Submitted by Kathy Morris via Zippia,
For many in America, guns are a way of life and part of their cultural and national identity. However, the gun industry also creates a lot of jobs and is an economic powerhouse in the US. How many job exactly? 149,146 jobs in 20019, that paid over $6,227,108,200 in wages, and over 21 billion in economic impact. Yes, that’s billion with a B.
However, not all states are experiencing the same economic impact from guns. In fact, many states and cities within them have strong gun restrictions.
It made us wonder, which states are the most gun friendly and have the strongest gun industry? Where should someone looking for a job in the fire arms industry look? We hit the numbers to answer all of these questions.
Most 2nd Amendment Friendly States
1. Arizona
2. Idaho
3. Texas
4. Arkansas
5. New Hampshire
6. Georgia
7. Alabama
8. Mississippi
9. Missouri
10. South Carolina
Notice anything these have in common?
Yup, the south and Midwest dominate the list– thanks to a combination of gun friendly laws, high gun ownership, and strong economic activity surrounding the firearm industry. Keep reading to see how these states earned their spot– and which states are the least gun friendly.
HOW WE DETERMINED THESE RESULTS
- We ranked each state on:
- Number of firearm jobs
- Average Wage of firearm jobs
- Guns per Capita
- Gun laws/restrictions
First we examined the economic output of guns in each state, using the most recent data from The Firearms Industry And Trade Report. From here we ranked each state on the number of firearms jobs directly created by the gun industry (think manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and supplies, and companies that distribute or sell these products). After that we found the average firearm job wage. Since higher wage is typically correlated with higher positions, this helps identify both which states offer the best opportunities in the industry, as well as which states have more administrative/higher-up positions.
Guns per capita came from the World Population Review. The more guns owned, the more gun friendly the state.
Arizona
Guns Per Capita: 25.61
Gun Friendly Laws: #6
Gun Jobs: 3,476
Average Wage: $51,985
Arizona is the most pro-gun state in the nation. While Arizona only has 3,476 people employed from the gun industry, they pull in a solid average salary of $51,985. Arizona also has the 6th loosest fun laws in the nation.
Idaho
Guns Per Capita: 28.86
Gun Friendly Laws: 2
Gun Jobs: 3610
Average Wage: $40,937.92
Idaho has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the nation, nabbing it the #2 spot. Idaho is a fairly sparsely populated state, with lots of outdoor area to enjoy hunting and the other gun sports.
Texas
Guns Per Capita: 20.79
Gun Friendly Laws: 14
Gun Jobs: 11467
Average Wage: $36,018.78
Surprised to see Texas in the top 10 list? Then you don’t know Texas. Texans love their guns and their freedom to choose how they arm themselves with them. Texas also has the highest number of gun jobs in the nation.
Arkansas
Guns Per Capita: 26.57
Gun Friendly Laws: 10
Gun Jobs: 3101
Average Wage: $40,979.36
Arkansas is fourth most pro-gun state in the country. This Southern state has a high level of gun ownership, no doubt helped by lax gun restrictions.
New Hampshire
Guns Per Capita: 46.76
Gun Friendly Laws: 21
Gun Jobs: 2551
Average Wage: $77,343.67
New Hampshire is the only Northeastern state to make the top 10. What earned New Hampshire their unexpected spot on the list? They have the second highest gun ownership in the nation! While they may have more restrictions than the rest of the top 10 on ownership, compared to their neighboring states, they are far less stringent.
Georgia
Guns Per Capita: 18.22
Gun Friendly Laws: 18
Gun Jobs: 4519
Average Wage: $36,251.47
Georgia is the 6th most pro-gun state in the country. No one area pushed the Peach state to the top- rather a general gun positive atmosphere and solid ranking in each category.
Alabama
Guns Per Capita: 33.15
Gun Friendly Laws: 13
Gun Jobs: 3105
Average Wage: $35,309.57
Down in the deep south is Alabama, the 7th most pro-gun state in the nation. Alabama is a state that is proud to be country, with all the trappings that come with it, including gun ownership.
Mississippi
Guns Per Capita: 11.89
Gun Friendly Laws: 1
Gun Jobs: 2324
Average Wage: $41,558.43
Mississippi is the 9th most pro-state in the nation and has the friendliest gun laws in the nation. Workers in the firearms industry pull in an annual salary of $41,558 a year.
Missouri
Guns Per Capita: 11.94
Gun Friendly Laws: 4
Gun Jobs: 5513
Average Wage: $29,516.38
Missouri is either a southern or Midwestern state depending on who you ask. Since both regions are known for their love of guns and gun ownership, it should be no surprise to see Missouri is the 9th most pro-gun state. Missouri has the 6th highest number of gun jobs in the country and permitless carry.
South Carolina
Guns Per Capita: 21.01
Gun Friendly Laws: 20
Gun Jobs: 2957
Average Wage: $42,023.47
South Carolina is the 10th most gun friendly state in the US. South Carolina has less gun restrictions than most states and a decent bit of economic activity from the gun industry.
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Those guns per capita stats can’t be right
I misunderstood them too. It was put poorly, the number is per 100 residents, not 1:1
that makes a lot more sense. Thanks for the explanation
I’m a former gun and gold owner who lost EVERYTHING, AND I DO MEAN EVERYTHING in a terrible boating accident.
I have HEARTBURN on the questionable criteria on what States are “Gun Friendly”.
The Authors cite these guides for their evaluation:
1.Number of firearm jobs
2. Average Wage of firearm jobs
3. Guns per Capita
4.Gun laws/restrictions
Regarding #1. and #2., FireArm jobs and wages is logical and makes sense, productive jobs and incomes are necessary for any civilized society to continue and thrive.
But, #3., how does anyone know what the “Guns per Capita” even is, for any State? This is a classical example of the violation of the 2nd A. Unless their is a gun registration requirement by a State, which is a hallmark of future gun confiscation planning by Government bureaucrats everywhere.
For #4., Any gun laws and restrictions, outside of the 2nd Amendment, are patently “Illegal” since State law cannot/should not supersede Federal/Constitutional law.
Therefore, any requirement to “follow State or Federal laws” on concealed carry, gun ownership, magazine limits, guns stocks, ETC. are illegal, immoral and violate the Constitution.
But when has the Constitution ever stopped Politicians? Look no further than Abe Lincoln, for the beginning of the end of the US’s Founding Father experiment of a representative Republic form of government.
Prepare to weather a terrible storm in the coming years, fellow Patriots. YMMV
You are wrong (edit: correct) Saxons Wrath. (Edit: I read your comment wrong, sorry)
10th Amendment. The laws not changing the Constitutional Laws are left up to the state to decide. You can not make guns illegal in any state without my vote and 75% of all voters in every state.
Arizona is #1 for a reason, we have no laws for guns ownership except the part about felons not being able to ‘own’ a gun. They can still shoot a gun at ranges, buy ammo and almost anything without a trigger.
In Arizona you are even allowed to own an automatic firearm as long it is registered and of course have passed a series of background checks while paying the fees. (The fees are very costly)
Arizona makes me a proud citizen of the state. When people are armed, it makes for a polite society. The social contract stands of course, if someone breaks the law, the law won’t stop them from doing harmful acts. Know that armed citizens will stop everyone from destroying the social contract that creates peace and fruitfulness for us all.
in the state of Maine, there is no longer a permit needed to carry concealed.
also that applies to non residents,
so the ill informed person who wrote this article, knows not what they are talking about.
therefore, a colorado permit is good in this state, as is any other state, even though the permit is no longer required.
Biden and Harris? stick your tax and registration up your asses.
along with registration.
connecticut came up with a registration for ar 15 rifles, and last i knew, the residents who own these great rifles, most refused,and that will be the case,especially for a president that actually lost election, but got installed to the post.
Yeah the authors a numnut, maines not worse than california or massachusetts LOL
On the other hand they estimate there are more than 500 million guns in this country – that’s more guns than people! So maybe some states do have at least several guns per capita. Either way, these numbers seem off
In rating New Hampshire #5 it states “…while they may have more restrictions than the others on the top 10…”
I live here and I am unaware of any restrictions on the state level. If you meet the Federal requirements for gun ownership (can’t be a felon or have been committed to a mental institution or a drug user, for example) any adult is free to carry, open or concealed without restriction or permit.
And our gun deaths per capita is the second lowest in the US- only Hawai’i is lower but it has far more restrictions and limitations and only a fraction of the gun ownership that NH has.
Farm,agree,but,fed restrictions are also wrong!No,I am not a felon ect.,just feel keep criminals in jail after ending all the dumbass laws.You got convicted of a bar fight in your youth,according to fed can never own a gun.A prosecutor really pushes anti-fireworks law,again,fed say no gun,tis insanity and the camel must not be allowed to keep it’s nose under the tent,swat that little double humped bastard.
As for ownership #’s,include black powder/rarities know many who exceed 100 per captita!
I’m a Constitutionalist at heart so you’re right, any law that contradicts it is wrong, but here we are.
So you play the best hand available. Living in a state that negates your rights is choice.
NH gun rights are not going to last very long with the politicians that are in charge now. To illustrate, NH currently has two of the most left wing Senators in the country and two of the most left wing Congressmen also. To top it off, the governor is the definition of a RINO.
An ultra left wing judge (appointed by one of the left wing Senators when she was Governor) just struck down a very reasonable law designed to prevent voter fraud. The law was enacted to prevent students from Mass, CT and NY from voting in NH elections and overwhelming the native residents. So the voter fraud will continue. In addition the state has been overwhelmed by immigrants from south of the border. By that, I mean Massachusetts, not Mexico. Mexicans would be better.
NH will soon go the way of Virginia and is on it’s way to becoming another Vermont.
Sununu A Rino ??? I guess you don’t live here. Pro gun to the point that no longer do you need a permit to carry concealed, pro business, low taxation, has vetoed all legislation in regards to restrictions on firearms that I have been made aware of. I’ve only lived here for 55 years, but in regards to firearms, he is far ahead of just about all the governors that I remember. ( Back before M. Thompson )
–Dennis Little
PS. Vermont is very gun friendly, and is reciprocal with NH.
What is with the ads on this page? Are you pushing anime porn as your preferred income stream? I like your content, but the ads are pushing me away.
Download ghostery like everyone else.
Or use the Brave browser.
$30 to $50 grand a year does not sound like a tax paying homeowner supporting a family and covering health insurance , retirement and transportation and all the other living expenses .
Do not tell me the companies cover the insurance and retirement packages , that ship sailed decades ago and after all working people had to get aboard it was torpedoed
Gun freedom only matters AFTER the citizens start using them to defend themselves against their government. THAT is when we will REALLY see what states actually support gun freedom.
Oklahoma at the same level as California?
And less “friendly ” compared to Illinois or The People’s Republic of Minnesota?
Sorry. I’m gonna have to call bulls*&t on that.
FYI, I can pack heat in Okie land without a permit. No waiting period. No F%^*ing FOID either,
No individual gun ID/owner’s card (a la Michigan). Just can’t drink alcohol and carry.
You have right-to-carry, Stand Your Ground Law state like Iowa as the worst — yet you put the most gun restricted states in the union like Illinois, New York, Oregon and Commiefornia in the middle? Seriously, where do you get your information? If your going to attempt to write content blog, at least try and be somewhat accurate.
Gentle man
“Arizona also has the 6th loosest fun laws in the nation.”
Is that really how you meant to word that statement?