most background checks for gun ownership by population

[Lefty]

Most armed states from The Daily Beast. Interesting statistics. No wonder Kali right wingers are so rabid, they're surrounded by anti-gun nuts. Wisconsin ahead of Arizona? What's with that? Looks like my southern Illinois brethren are well armed. Connecticut? Really? Arizona at 41? Whodathunkit? New Hampshire? Live free or die, baby!

1, Kentucky
Population:4,314,113
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents (Dec. 2008 – May 2010): 34,028

2, Utah
Population:2,784,572
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 30,315

3, Montana
Population:974,989
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 25,745

4, Wyoming
Population:544,270
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 22,827

5, Alaska
Population:698,473
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 22,273

6, West Virginia
Population:1,819,777
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 21,455

7, South Dakota
Population:812,383
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 19,062

8, North Dakota
Population:646,844
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 17,829

9, Arkansas
Population:2,889,450
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 17,483

10, Alabama
Population:4,708,708
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 16,860

11, Tennessee
Population: 6,296,254
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 16,684

12, Oklahoma
Population: 3,687,050
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 15,801

13, Idaho
Population: 1,545,801
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 15,764

14, Colorado
Population: 5,024,748
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 15,086

15, Missouri
Population: 5,987,580
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 14,712

16, New Hampshire
Population: 1,324,575
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 14,522

17, Mississippi
Population: 2,951,996
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 14,165

18, Illinois
Population: 12,910,409
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,879

19, Connecticut
Population: 3,518,288
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,783

20, New Mexico
Population: 2,009,671
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,408

21, Louisiana
Population: 4,492,076
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,329

22, Minnesota
Population: 5,266,214
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,285
23, Kansas
Population: 2,818,747
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 12,516

24, Washington
Population: 6,664,195
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 12,508

25, Pennsylvania
Population: 12,604,767
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 12,449

26, Oregon
Population: 3,825,657
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 12,059

27, Indiana
Population: 6,423,113
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,614

28, South Carolina
Population: 4,561,242
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,578

29, Maine
Population: 1,318,301
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,528

30, Virginia
Population: 7,882,590
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,134

31, Iowa
Population: 3,007,856
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,127

32, Nevada
Population: 2,643,085
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,115

33, Texas
Population: 24,782,302
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,936

34, North Carolina
Population: 9,380,884
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,411

35, Vermont
Population: 621,760
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,366

36, Georgia
Population: 9,829,211
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,200

37, Michigan
Population: 9,969,727
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,030

38, Wisconsin
Population: 5,654,774
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 8,534

39, Ohio
Population: 11,542,645
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 8,491

40, Nebraska
Population: 1,796,619
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 8,081

41, Arizona
Population: 6,595,778
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 7,954

42, Florida
Population: 18,537,969
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 7,510

43, Delaware
Population: 885,122
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 5,636

44, California
Population: 36,961,664
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 5,444
45, Maryland
Population: 5,699,478
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 4,040

46, Massachusetts
Population: 6,593,587
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 3,796

47, Rhode Island
Population: 1,053,209
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 3,504

48, New York
Population: 19,541,453
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 3,047

49, Hawaii
Population: 1,295,178
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 2,031

50, New Jersey
Population: 8,707,739
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 1,536

51, Washington, D.C.

[utrvp]

Just a guess but it could be the reason that for instance Wisconsin is ahead of Arizona for background checks for gun ownership is because guns are more common in Arizona and are Arizonians are already well armed. Arizona is a must issue state and they also allow open carry without a permit. Wisconsin is an "Anomalous Open Carry State". That means open carry is allowed but with a lot of grey areas that could cause the carrier a lot of trouble. Arizona is "Permissive Open Carry State" which basically means there are few restrictions. The link below provides more detail. Also must issue was just signed into law in Wisconsin a year ago this past June. Arizona passed theirs in July a year earlier than Wisconsin.

http://voices.yahoo.com/open-carry-f...521.html?cat=7

[sgmfisher]

Oklahoma just went into open carry yesterday. In the wind.

Pops

[Hamilton]

I hope Moonbean & Co. doesn't see this, they will be extremely unhappy at not being #50.

[utrvp]

Delaware has open carry but we are one of the "Anomalous Open Carry States" so though we can open carry we have to be careful about where and when.

[jammer45u]

Interesting read but I find it hard to believe a true indication of most armed states. A lot of people carrying around here don't bother with permits.

[TKanaley]

If you have a valid concealed weapon permit, you don't need to have a background check done on a firearm purchase. At least not here in Idaho. That in effect would account for a lot more firearm purchases than what is shown by the NICS statistics.

[Ed Y]

Originally Posted by TKanaley

If you have a valid concealed weapon permit, you don't need to have a background check done on a firearm purchase. At least not here in Idaho. That in effect would account for a lot more firearm purchases than what is shown by the NICS statistics.

Same in Mississippi.

[cernunos]

Originally Posted by TKanaley

If you have a valid concealed weapon permit, you don't need to have a background check done on a firearm purchase. At least not here in Idaho. That in effect would account for a lot more firearm purchases than what is shown by the NICS statistics.

Halloo. Definitely varies state by state. It'd be nice if all did.

C......

[guydoc77]

Might be interesting to compare the background checks stats to gun murder rate stats.

Speaking of those types of stats, I ran across some very interesting murder rate stats the other day. In spite of all the propaganda put forth by the media and anti gunners, the U.S. actually is among the lowest in the world for murder rates. Ours is somewhere between 4-5 per 100,000 people. In a number of countries the rate approaches 50. Also, it's interesting to note that D.C. has among the highest murder rates in the U.S.. Yet there background checks aren't the lowest? Shouldn't there be an inverse relationship?

[Z16Monte]

Surprised that DE is only 43rd. Background checks(instantaneous)are required for all firearms purchases from an FFL holder. Private sales exempted though, so that may have something to do with it.

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by utrvp

Delaware has open carry but we are one of the "Anomalous Open Carry States" so though we can open carry we have to be careful about where and when.

What is the where and when? Do you prefer open carry or concealed? There has been discussion about open carry in Texas, but I'm not convinced that its the best thing,... particularly in metro areas.

[guydoc77]

Just for a second, try and clear your mind.
Imagine each of the planes on 9/11 being full of passengers even half of whom were openly carrying and proficient in the use of their firearms.
I realize the mere thought of this type of scenario sends chills up many folks' spines. And urinary incontinence.
Nonetheless, humor me and try to imagine how things may have been different that day.

[Homesick]

Originally Posted by TKanaley

If you have a valid concealed weapon permit, you don't need to have a background check done on a firearm purchase. At least not here in Idaho. That in effect would account for a lot more firearm purchases than what is shown by the NICS statistics.

That's interesting. You do in Ok.

joe

[67duce]

Originally Posted by TKanaley

If you have a valid concealed weapon permit, you don't need to have a background check done on a firearm purchase. At least not here in Idaho. That in effect would account for a lot more firearm purchases than what is shown by the NICS statistics.

Same in IA , or if you have a permit to purchase no background check. Reason being you already had one to get your permit , although you have to fill out paper work when you purchase at a retailer , so there's a paper trail that ties you to the firearm.

We also have open carry , personally I wouldn't , there's more down sides than pluses IMO.