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California led the way in gun safety in the United States as of January 2026, with a composite score of 91 based on the presence of 50 key gun safety policies. Illinois followed with a score of 87. 

Illinois joins the no-assault weapons club

In 2023, Illinois came in seventh place for gun law strength; by 2026, this ranking rose to second, signifying that the state holds some of the strongest gun safety laws nationwide. However, this swift rise up the ranks also suggests that Illinois is still taking action against gun violence, particularly after seven people were killed and dozens were injured in a mass shooting in Chicago during a Fourth of July parade in 2022. In recent years, Illinois has consistently improved state legislation on gun safety and has enacted multiple measures to prevent further harm from firearms, including a statewide ban on assault weapons, which was approved in January 2023. 

Permissive open carry states dominate the bottom of the class

Receiving less than five points each, Arkansas, South Dakota, Mississippi, and Idaho represent the lowest composite score for gun law strength nationwide. These states are among the 25 U.S. states that do not require any permit to carry concealed guns in public and are permissive open carry states as well. Moreover, these states do not require a permit or a background check to purchase a handgun and also neglect to necessitate any firearm safety training before making the purchase. Such gun safety laws are considered crucial to ensure that firearms are handled properly and do not cause anyone harm. However, it is also important to note that countries with strong safety measures may still experience high rates of gun violence due to illegal gun trafficking. As a result, taking legal action may not fully address all gun-related violence in the area, especially if there remains an illicit way for people to obtain a gun without restriction.