Most friendly 2nd Amendment State

[LenS]

VT's ban on suppressors tarnishes their image.

FL and AZ both have long lists of "forbidden places" that would make me uncomfortable.

NH only requires a license for CCW (and in a MV), but OC is legal everywhere by statute . . . and the license cost $10 for residents, is shall issue and must be issued within 14 days. IIRC the only forbidden by statute places are elementary/secondary schools and courthouses. Not perfect but pretty close.

As terrible as MA is, if you get an unrestricted LTC the only place statutorily forbidden to CCW are schools (defined as elementary thru colleges).

 

[Ammobob]

So as of current tally, Vermont and New Hampshire are the closest states to what would be considered perfect for gun owners? Followed closely by PA, FL, AZ, MA and KY? Is that about right?

I knew New Hampshire had the whole free state project or whatever it's called going on, but I was surprised about Vermont.

 

[LenS]

So as of current tally, Vermont and New Hampshire are the closest states to what would be considered perfect for gun owners? Followed closely by PA, FL, AZ, MA and KY? Is that about right?

I knew New Hampshire had the whole free state project or whatever it's called going on, but I was surprised about Vermont.

You might check Alaska. I don't know their laws, but wouldn't be surprised if it ranked right up there.

 

[ladder13]

Let's see what the Brady Group says:

http://www.bradycampaign.me/sites/default/files/2011_Brady_Campaign_State_Scorecard_Rankings.pdf

 

[Ammobob]

Thanks to everyone for their input, I really appreciate it. On a side note, I tend to not trust anything the brady campaign says...

 

[RussC]

Utah, comes to mind.

+1

Utah is unique. I can conceal in every public school k-12 college and university including athletic events.

To my knowledge, I am not aware of another state that allows concealment at this level with zero red tape.

Russ

P.S same goes for State and local buildings with few exceptions (I.e. court house, secured law enforcement facilities. Secured section of Capital Building, mental institutions)

 

[USAF385]

I think my least favorite thing about PA (aside from some of its neighbors ) is that there are no private handgun sales. Transfers have to go through an FFL. Some familial transfers excluded.

Other than that it's pretty great. Plus we got a top notch castle doctrine recently.

 

[hbbadboy]

Don't get too attached. Liberals are slowly going to try and take over all these states.

 

[Chop]

Wyoming, plus a state that has more Antelope then people can't be all bad.

 

[Ammobob]

+1

Utah is unique. I can conceal in every public school k-12 college and university including athletic events.

To my knowledge, I am not aware of another state that allows concealment at this level with zero red tape.

Russ

P.S same goes for State and local buildings with few exceptions (I.e. court house, secured law enforcement facilities. Secured section of Capital Building, mental institutions)

Really? That is singularly interesting. I like the idea of a state trusting it's citizens enough to carry anywhere, as you never know where your life or one of your loved ones will be in danger. Criminals don't skip it just because it's a school or public building....

 

[sw1834]

Wyoming, plus a state that has more Antelope then people can't be all bad.

+1
I can't believe it took this far down the thread to mention one of the most free states in the country.

No permit needed for concealed carry here. You only need a permit here if you want to carry in other states.

Also, no state income tax here.
As much as I like PA, (Steeler fan), I hate the fact that you need to go to a distributer to get beer to take home.

SWCA #1834

 

[nachogrande]

GUN FRIENDLY STATES

ANY state that keeps a record or list of who owns what, A COME CONFISCATE MY GUNS LIST, would be a negative in my book. in a school or courthouse especially, even if it is legal, I would imagine you would need to declare the ccw BEFORE going through a metal detector. then what? they hand you back your loaded gun? never been there or done that. those bailiffs must have their hands full, as courtrooms can get pretty emotionally charged. a lot are better than tv or a comedy club and offer some good free entertainment. they are kinda on par with Jerry Springer at times. at one trial a perp was discreetly (at first) flipping off the prosecutor, and would get another 3-6 months from the Judge, it went on and just got funnier. when the young female prosecutor whined to the Judge "your honor "he's doing it again", I lost it and was escorted out by 2 bailiffs. as soon as we made it out the door all 3 of us broke up and almost wet ourselves.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

So as of current tally, Vermont and New Hampshire are the closest states to what would be considered perfect for gun owners? Followed closely by PA, FL, AZ, MA and KY? Is that about right?

I knew New Hampshire had the whole free state project or whatever it's called going on, but I was surprised about Vermont.

Not sure how MA crept in there. It is true, as LenS points out, that the holder of an unrestricted permit can carry almost anywhere. However, the restrictions on a permit are pretty much discretional, which means that from municipality to municipality, carry permits range from effectively "shall issue" to just plain none. Also, FWIW, while there are number of machine guns around MA, silencers are out. And while us old folks who have all our guns are doing fine, the young whippersnappers have to make do with what's on The List for handguns, plus whatever is already in the state or what someone moves here with (and maybe not even that). "High-cap?" Nothing new, and maybe not even imported.

MA is nowhere near as bad as folks make it out to be, but for some it is even worse. Nowehere near as bad as NJ, NY, HI and a few others, but not exactly a shooter's paradise. However, there are more gun clubs closer to home than I ever found in FL.

 

[johngalt]

I would have to rank Kentucky near, if not at the top. In addition to all the pluses already mentioned, they are #1 in per capita gun sales.

Don't agree with ranking PA high - no private transfers and registration of handguns knocks them way down the list IMHO.

 

[wanderlust]

I can tell you from first hand experience that it's not Connecticut.

 

[feralmerril]

On that first map utah was only medioaker. Then the brady map rates 3 states with zero brownie points. Utah is one of the three along with arizona and alaska. We got to be good if the brady zombies hate us.
Probley on the first map we are medioaker as we have to attend a course to get our permit. Well that course only is about a 4 hour philibuster with no range time. We have open carry here but yet in town I have only seen people do it once or twice. Its nice to know I am covered either way.

 

[rwsmith]

There are 13

There are 13 states that I can move to if things go to crud in this one.

 

[Gunslinger808]

Arizona of course.
CCW without permit, Shall issue permits, recognizes all other states CCW permits.
Open carry.
NFA friendly.
Castle doctrine.
No mag limits on hunting (except migratory waterfowl).
Suppressors OK for hunting.
No registration.
Firearms bought by police turn in programs must be resold, cannot be destroyed.
Sheriffs that had vowed to fight confiscation.

Heck, the Brady Bunch would give us a negative number if they could.

 

[GaryS]

With the gun reform law signed by the Governor earlier this week, AL has to rank up there. From what I've read, TN is very gun friendly as well. Texas is gun friendly, to a point. No open carry and properly posted buildings are off limits.

NH is currently very good, but I worry about it's increasingly blue nature.

 

[doublesharp]

Indiana is a good state for 2nd amend rights. I especially like the lifetime carry permit and the multitude of gun shows. I'd like to see the CCW permit eliminate the need for background checks like it does in Kentucky.