A Majority of Guns Used to Commit Crimes in This State Come From Outside Its Borders

Omar García Harfuch, the Head of Public Safety in Mexico, recently shared a surprising statistic: out of every gun used in cartel violence in Mexico and seized by the country, 75% come from the United States. These guns, which are used in both violent and non-violent crimes ranging from murder and kidnapping to robbery, are primarily 9mm pistols, .22-caliber handguns, AK-47-style 7.62mm calibers, and AR-15 variants. This is not a new problem — Mexico and the United States have been attempting to staunch the flow of weapons for years. But several individuals, especially in states with looser weapons laws, have circumvented this process. In fact, an Indiana man named David Joseph Mull was recently sentenced to four years in federal prison for selling over 1,300 guns without a license — many of which, the U.S. Department of Justice claims, ended up in Mexico. (These countries banned guns, but did they see immediate results?)

Gun trafficking can be a serious problem, and one that can lead to increased community violence, worse gun control efforts, and the strengthening of organized crime. While many people typically think of gun trafficking through an international lens, such as the flow of weapons to Mexico, there’s also a serious amount of gun trafficking happening between U.S. states and territories. This has a horrible impact across America: youth gun deaths have increased by 50% since 2019, and Black children and teens remain 8x more likely to die from firearm-related homicides than white peers. Without stringent gun laws, guns can be trafficked and hardly traced, letting this violence become an epidemic. Here, 24/7 Wall St. determined the U.S. states and territories with the worst gun trafficking. To do so, we used 2023 firearms trace data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that encompasses the total number of firearms traced in each state or territory; the firearm types, calibers, and categories recovered; the top states from where guns were trafficked; the types of offenses that occurred; and the time-to-crime. We ranked the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and three U.S. territories based on the most guns trafficked from out of state. We also included information on each state’s gun law strength from the Giffords Center’s Annual Gun Law Scorecard.

This previously published article was updated on May 13, 2025 to provide more insight into gun trafficking in the U.S. territories. 

What is Gun Trafficking?

Gun trafficking — which may also be referred to as weapons trafficking or arms trafficking — refers to the illegal movement of guns within and beyond state lines. While most guns are bought legally, these guns may then be sold by people without a license, sold to people who should not buy a gun, or stolen by criminal enterprises. One common form of gun trafficking is called a straw purchase, which occurs when someone purchases a gun to give to someone else who is prohibited from buying a gun.

Gun trafficking makes guns harder to track — and therefore, if these guns are used in crimes (violent or non-violent), it makes it more difficult to determine who the perpetrator might be.

An Urgent Need to Discuss Gun Crime

Gun control laws are put in place, at least in part, to help keep firearms out of the wrong hands. In the United States, these laws are set largely at the state level — but this means that there’s a great deal of variance between states and territories. While some have implemented strong gun safety laws in an effort to enhance community safety, others have not. In theory, criminals will have greater difficulty obtaining a firearm in areas where guns are tightly regulated. As such, in many of the states with strict gun control laws, thousands of guns that are linked to crime are ultimately determined to have originally been purchased in another part of the country. Some of the guns made in America have also been linked to crime outside of the country — after the Mexican president asked U.S. President Donald Trump to curb gun trafficking, the U.S. seized 9,700 guns about to head that way. By understanding where trafficked guns are coming from, we can potentially begin comng up with solutions.

Here are the U.S. states and territories with the worst gun trafficking problems:

54. Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of the area, 2023: 6.7% of traced guns (4 total guns)
• Top out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Alabama; 1 gun, 1.7% of all recovered firearms in Guam and North Mariana Islands
• 2nd out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 1 gun, 1.7% of all recovered firearms in Guam and North Mariana Islands
• 3rd out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Virginia; 1 gun, 1.7% of all recovered firearms in Guam and North Mariana Islands
• Guam’s gun law strength grade: N/A

53. Texas

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 15.0% of traced guns (7,169 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Louisiana; 1,150 guns, 2.4% of all recovered firearms in Texas
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Oklahoma; 497 guns, 1.0% of all recovered firearms in Texas
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Mississippi; 486 guns, 1.0% of all recovered firearms in Texas
• Texas’s gun law strength grade: F

52. Wisconsin

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 15.1% of traced guns (1,074 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Illinois; 180 guns, 2.5% of all recovered firearms in Wisconsin
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Indiana; 83 guns, 1.2% of all recovered firearms in Wisconsin
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 76 guns, 1.1% of all recovered firearms in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin’s gun law strength grade: C

51. Ohio

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 15.6% of traced guns (2,801 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Kentucky; 495 guns, 2.8% of all recovered firearms in Ohio
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Indiana; 305 guns, 1.7% of all recovered firearms in Ohio
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: West Virginia; 216 guns, 1.2% of all recovered firearms in Ohio
• Ohio’s gun law strength grade: D-

50. Alaska

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 15.8% of traced guns (207 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Colorado; 26 guns, 2.0% of all recovered firearms in Alaska
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 15 guns, 1.1% of all recovered firearms in Alaska
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 14 guns, 1.1% of all recovered firearms in Alaska
• Alaska’s gun law strength grade: F

49. Alabama

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 16.0% of traced guns (1,429 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 303 guns, 3.4% of all recovered firearms in Alabama
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 186 guns, 2.1% of all recovered firearms in Alabama
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Mississippi; 171 guns, 1.9% of all recovered firearms in Alabama
• Alabama’s gun law strength grade: F

48. Arizona

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 16.5% of traced guns (1,903 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 237 guns, 2.0% of all recovered firearms in Arizona
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 213 guns, 1.8% of all recovered firearms in Arizona
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: New Mexico; 129 guns, 1.1% of all recovered firearms in Arizona
• Arizona’s gun law strength grade: F

47. Virginia

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 17.5% of traced guns (2,155 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: North Carolina; 364 guns, 3.0% of all recovered firearms in Virginia
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 193 guns, 1.6% of all recovered firearms in Virginia
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 170 guns, 1.4% of all recovered firearms in Virginia
• Virginia’s gun law strength grade: B+

46. Indiana

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 17.6% of traced guns (1,931 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Kentucky; 371 guns, 3.4% of all recovered firearms in Indiana
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Ohio; 204 guns, 1.9% of all recovered firearms in Indiana
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Illinois; 190 guns, 1.7% of all recovered firearms in Indiana
• Indiana’s gun law strength grade: D-

45. Georgia

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 18.1% of traced guns (3,646 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 656 guns, 3.3% of all recovered firearms in Georgia
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Alabama; 583 guns, 2.9% of all recovered firearms in Georgia
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: South Carolina; 435 guns, 2.2% of all recovered firearms in Georgia
• Georgia’s gun law strength grade: F

44. New Hampshire

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 18.8% of traced guns (124 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Maine; 28 guns, 4.2% of all recovered firearms in New Hampshire
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Vermont; 14 guns, 2.1% of all recovered firearms in New Hampshire
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Massachusetts; 13 guns, 2.0% of all recovered firearms in New Hampshire
• New Hampshire’s gun law strength grade: D-

43. Missouri

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 19.1% of traced guns (1,736 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Kansas; 518 guns, 5.7% of all recovered firearms in Missouri
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Illinois; 217 guns, 2.4% of all recovered firearms in Missouri
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 142 guns, 1.6% of all recovered firearms in Missouri
• Missouri’s gun law strength grade: F

42. Florida

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 20.0% of traced guns (6,298 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 1,251 guns, 4.0% of all recovered firearms in Florida
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Alabama; 498 guns, 1.6% of all recovered firearms in Florida
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 451 guns, 1.4% of all recovered firearms in Florida
• Florida’s gun law strength grade: C-

41. Michigan

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 20.8% of traced guns (1,933 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Ohio; 288 guns, 3.1% of all recovered firearms in Michigan
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Indiana; 183 guns, 2.0% of all recovered firearms in Michigan
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Kentucky; 163 guns, 1.8% of all recovered firearms in Michigan
• Michigan’s gun law strength grade: B-

40. South Carolina

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 21.0% of traced guns (2,453 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: North Carolina; 700 guns, 6.0% of all recovered firearms in South Carolina
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 530 guns, 4.5% of all recovered firearms in South Carolina
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 170 guns, 1.5% of all recovered firearms in South Carolina
• South Carolina’s gun law strength grade: F

39. Louisiana

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 21.3% of traced guns (2,602 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 859 guns, 7.0% of all recovered firearms in Louisiana
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Mississippi; 484 guns, 4.0% of all recovered firearms in Louisiana
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Alabama; 203 guns, 1.7% of all recovered firearms in Louisiana
• Louisiana’s gun law strength grade: F

38. North Carolina

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 21.8% of traced guns (5,046 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: South Carolina; 1,322 guns, 5.7% of all recovered firearms in North Carolina
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Virginia; 851 guns, 3.7% of all recovered firearms in North Carolina
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 517 guns, 2.2% of all recovered firearms in North Carolina
• North Carolina’s gun law strength grade: C-

37. Pennsylvania

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 22.3% of traced guns (2,868 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 388 guns, 3.0% of all recovered firearms in Pennsylvania
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Ohio; 259 guns, 2.0% of all recovered firearms in Pennsylvania
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Virginia; 245 guns, 1.9% of all recovered firearms in Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania’s gun law strength grade: B

36. New Mexico

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 22.9% of traced guns (861 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 254 guns, 6.7% of all recovered firearms in New Mexico
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Arizona; 111 guns, 2.9% of all recovered firearms in New Mexico
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Colorado; 77 guns, 2.0% of all recovered firearms in New Mexico
• New Mexico’s gun law strength grade: B-

35. Utah

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 23.0% of traced guns (757 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Arizona; 73 guns, 2.2% of all recovered firearms in Utah
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 69 guns, 2.1% of all recovered firearms in Utah
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 61 guns, 1.9% of all recovered firearms in Utah
• Utah’s gun law strength grade: F

34. Arkansas

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 23.3% of traced guns (615 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 152 guns, 5.8% of all recovered firearms in Arkansas
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Missouri; 62 guns, 2.3% of all recovered firearms in Arkansas
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Tennessee; 57 guns, 2.2% of all recovered firearms in Arkansas
• Arkansas’s gun law strength grade: F

33. Oklahoma

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 23.9% of traced guns (1,050 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 266 guns, 6.1% of all recovered firearms in Oklahoma
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Arkansas; 112 guns, 2.5% of all recovered firearms in Oklahoma
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Missouri; 99 guns, 2.3% of all recovered firearms in Oklahoma
• Oklahoma’s gun law strength grade: F

32. Maine

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 23.9% of traced guns (116 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: New Hampshire; 30 guns, 6.2% of all recovered firearms in Maine
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 18 guns, 3.7% of all recovered firearms in Maine
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Massachusetts; 8 guns, 1.6% of all recovered firearms in Maine
• Maine’s gun law strength grade: C+

31. Iowa

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 24.6% of traced guns (725 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Illinois; 90 guns, 3.1% of all recovered firearms in Iowa
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Missouri; 62 guns, 2.1% of all recovered firearms in Iowa
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Nebraska; 59 guns, 2.0% of all recovered firearms in Iowa
• Iowa’s gun law strength grade: F

30. Mississippi

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 24.8% of traced guns (1,068 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Tennessee; 334 guns, 7.8% of all recovered firearms in Mississippi
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Louisiana; 168 guns, 3.9% of all recovered firearms in Mississippi
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Alabama; 125 guns, 2.9% of all recovered firearms in Mississippi
• Mississippi’s gun law strength grade: F

29. Kentucky

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 25.0% of traced guns (1,839 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Ohio; 346 guns, 4.7% of all recovered firearms in Kentucky
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Indiana; 335 guns, 4.6% of all recovered firearms in Kentucky
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Tennessee; 262 guns, 3.6% of all recovered firearms in Kentucky
• Kentucky’s gun law strength grade: F

28. Montana

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 25.9% of traced guns (354 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Washington; 44 guns, 3.2% of all recovered firearms in Montana
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 29 guns, 2.1% of all recovered firearms in Montana
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Wyoming; 27 guns, 2.0% of all recovered firearms in Montana
• Montana’s gun law strength grade: F

27. Minnesota

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 26.0% of traced guns (1,088 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Wisconsin; 170 guns, 4.1% of all recovered firearms in Minnesota
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: North Dakota; 81 guns, 1.9% of all recovered firearms in Minnesota
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Indiana; 79 guns, 1.9% of all recovered firearms in Minnesota
• Minnesota’s gun law strength grade: B

26. Oregon

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 26.2% of traced guns (1,232 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Washington; 340 guns, 7.2% of all recovered firearms in Oregon
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 164 guns, 3.5% of all recovered firearms in Oregon
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Idaho; 101 guns, 2.1% of all recovered firearms in Oregon
• Oregon’s gun law strength grade: A-

25. Colorado

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 28.0% of traced guns (1,945 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 288 guns, 4.1% of all recovered firearms in Colorado
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Wyoming; 119 guns, 1.7% of all recovered firearms in Colorado
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 117 guns, 1.7% of all recovered firearms in Colorado
• Colorado’s gun law strength grade: A-

24. West Virginia

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 28.6% of traced guns (469 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Ohio; 111 guns, 6.8% of all recovered firearms in West Virginia
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Virginia; 64 guns, 3.9% of all recovered firearms in West Virginia
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Kentucky; 56 guns, 3.4% of all recovered firearms in West Virginia
• West Virginia’s gun law strength grade: F

23. Nevada

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 28.6% of traced guns (1,372 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 244 guns, 5.1% of all recovered firearms in Nevada
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Arizona; 227 guns, 4.7% of all recovered firearms in Nevada
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 100 guns, 2.1% of all recovered firearms in Nevada
• Nevada’s gun law strength grade: B-

22. Washington

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 29.0% of traced guns (1,401 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Oregon; 285 guns, 5.9% of all recovered firearms in Washington
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Idaho; 176 guns, 3.6% of all recovered firearms in Washington
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 131 guns, 2.7% of all recovered firearms in Washington
• Washington’s gun law strength grade: A-

21. Tennessee

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 29.3% of traced guns (3,885 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Mississippi; 959 guns, 7.2% of all recovered firearms in Tennessee
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 469 guns, 3.5% of all recovered firearms in Tennessee
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Alabama; 288 guns, 2.2% of all recovered firearms in Tennessee
• Tennessee’s gun law strength grade: F

20. Idaho

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 30.3% of traced guns (405 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Washington; 102 guns, 7.6% of all recovered firearms in Idaho
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 40 guns, 3.0% of all recovered firearms in Idaho
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 40 guns, 3.0% of all recovered firearms in Idaho
• Idaho’s gun law strength grade: F

19. Kansas

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 31.5% of traced guns (1,178 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Missouri; 532 guns, 14.2% of all recovered firearms in Kansas
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Oklahoma; 100 guns, 2.7% of all recovered firearms in Kansas
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 86 guns, 2.3% of all recovered firearms in Kansas
• Kansas’s gun law strength grade: F

18. Vermont

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 32.6% of traced guns (97 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: New Hampshire; 29 guns, 9.7% of all recovered firearms in Vermont
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: New York; 10 guns, 3.4% of all recovered firearms in Vermont
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 7 guns, 2.3% of all recovered firearms in Vermont
• Vermont’s gun law strength grade: B-

17. Nebraska

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 33.7% of traced guns (619 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Iowa; 133 guns, 7.2% of all recovered firearms in Nebraska
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 68 guns, 3.7% of all recovered firearms in Nebraska
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Colorado; 55 guns, 3.0% of all recovered firearms in Nebraska
• Nebraska’s gun law strength grade: C-

16. Delaware

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 34.2% of traced guns (389 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Pennsylvania; 131 guns, 11.5% of all recovered firearms in Delaware
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Maryland; 38 guns, 3.3% of all recovered firearms in Delaware
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 34 guns, 3.0% of all recovered firearms in Delaware
• Delaware’s gun law strength grade: A-

15. Wyoming

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 37.7% of traced guns (104 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Colorado; 18 guns, 6.5% of all recovered firearms in Wyoming
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Montana; 15 guns, 5.4% of all recovered firearms in Wyoming
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Utah; 9 guns, 3.3% of all recovered firearms in Wyoming
• Wyoming’s gun law strength grade: F

14. North Dakota

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 38.8% of traced guns (255 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Montana; 45 guns, 6.8% of all recovered firearms in North Dakota
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Minnesota; 36 guns, 5.5% of all recovered firearms in North Dakota
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 20 guns, 3.0% of all recovered firearms in North Dakota
• North Dakota’s gun law strength grade: F

13. South Dakota

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 40.7% of traced guns (338 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 55 guns, 6.6% of all recovered firearms in South Dakota
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 30 guns, 3.6% of all recovered firearms in South Dakota
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 25 guns, 3.0% of all recovered firearms in South Dakota
• South Dakota’s gun law strength grade: F

12. California

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 46.0% of traced guns (15,677 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Arizona; 4,372 guns, 12.8% of all recovered firearms in California
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Nevada; 2,065 guns, 6.1% of all recovered firearms in California
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 1,662 guns, 4.9% of all recovered firearms in California
• California’s gun law strength grade: A

11. Illinois

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 48.6% of traced guns (8,659 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Indiana; 2,796 guns, 15.7% of all recovered firearms in Illinois
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Missouri; 952 guns, 5.3% of all recovered firearms in Illinois
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Wisconsin; 663 guns, 3.7% of all recovered firearms in Illinois
• Illinois’s gun law strength grade: A-

10. Rhode Island

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 50.9% of traced guns (297 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Massachusetts; 55 guns, 9.4% of all recovered firearms in Rhode Island
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 42 guns, 7.2% of all recovered firearms in Rhode Island
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 23 guns, 3.9% of all recovered firearms in Rhode Island
• Rhode Island’s gun law strength grade: A-

9. Maryland

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 54.7% of traced guns (3,925 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Virginia; 1,020 guns, 14.2% of all recovered firearms in Maryland
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 507 guns, 7.1% of all recovered firearms in Maryland
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Pennsylvania; 330 guns, 4.6% of all recovered firearms in Maryland
• Maryland’s gun law strength grade: A-

8. Connecticut

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 54.7% of traced guns (841 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 112 guns, 7.3% of all recovered firearms in Connecticut
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 100 guns, 6.5% of all recovered firearms in Connecticut
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: South Carolina; 86 guns, 5.6% of all recovered firearms in Connecticut
• Connecticut’s gun law strength grade: A

7. Hawaii

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 61.0% of traced guns (36 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 8 guns, 13.6% of all recovered firearms in Hawaii
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: California; 8 guns, 13.6% of all recovered firearms in Hawaii
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Colorado; 3 guns, 5.1% of all recovered firearms in Hawaii
• Hawaii’s gun law strength grade: A-

6. Massachusetts

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 65.2% of traced guns (1,510 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: New Hampshire; 248 guns, 10.7% of all recovered firearms in Massachusetts
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Maine; 225 guns, 9.7% of all recovered firearms in Massachusetts
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 137 guns, 5.9% of all recovered firearms in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts’s gun law strength grade: A

5. Puerto Rico

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of the area, 2023: 71.1% of traced guns (1,423 total guns)
• Top out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 452 guns, 22.6% of all recovered firearms in Puerto Rico
• 2nd out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 109 guns, 5.4% of all recovered firearms in Puerto Rico
• 3rd out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Ohio; 28 guns, 1.4% of all recovered firearms in Puerto Rico
• Puerto Rico’s gun law strength grade: N/A

4. New Jersey

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 79.0% of traced guns (2,504 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Pennsylvania; 532 guns, 16.8% of all recovered firearms in New Jersey
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 393 guns, 12.4% of all recovered firearms in New Jersey
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: North Carolina; 267 guns, 8.4% of all recovered firearms in New Jersey
• New Jersey’s gun law strength grade: A

3. New York

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of state, 2023: 80.7% of traced guns (6,280 total guns)
• Top out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 954 guns, 12.3% of all recovered firearms in New York
• 2nd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Virginia; 634 guns, 8.1% of all recovered firearms in New York
• 3rd out-of-state source for guns linked to crime: Pennsylvania; 599 guns, 7.7% of all recovered firearms in New York
• New York’s gun law strength grade: A

2. U.S. Virgin Islands

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of the area, 2023: 89.3% of traced guns (59 total guns)
• Top out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Florida; 17 guns, 25.8% of all recovered firearms in the U.S. Virgin Islands
• 2nd out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 4 guns, 6.0% of all recovered firearms in the U.S. Virgin Islands
• 3rd out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Texas; 3 guns, 4.5% of all recovered firearms in the U.S. Virgin Islands
• U.S. Virgin Islands’ gun law strength grade: N/A

1. Washington, D.C.

• Firearms linked to crime sourced from out of the area, 2023: 96.1% of traced guns (2,986 total guns)
• Top out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Virginia; 748 guns, 24.1% of all recovered firearms in Washington, D.C.
• 2nd out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Maryland; 290 guns, 9.3% of all recovered firearms in Washington, D.C.
• 3rd out-of-area source for guns linked to crime: Georgia; 244 guns, 7.8% of all recovered firearms in Washington, D.C.
• Washington, D.C.’s gun law strength grade: N/A

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