Comparing Gun Friendliness in Each State to Their Firearm Homicide Rate

Guns have always been a topic of contention in America. Pro-gun roups constantly clash with gun-control advocates over second amendment rights. It is often at the forefront of political debate, Republicans typically being on the pro-gun side and Democrats being for stricter gun control. When there is a violent mass shooting or an uptick in gun violence in the United States, new gun control measures become a renewed topic of discussion on news programs. Many major federal gun control laws in the United States are the result of a violent firearm-related incident. Although there are several federal gun control laws, state gun laws can vary greatly. For example, you can openly carry a firearm with a license if you are in the state of Texas. In New York, you can only carry concealed with a license. NY state also prohibits any state resident without a NYS Pistol License from owning a handgun at all, but if you were a resident in South Carolina you could walk into a gun shop and walk out with a handgun without needing a license. It can be much easier or more difficult to obtain firearms depending on your geographic location.

But do a state’s gun control restrictions have any effect on the gun violence in that state?

This extensive map from Joslyn Law Firm called ‘Comparing Gun Control Measures to Gun-Related Homicides by State‘ is an excellent resource. They give each state a ‘gun friendliness score’ and the lower the score, the tougher the gun restrictions.

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Below are the 10 states with the highest firearm homicide rates in the country along with their gun-friendliness scores:

1. Louisiana: 11.0 (3)
2. Mississippi: 10.2 (5)
3. Alabama: 9.5 (4)
4. Missouri: 8.5 (5)
5. Maryland: 7.4 (1)
6. South Carolina: 7.4 (3)
7. Tennessee: 6.7 (4)
8. Illinois: 6.5 (2)
9. Arkansas: 6.2 (3)
10. Georgia: 6.2 (4)