The States Where the Most Guns Are Stolen in America

Firearm theft is a persistent issue across the United States, with thousands of guns reported stolen each year from homes, vehicles, and businesses. While gun ownership varies widely from state to state, certain areas consistently report higher numbers of stolen firearms. These thefts represent more than just financial losses for gun owners, as stolen weapons can sometimes end up in illegal markets or be used in crimes long after they disappear.

Examining where firearm theft occurs most frequently can reveal broader patterns in crime and enforcement challenges across the country. Understanding these trends may also help highlight areas where prevention efforts, safe storage practices, and law enforcement strategies could reduce the number of stolen weapons.

In this slideshow, 24/7 Tempo examines the states where the most guns are stolen, using federal data to rank states by the population-adjusted average number of firearms stolen each year.

Why It Matters

Stolen firearms can enter illegal markets and may be used in crimes long after they leave their original owners. Understanding where gun theft occurs most often helps highlight areas facing greater risks and can inform prevention efforts, law enforcement strategies, and safer storage practices. Reducing gun theft is an important step toward improving public safety and limiting the chances that legally purchased firearms are later misused.

50. Massachusetts

Annual firearm theft rate: 4.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 339 — 6th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 25.4% — 8th lowest of 50 states (approx. 86 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 3.7 per 100,000 people — 2nd lowest of 50 states (263 total deaths)

49. New Jersey

Annual firearm theft rate: 6.3 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 586 — 11th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 30.5% — 21st lowest of 50 states (approx. 179 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 5.0 per 100,000 people — 4th lowest of 50 states (468 total deaths)

48. New York

Annual firearm theft rate: 8.2 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 1,650 — 23rd fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 16.5% — 3rd lowest of 50 states (approx. 272 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 5.3 per 100,000 people — 5th lowest of 50 states (1,044 total deaths)

47. Rhode Island

Annual firearm theft rate: 10.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 114 — the fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 30.5% — 20th lowest of 50 states (approx. 35 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 3.1 per 100,000 people — the lowest of 50 states (37 total deaths)

46. Hawaii

Annual firearm theft rate: 11.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 166 — 2nd fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 19.5% — 4th lowest of 50 states (approx. 32 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 4.5 per 100,000 people — 3rd lowest of 50 states (66 total deaths)

45. Maine

Annual firearm theft rate: 18.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 251 — 3rd fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 33.6% — 14th highest of 50 states (approx. 84 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 11.7 per 100,000 people — 11th lowest of 50 states (179 total deaths)

44. Maryland

Annual firearm theft rate: 18.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 1,135 — 18th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 26.6% — 9th lowest of 50 states (approx. 301 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 13.6 per 100,000 people — 16th lowest of 50 states (813 total deaths)

43. California

Annual firearm theft rate: 20.3 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 8,011 — 5th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 16.0% — 2nd lowest of 50 states (approx. 1,281 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 8.6 per 100,000 people — 7th lowest of 50 states (3,484 total deaths)

42. Wisconsin

Annual firearm theft rate: 20.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 1,226 — 19th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 0.7% — the lowest of 50 states (approx. 8 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 14.0 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest of 50 states (830 total deaths)

41. Connecticut

Annual firearm theft rate: 22.1 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 796 — 14th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 22.2% — 5th lowest of 50 states (approx. 177 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 6.9 per 100,000 people — 6th lowest of 50 states (252 total deaths)

40. New Hampshire

Annual firearm theft rate: 25.5 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 351 — 7th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 36.4% — 7th highest of 50 states (approx. 128 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 10.1 per 100,000 people — 9th lowest of 50 states (156 total deaths)

39. Minnesota

Annual firearm theft rate: 28.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 1,622 — 22nd fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 31.4% — 25th lowest of 50 states (approx. 509 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 9.6 per 100,000 people — 8th lowest of 50 states (561 total deaths)

38. Nebraska

Annual firearm theft rate: 34.0 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 666 — 12th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 38.8% — 3rd highest of 50 states (approx. 259 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 12.2 per 100,000 people — 14th lowest of 50 states (244 total deaths)

37. North Dakota

Annual firearm theft rate: 34.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 268 — 4th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 39.1% — 2nd highest of 50 states (approx. 105 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 16.4 per 100,000 people — 22nd highest of 50 states (125 total deaths)

36. Illinois

Annual firearm theft rate: 35.0 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 4,487 — 18th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 27.0% — 11th lowest of 50 states (approx. 1,212 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 14.4 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest of 50 states (1,798 total deaths)

35. Iowa

Annual firearm theft rate: 35.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 1,130 — 17th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 34.9% — 11th highest of 50 states (approx. 394 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 11.2 per 100,000 people — 10th lowest of 50 states (367 total deaths)

34. Delaware

Annual firearm theft rate: 37.1 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 367 — 8th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 31.1% — 23rd lowest of 50 states (approx. 114 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 11.9 per 100,000 people — 12th lowest of 50 states (124 total deaths)

33. Utah

Annual firearm theft rate: 39.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 1,289 — 20th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 35.9% — 9th highest of 50 states (approx. 463 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 13.7 per 100,000 people — 17th lowest of 50 states (446 total deaths)

32. Vermont

Annual firearm theft rate: 45.3 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 291 — 5th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 25.0% — 6th lowest of 50 states (approx. 73 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 12.0 per 100,000 people — 13th lowest of 50 states (84 total deaths)

31. Pennsylvania

Annual firearm theft rate: 45.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 5,959 — 13th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 30.1% — 18th lowest of 50 states (approx. 1,794 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 14.7 per 100,000 people — 22nd lowest of 50 states (1,941 total deaths)

30. Idaho

Annual firearm theft rate: 49.0 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 901 — 15th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 37.0% — 5th highest of 50 states (approx. 334 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 17.0 per 100,000 people — 19th highest of 50 states (338 total deaths)

29. Washington

Annual firearm theft rate: 53.6 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 4,127 — 21st most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 33.2% — 16th highest of 50 states (approx. 1,368 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 12.4 per 100,000 people — 15th lowest of 50 states (1,022 total deaths)

28. Ohio

Annual firearm theft rate: 55.3 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 6,521 — 12th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 30.0% — 17th lowest of 50 states (approx. 1,954 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 15.6 per 100,000 people — 25th highest of 50 states (1,831 total deaths)

27. Oregon

Annual firearm theft rate: 58.0 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 2,459 — 25th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 30.5% — 19th lowest of 50 states (approx. 750 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 14.4 per 100,000 people — 21st lowest of 50 states (655 total deaths)

26. South Dakota

Annual firearm theft rate: 59.2 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 525 — 10th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 36.8% — 6th highest of 50 states (approx. 193 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 15.7 per 100,000 people — 24th highest of 50 states (141 total deaths)

25. Colorado

Annual firearm theft rate: 60.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 3,512 — 23rd most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 27.1% — 12th lowest of 50 states (approx. 951 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 17.1 per 100,000 people — 18th highest of 50 states (1,036 total deaths)

24. Florida

Annual firearm theft rate: 62.7 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 13,496 — 3rd most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 33.4% — 15th highest of 50 states (approx. 4,509 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 14.0 per 100,000 people — 19th lowest of 50 states (3,232 total deaths)

23. Virginia

Annual firearm theft rate: 64.7 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 5,587 — 14th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 32.1% — 23rd highest of 50 states (approx. 1,791 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 14.9 per 100,000 people — 23rd lowest of 50 states (1,316 total deaths)

22. Kansas

Annual firearm theft rate: 68.0 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 1,999 — 24th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 31.4% — 25th highest of 50 states (approx. 628 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 16.8 per 100,000 people — 20th highest of 50 states (492 total deaths)

21. Michigan

Annual firearm theft rate: 68.1 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 6,858 — 10th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 29.4% — 15th lowest of 50 states (approx. 2,019 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 15.0 per 100,000 people — 24th lowest of 50 states (1,504 total deaths)

20. Arizona

Annual firearm theft rate: 68.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 4,919 — 17th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 32.5% — 21st highest of 50 states (approx. 1,601 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 20.1 per 100,000 people — 12th highest of 50 states (1,535 total deaths)

19. West Virginia

Annual firearm theft rate: 72.7 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 1,304 — 21st fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 25.2% — 7th lowest of 50 states (approx. 329 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 16.2 per 100,000 people — 23rd highest of 50 states (311 total deaths)

18. Indiana

Annual firearm theft rate: 77.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 5,281 — 16th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 32.9% — 18th highest of 50 states (approx. 1,738 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 17.4 per 100,000 people — 17th highest of 50 states (1,211 total deaths)

17. Wyoming

Annual firearm theft rate: 83.4 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 481 — 9th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 27.3% — 13th lowest of 50 states (approx. 131 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 20.4 per 100,000 people — 11th highest of 50 states (124 total deaths)

16. Nevada

Annual firearm theft rate: 84.2 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 2,613 — 24th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 32.7% — 20th highest of 50 states (approx. 855 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 18.9 per 100,000 people — 15th highest of 50 states (618 total deaths)

15. Montana

Annual firearm theft rate: 88.7 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 962 — 16th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 35.0% — 10th highest of 50 states (approx. 337 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 23.9 per 100,000 people — 6th highest of 50 states (274 total deaths)

14. Texas

Annual firearm theft rate: 91.5 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 26,674 — the most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 27.0% — 10th lowest of 50 states (approx. 7,199 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 15.3 per 100,000 people — 25th lowest of 50 states (4,630 total deaths)

13. Kentucky

Annual firearm theft rate: 94.5 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 4,256 — 19th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 41.4% — the highest of 50 states (approx. 1,763 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 18.8 per 100,000 people — 16th highest of 50 states (840 total deaths)

12. Alaska

Annual firearm theft rate: 99.9 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 733 — 13th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 37.5% — 4th highest of 50 states (approx. 275 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 22.4 per 100,000 people — 7th highest of 50 states (164 total deaths)

11. New Mexico

Annual firearm theft rate: 103.3 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 2,187 — 25th fewest of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 28.2% — 14th lowest of 50 states (approx. 616 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 27.3 per 100,000 people — 3rd highest of 50 states (571 total deaths)

10. North Carolina

Annual firearm theft rate: 104.2 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 10,876 — 4th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 34.0% — 12th highest of 50 states (approx. 3,694 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: Yes
Annual firearm fatality rate: 16.8 per 100,000 people — 20th highest of 50 states (1,831 total deaths)

9. Oklahoma

Annual firearm theft rate: 105.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 4,189 — 20th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 30.8% — 22nd lowest of 50 states (approx. 1,291 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 19.8 per 100,000 people — 13th highest of 50 states (797 total deaths)

8. Missouri

Annual firearm theft rate: 111.2 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 6,845 — 11th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 32.5% — 22nd highest of 50 states (approx. 2,226 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 24.2 per 100,000 people — 5th highest of 50 states (1,489 total deaths)

7. Tennessee

Annual firearm theft rate: 114.2 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 7,890 — 6th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 31.6% — 24th highest of 50 states (approx. 2,491 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 20.5 per 100,000 people — 10th highest of 50 states (1,480 total deaths)

6. Arkansas

Annual firearm theft rate: 122.9 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 3,700 — 22nd most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 36.2% — 8th highest of 50 states (approx. 1,341 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 21.9 per 100,000 people — 8th highest of 50 states (666 total deaths)

5. Georgia

Annual firearm theft rate: 135.5 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 14,511 — 2nd most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 31.3% — 24th lowest of 50 states (approx. 4,545 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 19.7 per 100,000 people — 14th highest of 50 states (2,163 total deaths)

4. Alabama

Annual firearm theft rate: 144.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 7,276 — 8th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 32.8% — 19th highest of 50 states (approx. 2,387 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 25.5 per 100,000 people — 4th highest of 50 states (1,278 total deaths)

3. South Carolina

Annual firearm theft rate: 151.1 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 7,735 — 7th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 33.0% — 17th highest of 50 states (approx. 2,555 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 20.8 per 100,000 people — 9th highest of 50 states (1,105 total deaths)

2. Louisiana

Annual firearm theft rate: 155.1 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 7,223 — 9th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 33.9% — 13th highest of 50 states (approx. 2,447 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 28.2 per 100,000 people — 2nd highest of 50 states (1,266 total deaths)

1. Mississippi

Annual firearm theft rate: 179.8 stolen guns per 100,000 people
Avg. number of firearms stolen per year: 5,323 — 15th most of 50 states
Est. stolen firearm recovery rate: 29.5% — 16th lowest of 50 states (approx. 1,572 stolen guns recovered per year)
State-level safe storage or child access prevention gun laws?: No
Annual firearm fatality rate: 29.6 per 100,000 people — the highest of 50 states (848 total deaths)