Everytown for Gun Safety Releases 2024 State Gun Law Rankings, Connecticut Among National Leaders for Strong Gun Laws, Ranking Fourth 

HARTFORD, CT – Today, Everytown for Gun Safety launched the updated “Gun Law Rankings” for 2024, an online tool and website that ranks all 50 states based on the strength of their gun laws and catalogs gun safety laws state by state. This year, Everytown’s state gun law rankings also shows whether states’ rankings increased or decreased over the past year, reflecting progress made by passing common-sense gun safety policies or setbacks as a result of enacting dangerous measures backed by the gun lobby. Everytown’s analysis found that Connecticut ranks fourth in the nation for its comprehensive gun laws, climbing from a rank of 5 last year. 

In 2023, gun-sense legislators in Connecticut took action to pass common-sense gun safety measures through a holistic gun violence prevention bill, also known as the “Governor’s Bill,” with multiple public safety measures including prohibiting open carry of all firearms in public, strengthening safety training required to obtain a permit to purchase, receive, or sell firearms, expanding dealer licensing requirements, strengthening secure firearm storage laws, strengthening regulations on assault weapons and ghost guns, and placing limits on bulk firearm purchasing. 

“Our lawmakers have consistently met the moment, enacting legislation that addresses every element of the gun violence crisis across Connecticut,” said Joanna Taczanowsky, a volunteer with the Connecticut chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Connecticut’s ranking this year is a recognition of the progress we have made to keep our communities safe – and will continue to build on moving forward. We’re looking forward to continuing to partner with our gun sense champions to increase funding for community violence prevention organizations that are a proven way to break the cycle of gun violence.” 

In an average year in Connecticut, 211 people die by guns, and 308 people are wounded by guns. Gun violence costs Connecticut $2.6 billion each year, of which $57.1 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Connecticut can be found here.

To speak with an expert about Everytown’s State Gun Law Rankings or gun violence prevention efforts in Connecticut, please contact [email protected]