* Yes* CRS 18-12 Technically legal…
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California Background Check and Gun Laws
Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant Statutes Notes State Permit to Purchase? No No §12070, §12071, §12082 All firearm sales (except long guns more than 50 years old) must be completed through a dealer. Handgun purchases require a Handgun Safety Certificate and proof of residency. Firearm registration? No Yes None All handgun sales are recorded by…
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Arkansas Background Check and Gun Laws
Subject/Law Long guns Handguns Relevant Statutes Notes State Permit to Purchase? No No None No Firearm registration? No No None No "Assault weapon" law? No No None No Owner license required? No No None No Carry permits issued? No Yes 5-73-301 – 5-73-320 Concealed carry requires a permit. Open carry is not permitted. State Preemption…
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Arizona Background Check and Gun Laws
Arizona gun laws are found mostly in Title 13, Chapter 31 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. There is no registration or licensing of non-NFA firearms in Arizona. In fact, Section 13-3108 subsection B prohibits any political subdivision of the state from enacting any laws requiring licensing or registration. According to state law, a person must…