Laws

California vs Nevada: Gun Ownership

Nevada has a higher share of adults who own guns than California.

California flag
California
CA · West
20.7%
Share of adults who personally own a gun (%).
Nevada flag
Nevada
NV · West
Winner
31.4%
Share of adults who personally own a gun (%).

Visual comparison

California20.7%
Nevada31.4%

Difference: 10.70 percentage points — Nevada leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for gun ownership.

California #43 · 20.7%
Nevada #38 · 31.4%
Lowest Highest

Top 10 States — Gun Ownership

#1 Wyoming flag Wyoming
66.3%
#2 Montana flag Montana
65.7%
#3 Alaska flag Alaska
63.5%
#4 West Virginia flag West Virginia
58.5%
#5 Arkansas flag Arkansas
57.2%
#6 Idaho flag Idaho
56.8%
#7 Alabama flag Alabama
55.5%
#8 Mississippi flag Mississippi
55.2%
#9 South Dakota flag South Dakota
54.9%
#10 North Dakota flag North Dakota
52.1%
Selected states
#43 California flag California
20.7%
#38 Nevada flag Nevada
31.4%

California ranks 43rd and Nevada ranks 38th nationally for gun ownership.

What this means

California vs Nevada: Gun Ownership in context

Nevada's gun ownership is 31.4%, compared with 20.7% in California, a gap of 51.7%. Share of adults who personally own a gun (%).

California
20.7%
Nevada
31.4%
Difference
10.70 percentage points

People also ask

California vs Nevada Gun Ownership — common questions

QWhat is California's gun ownership?

California's gun ownership is 20.7%.

QWhat is Nevada's gun ownership?

Nevada's gun ownership is 31.4%.

QWhich state has a higher gun ownership — California or Nevada?

Nevada has a higher share of adults who own guns than California.

QHow much more gun ownership does Nevada have compared to California?

10.70 percentage points.

More comparisons: California vs Nevada

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Full comparison

Data source and freshness

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.