Easiest States to Buy a Gun: The Best States for Gun Buyers in 2026

Related Studies: How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy A Gun: A State Guide, Most Gun-Friendly States in 2025, Gun Ownership by State.

Ammo.com provides accurate, reliable, and current information. The sources referenced in this article can be viewed HERE.

Methodology

Some states make it harder for civilians to purchase firearms than others. Although federal statutes apply to all Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers, state laws regarding private sales vary.

To determine which states make it easiest to buy a gun, we determined the following:

• States with no permit to purchase
• States with no background checks for private sales
• States with no waiting periods on firearm purchases
• States with sales tax exemptions for firearms and ammunition
• States that allow concealed carry permit holders to purchase firearms without a NICS background check

And considered:

• Minimum age to purchase firearms by state
• Concealed and open carry legislation by state

Note that federal laws apply to all firearm sales, including private transactions. Per federal law, it is illegal to sell a firearm to a “prohibited person” (e.g., a fugitive from justice, illegal alien, or unlawful user of any controlled substance). Certain firearms are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and require an approved tax stamp. Furthermore, interstate sales are generally prohibited without involvement by an FFL dealer.

10 Easiest States to Buy a Gun

1. West Virginia

Country roads, take me home to the easiest state to purchase a gun in. West Virginia allows residents to purchase guns without permits, licenses, or additional background checks. The state also does not regulate private firearm sales.

Why West Virginia is the best state to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• No sales tax on certain small arms or ammunition purchases
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for 18-year-olds
• A license to carry does exempt the buyer from an NICS background check at an FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

2. Montana

Montana: Where personal freedom isn’t an afterthought. It’s a way of life.

The Treasure State is the second easiest state to buy a gun. Montana imposes very few bureaucratic hurdles for firearm purchases, and offers exemptions from NICS background checks when purchasing from FFL dealers.

Why Montana is one of the best places to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• No state sales tax means no tax on firearms or ammunition
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for 18-year-olds
• A license to carry does exempt buyer from NICS background check at FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

3. New Hampshire

“Live Free or Die” isn’t just the catchy slogan on New Hampshire’s license plates. It’s a guiding principle reflected in the state’s approach to firearm purchases as well. With some of the most relaxed gun laws and tax policies in the country, New Hampshire truly earns the third spot in our list.

Why New Hampshire is one of the best places to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• No state sales tax means no tax on firearms or ammunition
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for 18-year-olds
• A license to carry does not exempt the buyer from an NICS background check at an FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

4. South Dakota

The Badlands are a good place for Second Amendment rights. South Dakota state law makes it relatively easy to buy a gun in a private (non-FFL) sale. The state doesn’t regulate sales outside of FFL dealers, require permits or licenses to purchase, or impose a minimum age for purchases.

Why South Dakota is one of the best places to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• Standard sales tax applies to firearms or ammunition purchases
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for 18-year-olds
• A license to carry does exempt the buyer from a NICS background check at an FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

5. Idaho

The Gem State is diamond-level when it comes to easy gun purchases thanks to its relaxed laws and private sales policies. Although Idaho citizens must obey federal laws, they do not need licenses or permits to purchase handguns, rifles or shotguns.

Why Idaho is one of the best places to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• Standard sales tax applies to firearms or ammunition purchases
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for 18-year-olds
• A license to carry does exempt buyer from NICS background check at FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

6. Tennessee

The first Southern state on our list is a great place for gun owners, and makes buying a gun relatively easy. Tennesseans don’t need a permit or license to buy guns, and private sales are unregulated by the state.

Why Tennessee is one of the best places to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• Standard sales tax applies to firearms or ammunition purchases (unless the state is observing a tax holiday)
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for 18-year-olds
• A license to carry does not exempt buyer from NICS background check at FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

7. Missouri

Missouri loves company – the company of patriotic, gun-loving Americans, that is. The state makes it easy for law-abiding civilians to buy rifles, shotguns, and handguns. It also doesn’t impose restrictions on dealers or purchasers, and allows those 19 and older to carry without a permit.

Why Missouri is one of the best places to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• Standard sales tax applies to firearms or ammunition purchases (sales taxes on firearms are capped)
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for 19-year-olds
• A concealed carry permit does exempt the buyer from an NICS background check at an FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

8. Arkansas

You can’t spell “AR-15” without “AR.” It’s only fitting that Arkansas should make it so easy for law-abiding citizens to buy guns. There are no additional background checks or permits required to purchase there.

Why Arkansas is one of the best places to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• Standard sales tax applies to firearms or ammunition purchases (unless the state is observing a tax holiday)
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for 21-year-olds
• A license to carry does exempt the buyer from an NICS background check at an FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

9. Georgia

Georgia is a peachy place for gun owners, and makes buying a firearm easier than in most other states. No additional background checks, licenses, or permits to purchase are required.

Why Georgia is one of the best places to buy a gun:

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• Standard sales tax applies to firearms or ammunition purchases
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Concealed and open carry are permitted for those over 21 (or 18 if a member of the military).
• A license to carry does exempt the buyer from an NICS background check at an FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

10. Kentucky

Kentucky is famous for its baseball bats, but the state knows its residents need stronger hardware to protect themselves with. It is a great state for gun owners, having very few restrictions on firearm purchases. Kentucky also does not restrict private sales, or require a permit or license to buy guns.

• No permits or licenses required to purchase
• No waiting periods or background checks on private sales
• Standard sales tax applies to firearms or ammunition purchases
• Minimum purchase age is 18 (for long guns via FFL dealers and handguns in private sales)
• Open carry is permitted without a permit for 18-year-olds; permitless concealed carry is legal for 21-year-olds
• A license to carry does exempt buyer from an NICS background check at an FFL dealer
• No waiting periods on firearm purchases

List of All States Where You Can Buy a Firearm Without a License

In 2026, 14 states and Washington, D.C. require a permit or license for firearms purchases (some apply only to specific firearms). The remaining 36 states have no permit requirements to purchase firearms in private sales or from FFL dealers.

Wrap-Up

Most states in the U.S. make it relatively easy to buy a gun. Some states make the process even easier with tax exemptions, NICS background check bypasses, and reduced age requirements for buyers.

While federal laws apply to all FFL dealers and transactions, it’s up to the states to impose more restrictions. Fortunately, the majority do not restrict residents’ rights to keep and bear arms.

Sources

1. USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws by State
2. What States Require a Permit to Purchase a Firearm?
3. Firearm Purchaser Licensing
4. Brady Permit Chart
5. Minimum Age for Gun Sales and Transfers

Article posted with permission from Ammo.com