I enclose you a list of the killed, wounded, and captives of the enemy from the commencement of hostilities at Lexington in April, 1775, until November, 1777, since which there has been no event of any consequence … I think that upon the whole it has been about one half the number lost by them, in some instances more, but in others less. This difference is ascribed to our superiority in taking aim when we fire; every soldier in our army having been intimate with his gun from his infancy. – Thomas Jefferson, letter to Giovanni Fabbroni, June 8, 1778
The most important thing for you to understand about the 2nd Amendment is that its always under fire. It doesn’t matter what the pressing issue is. It could be a border wall, it could be health care, it could be a foreign war, there is always a collection of people who are trying to figure out how to take another bite out of your gun rights.
This might be about ammo, it might be about magazine capacity, it might be about types of rifles. Eventually, if we don’t remain vigilant, you will be living in a nation that looks like the UK where you are not even allowed to buy pocket knives online.
Luckily for us States have a big say in the gun rights of citizens but not all states are on the side of gun owners. Do you know the very best and worst states in the Union for gun owners? We are going to look at five of the very best and five states that you should run away from.
Defining Best
To define the best states in the nation for guns we have to first consider what best means. Of course, the best quantifier for a good gun state has to come from the roots of the 2nd Amendment.
2nd Amendment
Our rights keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, so it would make sense that the very best states in the union for gun owners would be those that do their best not to infringe.
Concealed Carry Permits and Right to Carry
Things like CCW Permits or concealed carry permits and the ability to procure them is one example of how a state could be rated. Some states make it a very simple process while others require that you jump through flaming hoops while juggling just to apply for a CCW Permit.
There are states that allow open carry and even some that allow concealed carry without a permit.
Legislation and Representatives
We can also look at legislation and the attitude towards guns. At any given moment the motives and proposed legislation of the public “representatives” are a great tell if you are looking for examples of states that welcome gun owners.
Modern Sporting Rifles
How are these MSRs treated by laws in the state? Now, modern sporting rifles would be things that more liberal states would recognize as “Assault Weapons” and seem to be hell bent on denying ownership and access the people of their states.
NFA
States have varying degrees of laws when it comes to owning things like SBRs or Short barreled rifles, suppressors, machine guns, shotguns and other destructive devices.
Castle Doctrine
How you protect your home is a huge part of gun ownership. Even the most radical Federally proposed gun laws seem to understand the importance of allowing certain guns, like shotguns, for home defense. However, your right to use force to prevent death, forcible crime or bodily harm can differ widely from state to state.
The best states for gun owners are going to grade well in all these areas and maybe even in some areas outside of even these. At the end of the day it goes back to the simple declaration of the 2nd Amendment.
Related: 10 Deadly Mistakes That New Gun Owners Make
The 5 Worst States for Gun Owners
Massachusetts
Though obtaining a permit to carry in this state is easier in rural Massachusetts its still a “may issue” state and people in Boston are gonna have a real struggle getting one of their own. You will need a license to buy any firearm or ammo in this state and that is as ugly as anything you are going to find on this list.
Assault weapons are banned in MA as are magazines that carry over 10 rounds of ammunition. Sad state for the birthplace of the American Revolution.
New York
A Bastian of liberal ideology it should come as no surprise to anyone that we the gun rights in this state are some of the worst in the nation. The gun owners in this state face aggression both from politicians bent on crushing the 2nd amendment as well as the citizens are just as antigun. Its such a mess that Remington arms is headed out of the state with their operation.
The NY SAFE Act that followed the Sandy Hook Shooting ratcheted up the level of gun restrictions in the State. There were no grandfathered magazines above 30 rounds, assault weapons definitions have widened drastically. New York has taken and will take every action to stifle 2nd Amendment rights. They also have the peoples support.
Illinois
We all use the sad and brutal crime in Chicago as ammunition against gun laws. Illinois requires the dreaded FOID. This is a firearms owner identification card and it is required in the state before you are allowed to buy guns or ammunition.
If you jump through the hoops to buy a handgun you are going to wait 3 days after your purchase to get that gun and you are going to deal with a “shall issue” state if you wish to carry that handgun concealed.
Maryland
Maryland has been so tough on gun owners that they chased the firearms producer, Beretta, out of the state!
This state has followed, lock step, with all the radical proposed gun restriction laws of recent years. You will need to give the state police your fingerprints if you hope to buy any firearm, you will not be allowed to have magazines with more than 10 rounds in them and all “assault weapons” are banned.
Their concealed carry permit process is one of the toughest in the nation. So, after you go through all the steps to buy a gun you will likely just have to hide it in your safe to satisfy the state.
California
It should come as no surprise that the liberal headquarters known as California made this list. Our criteria above talked about legislation and representation. This state seems to have representatives that pride themselves in their restrictive laws.
Because of this leadership you find hostility toward gun owners in many areas. Firearms producers are often forced to create “California Approved” versions of their guns. Of course, like Maryland’s affect, many gun owners are just running away from the state.
A 10-day waiting period, banning of all “assault weapons” and the 10 round magazine rules, are more reasons that the sunny state of California is nothing short of a prison for gun owners.
Related: What To Do When Gun Control Gets Really Bad
The 5 Best States for Gun Owners
Arizona
The southwestern region of the nation has been all the news lately. Nestled along the southern border is a state that stands out as an absolute paradise for gun owners in the modern age. I am talking about the state of Arizona.
Arizona is home to one of the best shooting cultures in the nation. It’s something to behold. From people shooting recreationally to those who train others and shoot professionally, Arizona is a great home for gun owners.
Guns and Ammo have named Arizona the #1-gun state for the last 5 years. This has a lot to do with the things mentioned above but also because of the right to carry concealed or not and Castle Doctrine rules that allow it citizen to defend themselves.
Alaska
The last true American frontier, Alaska offers up freedoms that are no longer offered in the lower 38. These freedoms expand far beyond gun ownership. Alaskans are allowed to carry weapons in almost all cases. They can carry concealed or open without the need of any permit from the state. The only real law that affects that is if a person is intoxicated.
Alaska also offers some of the most impressive lands for hunting and shooting. The outdoor recreational opportunities are built for the gun owner.
Utah
Stunning, natural beauty and permissive gun laws tend to go hand in hand in the west. Utah is one of the most beautiful states in all the nation and its gun laws are just as appealing. They share the right to carry laws of places like Alaska and Arizona.
They operate under a two mechanical actions rule. Which means you can carry but without a round in the chamber meaning you need to chamber a round (1.) and fire that round by pulling the trigger (.2)
The legislation and representation are decidedly pro-gun and that goes a long way for gun owners.
Related: What Really Happens to Your Guns in Winter (it could get you killed)
Kansas
Kansas has recently moved to permit less carry on all accounts. They were trying to recognize out of state permits, but it died in the legislative process. Though they lack the strong support of citizenry and don’t share in the support of shooting support its easy to understand why this state is a great option for gun owners.
Wyoming
While it might not come up on your radar, Wyoming is a near blueprint of what a favorable gun owner’s state should look like. The law is on your side if you stand and defend yourself with a firearm, it’s a permit less carry state and recognizes the permits of all other states. The hunting and shooting culture are massive and that is another check for the good.
Wyoming is what we all should strive for in a gun owning state.
With another powerful push for an increase in National Gun Control, its very important that we empower the states to not only oppose the radical national regulations but to allow the people of those states to take advantage of their second amendment rights.
Its good to see people leaving these states that tax them to death and restrict their gun ownership. It means the citizenry are paying attention and these states will pay the price as taxes on guns, hunting, fishing licenses and of course the population of working Americans continues to plummet.
Is it time for you to move out of your state? After reading this article you might find yourself looking at property in a new state over the weekend. All the power is in your hands. Don’t let these twisted states control your 2nd Amendment rights!
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Why is it, that conservatives seemingly always allow the liberals to have their way? When this country was founded, the law of the land was the Constitution, and I believe, it’s what made this country great. Yet like all the empires from history, we have let corruption take hold of the government, liberal and socialist beliefs have ruined most collages, and we’re dealing with Law Makers that openly say they want to take away our right to carry arms. …Why aren’t these people being removed from office by voters?!? You can bet your sweet you-know-what that the very ones that want to take our guns away are protected by people who are armed to the teeth! So what they’re really saying is, “It’s ok FOR ME to protect myself, but it’s NOT OK for the hardworking citizen to do the same.”
Conservative leaders, and citizens, cracked open the door to our home, and now the liberals and socialists have rushed in and are raiding our refrigerator. In a way, it’s the fault of the american people that we’re in the mess we’re in because we’ve allowed this to happen. I can look around, even in my state, and there are people everywhere that just plain don’t give a shit. If we allow this to continue, not only will we lose our right to own firearms, we can kiss this country goodbye.
Well stated Hoosier homesteader! Unfortunately our politeness is and has been mistaken for being pushovers. It’s time to push back! I remember during the last national election, I think it was Glenn Beck brought up “the Battle of Athens”, in Athens, TN. Look it up Americans.
Due to tone friendly PC inaccuracies and many non-American actions not getting the outrage they deserve, we were given Trump to break the PC barrier and drain the swamp. Seems like devine intrvention. He is obviously trying within limits. I love his trolling the PC MSM media and some push back is warranted. It is all a game and Trump et al know it. However, I read an article that compared Trump to Hoover, who had tried a lot of what Trump is doing right now with immigration, trade, and banking to reverse the Progressive crap of Woodrow Wilson and somewhat Ted Roosevelt. I am watching this.
Hoosier Homesteader, you are absolutely correct! I fear we are facing another Revolution or a Civil War to settle this issue! We have far too many politicians who are either outright Socialists or those who support them. The Constitution, we hold so dear and we should, means nothing to them!
I agree with you wholeheartedly. It appears the people we put into office are getting run over by those that are supposed to protect our country from. What happened to checks and balances? What happened to giving the people the right to vote? It appears to me that every day… every day something outlandish has appeared before us and we have to accept whatever that is. Something is very wrong…the system is failing and the people we voted in are part of it. Sad isn’t it? What are we to do?
I think the Dems are all about letting anybody and everybody vote, and give them free stuff (at our expense) so they vote Dem for more. They are likely to NEVER allow showing IDS for voting, or to make it legal only for real CITIZENS to vote. As conservatives, we simply have an uphill battle in front of us. Sad sad sad.
This is why they are against building a wall
Exactly.
Agreed, to me this is Treason against Constitution (The LAW of the LAND) and those that promote and vote for Gun Restriction should labeled a Treasonous Individual and prosecuted by the Law.
We’ve let this go on too long. All states that have gun restrictions should be ineligible for Federal Funds and those that voted for Gun Restriction should be held liable.
It makes no sense to me that the Federal Government will go after States that legalize Marijuana but leave the States alone that restrict Gun Ownership.
And they will keep on till we decide to put an end to this BS!
Agree and every time I watch an elected politician take the oath of office he swears to protect and defend the constitution then the first thing he/she does is attack and try to subvert the 2nd amendment.
Well said Hoosier H. We have allowed this to happen because we have jobs and work hard for what we have. It has become an epidemic, a swarm of locust. They have gotten our attention, ruined our schools, mocked the art of taking care of ourselves, and brain washing our children that attend public schools. There is certainly going to be BIG problems now that the libs are achieving their attention seeking existence. At 70 years old, I care less who I offend…. if they want our attention then it is time for everyone to start speaking up. You will know who you want by your side in your bunker! Speak up, stand up for your God given and Constitutional rights.
Who needs liberals to destroy the second amendment. Republicans do more damange look at regan bush and trump all have done anti gun measures.
If you support the NRA then your part of the problem as well.
Raven tactical – Holy Crap you are clueless… are you related to #AOC?
Presidents don’t make laws, dude. Laws are created by Congress as “bills.” Once both houses of congress have passed the same version of the bill, then it is sent to the president to be either vetoed, or signed into law by the president.
Since Reagan, Bush, and Trump have never served in the congress… wait for it… none of them have ever created a law.
Wow… Just Wow… This is why I am so pissed off around tax time because over 90% of my property tax dollars go to the schools to turn out ignorant socialist sheep.
Wow are you clueless about executive orders. Trumps bump stock ban and backing red flag laws. Regan 86 machine gun act and a slew of others then later was publicly supporting the assault weapons ban under bush..
Save your NRA money and buy a damn clue.
My guess is that your trailer isnt paying much in taxes
By trailer I guess that you mean my rental properties, house taxes, business taxes, and multiple vehicles?
My NRA money is already spent on a lifetime membership, and while the NRA is far from the best, they do stay on top of what you communists are doing legislatively. All of my money for 2A now gets split between GOA and local groups… It seems to be working out well for us here in the fly-over states with our constitutional carry laws, and other common sense lack of people (gun) control laws. lol
Put your anger issue where it belongs – in the education industrial complex that is turning out entitled, clueless, socialists…
I don’t blame you personally…
Bless your little heart… you just try sooo hard to keep up. lol
The republicans have had the House, the senate, and the Presidency. But they still think that Liberals have their way. Its been the way of the Conservatives for many years. That’s why there is no sensible gun laws.
You are so full of it you stink. Of course if you listen to nothing but the nightly news & comedian talk show hosts with scripts written by someone else, I can then understand your total ignorance.
Not only this but they want to take away our right to breathe without their permission. I have touted this since Clinton was president and signed the right for powers that were to send their businesses overseas to get out of paying taxes here. The only good thing was that they polluted the other countries and not ours.
The “Chicago machine” just elected a new Governor who ran on the promise of raising taxes. In a state that has more people who vote for a living than work for a living, the ruling party in Illinois has taken steps to make gun ownership prohibitive. First order signed was to mandate a State license to sell guns. this is an unnecessary duplication of the Federal ATF license. Of course the license will have a fee in the hundreds of dollars putting small dealers out of business, and the kicker is that the license will not be issued through the dept of commerce but thru the State Police, the same folks who run the FOID card program. Under ILL law, the FOID can be revoke at any time without a notification, then the FOID holder becomes a felon(under state law) if he/she is in possession of any firearm or ammo. and subject to search and seizure. “Assult weapon ” legislation is also in the works……. Elections do have consequences .
NYS does not have the peoples support. the safe act was signed without notice to the peoples and we are fighting it!
What about Missouri for gun laws?
We are in the process of moving from IL, where the newly elected governor has declared that (In addition to all the rest of the b.s. already in place, there) all ammunition now must have serial numbers, every ammo purchase requires not only your foid, but also a documented hard copy, to be turned in to the state police, of exactly what was purchased, in what quantities, when, where, at a 1 cent mental health tax, per round.
Congratulations on your move to freedom GM 🙂
Hope you’re moving next door to the Hoosier state; it’s good to have responsible citizens for neighbors!
I feel for the regular folks that are trapped in IL by circumstance; the government there seems more like Communist China. Lotta good people in IL for sure, just a bad government.
Thanks, HH! We’re moving to MO, so way more freedom! No Step on Snek! On the upside, a member of the IL state Senate has introduced a bill (today, in fact), requiring that IL legislators wishing to introduce gun control legislation must first pass several different firearm classes. I hope it passes, for the sake of family and friends trapped there, as well as for the precedent it would set for other states. But, I’m not holding my breath!
Why are we called the UNITED STATES of America,when we are clearly not. Look at our 2nd amendment, each state. dictates the interpretation as they see fit. We fought a civil war to get this unity,will we have to fight another to keep it.
I’m Really Surprised That Idaho Didn’t Make The List.
It’s A Great State. I wonder What I’m Missing .
My question, exactly.
I also commented about Idaho with some specifics about Idaho handgun law from http://www.handgunlaw.us/ for Idaho.
Not sure why Arkansas was not mentioned on this list. Not only do we have open carry, and shall issue CCW, but the legislature is dropping the price on CCW permits, and our open carry laws actually allow you to carry concealed without a permit.
We have passed legislation for “enhanced CCW permits” which allow you to carry in many formerly “gun free” zones with the new permit.
We have no “extra” gun laws outside of those imposed by the feds, and we are around the 2nd largest gun owning state per capita, with the 1st being one of those sparsely populated states… meaning that we are number 1 for actual number of guns in the state.
Private transfer of guns is not checked, so the number of gun owners is actually much, much higher. 🙂
This is mostly because we are a solid red state with over 75% republicans state wide, and because of our strong hunting culture which is promoted by the state and local governments.
Our self defense laws are reasonable, meaning that if an average citizen would have considered that his (or another person’s) life was in immediate danger, then lethal force is justified.
Our knife laws are non-existent. We had a 4″ length law at one point, but again, the hunting culture (and common sense) prevailed – and it was repealed.
An armed society is a polite society, and it just gives you a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that terrorists, and other criminals will likely die quickly should they try something here. 🙂
The biggest threat to our gun rights nation wide is the libtards in the school system who are trying to brainwash your kids to give up their rights voluntarily…
It doesn’t hurt to have a strong religious atmosphere, as people who love God understand what a God given right actually is.
People these days are wimpy and afraid due to they believe all that is being spoken by the media or on TV. Its such a shame how this country is slowly and there are not enough to stand up to those that demand power over the sheeple.
Why is Maine not listed as one of best states? We don’t have one single firearm restriction, don’t even require a conceal carry permit to conceal and can sell guns on Uncle Henry’s in Maine
Does this look correct for Maine? http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/maine.pdf
Here in Florida, concealed carry is still possible, but the liberals from New York may change this. The problem with this is that many criminals by breaking into homes and cars have gotten their hands on an estimated 83,000 guns. If citizens loose their right to own guns, we will have a blood bath like you can’t imagine. I would like to know if other states know about this criminal gun owner problem. If legal gun owners can get this info, it will make a good case for legal gun owners to keep their guns. Also, the NRA publishes in every issue of their magazine “American Rifleman” the fact that every year over two million crimes are prevented by legal gun owners, why isn’t this talked about more often, it will make another good case for legal gun ownership.
Jose: I would say your 83,000 stolen guns is a low figure. That is only the number that have been reported stolen. The cops are so bad at recovering anything stolen that why bother going through the hassle. In many cities they don’t even both to investigate thefts from homes or cars. You phone in a report and if you want a copy of it to turn in for insurance or to take a loss on your income tax, to add insult to injury you have to pay them for typing up the report and the fee in this miserable city is, the last time I had to buy a report, $10 per page.
I’d better stop reading the posts to this article. It may unleash a torrent of diatribe that will fry my router.
Is it bad that I would never move to any of these places, especially the best ones, because the states are shitty in several other respects.?
Well thank you, Emanon. That means that freedom loving people in Arizona will never have you as a neighbor. You are more than welcome to remain in the shit hole where you currently live.
Appreciate it. I don’t want to live in a hot ass state with crappy job opportunities, just so I can have guns. I’m good with Maine.
Emanon – good for you…
May your chains sit lightly upon you, but never call us brothers…
You seek only your own comfort in this world.
Emanon – Let me make that more clear to you by posting the entire quotation:
“If ye love wealth better than liberty,
the tranquility of servitude
better than the animating contest of freedom,
go home from us in peace.
We ask not your counsels or your arms.
Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
May your chains set lightly upon you,
and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”
~Samuel Adams
You’re wrong about the people in NY supporting the gun control coming our of Cuomo. That may be true for New York City but there is much more to the state. As Cuomo now has complete control of the assembly and the state senate he can do what ever he wants. I don’t know anyone who voted for him that lives in upstate NY. And there in lies the problem. Upstate can’t out vote NYC. And because of gerrymandering we have upstate city representatives in very rural areas with the same problem. As with anywhere rural can’t out vote the city.
Washington is also like this. The major population areas are Puget Sound and west of the Cascade Mountains. Eastern Washington has always had to suffer thru westside voter dominence. California Central Valley is the same. LA Metro & SF Bay Areas usually prevail. Since politicians can dominate a state by controlling the major population center, states should have their version of an Electoral College, which prevents this at the federal national level. Why bother addressing voters of middle America like Trump did when one can be theoretically elected by total population simple majority….as Hillary’s Dem organization thought?
I would second Idaho as a gun owner friendly state. They have in the last couple of years joined the other Constitution-observing states.
As far as the PDRK, the author of this article missed a couple of really significant new laws passed last year and the fact that in place of Moonbeam whom everyone thought was terrible, we now have Newtie, that toothy, slicked-hair communist who never saw a gun law he didn’t love and was responsible for sponsoring his very own gun law last year which the zombies of the state voted for.
Last year the PDRK peoples’ congress decided that they would also limit the amount of ammunition one could purchase. Starting on July 1 of this year in order to purchase ammunition you have to have a state issued ammunition card. You can’t buy ammunition from out of state and you can’t bring it back with you when you travel. You can’t lend it or give it away and most certainly can’t sell it without your masters’ permission and expensive licenses, inspections and permits. I am not clear if I can let my grandson shoot .22 ammo I have purchased.
Of course, all the folk who are currently busily engaged in bringing illegal narcotics into the state will happily line up to get their ammo card and also their firearms safety card so they can buy the gun of their choice — oh, wait a minute. You can only buy “safe” guns. Of course the gestapo — I mean police, can buy all the unsafe guns they want if the manufacturer wants to sell them in the PDRK. Ronnie Barrett of the .50 Barrett company refuses to sell to the gestapo in the PDRK. Hurray for Mr. Barrett. Ruger also refuses to play their game and there are only a couple of older model Rugers available for sale.
You can’t give guns to your children or grandchildren without our masters’ permission. And, of course, they have to have their permission slips before they can accept the single shot H&R 12 ga. that was their great grandfather’s first gun.
I wish either they would secede from the U.S. or else the other 49 states would kick them out. That would certainly make it imperative for me to move.
A declaration of war against the PDRK is also an option.
What about Idaho? Conceal carry permit is not required in Idaho outside cities or over 21 since July 2016. No duty to retreat. There is legal allowance to pursue until protection arrives. Gun loaded is OK concealed or in vehicle with conceal carry resident permit. More options for nearby state reciprocity with Idaho Enhanced Permit (8 hrs of live fire and classroom training). http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/idaho.pdf .
The sad part is that the liberal colleges are brain washing our kids who are the leaders of today and tomorrow. They promise more freebies and get elected and reelected. A prime example is the dingbat from the Bronx.
Left Coast Chuck:
You are Right Sadly That’s Why I moved out of My Homestate (California) after 53 Yrs. we moved to Idaho Right after the Morons Elected Moonbeam AGAIN.
Amazing, how could people be So.Stinking Stupid ? We moved to Coeur D’Alene- Northern Idaho. Amazingly Beautiful, Clean, Still Free From Morons (So Far) ! Concealed Carry, Open Carry Never An Issues you don’t even need a C.C.W. Permit anymore.
Oh by The Way, It Sucks Here – Don’t Move Here – It’s Terrible You’ll Hate It , I Promise.
I agree totally with the last sentence of your post.
I live in Australia and believe me your worst state is far and away better than our best.
Hi Dave, Really? Is it that bad down there? Here in the state of Vermont, and in Washington DC, as I understand it, a property owner is obligated to retreat if they’re confronted by “a bad guy”. They’re not allowed to use deadly force to defend themselves. What kind of law is that?!?
If I’m wrong about this, would someone please let me know? It’s hard for me to believe that such STUPID laws would be enforced. If I’m correct in my belief about this, maybe it’s time to burn down the barn to get rid of the rats.
Dave, how do you fend off the bad guys down there?
The law evidently thinks you can sweet talk them!!! but they don ‘t do the same…Hypocrites!!!!!
How does this compare to the UK gun laws?
Idaho is permitless carry for residents.
Handguns in cities and loaded requires a permit for under 21 year olds. http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/idaho.pdf
Trumpland people….sad
When you only have two choices for an important office like the President of the United States, frequently you are required to vote for the least worst candidate. Ever since George Sr. ran for president (lower case deliberate in his case) I have been compelled to vote for the least worst candidate. It is very discouraging. I didn’t want to vote for Trump but there was no way in the world I would vote for the other major party candidate. So what am I left with? Not to vote at all? Vote for some obscure fourth party candidate who has less chance of securing the presidency than I?
In my view, the opposition party has only themselves to blame for Trump being in office. Both parties contributed equally to his successful presidential campaign. He actually was an independent candidate. Neither party supported his candidacy. Both parties contributed to his successful campaign by nominating and supporting poor second rate candidates and he was the result.
With the roadblocks that old line hacks from both parties are throwing in his way is it any wonder we can’t get reasonable, middle of the road candidates to run for office?Why do you think Colin Powell didn’t want to run for the office? What about Condoleezza Rice? In my opinion she was a far more outstanding candidate than Mrs. Clinton. In addition to which I have a natural aversion to royal families. Jeb Bush might have made a decent president if he hadn’t been preceded by two other Bushes. I had had enough of the Bush family, with the exception of the senior Mrs. Bush whom I felt would have made a far better president than her husband, after Bush Sr. made his lackluster bid for a second term.
Sorry for the political rant, folks. I fully realize that this is not a political forum and my deepest apologies to all with the exception of “Here We Come” who started off spoiling this list with his political comment.
I’ve been around a long time. I lived through the Impeach Harry Truman movement when he fired that egotist MacArthur whom he should have fired long before he did.
I lived through the McCarthy accusations against Eisenhower that he was a communist fellow traveler.
I lived through the Nixon debacle. I am proud to say that the only time I voted for Nixon was when he was on the ticket with Eisenhower and I didn’t have any choice.
I lived through the vituperation that Johnson underwent with his ill-advised adventures in Viet Nam. I attended briefing sessions on Viet Nam before the country knew we were involved there. I was against our involvement when we were first briefed on it and remained that way. I underwent great pangs of conscience. I was vehemently against our adventures there but I equally wanted to support the brave men and women who felt it was their duty to answer their country’s call. I heartily subscribe to the toast, “Our country. In her intercourse with other countries, may she always be right, but our country.” I may have slightly misquoted that but I hope you get the drift.
I saw the scorn that Jimmy Carter earned with his micro-mismanagement of his duties and the failure of his policies.
I watched Ronald Reagan face the scorn of the world with the exception of Margaret Thatcher as a wild west cowboy actor who thought he was living a script from one of his westerns.
Through all those turbulent times, I have never seen the obstructionism and scorn and abuse heaped on a president from both sides of the aisle as with this present occupier of the Oval Office. It is truly troubling to me. I think it should be troubling to all real patriots.
I don’t have to mention Texas, but I will.
The hill country of Texas also looks mighty attractive to this prisoner in the PDRK.
Missouri went ‘Constitutional Carry’, last year. Anyone, 18 and up, can buy any firearm, accessory, and ammo. The only reason they check id is for proof of age & residency. All federal laws apply, but that’s everywhere.
Good day fellow gun owners and preppers. I am afraid that in time there may be no such thing as a “gun owner friendly state” in the union. For example, Arizona is indeed a gun friendly state….for now. As you may have read they had a pernicious and tightly contested senate race. Kiersten Sinema a flaming (literally by the way) gun hating Democrat narrowly defeated the Republican candidate Martha McSally. Arizona is no longer considered a “red” state but a “purple” one. As Divine Providence would have it McSally was appointed to the other senate seat vacated by John Kyle by Governor Doug Deucy . In a state that has always been considered a bastion of conservatism you are seeing a slow but steady swing toward liberalism. I often wonder where all of this is leading. The waves of gun control continue to break heavily upon the shores of the free and the brave.
Have any of you good people been following the 2020 presidential contender for the Democratic party, Kamala Harris. Her rhetoric is scary and I worry to think that she migy unseat President Trump. May God help us all.
Timo: The poison from the PDRK has infected all the surrounding states, Oregon,Nevada, Arizona, Washington State. I investigated Flagstaff as a possible locale for relocation when I am able to leave the PDRK. Reading their newspaper, I felt like I was reading the Berkeley Free Press. It certainly didn’t sound like what I thought Arizona was. Look at the news from Washington and Oregon. They are like Sacramento North. Kammie Harris hasn’t even been a senator a month and already she thinks she is going to be La Suprema. The scary part is she might be.
Hi Chuck, I appreciate and respect your comments. Our fears about Harris are well-founded. I follow a few very conservative investment letters and they believe, based on her rhetoric about freebies..i.e…free college….elimination of All college debt (we’re talking about 1.3 TRILLION dollars in loans!!!…and much tighter gun control…she has an especially good chance of unseating our current president. I am being told that for the very first time in history the number of eligible millenial voters will exceed the number of voting Baby Boomers. With youth leaning heavily towards Socialism as a way of life I can believe that her promises however vacuous will resonate with this very substantial voting block.
Loved your comment about the poison from the PDRK. I will say that several smaller communities in Arizona…not the big cities…seem to be home to some very focused prepping communities and gun lovers. How long this will remain is still unclear.
Always good to hear from you!!!
How is the state of North Carolina ranked? Good or bad? We have a second home there and are moving there permanently this year.
Better include South Dakota, they just passed a bill that allows all citizens the right to concealed carry without a permit, though the permit allows us to carry in many other States. What a surprise!!!
Wisconsin is an excellent state for gun ownership, it is a strong hold for liberty in the midwest and probably its best kept secret. Most rural areas don’t have a case law whatsoever for hunting or other purposes. Simple background check for any typical firearm. NFA items are very popular. Small game hunting requires no liscense on private grounds, shall issue carry permit state. Very easy and affordable.
THE 1968 Gun Control Bill, signed by LBJ, was copied almost verbatim from the Nazi Gun Control enactment; also, SD has become a ccw permit less state.
New Hampshire should be on your list we have been a shall issue state for s long time and just went to premitless concealed carry. They recently passed a law allowing suppressor use for hunting.
But with most of the states, with the dwindling rural population, major cities are wagging the bigger portion of the dog with their ultra liberal socialism/communism. I hate to sound like Joe McCarthy, but socialism is like taking that first hit of heroin. The ultimate goal of socialism is totalitarian communism. You can call it whatever name you like, but if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, walks like a duck and swims like a duck, chances are pretty darned good that it’s a duck.
That’s what the electoral college was set up to prevent, metropolitan areas dominating the rest of the country. Yet it is happening. There are many conservative areas of the PDRK, but with the metro areas around SF and LA with overwhelming populations the rest of the state might as well be a part of Poland for all the representation they get in Sacramento. Same with Washington State. Seattle and the Puget Sound area dominate the rest of the state. Eastern Washington would get better representation if they became a part of Idaho. Oregon – same. Arizona:Tucson and Phoenix dominate all the smaller communities put together. The list goes on. Someone talked about Wisconsin, but Milwaukee and Madison dominate that state as Chicago does in Illinois and NYC the whole rest of that state.
It’s a cop out, but I am glad I am old. I dread to think of the kind of country my grandkids are going to grow up in, but they are PDRK college educated, so they will probably think it is grand. I guess if you don’t know any different, it doesn’t make any difference.
Well, enough of this rant. I knew if I got started I would have a hard time quitting.
Chuck, you aren’t the only old dog that sees the new tricks for being just so much more of the same that we have been fighting since our inception as a country.
Unfortunately, freedom is only one generation away from servitude. I blame the liberal communists in our school system more than anyone else.
Your examples of major population imbalances in California and Washingtonwas my points also for States considering a version of the Electroal College at the state level. However, I doubt it will happen since the states where it is needed are controlled by Leftists. We should include Illinois. Convention of States (COS) couldhappen, but it has no jurisdiction over states.
Thank you for this article. It will make my wife and I rethink our retirement options. We live in Pennsylvania. We have some of the most liberal gun laws in the country, especially the northeastern U.S.. Except for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, It is very easy to get a ccw permit. We also have the Castle Law and the Stand Your Ground Law. I jokeingly refer to PA as the TX of the northeast, lol. Not all of the northeastern/eastern states are bastions of liberalism. Although I agree with your assesment of the 5 best/worst states, I feel that there should be some honorable mentions on the best states. PA, VT, FL TN, TX. Please help get the word out about the northeast. The anti-2nd amendment lobby is very strong and it’s a constant struggle. Remember, “If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will own guns”! Thank you for your time
I’m surprised Vermont did not make the list.
No state could be worse than New Jersey. How New Jersey was left off the list of “Worse States” is truly confusing. Pennsylvania, once a bastion of Liberty is quickly becoming another New Jersey.
Non-gun people don’t realize an ar-15 is functions more like a ruger 10/22 which doesn’t look threatening at all. The trick politicians use is to compare the ar-15 to the select fire m4, They look almost exactly the same, although they function completely differently. Non gun people don’t know, they see a black rifle and think it’s made for the military.
D–n you, you Do NOT have a list of from best to worst, WHY can’t you DO what you SAY you’re going to do!?! WHERE does Tenn. stand on the “gun-friendly” spectrum? I thought you were going to LIST all states & comment about how restrictive they are/not. “Stories” don’t cut it. I May have “ASSUMED”, which makes an “ass” out of “u” & “me”;)
You forgot the PRNJ. NJ is one of the worst – second only to NY and CA. The *only* State to make Hollow Points “illegal”.
Where you at Joe Bob? I am in Arkansas and Missouri. Both red constitutional carry red states.
We don’t give damn how they do up north. They need to lay in the bed that they elected. DO NOT COME HERE and start that stupid BS here… we don’t you want YOU… you created your own problems.
I don’t live in Texas, but don’t want you either. Call us stupid hill billies and fly over country..,
keep going… Joe Bob Tell em like it is, brother. god Bless you and yours!
😉
Correction to part of the article:
Kansas became the 6th constitutional carry state on July 1st, 2015.
Kansas was the odd man out is why I checked.