Gun Laws by State: Interactive Compliance Lookup
Use the interactive state-law lookup below to find firearm compliance requirements for any of the 50 states plus DC. Pick a state, see storage rules, transport rules, permit requirements, magazine limits, and assault weapon definitions in one place.
What this tool covers
Coverage extends to all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. For each jurisdiction the tool surfaces (1) storage requirements with criminal vs. civil liability thresholds, (2) transport rules including FOPA peaceable-journey conditions, (3) permit requirements for purchase and carry, (4) magazine and feature-based assault weapon restrictions, and (5) the relevant penalty class for non-compliance. Updated through the most recent state legislative session.
Why state law matters more than federal law
Federal firearms law is the floor — state law is what gets collectors in trouble. A firearm legal in Texas may be a felony in California. Storage non-compliance is criminal in Massachusetts and civil in Wyoming. The transfer that would be normal in Florida may require an FFL and a 10-day wait in New Jersey. The interactive lookup below is built specifically for collectors and estate planners who need state-specific answers, not a generic 50-state summary. For the broader compliance picture across all states, see our Gun Laws by State pillar guide.
Free tool · 50 states + DC
Look up the gun laws that apply to your state
Pick your state. Get the compliance facts that matter for collectors — permits, magazine limits, storage, waiting periods, inheritance routing — plus direct links to the full guide.
Information here is educational, not legal advice. State laws change. Always confirm current statutes with a firearms attorney in your jurisdiction before relying on this for compliance decisions.
How to use this lookup tool effectively
Start with your current state of residence. Even if you travel frequently, your storage and possession rules at home are the most consequential — they govern most of your daily compliance exposure. Once you understand your home state’s framework, work through any states you visit regularly with firearms (range trips, hunting destinations, family visits).
For each state, pay particular attention to four high-risk areas: (1) storage requirements when minors or prohibited persons may access the home, (2) magazine and feature restrictions that can convert a legal firearm into a regulated weapon, (3) transport rules during travel, including loaded-versus-unloaded definitions, and (4) reciprocity for any concealed-carry permits you hold.
State law categories explained
Permissive states
States like Texas, Arizona, Wyoming, and most of the Mountain West treat firearms ownership as a default right. Storage requirements are typically tied only to access by minors or prohibited persons. Transport rules align with federal FOPA standards. Permits are generally shall-issue or constitutional carry.
Restrictive states
California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, Hawaii, and Washington (post-1639) impose stricter requirements. Common features include mandatory locked storage, may-issue permitting in some cases, magazine capacity limits, assault weapon definitions that prohibit certain rifles, and pre-purchase waiting periods. The penalties for non-compliance are usually criminal rather than civil.
Middle-tier states
Most other states fall in between — with some restrictive features (such as universal background check requirements or red-flag laws) but otherwise permissive frameworks. Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia are representative middle-tier jurisdictions.
Frequently asked questions
How often is this tool updated?
State firearm laws change with each legislative session and through executive action. We review the database after every state legislative session and immediately following any significant federal court decisions that affect state law (such as the post-Bruen wave of decisions). The displayed information includes a last-updated date for each state record.
Does this tool replace legal advice?
No. This tool is educational and provides a summary of state firearm law for general reference. State law is complex, and your specific situation may involve facts that change the analysis. For binding legal advice, consult a firearms attorney licensed in the relevant state. The ATF provides federal-level guidance, but state-specific questions require state-licensed counsel.
What if I have firearms in multiple states?
You must comply with the law of each state where the firearms are physically located, not where you reside. Cross-state collectors with second homes, vacation properties, or storage arrangements need to apply each state’s rules at each physical location. Our comprehensive gun laws by state pillar covers cross-state compliance patterns.
How does this interact with federal law?
Federal firearms law sets the floor — state law sets a higher bar where it exists. You must comply with both. A firearm legal under federal law may be illegal in a specific state, but a firearm illegal under federal law is illegal everywhere in the United States.
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