Laws
California vs Massachusetts: Gun Ownership
California has a higher share of adults who own guns than Massachusetts.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for gun ownership.
California
#43 · 20.7%
Massachusetts
#48 · 12.6%
Lowest
Highest
Top 10 States — Gun Ownership
#1
Wyoming
66.3%
Wyoming
#2
Montana
65.7%
Montana
#3
Alaska
63.5%
Alaska
#4
West Virginia
58.5%
West Virginia
#5
Arkansas
57.2%
Arkansas
#6
Idaho
56.8%
Idaho
#7
Alabama
55.5%
Alabama
#8
Mississippi
55.2%
Mississippi
#9
South Dakota
54.9%
South Dakota
#10
North Dakota
52.1%
North Dakota
Selected states
#43
California
20.7%
California
#48
Massachusetts
12.6%
Massachusetts
California ranks 43rd and Massachusetts ranks 48th nationally for gun ownership.
What this means
California vs Massachusetts: Gun Ownership in context
California's gun ownership is 20.7%, compared with 12.6% in Massachusetts, a gap of 64.3%. Share of adults who personally own a gun (%).
California
20.7%
Massachusetts
12.6%
Difference
8.10 percentage points
People also ask
California vs Massachusetts Gun Ownership — common questions
QWhat is California's gun ownership?
California's gun ownership is 20.7%.
QWhat is Massachusetts's gun ownership?
Massachusetts's gun ownership is 12.6%.
QWhich state has a higher gun ownership — California or Massachusetts?
California has a higher share of adults who own guns than Massachusetts.
QHow much more gun ownership does California have compared to Massachusetts?
8.10 percentage points.
More comparisons: California vs Massachusetts
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Data source and freshness
Primary source
Data period
Latest incorporated survey estimates
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Survey-derived adult ownership estimate; it is not a firearm registration count.