The United States leads the world by a far margin in the number of guns its citizens own. In 2023, they had a gun ownership rate, per capita, of 120.5 per 100 citizens. Compare this to the number two country, Yemen, which has half that amount – 52.8 per 100 citizens. It may be easy to see how the number of Americans who were either killed or injured by a firearm rose nearly every year from 2014 to 2021. In the last 50 years, more Americans have died by gun violence than a combined total of those lost in all wars in the country’s history.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, total firearm deaths and injuries rose from 34,221 to nearly 59,000 over this seven-year period, an increase of more than 70%. The recent surge in gun violence is thought to be a link by some experts to rising gun sales. A record-breaking 22.8 million firearms were purchased by Americans in 2020. Sales have fallen in the years since but the numbers are still astronomically high. (2021 saw 19.9 million purchases, and ranks as the industry’s second-best sales year on record, while 2022 had 16.6 million, and 2023 had 15.8 million.)
Municipalities and law enforcement agencies across the country have set up gun buyback programs in the hopes that guns will be taken off the street, reducing the likelihood of deadly violence. These initiatives allow gun owners to turn their firearms over to local authorities, often in exchange for cash or gift cards. Should certain areas not have these programs in place, gun owners may relinquish unwanted firearms to local police departments or sheriff’s offices.
Between 1988 and 2021, there were at least 550 gun buyback programs across 37 states, according to one report. In New York State, more than 7,000 firearms were voluntarily relinquished between 2019 and early 2023, according to the state’s Attorney General Letitia James. Not all states publish specific numbers, but the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives offers some insight into firearm tracing data.
24/7 Wall St. identified the states where most people are surrendering their guns by using 2022 ATF data. Figures were calculated by taking the difference between the total number of firearms traced and the number of traced guns less those voluntarily relinquished, as reported by the ATF. States are ranked by the estimated number of guns that were turned in for every 10,000 people with data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey.
It should be noted that there may be some cases where estimates include duplicate traces. Supplemental data on the estimated share of households that own a gun came from a 2020 study published by the RAND Corporation. The estimated number of guns voluntarily relinquished in 2022 ranges from fewer than 100 to nearly 23,000, depending on the state. The population-adjusted gun buyback rate among states ranges from around 1 for every 10,000 people to 6.5 per 10,000.
To reduce gun violence, gun buyback programs are typically implemented although there doesn’t appear to be much of a correlation between gun violence and buyback participation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, numerous states with the highest annual gun death rates are also home to many of the highest population-adjusted voluntary firearm relinquishment rates. (Here is a look at the states with the most gun crime.)
These buyback programs often face harsh criticism, one of which is the lack of correlation between gun violence and those who participate in buyback programs. Criminals generally will not be drawn to a weapon buyback program and even gun owners who do take part are typically not at a high risk of death by firearm. (These gun calibers are used the most to commit crime.)
Here are the states where the most people are surrendering their guns.
50. New Hampshire
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 0.94 per 10,000 people (total: 131)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in New Hampshire is 46.3%, the 19th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 10.3 fatalities per 100,000 people, the ninth lowest of all 50 states.
49. Hawaii
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 0.97 per 10,000 people (total: 140)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Hawaii is 9.1%, the third lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 4.5 fatalities per 100,000 people, the third lowest of all 50 states.
48. Vermont
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.10 per 10,000 people (total: 71)
Vermont has an estimated gun ownership rate of 50.3% of all households, the 15th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 12.2 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 13th lowest of all 50 states.
47. Wyoming
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.36 per 10,000 people (total: 79)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Wyoming is 60.7%, the second highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 20.6 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 11th highest of 50 states.
46. Michigan
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.39 per 10,000 people (total: 1,399)
Michigan has an estimated gun ownership rate of 38.9% of all households, the 22nd lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 15.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 24th lowest of all 50 states.
45. Idaho
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.41 per 10,000 people (total: 273)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Idaho is 57.8%, the fourth highest of 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 17.5 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 18th highest of all 50 states.
44. Iowa
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.43 per 10,000 people (total: 458)
Iowa has an estimated gun ownership rate of 38.5% of all households, the 20th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 11.3 fatalities per 100,000, the tenth lowest of all 50 states.
43. Connecticut
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.56 per 10,000 people (total: 566)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Connecticut is 18.8%, the eighth lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 7.0 fatalities per 100,000 people, the sixth lowest of all 50 states.
42. North Dakota
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.62 per 10,000 people (total: 126)
North Dakota has an estimated gun ownership rate of 53.5% of all households, the ninth highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 16.5 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 22nd highest of all 50 states.
41. Nebraska
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.63 per 10,000 people (total: 321)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Nebraska is 39.2%, the 24th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 12.3 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 14th lowest of all 50 states.
40. Utah
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.67 per 10,000 people (total: 565)
Utah has an estimated gun ownership rate of 39.7% of all households, the 25th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 14 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 17th lowest of all 50 states.
39. Washington
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.82 per 10,000 people (total: 1,414)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Washington is 32.1%, the 11th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 12.6 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 15th lowest of 50 states.
38. Massachusetts
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.84 per 10,000 people (total: 1,284)
Massachusetts has an estimated gun ownership rate of 9% of all households, the second lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 people, the second lowest of all 50 states.
37. New Jersey
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.85 per 10,000 people (total: 1,712)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in New Jersey is 8.9%, the lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 5.0 fatalities per 100,000, the fourth lowest of all 50 states.
36. Wisconsin
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.93 per 10,000 people (total: 1,135)
Wisconsin has an estimated gun ownership rate of 47.1% of all households, the 17th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 14.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 18th lowest of all 50 states.
35. New York
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.95 per 10,000 people (total: 3,829)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in New York is 14,5%, the fifth lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 5.3 fatalities per 100,000 people, the fifth lowest of 50 states.
34. Rhode Island
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 1.96 per 10,000 people (total: 214)
Rhode Island households have an estimated gun ownership rate of 13.9% of all households, the fourth lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 3.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the lowest of all 50 states.
33. Arkansas
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.03 per 10,000 people (total: 618)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Arkansas is 51.8%, the 14th highest of 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 22.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the eighth highest of 50 states.
32. Missouri
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.13 per 10,000 people (total: 1,314)
Missouri has an estimated gun ownership rate of 52.8% of all households, the tenth highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 24.4 fatalities per 100,000 people, the sixth highest of all 50 states.
31. Minnesota
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.18 per 10,000 people (total: 1,246)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Minnesota is 39.1%, the 23rd lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 9.7 fatalities per 100,000 people, the eighth lowest of all 50 states.
30. Alaska
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.18 per 10,000 people (total: 160)
Alaska has an estimated gun ownership rate of 57.2% of all households, the fifth highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 22.7 fatalities per 100,000 people, the seventh highest of all 50 states.
29. Oklahoma
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.26 per 10,000 people (total: 908)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Oklahoma is 54.9%, the seventh highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 20.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 13th highest of all 50 states.
28. Kansas
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.38 per 10,000 people (total: 698)
Kansas has an estimated gun ownership rate of 42.3% of all households, the 22nd highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 17.0 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 21st highest of all 50 states.
27. Colorado
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.38 per 10,000 people (total: 1,389)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Colorado is 37.9%, the 19th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 17.3 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 19th highest of all 50 states.
26. West Virginia
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.41 per 10,000 people (total: 427)
West Virginia has an estimated gun ownership rate of 60% of all households, the third highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 16.4 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 23rd highest of all 50 states.
25. South Dakota
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.42 per 10,000 people (total: 220)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in South Dakota is 55%, the 6th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 16.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 24th highest of all 50 states.
24. Georgia
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.42 per 10,000 people (total: 2,645)
Georgia has an estimated gun ownership rate of 37.7% of all households, the 18th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 20.0 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 14th highest of all 50 states.
23. Mississippi
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.49 per 10,000 people (total: 733)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Mississippi is 54.1%, the 8th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 29.7 fatalities per 100,000 people, the highest of all 50 states.
22. Ohio
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.59 per 10,000 people (total: 3,043)
Ohio has an estimated gun ownership rate of 41.9% of all households, the 23rd highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 15.7 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 25th highest of all 50 states.
21. Texas
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.61 per 10,000 people (total: 7,834)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Texas is 35.5%, the 14th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 15.7 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 25th highest of all 50 states.
20. Montana
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.66 per 10,000 people (total: 299)
Montana has an estimated gun ownership rate of 65% of all households, the highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 24.5 fatalities per 100,000 people, the fifth highest of all 50 states.
19. Florida
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.70 per 10,000 people (total: 6,008)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Florida is 28.8%, the 10th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 14.4 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 20th lowest of all 50 states.
18. Indiana
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.76 per 10,000 people (total: 1,886)
Indiana has an estimated gun ownership rate of 42.4% of all households, the 21st highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 17.6 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 17th highest of all 50 states.
17. Alabama
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.82 per 10,000 people (total: 1,432)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Alabama is 52.8%, the 10th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 25.9 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 4th highest of all 50 states.
16. Arizona
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.90 per 10,000 people (total: 2,134)
Arizona has an estimated gun ownership rate of 36% of all households, the 16th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 20.5 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 12th highest of all 50 states.
15. Virginia
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 2.94 per 10,000 people (total: 2,556)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Virginia is 35.3%, the 13th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 15.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 24th lowest of all 50 states.
14. Delaware
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 3.01 per 10,000 people (total: 307)
Delaware has an estimated gun ownership rate of 38.7% of all households, the 21st lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 12.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 12th lowest of all 50 states.
13. Oregon
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 3.12 per 10,000 people (total: 1,323)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Oregon is 41.4%, the 24th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 14.6 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 21st lowest of all 50 states.
12. Kentucky
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 3.23 per 10,000 people (total: 1,457)
Kentucky has an estimated gun ownership rate of 52.5% of all households, the 12th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 18.9 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 16th highest of all 50 states.
11. Nevada
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 3.35 per 10,000 people (total: 1,065)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Nevada is 32.9%, the 12th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 19.3 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 15th highest of all 50 states.
10. South Carolina
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 3.36 per 10,000 people (total: 1,775)
South Carolina has an estimated gun ownership rate of 45% of all households, the 20th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 21.3 fatalities per 100,000 people, the ninth highest of all 50 states.
9. Illinois
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 3.46 per 10,000 people (total: 4,353)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Illinois is 22.6%, the ninth lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 14.4 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 20th lowest of all 50 states.
8. New Mexico
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 3.66 per 10,000 people (total: 774)
New Mexico has an estimated gun ownership rate of 35.9% of all households, the 15th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 27.5 fatalities per 100,000 people, the third highest of all 50 states.
7. Pennsylvania
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 3.68 per 10,000 people (total: 4,771)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Pennsylvania is 40.2%, the 25th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 14.8 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 22nd lowest of all 50 states.
6. North Carolina
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 4.06 per 10,000 people (total: 4,348)
North Carolina has an estimated gun ownership rate of 37.1% of all households, the 17th lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 17.1 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 20th highest of all 50 states.
5. Tennessee
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 4.48 per 10,000 people (total: 3,159)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Louisiana is 46.9% , the 18th highest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate is 20.9 fatalities per 100,000 people, the tenth highest of all 50 states.
4. California
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 5.88 per 10,000 people (total: 22,958)
California has an estimated gun ownership rate of 16.3% of all households, the sixth lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 8.7 fatalities per 100,000 people, the seventh lowest of all 50 states.
3. Louisiana
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 6.03 per 10,000 people (total: 2,767)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Louisiana is 52.3%, the 13th highest of all 50 states. The state’s most recent annual gun death rate is 28.2 fatalities per 100,000 people, the second highest of all 50 states.
2. Maine
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 6.31 per 10,000 people (total: 874)
The estimated rate of households that own guns in Maine is 47.7%, the 16th highest of all 50 states. The most recent annual gun death rate is 12.0 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 11th lowest of all 50 states.
1. Maryland
- Est. number of voluntarily forfeited firearms in 2022: 6.54 per 10,000 people (total: 4,034)
Maryland has an estimated gun ownership rate of 16.7% of all households, the seventh lowest of all 50 states. The latest annual gun death rate in the state is 13.6 fatalities per 100,000 people, the 16th lowest of all 50 states.
Rank | State | Guns turned in per 10,000 people in 2022 (est.) | Est. num. of guns turned in or bought back in 2022 | Est. households that own a firearm (%) | Gun deaths per 100,000 people annually |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Maryland | 6.54 | 4,034 | 16.7 | 13.6 |
2 | Maine | 6.31 | 874 | 47.7 | 12.0 |
3 | Louisiana | 6.03 | 2,767 | 52.3 | 28.2 |
4 | California | 5.88 | 22,958 | 16.3 | 8.7 |
5 | Tennessee | 4.48 | 3,159 | 46.9 | 20.9 |
6 | North Carolina | 4.06 | 4,348 | 37.1 | 17.1 |
7 | Pennsylvania | 3.68 | 4,771 | 40.2 | 14.8 |
8 | New Mexico | 3.66 | 774 | 35.9 | 27.5 |
9 | Illinois | 3.46 | 4,353 | 22.6 | 14.4 |
10 | South Carolina | 3.36 | 1,775 | 45.0 | 21.3 |
11 | Nevada | 3.35 | 1,065 | 32.9 | 19.3 |
12 | Kentucky | 3.23 | 1,457 | 52.5 | 18.9 |
13 | Oregon | 3.12 | 1,323 | 41.4 | 14.6 |
14 | Delaware | 3.01 | 307 | 38.7 | 12.1 |
15 | Virginia | 2.94 | 2,556 | 35.3 | 15.1 |
16 | Arizona | 2.90 | 2,134 | 36.0 | 20.5 |
17 | Alabama | 2.82 | 1,432 | 52.8 | 25.9 |
18 | Indiana | 2.76 | 1,886 | 42.4 | 17.6 |
19 | Florida | 2.70 | 6,008 | 28.8 | 14.4 |
20 | Montana | 2.66 | 299 | 65.0 | 24.5 |
21 | Texas | 2.61 | 7,834 | 35.5 | 15.7 |
22 | Ohio | 2.59 | 3,043 | 41.9 | 15.7 |
23 | Mississippi | 2.49 | 733 | 54.1 | 29.7 |
24 | Georgia | 2.42 | 2,645 | 37.7 | 20.0 |
25 | South Dakota | 2.42 | 220 | 55.0 | 16.1 |
26 | West Virginia | 2.41 | 427 | 60.0 | 16.4 |
27 | Colorado | 2.38 | 1,389 | 37.9 | 17.3 |
28 | Kansas | 2.38 | 698 | 42.3 | 17.0 |
29 | Oklahoma | 2.26 | 908 | 54.9 | 20.1 |
30 | Alaska | 2.18 | 160 | 57.2 | 22.7 |
31 | Minnesota | 2.18 | 1,246 | 39.1 | 9.7 |
32 | Missouri | 2.13 | 1,314 | 52.8 | 24.4 |
33 | Arkansas | 2.03 | 618 | 51.8 | 22.1 |
34 | Rhode Island | 1.96 | 214 | 13.9 | 3.1 |
35 | New York | 1.95 | 3,829 | 14.5 | 5.3 |
36 | Wisconsin | 1.93 | 1,135 | 47.1 | 14.1 |
37 | New Jersey | 1.85 | 1,712 | 8.9 | 5.0 |
38 | Massachusetts | 1.84 | 1,284 | 9.0 | 3.7 |
39 | Washington | 1.82 | 1,414 | 32.1 | 12.6 |
40 | Utah | 1.67 | 565 | 39.7 | 14.0 |
41 | Nebraska | 1.63 | 321 | 39.2 | 12.3 |
42 | North Dakota | 1.62 | 126 | 53.3 | 16.5 |
43 | Connecticut | 1.56 | 566 | 18.8 | 7.0 |
44 | Iowa | 1.43 | 458 | 38.5 | 11.3 |
45 | Idaho | 1.41 | 273 | 57.8 | 17.5 |
46 | Michigan | 1.39 | 1,399 | 38.9 | 15.1 |
47 | Wyoming | 1.36 | 79 | 60.7 | 20.6 |
48 | Vermont | 1.10 | 71 | 50.3 | 12.2 |
49 | Hawaii | 0.97 | 140 | 9.1 | 4.5 |
50 | New Hampshire | 0.94 | 131 | 46.3 | 10.3 |
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