A new study released by High Rise Financial reveals that California leads the United States in the strength of its gun laws, according to data from the Giffords Law Center. But while the Golden State ranks #1 in firearm legislation, it’s not immune to the rising trend of gun-related deaths across the country.
The analysis compared state rankings from 2014 to 2023 and paired them with gun death rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It found that even in states with some of the strictest gun laws, gun death rates have continued to rise, highlighting a complex national crisis where legislation alone may not be enough.
The 5 States With the Strongest Gun Laws:
| State | 2023 Rank | 2014 Rank | Gun Death Rate (2023) | 10-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 1 | 8.25 per 100K | +8.49% |
| New Jersey | 2 | 3 | 4.66 per 100K | –10.30% |
| Connecticut | 3 | 2 | 6.20 per 100K | +19.32% |
| Illinois | 4 | 8 | 13.48 per 100K | +46.52% |
| New York | 5 | 5 | 4.80 per 100K | +9.15% |
California held steady in first place over the decade, demonstrating the state’s longstanding commitment to gun safety through universal background checks, red flag laws, and an assault weapons ban. Despite this, it saw an 8.49% increase in gun deaths per 100,000 residents over the last 10 years.
New Jersey, however, stands out as the only top-ranked state to reduce its gun death rate, down 10.30% since 2014. This achievement, combined with its climb from third to second place in the Giffords ranking, makes New Jersey a standout example of how legislation, enforcement, and local action can work together to reduce firearm-related fatalities.
In contrast, Illinois saw a dramatic 46.52% increase in gun deaths, even as it rose from 8th to 4th place in legislative strength. Experts note that urban violence, access to firearms from neighboring states, and systemic inequality may all contribute to the rise, indicating that strong laws can be undermined by factors outside a state’s borders.
The 5 States With the Weakest Gun Laws:
| State | 2023 Rank | 2014 Rank | Gun Death Rate (2023) | 10-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 50 | 44 | 22.36 per 100K | +40.63% |
| Missouri | 48 | 44 | 21.46 per 100K | +37.59% |
| Arkansas | 48 | 32 | 22.10 per 100K | +32.32% |
| Kentucky | 47 | 47 | 18.66 per 100K | +29.58% |
| Idaho | 46 | 39 | 18.36 per 100K | +41.23% |
At the other end of the spectrum, Wyoming ranks 50th in the nation, making it the state with the most permissive gun laws. The state’s firearm death rate has soared over 40% in a decade, now exceeding 22 deaths per 100,000 people, nearly three times higher than California’s.
Arkansas experienced the sharpest decline in legislative strength, dropping from 32nd to 48th place over the last ten years. Meanwhile, gun death rates in Missouri, Kentucky, Idaho, and Montana continue to climb, reflecting the potential consequences of relaxed firearm regulation.
Correlation, Not Causation — But Still Cause for Concern
“There’s no single solution to gun violence,” said a spokesperson for High Rise Financial. “But our data suggests that states with stricter laws tend to have lower gun death rates overall. The challenge is that even the strongest laws can’t operate in a vacuum. Social, economic, and regional dynamics all play a role.”
For example, New York’s rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000 residents remains among the lowest in the nation — yet the state still experienced a 9.15% increase in the past ten years. Meanwhile, highly ranked Connecticut saw a surprising 19.32% increase, despite consistently strong legislative frameworks.
Methodology
Gun law strength rankings were sourced from the Giffords Law Center’s annual scorecards, which assign each U.S. state a ranking based on the scope and strictness of its firearm legislation. Data was collected for the years 2014 and 2023 to evaluate changes over time. Gun death rates were pulled from the CDC Wonder Tool, comparing rates per 100,000 residents in 2014 and 2023 to calculate percentage changes.