We recently wrote a report on the The 20 US states with the most guns per capita and in this article we will look at the state that ranks first.
The United States is one of the most unique countries in the world because its constitution explicitly allows gun ownership. As a result, a significant number of Americans own guns, making the United States the country with the highest number of civilian guns. India, with a population of 1.44 billion, ranks far behind the United States in gun ownership, with 71 million guns in civilian hands. Gun sales in the United States have remained consistently high despite regulatory measures, such as the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check system, implemented by federal and state authorities.
The firearms market
The global firearms industry was valued at $41.7 billion in 2023. Although the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% between 2024 and 2032, strict regulations imposed by governments around the world regarding firearm ownership could hamper the market growth. However, increasing political instability and cross-border conflicts have fueled demand for firearms and accessories in the United States. For example, shares of major firearms manufacturers, such as Sturm, Ruger & Company, and Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: SWBI), surged on July 15 following an assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Gun sales hit record highs in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and social upheaval following the death of George Floyd. As a result, stock prices for gun manufacturers surged, with Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: SWBI) shares hitting all-time highs near $35. In 2022, the market appeared to bottom, with sales falling to about 17.4 million total guns, compared to nearly 22.7 million during the pandemic. However, gun manufacturers remain confident about future sales. On its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call, Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: SWBI) reported net sales of more than $159 million, an increase of nearly 10% from the same quarter last year. “While the summer months are very competitive as we enter a traditionally slower season for firearms,” said Chairman and CEO Mark Smith, “we continue to expect healthy overall demand for firearms in fiscal 2025, and Smith & Wesson is well positioned to deliver another strong year of growth.”
Gun Violence: A Uniquely American Problem
On average, 120 Americans die each day from gun-related incidents, including suicides and homicides, or about 43,375 deaths per year. From 2015 to 2019, the U.S. gun homicide rate was 26 times higher than that of other high-income countries, and its gun suicide rate was nearly 12 times higher. Mass shootings, defined as attacks in which four or more people are injured or killed, excluding the shooter, have been on the rise since 2015, peaking at 686 incidents in 2021. Despite this staggering toll, the political debate over how to keep guns out of the hands of those who would harm themselves or others remains highly contentious. Additionally, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), signed by President Bush in 2005, protects firearms manufacturers from lawsuits brought by cities or individuals affected by manufacturers’ or retailers’ unsafe business practices. However, in 2022, Congress reached agreement on limited gun control reforms for the first time in nearly 30 years, following the tragic Uvalde, Texas, elementary school shooting, the deadliest mass shooting since 2012.
As the November election approaches, America’s complex and historic relationship with guns is poised to take center stage. The two leading presidential candidates have very different positions on gun rights, which are crucial to voters’ perceptions of safety. For many Americans, strong gun control laws are essential to their safety, while for others, expanding access to firearms enhances their sense of security. Given the vastness of the United States, imposing regulatory controls on gun ownership presents a daunting challenge for the federal government.
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Our methodology
In this article, we listed the 20 states with the most guns per capita. To compile our data, we referred to a report published by Ammo.com, which provides state-level estimates of household gun ownership in 2024, providing a useful measure of gun ownership within each population. States are listed in ascending order by the number of guns per capita. Additionally, we incorporated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on gun mortality by state, using the most recent data available from 2022, detailing the number of deaths caused by firearms.
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The state with the most guns per capita in the United States
1. Wyoming
Firearms per capita: 245.8
Gun deaths per 100,000 people: 20.4
Despite being the least populated state in the United States, Wyoming tops the list of states with the most guns per capita, with 245.8 firearms per 1,000 people. Known for its wide-open spaces, mountains, and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the country. It remains a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.
Want to learn more about other states with high gun ownership rates? Check out our report on the topic. The 20 US states with the most guns per capita.
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