
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio ranked among the top 10 states in the United States for gun sales in 2023 according a new SafeHomes.org analysis. Tracking gun transactions across the nation, the study used FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System data.
Over the first four months of 2024 alone, roughly 5.5 million guns were sold nationally, averaging almost 1.4 million sales every month. With 553,314 gun sales overall, Ohio ranks sixth in the country in 2023. This ranking fits a larger national pattern whereby most populated states typically see more gun sales.
Texas with 1,347,509 sales, Florida with 1,316,471, and California with 1,043,421 are among the states dominating the list overall in gun purchases. Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Michigan, Missouri, and Illinois completed the top ten states.
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Ohio’s gun sales per capita indicate a different perspective even if its overall rating is really high. Ohio placed 32nd among all states with 668 sales per 10,000 residents, adjusted for population size and considering weapons sold per 10,000 residents aged 21 and older. Montana dominated this per capita list with 1,586 weapons sold per 10,000 people; followed by Wyoming, Alaska, Oregon, and Alabama.
The study also observed a minor drop of 4% in gun purchases in Ohio between 2022 and 2023. After sales peaked during the epidemic in 2020, there is a countrywide drop in gun purchases that follows. SafeHomes.org claims that he drop in gun sales corresponds with the declining safety concerns among the people in general.
At the other extreme, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Delaware recorded the lowest overall gun purchases in 2023. Comparably, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts recorded the fewest sales per 10,000 individuals when the data was adjusted for population size.
The comprehensive research emphasizes the complicated dynamics of gun sales in the United States, shaped by elements including population size and changing public opinions of safety.
States with increased gun sale rates
North Carolina
In North Carolina, the repeal of the pistol purchase permit requirement in March 2023 led to a sharp increase in registered gun sales. This legislative change eliminated the need for buyers to obtain a permit from the sheriff’s office to purchase a handgun, resulting in a surge in background checks and, consequently, more gun sales between 2022 and 2023.
Illinois
In Illinois, despite new stringent gun laws, gun sales still rose by about five percent from 2022 to 2023. The Protect Illinois Communities Act, which took effect on January 10, 2023, introduced a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines but did not halt the uptick in firearm purchases.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire saw a modest increase of three percent in gun sales, with its relatively lax gun laws and absence of recent significant gun control legislation contributing to the steady market.
Florida
Florida experienced a slight increase of one percent in gun sales, potentially influenced by the introduction of a permitless carry law in 2023, allowing residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit, which may have slightly boosted sales.
States with most significant declines in gun sales
District of Columbia (-32%)
In the District of Columbia, gun sales plummeted by 32 percent due to enhanced background checks and strict firearm registration processes. The district’s policies include mandatory registration with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department before transfer, stringent ownership restrictions, and a rigorous concealed carry permit process, alongside enforcement of bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Delaware (-18%)
Delaware witnessed an 18 percent decrease in gun sales, influenced by new legislation such as Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 125, which banned high-capacity magazines and certain semi-automatic weapons, respectively. Additional safety measures, including a future requirement for handgun purchase permits, have likely deterred potential buyers.
New York (-15%)
New York’s gun sales fell by 15 percent, driven by stringent gun control measures like the Concealed Carry Improvement Act, which restricts firearms in sensitive areas such as schools and hospitals. Comprehensive background checks and the utilization of Extreme Risk Protection Orders have further contributed to the decline in sales. Public campaigns promoting safe gun ownership and changing attitudes towards gun control after high-profile incidents of gun violence have also played a role.
Louisiana (-15%)
Louisiana also reported a 15 percent decrease in gun sales. Factors such as President Biden’s executive actions to strengthen background checks, economic uncertainties, and a shift in public opinion against easy access to firearms amid rising gun violence and advocacy campaigns have influenced this downturn.