States With The Easiest Gun Laws

In most states there are different processes for purchasing shotguns and handguns. In general, it is easier to buy a shotgun. That is because the majority of states do not require a shotgun owner to hold a permit. Shotgun owners are also not required to register their guns in a majority of states. All states require some sort of background check be performed before a purchase can be made from a licensed dealer. No one who has been convicted of a violent crime will be allowed to purchase a gun legally.

Controls on handguns are usually stricter. While many states allow the purchase of a handgun without a permit or registration, there are usually separate requirements for owners who wish to carry a handgun on their person. Purchasing a handgun will often require a more thorough background check and a waiting period. Some states stipulate that a handgun cannot be purchased or transferred without a locking device for the gun.

So which states have the most relaxed gun laws? There are several in the running. Vermont does not require a mandatory waiting period for any gun purchases. The green mountain state also allows gun owners to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Alaska has similar gun laws to Vermont and is considered a very liberal state for gun owners.

Oklahoma would also rank high on the list of states with easy gun laws. The state does not have licensing requirements for dealers, making this a popular place to purchase items from gun shows. Kentucky does not have any laws to limit the number of guns that can be purchased or owned by a single person, making it the state to allow a gun collector to build up quite a collection. Like Oklahoma, Kentucky does not regulate gun dealers. Gun dealers in this state are also not required to perform background checks. Many say that everything is bigger in Texas, but apparently that does not extend to the state guns laws. Many Texans are proud gun owners. Texas is widely considered a gun-friendly state by most standards.

Because gun laws vary so widely from state to state, it is important to check the regulations in your area before you attempt to purchase any type of gun. Some states have less restrictions and regulations in place for purchases of shotguns and handguns. While there are plenty of debates about which states are have the easiest gun laws, the states listed above are in the running for the top five.