How hard is it to buy a gun in your state?

Gun laws vary considerably by state; this map explores the most common restrictions on gun-buying in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, creating a scale from 1-10. The criteria focuses on are whether states require state gun license permits, firearm registration, owner licenses, background checks, and waiting periods. Although many states have other restrictions, these five attributes are the most standardized. In addition, restrictions on gun usage (such as conceal-and-carry laws) were not considered.