Policies prohibiting gun possession by certain people U.S. 2024, by state

In the United States, gun laws differ from state to state. While all citizens have the 'right to bear arms' ingrained in their Constitution, Americans who have a criminal record or suffer from mental illness may be restricted from gun ownership depending on the state they are living in. As of 2024, 38 states had prohibited people with felony convictions from having a gun, while 32 states barred firearm access by convicted domestic abusers. However, only 12 states had restricted gun possession by domestic abusers under temporary restraining orders, despite commonly cited concerns that victims may face the most danger directly after leaving their abuser. In comparison, owning a firearm was outlawed by 29 states for certain people with serious mental illness, defined as those who were involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital or found to be a danger to themselves or others. Although federal law already restricts such mentally ill individuals, as well as most convicted domestic abusers, from obtaining firearms, having statewide legislation is still considered crucial to ensure that the policy is properly enforced.